Pest Control Tips Archives | Johnson Pest Control

Spring into a Pest-Free Home!

Spring is almost here. The warm weather brings blue skies, longer days, and – unfortunately – plenty of pests. That’s why now is the time to look around your home and yard and think about the measures and precautions you can take to be pest-free. Typical springtime pests that would be unwelcome guests are ants, spiders, wasps, crickets, beetles, mites, and bees. So how can you keep them from invading your space?

The following is a list of things to do, not only for spring cleaning, but at any point in the year.

Clean and Inspect Kitchen

Anywhere there is food or water you are likely to attract various pests. They could hibernate in colder seasons under your sink or in your cabinets.

Some preventative inspection can be done that includes:

Keep food stored in tightly sealed containers or refrigerators. Clean floors and countertops of food debris on an ongoing basis.
Seal holes under or around cabinets, and other potential entry points
Check pipes for leaks.

Clean Pantry

Did you stock up on flour, sugar or cake mixes for the holiday season? Check the expiration date and consider transferring dry goods to airtight, sealed containers of plastic, metal or glass. This can help keep pests at bay.

Dry goods can harbor insects from the grocery store, so always check packages for tears or holes before bringing home.

Declutter Closets

Warmer weather means you no longer have a use for the heavy coats and thick sweaters of the previous season. Take advantage of this opportunity, and this is a great time to declutter. When your closet is overstuffed, it can attract pests like spiders who are looking for a home. Instead of providing shelter for insects in your closet, provide comfort to families in need by donating clothes you either don’t like, or don’t fit in anymore.

Once decluttering you can get in there and vacuum all the dark corners and get rid of any hiding pests.

Declutter and Clean Attic

Mice like to make their nests in warm and dry places, like the average attic in Tennessee. The best way to prevent this is to seal any holes leading to outside. It’s important to be thorough in your efforts, as mice can enter through a hole the size of a dime.

Once again you can take this opportunity to donate what you don’t use, and keep the rest stored in sealed crates as opposed to cardboard boxes. When you do this it’ll not only eliminate clutter, but it’ll keep your stored items pest-free as well.

Examine Your Homes Exterior

Any opening along the exterior of your home can be a potential entry point for pests. This includes cracks and holes in your foundation or siding, as well as any faults around the frame of your windows. Even a seemingly insignificant hole can be big enough to invite ants, the main spring and summertime pest in Tennessee, so keeping your exterior sealed cannot be stressed enough.

The most proactive thing you can do to prevent infestations in the home is to eliminate the causes that are attracting them to begin with. But what attracts insects and other pests to the home?

Dark cluttered places are near-ideal hiding places for spiders, ants, cockroaches and rodents. So by minimizing clutter, you can discourage pests from taking up residence by taking away their hideouts.

Another method you can do is to keep your home clear of any standing water. This includes pools and lakes, as well as birdbaths and even overturned buckets. Remember, all it takes for mosquitoes to breed is a body of water the size of a small puddle.

Trim Shrubs and Cut Back Trees

Anything touching the ground and the exterior of your property could be used as bridges to gain access to your house. So make sure to keep shrubs trimmed and trees cut back. Keep your lawn mowed and weeds down. And make sure not to let piles of yard trimmings or brush accumulate, as these both easily become a perfect place for pests to hide.

Trash Cans

Make sure your trash can lids are tight fitting and using trash bags adds an extra layer of pest prevention and control.

Remove Firewood away from your home

Stacks of firewood provides food and shelter for a variety of pests in spring and summer. That’s why we suggest keeping your firewood positioned above the ground and at least 30 feet away from the exterior of your home. Only take what you plan on burning at once, and make sure not to spread pesticides on any kindling you aim to throw into a fire.

Johnson Pest Control for Springtime Pest Control

There is no shortage of tips on how to prevent pests in Tennessee. But whether you’re a home or business owner, you deserve service that’ll cover you through rain or shine. No matter the season, you can trust that the team at Johnson Pest Control can handle your pest control needs. From ants on the counter to a bees nest in the eaves, we have over 39 years of experience in keeping the streets of our city pest free. Want to know more? Contact us today!

