ByIf you’ve lived in Virginia Beach long enough, you already know our homes have… well, character. Some of these houses near the oceanfront or tucked away in established neighborhoods like Kempsville or Great Neck have been standing strong for 40, 50, even 70 years. They’ve weathered storms, salt air, high humidity, the occasional nor’easter—honestly, if walls could talk, half these homes would have stories better than your granddad’s.
But here’s the flip side nobody puts on the real estate brochure:
Older homes are basically VIP hotspots for pests.
And not the cute kind you’d see in a children’s book. I’m talking:
- ants marching straight through the baseboards,
- spiders setting up shop in ceiling corners like they’re paying rent,
- mice treating your crawl space like their winter Airbnb,
- and termites… Lord, don’t get me started on termites.
If your house was built back when shag carpet was a thing, you probably need more than a basic once-and-done spray. You need customized, thoughtful pest protection by your pest control Virginia Beach VA service provider.
1. Older Homes Have More “Welcome Signs” for Pests
I say this gently, because older homes have soul—but they also have gaps. And cracks. And mystery crevices. And that one spot behind the fridge that nobody has touched since 1998.
Think about it:
- wood settles
- crawl spaces sag
- humidity warps door frames
- foundations shift
- insulation wears out
All of that creates little doorways pests absolutely love. Even a gap the size of a pencil is basically a VIP entrance for a mouse.
When Diamond Exterminators does a free inspection, they don’t just glance around and shrug. They go through:
- baseboards
- behind appliances
- hot-spot areas
- the laundry room
- and every stretch of the foundation
Then they walk around the exterior checking for entry holes, cracks, crevices, and spots that are practically begging ants to crawl through.
Older homes hide things—our job is to find them before pests do.
2. Virginia Beach Humidity + Old Wood = Pest Paradise
Humidity is practically part of the culture around here. We talk about it the way people in other states talk about traffic.
But for older homes? It’s a whole different story.
Moisture makes the wood softer, which makes it irresistible to:
- termites,
- moisture ants,
- silverfish,
- and every creepy-crawly that likes damp, dark, forgotten corners.
Crawl spaces in older homes are especially tricky. Some don’t have proper vapor barriers, insulation is old or falling, and ventilation is hit-or-miss. Moisture control becomes everything.
That’s why Diamond Exterminators doesn’t just kill pests—they handle crawl space problems that cause pest problems. It’s prevention on the front end instead of panic on the back end.
3. Every Older Home Has Unique Quirks (So the Treatment Should Too)
One thing I appreciate about Diamond is they don’t do “cookie cutter” treatments. They design pest solutions based on your home’s personality (and yes, they all have one).
What they offer might include:
- de-webbing the exterior
- foundation treatments
- treating exterior doors and windows
- crack and crevice treatments
- granules two feet out from the foundation
- baseboard treatments
- treatment behind appliances
- focused hot-spot targeting
For a 1972 ranch-style home in VB? The treatment plan will look different than for a 1950s two-story near Hilltop. And that’s exactly how it should be.
Because pests don’t follow a script—and neither do older homes.
4. A Local Company Understands Local Homes Better
Let’s be real for a second. Big national pest control companies Virginia Beach are fine, but they don’t know these neighborhoods the way a company born and raised in Hampton Roads does.
Diamond Exterminators has been here since 1997.
Family-owned. Local.
They know our humidity patterns, our storm seasons, our sandy soil, our crawl spaces, our termite pressure—everything that makes Virginia Beach… well, Virginia Beach.
They’re not guessing. They’re experienced.
And they treat customers like neighbors, not account numbers.
FAQs
1. Why do pests target older homes more often?
Because older structures have more cracks, moisture problems, and unsealed entry points than newer construction.
2. Can a basic pest treatment work on an older home?
Sometimes—but usually not for long. Older homes need multi-zone treatment and prevention, not quick-fix sprays.
3. Do I need a crawl space inspection too?
Absolutely. In older homes, crawl spaces are often the root of recurring pest issues.
4. Are Diamond’s treatments safe for kids and pets?
Yes. They offer pet-friendly and organic options and explain everything before they treat.
5. How do I know what my older home actually needs?
Start with the free inspection. Diamond walks you through everything they find and builds a plan around your home—not a template.
