Pest Control Blog
Practical tips, local pest guides, and expert advice to help Hampton Roads homeowners keep pests, termites, and moisture out for good.
Showing 121–126 of 283 articles
The Big Wait: Why the 2026 Drought has Hampton Roads Termites Stuck Underground
If you’ve lived in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, or Chesapeake for any length of time, you know that late October and early October are usually defined by one thing: the termite swarm. Usually, after a warm summer rain,…
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Universal Pest Alert: Why the Historic 2026 Dry Spring is Sending Ant Colonies Into Hampton Roads Homes
The Summer of the Ant: Why Hampton Roads Homes Are Under Siege in 2026 If you’ve noticed your lawn looking a bit crisp lately, you aren’t alone. It has been a historically dry summer here in Hampton Roads. While we…
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6 Signs of a Cockroach Infestation in Virginia Beach, VA
Living near the coast has many benefits, but it also creates conditions that attract pests. Warm weather, high humidity, and seasonal storms make it easier for cockroaches to move into homes across the Virginia Beach…
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The ‘Glass of Water’ Effect: Why Your Hampton Roads Crawl Space is Sweating This Summer
We’ve all seen it: you take a cold glass of sweet tea out onto the porch in October, and within seconds, the glass is dripping with water. This is exactly what is happening under your home right now. In Hampton Roads,…
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The Hampton Roads Ant Invasion: Why Coastal Virginia Homes Are a Five-Star Resort for Pests
Why Your Hampton Roads Home is an “Ant Magnet” This Season Whether you’re in a beach bungalow in Sandbridge or a historic colonial in Ghent, there is one neighbor that always overstays its welcome: the ant. In…
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Top 7 Spring Pest-Proofing Tips for Coastal Homes (Before Summer Hits)
Summer in Hampton Roads is beautiful—but it also signals the start of peak pest season. Coastal humidity, rising temperatures, and frequent rain create ideal conditions for ants, termites, mosquitoes, and rodents to…
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How We Compare to Other Pest Control Companies
Not every pest control company in Hampton Roads offers the same thing. Here is a straight comparison of what you get with Universal Pest Control and what is common elsewhere in the industry.
| What to compare | Universal Pest Control | Most pest control companies |
|---|---|---|
| UniGuard ProgramExclusive | Universal Pest Control Termite protection and full pest control combined in one membership for one low monthly payment — from $63/month, with the termite warranty and quarterly pest service included together. | Most pest control companies Termite protection and pest control are usually sold as two separate agreements, with two renewals and two bills to keep track of. |
| SmartPay financingExclusive | Universal Pest Control $0-down payment options on termite treatments, baiting systems, and repairs, so the work can start before payday. Simple, predictable monthly payments. | Most pest control companies Financing, where it is offered, is commonly arranged separately through a third-party lender. |
| Pest Guard Attic Insulation™Exclusive | Universal Pest Control Hampton Roads' only licensed Pest Guard Insulation™ installer, through our sister company Universal Insulation Doctor — insulation manufactured with an EPA-registered pest preventative, so the replacement itself resists the insects that ruined the original. | Most pest control companies Attic insulation is typically referred out, and standard fiberglass has no pest deterrent built into the material. |
| Total Home Health Network | Universal Pest Control Pest and termite control, attic insulation, and duct cleaning coordinated under one roof through the Universal family of companies — one point of contact for the whole job, done in the right order. | Most pest control companies Pest control only. Insulation and duct work are usually booked with separate vendors on separate timelines. |
| A+ BBB rating | Universal Pest Control BBB accredited since 2007 with an A+ rating, earned through consistent, honest work in the same community. | Most pest control companies Accreditation and ratings vary by company — worth checking before you book anyone. |
| 26+ years in business | Universal Pest Control Protecting Hampton Roads homes since 2000 — more than 26 years in the same market, with over 100,000+ homes serviced. | Most pest control companies Tenure in the area varies widely; newer branches and recently opened franchises are common. |
| Family owned & operated | Universal Pest Control Owned and run by a family that has lived in Hampton Roads their whole lives. The people who answer the phone and the crews at your door are your neighbors. | Most pest control companies Ownership varies — many local branches are franchises of national brands, with crews dispatched from outside the area. |
| Guarantees in writing | Universal Pest Control Pest-Free Guarantee and Termite-Free Guarantee: if pests come back between scheduled visits, so do we, at no extra charge. Free inspections, plus same-day and next-day service. | Most pest control companies Retreatment terms, callback windows, and what counts as covered differ from contract to contract. |
The highlighted Universal Pest & Termite column reflects services we provide directly or through the Universal family of companies. The “Most pest control companies” column describes common industry practice in general terms and is not a statement about any particular company — some companies may offer services that are similar, so ask any provider exactly what their plan, warranty, and quote include before you sign. Financing on approved credit.