The Kissing Bug: What You Need to Know

A kissing bug sounds sweet, like something you’d find in a children’s picture book. But when you learn more about these pests and what they do, they suddenly become far less romantic. In a month dedicated to love, the last choice you’d want for a date is a parasitic pest known for biting and defecating on your face.

If that wasn’t enough, kissing bugs can carry the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi in their stool. When rubbed into breaks in the skin, it runs the risk of transmitting Chagas disease. This can be potentially life-threatening if left untreated, which makes it all the more important to identify and prevent kissing bugs through both exclusion and extermination.

What Do Kissing Bugs Look Like?

The average kissing bug is between ¾ to 1¼ inches, with an elongated and oval-shaped body. They’re mainly hued in shades of brown or black, but their abdomen may also have splotches of red, yellow, or tan.

They originated in Mexico, as well as Central and South America. But they’ve migrated to several locations around the Southern US, including Tennessee. For the most part they’re seen outdoors, adjacent to the wild and domesticated animals that they feed off of. However, they can get into homes through open doors and windows, where they may choose to hide in various corners and other secluded areas.

How Do You Treat a Kissing Bug Bite?

Kissing bug bites look a lot like other bites, irritations, or infections. They can be anywhere on your body, but mainly take the form of 2-15 marks around your mouth or eyes. And they may itch, but for a majority of people, all you’ll need to soothe it is an ice pack and an over-the-counter antihistamine.

But what about the risk of Chagas disease? It’s a very real problem in warmer areas where kissing bugs are found. It starts with similar symptoms to a bad flu, with fever and nausea. If it progresses to swollen eyelids and more acute pain you should seek medical attention immediately.

Can You Prevent Kissing Bugs?

Fortunately, out of all the parasitic pests, kissing bugs are one of the least likely to infest homes in Tennessee. And, even better, you can use the same solutions you’d take to exclude a variety of other pests. If you seal cracks and gaps around your home and cover larger openings with screens and other forms of mesh, you’re actively eliminating easy entry points for a majority of bugs.

But nothing is perfect, and pests can be unpredictable. If you take every precaution and still wind up with an infestation of kissing bugs, or any other type of bug, you can trust the team at Johnson Pest Control to take care of the problem safely and effectively. We’ve been making pest prevention easy since 1984, and with our help we can help you break up with kissing bugs for good. Contact us today to get started!

kissing bugs Pest Control

TAP® Pest Control Insulation FAQ

We spoke last month about TAP® Insulation, and how the team at Johnson Pest Control can use this pest-killing insulation to defend your home from a variety of potential insect infestations. If you want to know about the basics of the technology and an overview of what it can do for you, you can find all of that in our previous blog. If you read through that already and found that you have some questions, that’s exactly what we plan to get into now. Below you’ll find some more detail about TAP and its benefits – things you might not have known or considered previously. For homeowners in Tennessee that are still on the fence, this might be enough to push you towards giving your family the pest protection you all deserve. If you come to that conclusion, the team at Johnson Pest Control is ready to help!

TAP® Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Boric acid? Is it safe?

A. Boric acid is a naturally occurring chemical compound that takes the form of a colorless crystal or white powder. It’s antiseptic, which makes it a vital component of any first aid kit. It’s also a great cleaning agent, as it can remove stains, deodorize, and kill mold. But the reason why we use it in TAP Insulation is because it’s one of the most effective pest-killing properties on the market. In small amounts, it isn’t strong enough to harm larger pests, animals, children, or adults. To them it’s safe, but it should always be handled carefully and installed by a professional.

Q. How long does TAP® take to install? How long does it last?

A. The length of the initial installation depends on the size and structure of the space you want to insulate. Typically, the process of blowing the cellulose into the attic, floors or wall takes between four to six hours. Once it’s installed, though, it has the potential to last for decades without needing to be replaced.

Q. Will TAP® save me money?

A. We’ve noted that TAP has the capabilities to prevent pest infestations from forming. Because of that, you avoid having to pay for treatment. Not only that, but the insulating qualities of TAP allow your HVAC appliances to use less energy, resulting in lower monthly utility bills. With all that taken into consideration, it’s easy to see how this one installation can quickly pay for itself.

