Union has been the center of Franklin County civic life since 1825, when the county courthouse was established here. Today the city of roughly 12,000 residents is the region's commercial and governmental hub, situated near the convergence of the Bourbeuse River and Interstate 44 in a valley that has shaped both its character and its challenges over two centuries.

The city's downtown historic district preserves a walkable core of 19th and early 20th century commercial architecture, and residential neighborhoods fan out across the surrounding hillsides in a mix of historic bungalows, mid-century ranch homes, and newer subdivisions that have absorbed the county's steady population growth over recent decades.

Geography & Housing Stock

Union's position along the Bourbeuse River is a defining feature of the community. The river has flooded periodically throughout the city's history, and homes in flood-prone areas near the river corridor carry specific maintenance demands that homeowners on the surrounding hills do not face. Moisture control — crawlspace ventilation, proper grading, sump pump maintenance — is not optional for many Union residences.

The age distribution of Union's housing stock is broad. Downtown-adjacent neighborhoods contain homes built as far back as the 1880s, many of which have received updates over the decades but still retain original foundations and framing. These older structures require periodic inspection for wood-destroying insects, especially subterranean termites, which are endemic across Franklin County's clay-rich soils.

Home Maintenance Considerations

Franklin County's climate delivers cold, wet winters and humid summers — conditions that favor a wide range of household pests. Mice and voles actively seek entry into structures in the fall, and Union homes with older foundations frequently experience infestations that go unaddressed until visible damage or noise alerts residents.

Spring in the Bourbeuse valley brings elevated mosquito pressure along with an uptick in ant activity as ground temperatures rise. Homeowners with wood decks, patios, or tree contact against the home should schedule spring inspections for carpenter ant activity, which can cause structural damage that mimics termite work but requires different treatment approaches.

Local Resources

Franklin County government is headquartered in Union, and the county extension office offers a range of resources for homeowners on pest identification, integrated pest management, and seasonal home maintenance. The Franklin County Assessor's office maintains property records useful for owners of older homes researching construction dates and prior permits.

For pest control services across Union and greater Franklin County, D&D Pest Control in nearby Gerald is the long-established regional provider, with over 30 years serving the county. Their technicians are familiar with the specific pest pressures and building types that define Union and surrounding communities.

Pest Control Services for Union Residents

Union's central location in Franklin County means residents have access to both metro St. Louis pest control companies and local independents. For most residential pest issues in Union — general pest control, rodents, termites — a local provider with deep regional knowledge will typically outperform a larger chain operating from a St. Louis base. For bed bug treatment specifically, see our partners at St. Louis Bed Bug Control.