Community Connections

Okay, neighbors, let’s have an honest conversation about the creepy crawlies that come through our windows and doors and disturb our peace. Yes, I’m talking about the flies, wasps, box elders, spiders, and garter snakes. Chills. With warmer temperatures come mosquitoes, stink bugs, and all their friends. As a first-time homeowner and just a person not generally interested in any kind of pest outside of my four-legged pups, I don’t know anything about the slithering and crawling creatures that show up when I least expect them, so I decided to interview someone who knows a lot more than I do about summertime pests and what we can or should do about them.

Daishawn, thank you for lending your time and expertise to this subject. Can you share a little about where you work and how you got started?

I’m proud to be part of the team at Valor Pest Solutions, a family-oriented company that truly values building relationships with the communities we serve. I entered pest control because I realized I wasn’t intimidated by most pests and, more importantly, genuinely enjoy helping people. There’s something deeply rewarding about taking a situation that causes stress or anxiety and turning it into peace of mind. Whether it’s eliminating a pest problem, identifying how pests are getting inside, or helping homeowners prevent future issues, my goal is to help people feel comfortable, confident, and safe in their own homes.

When I met you, I mentioned that garter snakes scare me! I have found many in my yard, and thankfully, only two have made it indoors over the past five years. What can you tell us about garter snakes, why they’re here in St. Paul, and how we can keep them from entering our homes uninvited?

Garter snakes are one of Minnesota’s most common native snakes and are completely non-venomous. They’re actually beneficial because they feed on slugs, insects, frogs, and small rodents. They’re common in St. Paul because our yards provide ideal habitat with gardens, mulch, rock landscaping, and plenty of moisture. The best way to keep them outside is through exclusion. Seal foundation gaps, repair door sweeps, eliminate brush and woodpiles near the home, and reduce rodent activity that may attract them. Seeing them in the yard is normal; finding them inside usually indicates an accessible entry point that should be sealed.

Spiders are supposed to be the good ones. Is that still accurate, or are there any Midwest species we should keep an eye out for?

For the most part, yes. The vast majority of spiders in Minnesota are beneficial predators that help control flies, mosquitoes, ants, and other nuisance insects. The most common house and cellar spiders are harmless. Medically significant spiders, such as black widows, are extremely uncommon in Minnesota, and brown recluse spiders are not established here. If homeowners are seeing large numbers of spiders indoors, it’s often a sign there’s an underlying insect population providing them with a food source.

Outside of the snakes, I mostly encounter the Box Elder and Stink Bugs. What should we know about them, and is there an appropriate way to handle them?

Both are nuisance pests rather than health threats. Box elder bugs and brown marmorated stink bugs begin looking for overwintering sites in late summer and fall, entering homes through tiny cracks around windows, doors, siding, and rooflines. They don’t damage homes or reproduce indoors, but they can become a major annoyance. Vacuuming is the safest removal method, as crushing stink bugs releases their characteristic odor. Long-term control focuses on sealing entry points and applying preventive exterior treatments before they move indoors.

These acquaintances of ours enter our homes through various points of entry. How does Valor Pest Solutions help neighbors identify and seal areas to prevent invasions?

Every service begins with a detailed inspection of the home’s exterior to identify conditions and entry points that allow pests inside. We routinely locate gaps around utility penetrations, foundation cracks, damaged door sweeps, garage door seals, rooflines, vents, and other vulnerable areas. When possible, we perform minor exclusion work during the visit and provide recommendations for larger repairs. Pairing exclusion with targeted preventative treatments creates a long-term solution by stopping pests before they enter the home.

Finally, let’s talk about mosquitoes. I am one of those people who often feels personally attacked by them. What solutions does Valor offer for mosquito care?

Mosquitoes are drawn to standing water, dense vegetation, shade, and even a person’s body heat and carbon dioxide. Effective control requires more than simply spraying the yard. At Valor, we combine habitat reduction, which means eliminating breeding sites where possible, with targeted treatments of shaded resting areas where adult mosquitoes spend the day. Seasonal treatments throughout the summer dramatically reduce mosquito populations, so that you can finally enjoy that patio you’ve worked hard to build.

If my neighbors want to learn more about pest control and the services you offer, how should they contact you?

If you have any questions about pest prevention or are interested in our services, we’d be happy to help. Please contact Valor Pest Solutions at 763-762-9241 to schedule an inspection or speak with a member of our team

Well, there you have it, neighbors! Best of luck to everyone in disinviting these unwanted guests.