Q. Do I need to prepare for TAP® Insulation?

Maybe not! If you have damaged insulation, it’s always suggested to remove it before installing TAP. Otherwise, if you have intact cellulose or spray foam, you can easily install TAP over it for an additional layer of pest-free protection.

Q. What are the downsides to TAP® Insulation?

TAP insulation is fire-resistant, and it doesn’t lose effectiveness over time. However, since it’s made of cellulose it’s vulnerable to water and runs the risk of mold. If you have a leaky roof or water intrusion in your attic, this could be an issue. It also has a mid-tier R-value that’s higher than fiberglass, but not quite as high as spray foam insulation.

ChooseJohnson Pest Control for TAP® Insulation in Tennessee

We believe that homes in the Tennessee area deserve the very best – and the same goes for the people that live in them. We’re happy to combat any variety of pest infestations that may occur in or around your property, but we’d prefer for you to be able to live pest-free without any effort at all. That’s why we’re so fond of TAP Insulation and the way it can make your home more comfortable. Our team has been providing preventative pest control for 39 years, and in that time, we’ve come to learn what works and what doesn’t. And to put it very simply: we think TAP Insulation works.

Curious to know more? Do you have a question we didn’t answer? Our experts are happy to elaborate! Contact Johnson Pest Control today to learn more or get your free quote today!

insulation Pest Control pest prevention

A Pest-Free and TAP-Insulated Winter

As we head into the winter season in Tennessee, the pests in the area start looking for shelter, warmth, and a consistent source of food. You can find all of this in the average home, which is why pest infestations spike in the latter half of the year. So what can you do? Johnson Pest Control specializes in residential and commercial pest control for properties in and around Eastern Tennessee – but does it have to get that far? What if we were to tell you that there was a preventative measure you can take to stop infestations before they form? It’s called TAP® Pest Control Insulation. Not only is it effective against most common insects, it’s also quality insulation that improves the energy efficiency of your home. Is it a good fit for your household? Let’s talk more about it below.

What is TAP® Insulation?

TAP® stands for Thermal Acoustical Pest Control insulation. It is made of cellulose, primarily recycled newspaper, that’s blown into wall voids or attics. You can add it on top of existing insulation, as it settles and covers it easily. What makes TAP® Insulation so special is that each piece of cellulose is treated with borate salts. This borate is not concentrated enough to harm humans, but when insects ingest it, it proves fatal. That makes this specialized material effective at eliminating many types of pests such as:

Ants
Termites
Cockroaches
Snails
Beetles
Silverfish and more

Other Benefits of TAP® Insulation

A major appeal of TAP® Insulation is the fact that, once it’s applied, it doesn’t lose efficiency over the course of time. As long as the material isn’t damaged, it remains an active and reliable pesticide. It’s even estimated that, under the right circumstances, it can remain effective for up to 100 years!

In addition to being an effective pesticide, TAP® also excels as insulation. It can slow the flow of air that passes through it, which keeps spaces like your attic warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. This renders your home more efficient and takes some of the strain off your HVAC system. It’s why our insulation has the Energy Star seal of approval, and how it can save you up to 30% on your annual energy bill!

Not only will TAP® Insulation help your home become (or stay) pest-free and more efficient, it can also help make it quieter. If installed at a level of R-60, we can almost completely eliminate sounds from the outdoors. That’s peace of mind in every sense of the word!

A Comfortable, Pest-Free Home

If you’re looking for the industry leaders in pest control and prevention, you’ve found it in Johnson Pest Control. Our services are fast and convenient, whether you need inspections, insulation or pest control treatment. It’s our ultimate goal to leave the homes in Eastern Tennessee running smoothly and efficiently at every point in the year. Whatever you need to make that happen in terms of pests is something we’re happy to do. So if you want to save a lot of money and even more trouble, TAP® Pest Control Insulation may be the best choice for your home. Contact us today to learn more and get your free consultation!

insulation winter insects

Do Rodents Contaminate Insulation?

