Residential & commercial pest control issues in Burlington
Located less than 50 miles from the Canadian border on the shores of Lake Champlain, Burlington, Vermont, brings together a cocktail of climate factors that drive pests indoors. With its cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers, this city has insect and wildlife issues year-round.
Seasonal pests in Vermont
Spring and Summer
- Carpenter Ants - Water damage, the main attractant for carpenter ants, is hard to avoid in Burlington. Frequent rain and snow rots wooden windowsills, doorframes, and roof supports, making it easy for carpenter ants to nest inside. During warmer months, locals may spot the pests foraging for crumbs in break rooms, employee desks, or kitchens.
- Bees, Wasps, and Hornets - Peak activity for stinging insects in Burlington occurs in late summer and early fall. Vermont has a variety of wasp and bee species, though aggressive yellow jackets usually cause the most problems. Since the pests like to colonize animal burrows in lawns and the undersides of porches or steps, unwary landscapers, homeowners, and tenants can accidentally provoke an attack.
Fall and Winter
- Bed Bugs - While bed bug activity typically spikes during summer, reports tend to rise in Burlington when fall brings an influx of leaf peepers and returning students. These pests travel by grabbing onto or hiding inside clothing and luggage, and more people moving through local hotels and schools increases the risk of infestation.
- Rodents - Although they can breed in temperatures as low as 24 degrees, Norway rats are always looking for habitats with plenty of heat, shelter, and food. Burlington's cold winters and lake effect squalls send the pests indoors looking for better conditions. These rodents are quick and agile, easily slipping through loading docks to enter food manufacturing plants and warehouses.
- Boxelder Bugs - Native to Vermont and the eastern U.S., the boxelder tree is home to a specific insect that may bother Burlington residents during the colder months. Like stink bugs, boxelder bugs often gather in large numbers on sunny building exteriors in fall and come inside to overwinter.
- Cluster Flies - Similar to boxelder bugs, cluster flies often choose attics as a warm, out-of-the-way place to spend the winter. Unfortunately, some of these pests find their way into heated living or retail spaces. Since people associate flies with filth, a cluster fly infestation can be especially bad for Burlington businesses such as grocery stores, restaurants, and hospitals.
Other Risk Factors for Pests in Burlington
Green Spaces
Voted one of the country's prettiest cities for its colorful foliage and nature preserves, Burlington offers plenty of resources for pollinators. Between wildflowers in the Urban Reserve and the Intervale's gardens and farms, bees and cluster flies find it easy to thrive here.
Travel and Infrastructure
Top-notch colleges, Vermont's largest airport, several corporate headquarters, and nearby ski resorts bring many people to Burlington. Unfortunately, bed bugs that hitchhike inside personal belongings and rats that come into the city inside shipments of supplies and vehicles may decide to stick around.
Variety of Housing
As a college town, Burlington provides an array of living options, including many multi-unit properties. While some pests, like boxelder bugs, are minor annoyances, others create serious issues for both tenants and landlords. For example, bed bug and rat infestations that start in one unit can spread to the whole complex through wall voids and gaps under doors.
Historic Architecture
Vermont commercial and rental properties are some of the oldest in the country. With many historic buildings converted into homes and retail stores, locals often struggle with keeping pests out. Older construction offers more openings for rodents to squeeze through, nooks for wasps to colonize, and decaying timber to attract carpenter ants.
Problems Caused by Pests
Burlington's most common pests come with a wide range of concerns for home and business owners. While some species are simply annoying, others can have negative effects on your health, safety, or finances.
- Nuisances: For the most part, boxelder bugs and cluster flies are frustrating but harmless. Boxelder bugs may stain fabrics when crushed, and sluggish, disoriented cluster flies like to buzz around lights and litter windowsills. However, neither of these pests transmit diseases to people.
- Injury and Illness: Typical reactions to bed bug bites and wasp stings include itching and pain, though life-threatening allergic responses are possible. Rats can also bite, but the real danger with rodents is germ transmission. These pests often contaminate large amounts of stored food with harmful bacteria such as Salmonella.
- Property Damage: Norway rats burrow in Burlington lawns and can gnaw through almost any material, including wood, plastic, wiring, insulation, brick, and even metal. Carpenter ant damage is usually less severe, but a long-standing colony can be destructive. Hollowed-out support beams or porch pillars may collapse, taking sections of the roof or floor with them.
- Lost Revenue: Any pest infestation spells trouble for a company's reputation. Reports of bed bug problems drive clients away from Vermont resorts and schools, while failed health inspections due to rodents may result in steep fees or shutdowns. Even mostly harmless pests like cluster flies or carpenter ants can reflect poorly on a company's cleanliness.
Reliable Pest Removal in Burlington, VT
Whether you have a pest problem in your house or a commercial space, quick action is invaluable. Infestations become more noticeable and destructive over time, so it's vital to seek help as soon as you discover an issue. Contact Waltham Pest Services for efficient insect or rodent removal in the Burlington area at the first sign of trouble.
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