Johnson Pest Control Earns Esteemed 2012 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

Johnson Pest Control has earned the service industry-coveted 2012 Angie’s List Super Service Award, an honor awarded annually to approximately 5 percent of all the companies rated on Angie’s List, the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service companies.

“It’s a select group of companies rated on Angie’s List that can claim the exemplary customer service record of being a Super Service Award winner,” said Angie’s List FounderAngie Hicks. “Our standards for the Super Service Award are quite high. The fact that Johnson Pest Control earned this recognition speaks volumes about its dedication providing great service to its customers.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2012 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, including earning a minimum number of reports, an excellent rating from their customers and abiding by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality. Members can find the 2012 Super Service Award logo next to company names in search results on AngiesList.com.

angieslist.com/review/386811

 DON’T LET PESTS RUIN HOLIDAY BAKING FUN

Cookie exchanges and baking marathons are a fun part of the holiday season for many families. But when breaking out the ingredients and pie pans, beware of uninvited pests that many be infesting household items.

Pantry pests, also known as stored product pests, tend to gather around food stored in pantries and can quickly become a nuisance to homeowners during the holidays. Beetles, earwigs, pillbugs, stink bugs and weevils are all considered pantry pests, but the most common species is the Indian meal moth. Fortunately, these small moths do not pose serious threats to our health and property. 

“Pantry pests are often found near a variety of household items from flour and dry cereals to spices and potpourri. Over time, these pests can infest baking products and contaminate food, so it’s important to practice caution and keep them from putting a damper on the baking fun.

To ensure a pest-free* holiday season try following these tips: 

• Immediately wipe up any crumbs or spills from countertops, tables, floors and shelves.
• Add a bay leaf to canisters and packages of dry goods like flour, rice and      other grains – the pungent scent repels many pantry pests.
• Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly in sealed      receptacles.
• Only purchase food in sealed packages that show no sign of damage.
• Check expiration dates on baking ingredients before use.
• Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens.
• Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains.

For more information on pantry pests and how to maintain a pest-free* home, call Johnson Pest Control at 865-453-7587.

INVASIVE PEST SPECIES: A GROWING PROBLEM FOR HOMEOWNERS
Homeowners to be cautious of insects of foreign origin

Invasive species, or insects of foreign origin, continue to grow in population, causing major issues for American homeowners. Johnson Pest Control wants to urge homeowners to be vigilant against invasive species including Formosan termites and red imported fire ants (RIFAs).

Like many other pests, invasive species tend to make their way into homes during the fall in search of resources and shelter for the winter months ahead. Unfortunately, invasive species can cause severe property damage, and in some cases injury, once inside the home.

Experts at the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) encourage homeowners to be especially aware of the Formosan termite, a species of subterranean termite that tends to be more aggressive than its native counterparts. Formosan termites are capable of consuming wood at rapid speeds, which largely contributes to the $5 billion termites cause in property damage every year.

Another common invasive insect is the red imported fire ant, a species mainly found in the southern United States. When disturbed, RIFAs are known to swarm and sting humans repeatedly, often producing painful welts.

Due to the health and property risks posed by invasive species, the NPMA recommends sealing cracks and holes on the exterior of the home with caulk, eliminating sources of water and moisture in and around the house, and frequently inspecting the property for signs of an infestation.

If an infestation is suspected, people should not attempt to control it with do-it-yourself measures. Instead, contact a licensed pest professional who can identify the species and effectively treat the problem.

For more information on invasive pest species and other pest issues contact Johnson Pest Control at 865-453-7587.

A CHILL IN THE AIR SENDS PESTS INDOORS

Johnson Pest Control reminds homeowners to be vigilant of pests during the colder months.

As temperatures across the country continue to fall, homeowners may soon be joined indoors by unwelcome guests. Be warned that pests including ants, spiders and rodents are looking for a warm refuge from the upcoming winter months.

Many pests have trouble adapting to the colder weather, so the change in seasons forces them to become opportunistic and search for a safe haven indoors . Unfortunately, our homes act as the perfect refuge for pests because they have access to shelter, food and water throughout the winter.

Experts at the National Pest Management Association, a nonprofit organization committed to the protection of public health, food and property from household pests, recommend the following tips to keep these pests outdoors where they belong:

• Seal cracks and crevices on the outside of the home with caulk. Pay special attention to areas where utilities and pipes enter the home.
• Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens.
• Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows.
• Screen vents and openings to chimneys.
• Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and keep shrubbery well trimmed.
• Consider partnering with a licensed pest professional to identify pest problems and recommend an appropriate course of treatment.

We also encourage homeowners to eliminate all moisture sites, as some pests such as termites and carpenter ants are specifically attracted to this element. Once inside, both of these pests can cause extensive damage to homes.

For more information on fall pests and how to protect your home, contact Johnson Pest Control at 865-453-7587.

Cockroaches are among the most hated insects. They can infest even the cleanest of homes. They contaminate food and leave an unpleasant odor, They also can transmit diseases. Cockroach infestations (large or small) can be eliminated by using any of a variety of pest control tools, Determining which type of roaches you have in your home will give us better information on their natural habitat, how they enter your home, and their preferred foods.

Cockroaches thrive where food and water are available to them. Even tiny amounts of crumbs or liquids caught between cracks provide a food source. To assist in exterminating cockroaches follow these steps then watch the video for more tips on cockroach prevention and treatment.