Rodents are a common pest issue for Tennessee residents every year, especially in the winter. If you think you’re hearing the noises of scurrying footsteps coming from your walls or crawl spaces, you could have rats or mice tunneling through your insulation. It is well known that rodents like to nest in our insulation and tunnel through it to travel around homes, but does this process cause contamination? Additionally, do you need your insulation replaced after a rodent infestation? Read on to learn about the effects of a rodent infestation in your attic from our rat and mice exterminators at Johnson Pest Control.

Should You Replace Rodent-Infested Insulation?

Having rats or mice inside your home can cause many different problems. Rodents are infamous for spreading disease — this happens not only through their bites, but through their urine and feces as well. The most notable diseases and ailments that rodents are responsible for include:

Salmonellosis
Tularemia
Hantavirus
Parasites
Rat bite fever, and more

Because rodent infestations can cause exposure to pathogens, we highly recommend that you replace your insulation after a rodent infestation. Infested insulation can become contaminated, but it can also become compromised in more ways, affecting its ability to regulate temperature and ward off other kinds of pests.

How to Keep Rodents Out of Your Insulation

In order to keep rodents out of the insulation in your attic, walls, and crawl spaces, you have to take measures to keep them off of your property in the first place. Here are some preventative actions you can take:

Seal your food in airtight containers and keep it stored away when you aren’t eating
Regularly inspect your home’s exterior for cracks and gaps in the foundation, siding, plumbing fixtures, roofing, and elsewhere
Keep your trash bins at a maximum distance from your home, and make sure you take out your indoor trash regularly
Hire your local rodent exterminators to conduct an inspection to assess your property for hidden vulnerabilities

The Best Way to Prevent Rodents in Tennessee Homes and Businesses

The best way to prevent a rodent infestation and in turn protect your insulation is to hire your local rodent control experts to help you understand how they operate. The Johnson Pest Control rodent exterminators are trained to follow IPM principles, meaning that they are in search of the least invasive, most environmentally friendly rodent control solutions at all times.

Johnson Pest Control also offers a TAP® Insulation installation service. This insulation is specially designed to fortify existing insulation and act as an extra potent barrier against many common crawlspace pests. Contact us today to learn more about either of these services and receive a free quote!

Mice Rats

The Giant Atlas Moth is Here – Threats and Facts

The average house moth is about half an inch long from wing to wing. They’re mottled grey and brown, and a common pest in attics, closets and wardrobes. You’ve likely seen them before and thought nothing of it. But if you were to step outside in Washington and catch sight of a massive, deep-orange insect with a wingspan roughly the size of your hand, you will have been lucky enough to see moths like you’ve never seen them before. They’re called Atlas Moths, native to Southeast Asia, and they’ve recently been spotted in the United States for the first time in recorded history. But what can you expect from these so-called “gentle giants”, and what are the chances they’ll show up in Tennessee?

Atlas Moths: What You Need to Know

How does a moth like the Atlas cross thousands of miles across the globe to the Pacific Northwest? The answer to that is still uncertain, but there have been reports of a party in Bellevue, WA selling Atlas moth cocoons from Thailand for $60 a piece. Regardless of where they came from, they are federally quarantined pests, meaning it’s illegal to obtain, harbor, rear or sell them without a permit. Currently, it’s uncertain whether there is an actual infestation in Washington, and residents are advised to photograph any potential specimens and report them to the state department of agriculture. You can identify an Atlas moth by the following:

Size: Atlas moths are one of the biggest moth varieties in the world, with a wingspan of up to ten inches.
Coloring: Their wings are vibrantly hued in shades of brown, orange, white and black.
Wing tips: Possibly one of the most distinct qualities of the Atlas Moth are the tips of their wings, which evolved to resemble the heads of cobras, as protection against predators.
Movements: The Atlas Moth will stay in one place for hours at a time during the day. They are so focused on conserving energy that you can easily lift them up on your hand or finger during.

With all that in mind, if you see one of these legendary exotic insects you may still ask – are Atlas moths bad for Washington? And is there a risk of seeing an Atlas moth in Tennessee?

Possible Dangers of the Atlas Moth

If you see an adult Atlas moth, it wouldn’t cause much trouble other than the possible initial shock. They don’t sting or bite, they have no poison or any defense mechanism, other than the faux cobra heads on their wings. Adult Atlas moths are virtually harmless – so much so that they actually don’t even have the ability to eat. They survive for only a few weeks on the sustenance they obtained in their larval state. It’s in that exact period pre-pupation when Atlas moths are the most dangerous.

