Termites are a real concern
Termites are well established in California's Central Valley, and Sacramento homes, particularly older ones with crawlspaces, wood siding and wood in contact with soil, are vulnerable to both subterranean and drywood termites. A termite inspection is standard when buying or selling a home here, and periodic inspections make sense for any older house. Watch for mud tubes on foundation walls and piers, swarmers around windows in spring, and small piles of pellets under window sills, eaves and furniture.
Heat waves and ants
Sacramento summers bring long stretches of heat; National Weather Service records include runs of nine or more consecutive days at 100°F or higher. During heat waves, ants and other insects move indoors looking for water. Kitchens, bathrooms and areas around pet bowls and irrigation leaks are common targets. Baits placed along their trails usually work better than sprays, which kill foragers but miss the colony. Fixing leaks and wiping up spills removes what draws them in.
Winter rain, fog and moisture pests
Most of Sacramento's rain falls in winter, and saturated soil drives some pests indoors. Ants often invade after heavy rain. Winter tule fog keeps outdoor surfaces damp, and crawlspaces with poor drainage or ventilation stay humid, which attracts moisture-loving pests and encourages wood decay that termites favor. Sacramento sits where the American and Sacramento rivers meet, and in low-lying neighborhoods high groundwater and drainage problems can keep crawlspaces wet. Improving drainage, fixing gutter and downspout problems and keeping crawlspace vents clear help.
Rodents in older neighborhoods
Mature trees, fences, dense vegetation and older homes with gaps at the roofline and foundation make many Sacramento neighborhoods comfortable for roof rats and mice. Roof rats in particular travel along fences, power lines and tree branches and enter attics through gaps at eaves and vents. Trim branches back from the roof, keep fruit picked up from the ground, and have the attic and roofline inspected for entry points. Sealing those gaps with metal mesh and durable materials is the long-term fix.
Wasps and yellowjackets
Warm summers bring wasps and yellowjackets, which nest under eaves, in walls, in shrubs and in the ground. Nests near doorways, play areas and patios are best handled by a professional, especially ground nests, which are easy to step on.
Mosquitoes
Standing water after winter rains and from irrigation can breed mosquitoes. Empty containers, clean gutters, keep pools maintained, and fix leaking irrigation. Local vector control agencies in the Sacramento region provide mosquito control and can answer questions about standing water.
Before you hire
Ask Sacramento pest control contractors what pest they've identified and why it's there, what products they'll use and where, what precautions to take for children and pets, and what follow-up or warranty is included. For termite work, ask for a written inspection report with a diagram. Look up the company's California license with the CSLB, and note that structural pest control in California is also regulated by the state's Structural Pest Control Board.