• Practice good sanitation, both indoors and outdoor.
• Do not leave unwashed dishes, kitchen utensils and uncovered food out overnight.
• Clean up all spilled liquids.
• Clean areas beneath cabinets, furniture, sinks, stoves and storage bins where tiny particles of food may accumulate.
• Keep kitchen garbage and excess trash in containers and remove them regularly. Store dry pet food away from the kitchen and other foods.
• If you feed pets indoors, remove the leftover foods immediately.
• Clean outdoor garbage cans frequently, along with platforms or slabs on which they are kept.

If you experience a cockroach infestation call Johnson Pest Control or call 865-453-7587.

With the arrival of autumn comes the annual invasion of brown marmorated stink bugs as they seek winter refuge inside homes and businesses. Stink bugs often enter structures in larger numbers, making them a difficult pest to control once inside.

Stink bugs get their name from their habit of secreting a bad-smelling fluid when disturbed or crushed. They are not known to bite humans but caution should be used when handling them to avoid a release of their odor. Many species are attracted to lights at night. Stink bugs are not known to bite humans but caution should be used when handling them to avoid a release of their odor.

Entomologists with the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) are expecting higher populations of the brown marmorated stink bug this autumn than last year. As a result, the NPMA is recommending that homeowners take steps now to pest-proof their homes against this stinky pest.

• Seal and caulk cracks around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, behind chimneys and underneath the wood fascia and other openings.
• Repair or replace damaged screens on windows or doors.
• Keep outdoor lighting to a minimum as stink bugs are attracted to lights.
• If stink bugs have already entered a home, use a vacuum cleaner for their removal and dispose of the bag immediately to prevent odor from permeating the area.
• If an infestation develops, a licensed pest professional should be contacted to evaluate and assess the severity problem.

Homes can be pre-treated for stink bugs before they become a problem. But, if you suspect an infestation has already developed or for more information on prevention, contact Johnson Pest Control at 865-453-7587.

West Nile Virus 2012 Statistics

West Nile virus is a common concern among Americans – and rightfully so. West Nile virus has continued to spread across the country since the first reported incidence in 1999. The worst year for the mosquito-borne disease was 2002, which saw nearly 3,000 severe cases and 284 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, experts are predicting that the outbreak in 2012 might become the deadliest ever. As of September 18, there have been 3,142 cases and 134 deaths reported to the CDC this year.

There are a number of precautions that people can take to protect their home and family from mosquitoes and minimize the potential of contracting West Nile virus. The NPMA recommends the following tips:

• Eliminate or reduce mosquito-breeding sites around the home by replacing all standing water at least once a week. This includes birdbaths, flowerpots, grill covers, baby pools and other objects where water collects. Mosquitoes on need about ½ inch of water to breed.
• Screen windows, doors, and other openings with mesh. Repair even the smallest tear or hole.
  • Use mesh that is 18X18 strands per inch, or finer.
  • Seal around all screen edges; and keep doors and windows shut to prevent entry of most mosquito species.
• Minimize outside activity between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
• When outdoors, wear long-sleeved shirts and long-legged pants.
• Use an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon-eucalyptus on exposed skin whenever outdoors. Check product labels for information on age restrictions to make sure they are safe for your toddler or infant.

With an abundance of fresh fruit available during the warmer months fruit flies find their way into our homes and food. Many people believe that fruit flies actually come from decaying fruit but in fact they they detect the yeast produced by fermenting fruit from great distances and because of their size usually have little trouble finding small cracks and crevices to allow entry to your home.

Fruit flies are also found in unsanitary conditions like garbage dumps and trashcans. Because of this fruit flies can carry dangerous diseases that they can transmit to humans.

To prevent and control fruit flies in your home follow these tips:

1)    If you keep fresh fruit on the counter, check it often for signs of over-ripening or decay.  Over-ripe fruit should be disposed of in a sealed trash can, outdoors.  A female fruit fly lays an average of 500 eggs on the surface of fermenting fruit. You don’t want those eggs hatching in your kitchen trash can!

2)    Run your garbage disposal regularly.  Fruit flies LOVE the decaying food matter that accumulates down the drain.

3)    Wash or replace mops and sponges regularly. They also LOVE the old food particles these cleaning items gather.

4)    Don’t keep dirty dishes around. Dirtied dishes gathered in your sink, particularly those with fruit remnants, and soiled dishes that sit for too long in an un-run dishwasher can also invite these flies.

For more information on pest control or to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation contact Johnson Pest Control at 865-453-7587.

STINGING INSECTS THRIVE IN AUTUMN

Stinging insects pose serious threats as temperatures cool

 As the crisp weather arrives and the summer season comes to an end, don’t assume that stinging insects will soon disappear. Stinging insects tend to be more aggressive during the early fall as they gather food for the winter months ahead.

Most people associate stinging insects with the hot summer months, but as the cooler weather approaches, people still need to be aware of the dangers posed by yellow jackets, bees and wasps. If provoked, these pests can sting repeatedly, which increases the potential for skin irritation or a serious allergic reaction.

Experts at the National Pest Management Association, recommend that homeowners inspect their properties frequently for signs of an infestation. Common stinging insect nesting sites include under eaves, on ceiling beams in attics, garages and sheds, and under porches. In addition, homeowners should follow these tips to avoid being stung: 

• Wear shoes, especially in grassy areas.
• Keep windows and doors properly screened.
• When dining outside, keep food covered until ready to eat.
• Remove garbage frequently and keep trashcans covered.
• Overseed grassy areas to get better coverage, as this will deter ground-nesting insects.
• Do not swat at a stinging insect as it increases the likelihood of an aggressive reaction.
• Seek immediate medical attention if stung, as reactions can be severe.

Attempting to remove a nest or hive without the help of a professional can be extremely dangerous. It’s important to contact someone with proper training to rid the property of these pests.

For all your stinging insect needs call Johnson Pest Control at 865-453-7587.