The caterpillars of the Atlas moth reach up to 12 centimeters long, and from the moment they hatch up until they spin their cocoon they are constantly eating. They do this to build up fat reserves, which gives them the best chance possible of surviving into adulthood long enough to find a mate. When raised in captivity, their diets are monitored to prevent damage to the rest of the enclosure. While the exact implications of the first Atlas moth specimen in the United States are still uncertain, it’s possible that their presence may harm the crops of fruit trees in Washington. And since the moth’s native land is Southern Asia, there’s a chance of these giant moths traveling to the warmer, more humid parts of the country that more closely resemble their natural habitat, like Tennessee.

What to do if You See an Atlas Moth

At Johnson Pest Control we’re capable of eradicating all the major pests seen in Tennessee. However, the Atlas moth is a protected species, so we don’t suggest making any attempts to harm it. The simple truth is that, if you see an Atlas moth, all you need to do is take a photo and report its location to your local state plant health director. After that you can just leave it be. It won’t hurt you or your household and will likely move on within a few days. However, there is something we can do if there are other moth types infesting your home or property. Johnson Pest Control employs a team of qualified exterminators that can work out of your residential, commercial or government property. All you have to do is contact us today to get started!

Giant Atlas Moths moths

Fall Pests That Can Live in Your Walls

As the weather gets colder, you may start to notice an increase in insects and other unwelcome creatures in your home. This is a process called overwintering, which is when pests try to escape the increasingly cold weather, and it happens like clockwork every fall. Some species migrate to warmer climates, some burrow in or under debris, while others just try to get into our homes to warm up. It’s easy to avoid in most cases, but once they cross the threshold into your living space it becomes a big problem.

There are several types of pests known for trying to get in. The most difficult pests to get rid of, however, are the ones that make their way into the attic or behind your walls. These are the hidden dangers that you often don’t notice until they’ve caused real damage. This can include Asian lady beetles, rodents, termites, stink bugs, and wasps. Read on to learn more about these common pests that invade homes in the fall.

Contact us today to keep these fall pests out!

Asian Lady Beetles

White Asian Lady beetle are a little larger than ladybugs and share the same general shape and coloration. They look harmless at first glance, so what’s the problem? White Asian Ladies stick together in groups and use pheromones to communicate their location. So, if one or two get into your home, it can very easily balloon into a huge infestation. The good news is that these bugs aren’t known for stinging, biting, or destroying the household. Still, their presence could trigger respiratory issues in sensitive people. Because of this, it’s best, like with any insect infestation, to make sure the cracks and crevices of your home’s exterior are thoroughly sealed.

Rodents

Squirrels, roof rats, and mice are all known for their excellent climbing capabilities, and the odds are good that you’ve seen one of them scurrying across a fence or through some trees. With skills like theirs, they can easily get into your attic and make a nice and cozy nest to wait out the cold. Have you been hearing any scratching or gnawing noises from inside your walls? If so, you likely have a rodent inside your attic or wall voids. That means that it’s time to call an experienced rodent exterminator like Johnson Pest Control.

Stink Bugs

How do you catch a stink bug before things get smelly? The Brown Marmorated stink bug, an invasive species straight from the East, is the most common variety to find in the quiet parts of your house. They’re shaped like a shield, range in size from ¼” to ⅜, and colored in shades of brown and gray. When the cold season rolls around, they tend to stick to undisturbed spots in the home like the attic, crawlspace, or space between walls. Handling them can be tricky to do on your own, as if they feel that their lives are in danger they are known for releasing a titular smell that’s undeniable and definitely unpleasant.

Termites

Termites are the nightmare of any homeowner in America, with the estimated annual cost of damage done ranging up to $30 billion. These microscopic menaces always want to get inside your house. However, the most destructive species of termites are the subterranean termite, and they’re capable of burrowing deeper in the ground in the fall and winter and causing damage you won’t notice till spring. Termites in the home are focused entirely on consuming anything with cellulose. If you’ve noticed things such as blisters on painted, hollow-sounding wood and unexplained pinhole-sized holes, that means you’re in desperate need of service from one of our qualified exterminators.

