Termite Awareness

This week is gorgeous weather. It is one of those reasons we love the mountains of East Tennessee. Cool mornings and warm afternoons. We just love to be outside in this weather.

Termite Awareness Identification | Johnson Pest Control Sevier CountyAs the temperatures continue to increase Knox and Sevier County and the ground becomes warmer, winged termites will emerge in search of a suitable spot to create a new colony. To promote public vigilance against termites, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) recognizes this week, March 16-22, as Termite Awareness Week. Here are a few items for you, homeowner and business owner, to educate yourself about the threat of termites. We also have shared a few of the common signs of a termite infestation you may come across this spring.

The 411 on Termites

Termites feed 24 hours a day, seven days a week on the cellulose found in wood and paper products. They are known as “silent destroyers” due to their ability to compromise the structure of a home without being noticed until it’s too late.

Termites are very destructive and the damage inflicted can be quite costly if left undetected, and are most likely to cause problems in this time of year, so it’s important for homeowners to be on the lookout for signs of these wood-destroying pests in and around their property.

Termite Awareness Identification - Mud Tubes | Johnson Pest Control Knox and Sevier County Tennessee

Here are a few clues that termites may be present in a home:

  • Mud tubes (used by termites to reach a food source) on the exterior of the home
  • Soft wood in the home that sounds hollow when tapped
  • Darkening or blistering of wood structures
  • Cracked or bubbling paint
  • Small piles of feces that resembles sawdust near a termite nest
  • Discarded wings near doors or on windowsills, indicating swarmers have entered the home

For help in identifying a possible termite infestation, determining the extent of the problem, and providing treatment recommendations and/or plans then give us a call (866-448-2847) or contact us through this website.

Termite Proofing Your Home this Spring

Termite Proofing Your Home from Swarm of Winged Termites | Johnson Pest Control ExterminatorsSpring sure feels like it is here, which means spring cleaning projects for you and us over the next few weeks. We want to encourage you  to also consider pest-proofing in and around the home.

Spring is the season when people begin to notice an increase in pests populations like ants, termites, flies and stinging insects. The best way to minimize the chance of an infestation for termites is prevention. Adding a few quick and easy tasks to the spring cleaning to-do list can go a long way in keeping pests out of the home.

Termite Proofing Tips

Experts at the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) recommend the following steps to avoid an infestation this spring and summer:

  • Seal cracks and holes along the foundation of the home including entry points for utilities and pipes.
  • Screen windows and doors.
  • Eliminate sources of moisture or standing water around the house, including birdbaths and in clogged gutters.
  • Keep tree branches and other plants cut back from the house.
  • Store firewood at least 20 feet from the home on a raised structure such as concrete blocks or poles.
  • Inspect the outside of a home for nests built by stinging insects, which are typically found in the eaves under roofs.
  • Keep kitchens clean by wiping down counters and other food surfaces after meal prep.
  • Take out the trash frequently and store it in a sealed receptacle outdoors.
  • Avoid leaving pets’ food dishes out for long periods of time.

As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. These prevention tips will not guarantee termites do not find their way into your home. These prevention tips are simple practices and cheap on the wallet and will go a long way in helping to keep termites, which cost a lot to get rid of and fix their damage, away from your home.

If you suspect you have an infestation, contact us to identify the species and recommend a course of treatment. 

Tips on How to Get Rid of Fleas

Tips on How to Get Rid of Fleas Johnson Pest ControlThe winter is starting to thaw and those fabulous bug nuisances will be emerging from their slumbers. So start now to keep some of the pesky insects away.

Fleas will start to show up more and more around your home and in your yard. Eggs might start hatching in the yard. Dogs or wild animals might trek through your yard and leave some for your dog or cat. An infestation of fleas can be tough to get rid of on your own and might need a professional company. But the best news is that fleas can kept away, and gotten rid of, through some easy home practices. The bonus to doing these things around the house will also keep your home feeling great.

Tips On How To Get Rid of Fleas

1. Clean Your House & Vacuum Often: Cleaning and vacuuming frequently to help remove flea populations already in existence and discourage egg laying. If you have a pet which appears to have fleas cleaning will help to prevent the spread of fleas throughout the house. One trick is to put a flea collar in your vacuum bag to kill any fleas that you might suck up during a cleaning. If you have an easy dispose cylinder (instead of a bag) you should dispose of vacuum refuse promptly outside. A clean house feels really great when you come home from work, or a vacation so that is a plus to preventing fleas.

2. Keep Your Lawn Groomed: Mowing, trimming bushes, monkey grasses, and all around lawn maintenance will prevent hiding spots and food sources for rodents and animals that will have fleas. Their staying out of your yard will help prevent the introduction of fleas to your yard. Plus, a good lawn feels really great.

3. Pay Attention to Rodents: Living up in the mountains we have some unusual wildlife that other areas of the country generally does not have to deal with. Be aware of any rodent life happening around your home. Taking precautions, canning trash properly & cleaning up the yard, to avoid inviting mice, rats, raccoons, etc. to your house will help to keep fleas away. If you become aware of a problem that feels outside your scope of comfort feel free to contact us.

Tips on How to Get Rid of Fleas4. Clean Your Pets: Living up in the mountains our pets have opportunities to come across wildlife that isn’t possible in other areas of the country. If you have your dog or cat outside and unattended then make plans to bathe them regularly with a flea shampoo & brush them with a flea comb. A flea collar will help prevent them from getting fleas as well as the bathing and combing. If they are outside without a fence then consider keeping them on a leash or tether so that they stay within your ‘flea safe zone’. Protecting your pet from finding fleas will help to keep fleas out of your house. The other bonus is that your pet is not going to be scratching all the time. So annoying when the dogs are scratching all the time.

5. Wash & Dry Fleas Out: You’ve tried out all these other methods and nothing has worked? No problem, there are a few more tricks up your sleeve. If you have a decent idea where the fleas are most active at (areas of the house, carpeted rooms, etc.) then put together a pan or dish of soapy water. Fleas will be attracted to the soapy water and will essentially drown when they get trapped by the concoction. Dry out the air of a room with a dehumidifier. Fleas will thrive in a higher humidity area. Dropping a rooms humidity level will dry out the fleas and their eggs. Using some of the flea prevention powders you can find kill off fleas by drying them out, so it’s a regular practice to killing off fleas.

One thing to note is that doing one or all of these things once will not give you the long term results you, and we, hope for. Making these practices a regular part of your life will make fleas almost a non-factor in your life. Plus you, your house, and your pets will look fabulous working to prevent fleas.