TAP® Insulation – How Does It Compare?

a licensed tap insulation installer blows in pest control insulationWhen choosing insulation for your home, there are a variety of factors you may consider such as: heat retention, outside noise reduction and installation method. However, Most insulations do little to nothing to stop pests from invading your home and instead often provides the perfect nesting grounds for many pests. TAP® or Thermal Acoustical Pest Control Insulation not only functions as a superior insulation, it also provides permanent pest control built into your home!

What is TAP® Pest Control Insulation?

TAP® Pest Control Insulation or Thermal Acoustical Pest Control Insulation offers a revolutionary solution to pest control while also providing industry-leading insulation for your home. 

TAP® Pest Control Insulation is made through a proprietary process where recycled paper is broken down into a cellulose, cotton-like substance and then infused with a borate solution. The addition of borate is what gives TAP® Pest Control Insulation its pest-eliminating properties. Borate is a natural pesticide that is used to effectively eliminate many common household pests like termites, roaches, beetles, and ants. By incorporating borate into the insulation, TAP® Pest Control Insulation can eradicate pests that commonly hide within traditional insulation, preventing pest infestations before they become a problem.

Pros and Cons of Getting Pest Control Insulation

When making any major decision about your home, weigh the pros and cons. Below are some pros and cons of using TAP® Pest Control Insulation in your home.

Pros

    • Eco-Friendly: TAP® Insulation is made from over 80% recycled paper material and requires less energy to manufacture than other insulations. Cellulose insulation is one of the most eco-friendly building materials on the market.
    • Thermal: One of the most important factors when choosing insulation is its thermal retention properties. TAP® Pest Control Insulation has a higher resistance to thermal transfer when compared to other insulation types. TAP® insulation is a loose-fill material that is blown into place, completely filling in the space it is blown into, improving the overall thermal retention of your home. Studies show that TAP® insulation outperforms other materials by up to 32%, effectively reducing heating and cooling costs in your home. 
  • Acoustical: In addition to keeping your home at a comfortable temperature all year, insulation also plays an important role in stopping unwanted and disruptive outside noises from entering your home. The same properties that make TAP® Insulation a superior choice for thermal retention also give it excellent acoustical blocking abilities.
  • Pest Control: TAP® Pest Control Insulation is infused with the EPA-approved pesticide, borate. The addition of borate into the insulation kills many common household pests such as:
    • Ants
    • Boxelder Bugs
    • Centipedes
    • Cockroaches
    • Silverfish
    • Termites

Cons

  • Limited Pest Elimination: Although TAP® Pest Control Insulation protects your home from many household pests it does not offer protection from rodents or squirrels. 
  • Installation: Due to its specialized nature, TAP® Insulation can only be installed by licensed and experienced pest control technicians.
  • Needs Additional Pest Control: TAP® Insulation will eliminate many pests that come in contact with the borate. It does not protect against pests that mTAP Comparison infographicay enter your home through other means. Even with TAP® Pest Control Insulation in your home, other forms of pest control may be needed.

Installation of TAP® Pest Control Insulation

After choosing to use TAP® Insulation, the next step is finding the right company to install the insulation. Since it is classified as a pest control product, it can only be installed by licensed pest control technicians. At Johnson Pest Control, we take pride in being your trusted TAP® Insulation installation experts. If you are considering TAP® Insulation for your home, contact our team today! 

DIY Home Mosquito Repellents for Summer

a mosquito on the rim of a pot outside

As we approach the warm season in East Tennessee, it’s easy to fantasize about backyard barbeques and long nights on the porch. But the last guests you want invited to the party are mosquitos. These bloodsucking pests will ruin any shindig and leave your yard virtually uninhabitable. 

 

What can you do to treat a mosquito infestation? You likely know by now that companies like Johnson Pest Control can treat mosquitoes in yards and properties across East Tennessee, but is it possible to handle an invasion on your own? Are there any DIY mosquito repellents that actually work?

Do DIY Mosquito Repellents Work?

There are a variety of home mosquito control “solutions” touted across the internet. With so many conflicting voices out there, it can be difficult to discern what is and isn’t actually useful. Let’s go into more detail about a few supposed life-hacks and determine if they work, and to what extent.

Citronella 

Citronella is a divisive tool in the world of pest control. In plant form or concentrated into an oil, it can be effective at repelling mosquitos and other pests. Even as a candle it can work, but only in a very small radius. The main problem is it’s only a temporary deterrent. Citronella won’t keep mosquitoes from reproducing on your property, and when the smell is gone, they’ll be back.

Clearing Standing Water

Mosquitoes need standing water to reproduce, so if you can get rid of any pools or puddles of water in your yard you can get rid of mosquitoes. But it’s not so simple. It can be hard to address every source of standing water in a single property, as these bloodsucking pests can breed in bodies of water as small as a thimble. But by eliminating as many as you can, along with bird baths or other pools of water, you’re greatly reducing the options for any passing pests.

Light Traps 

You can buy a bug zapper and see it kill all kinds of small insects – including mosquitoes. But if there is an infestation on your property, killing a few mosquitos in a very specific radius isn’t going to be very helpful. In fact, the light of the zapper might actually work against your favor by drawing them closer to where people congregate.

Box Fans

Mosquitoes are a nuisance, but they’re a small nuisance that can easily be deterred by a strong current or breeze. So if you want to create a sting-free zone, you can set up a box fan and leave it running. This small addition can reduce mosquito bites by upwards of 65 percent, but like citronella it won’t stop them from breeding elsewhere in your yard. 

Your East Tennessee Mosquito Exterminators

If you’ve tried any or all of the solutions above without any relief from mosquitoes, that’s okay. These pests can be relentless and difficult to treat on your own. Luckily, if you’re a property owner in East Tennessee, you have a friend in the expert mosquito extermination team at Johnson Pest Control. We’ve been combating mosquito infestations large and small for over 40 years, and we have skills and experience that can’t be beat. 

Summertime in East Tennessee can be beautiful. With our help, you can enjoy it outside whenever you want – without the risk of bug bites. And that’s something worth celebrating. Contact us today to learn more!

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 measuresa gloved hand holding a basket of cleaning supplies 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 East 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 East 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 East 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 40 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 abouta kissing bug on a gray wall 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. 

Call Your Local Pest Control Pros

They originated in Mexico, as well as Central and South America. But they’ve migrated to several locations around the Southern US, including East 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 East 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!

TAP® Pest Control Insulation FAQ

two hands holding a pile of cellulose insulation

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 East 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 East Tennessee

We believe that homes in the East 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 40 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!

A Pest-Free and TAP-Insulated Winter

As we head into the winter season in East 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!

Do Rodents Contaminate Insulation?

A rat climbing onto a roof in Eastern TNRodents are a common pest issue for East 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.

Get a Quote on Rodent Exclusion Today!

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:

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

The Best Way to Prevent Rodents in East 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!

Fall Pests That Can Live in Your Walls

a mouse peaking out of a hole in the wall

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!

Common Pests of the Late Summer

A gray squirrel

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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!

Why Are Ants Coming Back in My House?

Ants forming a trail in a houseAnts 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!

Get Started on Ant Control Today!

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!