Wasps

Most of the average wasp colonies don’t overwinter, which means that a majority of the population dies as the weather gets colder. However, fertilized queens are able to overwinter outdoors in hollow logs, stumps, under leaves or in structures such as the attics of homes. The most common way for wasps to get in is through attic vents that aren’t screened. So like with the stink bug and other pests and vermin, this can be prevented by making sure your attic is properly sealed from the elements.

Your Local Exterminator

Johnson Pest Control has been East Tennessee’s first call for pest control for over thirty years. We’ve earned the trust of homes and commercial properties in the Sevierville, Knoxville and Maryville areas, and we’d love to earn yours as well. If you want to avoid unwelcome fall pests, contact us today!

beetles fall pests Rodents stink bugs Termites wasps

Common Pests of the Late Summer

Late summer feels like the season when we should finally be left alone by pests, but this is not actually the case. All kinds of critters are capable of taking advantage of the lingering warmth and growth from previous months to sustain themselves or even continue to thrive. If you want to make sure that the last of your summer isn’t overrun by pests, you have to make conscious and regular efforts to defend yourself against them. Learn about the most common late summer pests in Eastern TN and what you can do about them from our experts at Johnson Pest Control!

Pests We See in Late Summer

Although late spring and early summer are commonly regarded as the most pest-ridden seasons, there really is no time of the year in which you can completely avoid pests. This August and September, you can expect to deal with the following:

Ticks: Because ticks breed in the early summer, the late summer is when we can expect to see their populations in full swing. Watch out for ticks when walking around tall grass or dense vegetation.
Bees and wasps: As long as people are cooking or congregating outside, bees and wasps will be present. Leaving out sugary or protein-rich food will attract these insects or even incentivize them to build a home nearby.
Mosquitoes: If mosquitoes can establish a breeding population in a relatively undisturbed area, they can stick around until temperatures drop below 50°F. This means that they can continue to thrive in the late summer.
Wildlife: Animals that hibernate during the winter have particularly active summers. Raccoons, opossums, squirrels, and more all cause regular issues for local home and business owners.

Contact us today to help with your late summer pest problem!

Preventing Pests in Late Summer

It’s important to remember that any serious pest infestation should be addressed by a professional pest control technician, but if you want to pest-proof your property before any problems arise, we have some prevention advice for you:

Seal entry points: Look around your property for gaps in roofing, fencing, siding, foundation, and more places that pests could get through. Sealing gaps with a silicone-based caulk or fixing window openings by adding screens will help prevent pest problems.
Be careful with trash: Taking out the trash regularly will help prevent indoor pest problems and using sealable lids on your outdoor bins can keep bees, wasps, and wildlife away from your yard.
Keep a neat yard: By trimming your trees and shrubs, getting rid of grass clippings and leaf piles, and decluttering in general, you can prevent all kinds of pests from finding temporary shelter.
Eliminate standing water: Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water pools, so monitoring your yard for buildup in gutters, planters, and elsewhere can help prevent breeding ground establishment. If you have a pool, spa, or birdbath, it’s wise to cover it up when not in use.

Expert Late Summer Pest Control

If your summer has been full of pest problems despite your prevention efforts, you might have a problem that has to be addressed by your local pest control company. We have seen it all here at Johnson Pest Control — our licensed, certified, and highly-trained technicians will have no problem assessing your property to identify vulnerabilities and develop a sweeping pest removal plan. To learn more about how we can help you and receive a free quote, contact us today!

bees mosquitoes opossums raccoons squirrels Ticks wasps

Why Are Ants Coming Back in My House?

Ants are some of the most persistent insects we have to deal with here in Eastern TN. They’re some of the hardest pests to get rid of completely because of their ability to adapt and alter their routes into our houses. Even when we think we’ve cleared out every ant in sight, a new trail can form within days. So, why exactly is this, and what can we do about it? If you’re looking for at-home ant control advice for your recurring infestations, read on for advice from the ant exterminators at Johnson Pest Control!

Why Doesn’t My At-Home Ant Control Work?

