Philadelphia's dense rowhome blocks, older housing and humid summers make it home to a familiar set of pests. Here are the ones we treat most, with links to the service for each.
Mice and rats
The most common call in the city. Mice move between attached homes through shared walls and basements, and they move indoors in large numbers each fall.
Cockroaches
German cockroaches thrive in kitchens and bathrooms, especially in apartments and older buildings with shared plumbing.
Ants
Pavement ants and carpenter ants are most active in spring and summer, often coming in along foundations and around windows.
Bed bugs
Bed bugs travel in luggage, furniture and clothing, and spread between units in apartment buildings. They are active year round.
Termites
Eastern subterranean termites are found throughout Pennsylvania and swarm in spring. Older homes with wood porches and damp basements are at higher risk.
Wildlife
Raccoons, squirrels and birds get into attics and chimneys, especially in late winter and spring when they look for nesting sites.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes breed in standing water in planters, gutters and low spots, and peak from June through September.
When pests are most active
| Pest | Peak season |
|---|---|
| Mice and rats | Fall and winter |
| Cockroaches | Year round, worse in summer |
| Ants | Spring and summer |
| Bed bugs | Year round |
| Termites | Spring swarms, active year round |
| Wildlife | Late winter and spring |
| Mosquitoes | June through September |