Dekalb Pest Control Experts | Corsello & Son Services

In DeKalb County, Georgia the climate is warm and humid for much of the year. This creates a "hub" for a wide variety of pests, ranging from structural threats like termites to nuisance wildlife like raccoons.

Here are the primary categories of pests residents are to encounter:

1. Common Household Nuisances

These are the pests that most frequently find their way into kitchens and bathrooms, usually seeking water or food.

• Ants: Argentine ants and Carpenter ants are the most common. Argentine ants travel in massive trails, while Carpenter ants can damage wood as they nest.
• Cockroaches: The "Palmetto Bug" (technically the Smokybrown or American Cockroach) is ubiquitous in the Southeast. Indoors, German Cockroaches are a common issue in kitchens and multi-unit housing.
• Spiders: You will frequently see House Spiders and Wolf Spiders. While mostly harmless, DeKalb is also home to the Black Widow and the Brown Recluse, which prefer dark, undisturbed areas like woodpiles or crawlspaces.

---

2. Seasonal & Outdoor Pests

Due to the heavy tree canopy and frequent rainfall in DeKalb, outdoor pests can become a major health concern.

• Mosquitoes: The Asian Tiger Mosquito is a primary concern. The DeKalb Public Health department actively monitors these because they can carry the West Nile virus.
• Fire Ants: These invasive ants build large, visible mounds in lawns and parks. Their stings are painful and can cause allergic reactions.
• Ticks and Fleas: Because of the high density of wildlife and pets, Deer Ticks and Lone Star Ticks are common in wooded areas and tall grass, posing a risk for Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

---

3. Wood-Destroying Organisms

The humid climate makes DeKalb a high-risk area for structural pests.

• Subterranean Termites: These are the most destructive pests in the region. They live in the soil and build mud tubes to enter homes, eating through wooden supports from the inside out.
• Carpenter Bees: Often seen hovering around eaves and decks in the spring, these bees bore perfectly round holes into untreated wood to lay eggs.

---

4. Rodents and Wildlife

With many older homes and lush neighborhoods, mammals often become "pests" by moving into attics or crawlspaces.

• Rats and Mice: The Roof Rat (which prefers attics) and the Norway Rat (which prefers basements and crawlspaces) are very common in the more urban and suburban parts of the county.
• Nuisance Wildlife: Raccoons, Opossums, and Squirrels frequently nest in chimneys or attics. DeKalb also has a significant Bat population, which are protected but can become a nuisance if they colony inside a structure.

---

5. Emerging & Invasive Species

• Joro Spiders: In recent years, these large, brightly colored (yellow and blue-black) invasive spiders from East Asia have become a common sight across DeKalb, spinning massive golden webs between trees and power lines.
• Kudzu Bugs: These small, brownish insects often congregate on the sides of light-colored houses in the fall as they look for a place to over-winter.

---

Prevention Tips for DeKalb Residents:

**1. The "12-Inch Rule" for Landscaping**

In Georgia, your yard is often a bridge for pests.

• Create a Clearance Zone: Maintain a 1-foot gap between your home’s foundation and any mulch, shrubs, or ivy. This prevents "bridges" for ants and roaches.
• The Firewood Distance: Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and elevated off the ground. Firewood piles are prime real estate for termites and black widow spiders.
• Trim the Canopy: Ensure no tree branches touch your roof. Roof rats and squirrels use these as highways to enter your attic.

**2. Strategic Moisture Control**

Because Georgia is so humid, moisture is the #1 attractant for our most common pests (termites, silverfish, and roaches).

• The "5 Ds" of Mosquito Prevention: DeKalb Health officials recommend: Dispose (trash), Drain (standing water), DEET (repellent), Dress (long sleeves), and Dusk/Dawn (avoid outdoor activity).
• Crawl Space Encapsulation: If you have an older home in Decatur or Druid Hills, consider a vapor barrier or encapsulation. High humidity in crawl spaces literally "calls" to subterranean termites.
• Diversify Drainage: Ensure your gutters discharge water at least 3 feet away from the foundation. Splash blocks or extensions are essential here.

**3. Rodent-Proofing (The "Dime" Rule)**

Mice can fit through a hole the size of a dime, and rats through a hole the size of a quarter.

• The Steel Wool Trick: If you find a gap around a pipe or a vent, stuff it with copper mesh or steel wool before caulking. Rodents can chew through caulk and wood, but they won't chew through metal.
• Garage Door Sweeps: One of the most common entry points in DeKalb suburban homes is the corner of the garage door. Replace worn rubber gaskets to ensure a tight seal against the pavement.

**4. Kitchen & Pantry Hardening**

• The "Air-Tight" Standard: In the South, cardboard boxes (like cereal or pasta boxes) are not pest-proof. Transfer dry goods to glass or hard plastic containers with gaskets. This is the only way to stop "pantry pests" like Indian Meal Moths.
• Pet Food Management: Never leave pet food out overnight. If you feed your pets outside, pick up the bowls immediately after they finish; leftover kibble is the #1 reason for raccoon and rat problems in DeKalb.