The North Carolina coast was one of the first places in North America European settlers decided to call home. In fact, the first person of European descent born on American soil is from the original Roanoke Colony. It did not take long for people to find their way west.
First, they found the foothills, then made their way up into the High Country. The areas we know now as Wilkesboro, Boone, and Blowing Rock reminded people of the Scottish Highlands.
The Old North State has grown steadily throughout its history but more rapidly in the past four to five decades. Tens of thousands of people relocate to the Triad, Triangle, Charlotte, and the foothills every year, with the pandemic only accelerating that growth.
Our state is now the ninth most populated in the country. Yet, it is the wide-open spaces and access to nature that attracts so many new people to visit or move here.
Even though our area continues to grow, the pace of life remains refreshingly slower than some of the more densely populated urban centers on the East Coast. People still take the time to get to know their neighbors and enjoy evenings by a roaring fire. Sometimes, your party can be visited by an unwanted guest, and we don’t mean your estranged in-laws.
The history of English settlers in the Commonwealth of Virginia dates back all the way to the beginning of the United States of America. Portions of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement, still stand as a testament to the perseverance of those early colonists and pilgrims. People eventually followed the James River up from the coast to form places like Richmond and beyond.
Eventually, the rolling hills of the piedmont, the high plateaus and peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the striking Shenandoah Valley captivated people, drawing them west. Despite being the twelfth most populated state in the country, there are wild and beautiful parts of Virginia perfect for those who love nature and the great outdoors.
In every county, town, and neighborhood, you will find friendly, welcoming homeowners. You can see hospitality on display on the front porches and back patios every night of the spring, summer, and fall. Although Virginia residents love to welcome people to their homes, sometimes, we may inadvertently invite some unwanted guests to visit or even live with us.
Homeowners in the Carolinas and Virginia work hard to make their homes inviting and welcoming. Our area is known for its hospitality. Having friendly neighbors is a hallmark of central and western North Carolina and southwestern Virginia. We love to welcome family, friends, and neighbors into our homes.
However, occasionally, you may find that there are guests in your house that were not invited. They may never even show their faces, but you hear them, smell them, or just have that funny feeling that you are not alone.
In an area with diverse species, it is no surprise that some critters want to spend time in your warm, comfortable home. However, that does not mean you want your house to be a hotel for rodents and birds.
In this article, we are helping you determine whether or not you might have bats living in your attic. We are talking about some of the signs of bats and what to do (and NOT to do about them).
Here in the foothills and mountains of North Carolina and Virginia, we have everything a person needs. We have the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains, as well as the rolling hills of wine country in the Yadkin River Valley.
Our weather is mild in the winter and warm in the summer. There are exciting cities and charming small towns throughout the area. Many people that leave find themselves drawn to return and once again call this special home.
Nevertheless, absence, however brief, can make the heart grow fonder. Traveling from your home in the Carolinas and Virginia is a great way to see the world while appreciating what we have in our beautiful area.
Whether you have to travel as a function of your career or like to get away with your family, there are some inherent dangers to seeing the rest of the country and world.
While you can bring home gifts that commemorate your time away, you don't want to bring home everything with which you come in contact. Unfortunately, bed bugs are hitchhikers looking for rides to their next destination.
Many people are frightened by various pests. A few examples of the scariest insects include:
- Many people are scared of spiders
- Snakes are a common fear in the Carolinas
- Even though slugs are mostly harmless (unless consumed), they are quite unsightly
- Ants and fire ants can be frightening
- Termites are scare if only for the damage they can do
One small pest that doesn’t get the press that spiders and snakes get is the tick. For many in the Carolinas and Virginia, the mention of ticks will send shivers down a person’s spine.
Unfortunately, what makes it worse is that they are so abundant. While encountering a venomous spider is relatively rare, you will likely see ticks multiple times in any given year.
There are five types of ticks in North Carolina and Virginia, and they all carry diseases such as Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Even though summer is nearly over, tick season is still underway.