The problem with the easy DIY ant controls strategies we know about is that they’re designed to attack the symptoms of the problem, not the source. When we find an ant trail forming inside, the first instinct that many of us have is to squash them or spray them with some kind of store-bought ant control product. These strategies will only delay your problem or make it worse. This is because ants release a pheromone signal when they die to warn their colony members of a place of danger that they should avoid. When other invading ants sense this signal, they will divert their approach to enter your home through a different access point. Because of how stealthy ants are, they can surely find another path!

Ant Removal Strategies You Can Count On

You’re surely wondering what you can do on your own to get rid of ants if you can’t squash or spray them. It’s crucial to make your property less hospitable to ants in the first place, so follow these steps to discourage any further ant activity:

Follow their path: If you can trace the ant trail in your home back to the entry point, you can close off the hole with caulk, a screen, or by spraying a citrus-based cleaner to deter them, depending on where the hole is.
Keep them away from food and water: Ants are usually streaming into your home because they’ve found a source of food or water via crumbs, spills, open food containers, or pooling water on the floor. Make sure to clean up messes promptly, store your food in sealed containers, and keep your bathroom well-ventilated.
Hire an ant exterminator: An ant control professional will be able to trace your infestation back to the ant hill it’s coming from. Getting rid of your ant hill is the only way to ensure the ants never come back, and an ant exterminator is trained to do this completely and efficiently.

Expert Home Ant Control in Eastern TN

If you can’t catch a break dealing with your ant problem, it’s time to get the experts involved. Our ant exterminators at Johnson Pest Control are equipped with industry-leading tools and strategies to help you locate your ant hill, eliminate the colony within, and show you how to keep ants out going forward. For a free quote or to learn more about ant control, reach out to us today!

Ants

How to Avoid Being Stung By a Wasp

Having bees, wasps, and hornets living around your yard or garden in Eastern TN can be enjoyable to observe from afar. However, get too close to a wasp nest and you could be in for a slew of sharp stings. Unlike most species of bees, wasps have the ability to pierce their target repeatedly, retaining their stinger in order to continue to defend their nests. These irritable insects can join forces to protect each other when they feel they’re in danger, so it’s important to learn all that you can about avoiding their stings. If this sounds helpful to you, read on for wasp sting prevention advice from the wasp control experts at Johnson Pest Control!

What to Do Avoid a Wasp Sting

The best way to protect yourself from wasp stings is to take efforts to prevent wasps before they arrive on your property. There are a few strategies you can take to keep wasps away without professional help:

Keep your yard tidy. Trimming your plants, grass, and trees will prevent overgrowth, which in turn affords fewer potential nesting sites to wasps.
Be careful with your food. Leaving out sugary or protein-packed foods will attract hungry wasps.
Toss your food properly. Dispose of your food and drink receptacles in sealable bins.

If wasps have already established a presence on your property, it’s too late to rely on prevention techniques. Instead, you’ll have to tread carefully around them to avoid stings. Here’s how:

Move slowly and carefully around their nests. Sudden movements can be mistaken for an attack.
If a wasp flies up to you for a better look, be still.
Don’t swat at a wasp if it hangs around for too long.
If you’ve been stung and you have to run away, do so in a straight line and keep your arms tucked in.

Ways to Deal with a Wasp Sting

Accidentally angering a wasp is all too easy. These insects are always on edge, so they can sting without any prior indication that they’ve been disturbed. Here’s how to treat your symptoms after a sting:

Use an ice pack or a rag soaked in cold water for a compress
Take ibuprofen or other over-the-counter pain medication to ease pain
Take an antihistamine if the area around the bite is swollen

If you start to experience nausea, swelling of the mouth or face, faintness, or shortness of breath, call for an ambulance immediately. These are symptoms of a serious form of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.

Professional Wasp Removal in Eastern TN

Trying to get rid of wasp nests on your own is never a good idea. It is often the case that a wasp nest hosts many more individual members than it might appear to. To avoid an onslaught of stings, it’s best to ask your local wasp nest removal experts for help. Our technicians at Johnson Pest Control are equipped to handle nests no matter where they’re built using safe and environmentally responsible wasp removal tactics. Contact us today for a free quote or to learn more about our services!

wasps