summer pests Archives | Johnson Pest Control - Pest Control & Extermination Services

Your Dog’s Guide to a Tick-free Adventure in Tennessee

Dog running outside in Tennessee Are you fed up with the never-ending battle against ticks? Do you want to keep these blood-sucking parasites off your dog permanently? The experts at Johnson Pest Control have you covered. Read on to learn our top tick-fighting tricks to keep your furry friends safe all summer long.

Why Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs Is Crucial

Ticks may be small, but their impact on your beloved pup’s well-being is huge. From the potentially severe Lyme disease to other tick-borne nightmares, these tiny insects can wreak havoc on your dog’s health. Taking a few steps to protect your pets could save them – and you – a lot of trouble and discomfort.

Check Your Dog for Ticks Daily

Any time you go outdoors, take a few minutes to check your pup’s fur for ticks. Comb through their skin, investigating every nook and cranny, from ears to neck, belly to legs. If you stumble upon an unwelcome tick, it is eviction time. Grab your trusty tweezers or a nifty tick remover tool, and give those pesky intruders a one-way ticket out.

Avoid Ticks When Possible

Do not let your dog wander into tick territory. Ticks lurk in tall grass, bushes, and leaf litter, ready to pounce on any passing host. Stick to well-groomed trails and paths. Keep your lawn neat. Mow it regularly and clear any debris to make your property less attractive to these tiny pests.

Bathe Your Dogs Regularly

Bath time can be a tick-busting blast. Grab a mild shampoo for dogs and lather up your pup. Rinse them well and look for any ticks. You can also add some apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to the water, which act as natural tick repellents.

Invest in a Tick-Proof Dog Vest

Trendsetting pups, listen up! Suit up in style and outsmart those ticks. Meet the tick-fighting superhero costume: the dog vest. It covers your dog’s chest and back, blocking tick bites. Some vests have tick-slaying permethrin for extra protection. Your furry friend will be tick-free and fashionable.

Ask Your Veterinarian

Your vet is the best resource for flea and tick prevention in dogs. Chat with them to find out how to keep those parasites away. They will suggest products and methods for your dog’s needs. The options include collars, sprays, drops, pills, and vaccines. But always check with your vet for the best flea and tick prevention for dogs in Tennessee.

Professional Tick Extermination and Prevention

When the tick situation feels overwhelming and it seems like these tiny pests have taken over your property, it is time to call the pros. Enter the tick-busting professionals Johnson Pest Control! Their expertise and cutting-edge techniques will give those ticks a one-way ticket out of your furry friend’s life. Not only do they provide exceptional service, but they are also renowned for their commitment to eco-friendly pest control solutions and unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction.

Do not let ticks ruin your day or harm your dog’s health. Take action now! Call Johnson Pest Control today and bid farewell to those pesky parasites. Your dog deserves a tick-free adventure in the beautiful state of Tennessee.

How to Be Pest-Free in Your Backyard

If you are spending more time in your backyard than ever this year, you’re likely noticing just how many pests are outdoors! Especially in the late summer months here in Sevierville, insects are out in full-force. Unfortunately, they can quickly put a damper on your outdoor plans. Whether you’re spending time barbecuing outdoors at night, or your kids are playing on a swing set, it’s important to know how to keep pests away from your outdoor living space.

Insects & Pests in the Backyard

Your backyard can be a haven for many pests and insects, especially this time of year. Whether you’re dealing with mosquitoes infesting your birdbath or ants surrounding your outdoor dining set, pests are at full-force. The most common pests you’ll encounter in your yard are stinging insects (bees, wasps, and hornets), ants, spiders, mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, flies, and more. Any of these can be a nuisance to deal with, but mosquitoes and ticks are especially dangerous to be in your yard.

8 Ways to Prevent Pests in Your Outdoor Living Area

No one wants pests infesting their outdoor living areas. While it can be hard to avoid pests when spending time outdoors, there are a few things you can to do help steer them away from your property. Our top tips are:

Apply an insect repellent. Any repellent with DEET will help repel mosquitoes and ticks.
Get rid of standing water. Mosquitoes only need a half inch of standing water to breed.
Keep your lawn and shrubs trimmed. Overgrown grass or vegetation provides mosquitoes and ticks with shelter.
Inspect your yard for ant hills. Even a tiny mound can contain thousands of ants inside.
Inspect wood structures. Your deck or porch may be vulnerable to termite or carpenter bee activity.
Clean your patio or space regularly. Crumbs or spilled liquids will attract ants and other insects.
Light up some citronella candles. While not a long-term solution, this will repel mosquitoes during outdoor activities.
Consider replacing your light bulbs. Yellow bulbs or sodium vapor lights will not attract as many insects as bright light bulbs do.

Professional Outdoor Pest Prevention

If you have endless pests in your backyard, it’s best to contact your local exterminator. An expert can pinpoint areas of your yard that may be conducive to pest problems as well as help you prevent them! The team at Johnson is happy to help–contact us today!

Ants bees fleas flies hornets mosquitoes Spiders summer pests Ticks wasps

The Rise of Summertime Cockroach Activity

For the most part, cockroaches are common year-round. But if there was a “cockroach season”, it would be the summertime! Especially here in Tennessee, warmer temperatures this time of year draw cockroaches out and into homes. They are attracted to warmth and humidity, which is why they frequent bathrooms or kitchens. This feared pest isn’t just a nuisance–they’re dangerous, too! It’s important to know what you can do to prevent summertime cockroach activity in your Sevierville home or business. Read on for expert info from the cockroach control team at Johnson Pest Control.

How Can I Prevent Cockroaches in the Summer?

No one wants to deal with summertime roaches, which is why it’s so important to learn what you can do to keep them out of your property. A few of our top tips to prevent cockroaches this summer include:

Inspecting the perimeter of your home and seal cracks and crevices. Seal windows and doors or install screens.
Keeping a clean kitchen and bathroom. Wipe or clean up any spills or messes ASAP.
Picking up pet food bowls after mealtimes. Try to avoid leaving food out overnight.
Securely storing all food in tight-fitting airtight containers, and refrigerating unsealed food.
Ensuring your garbage cans are sealed with a tight-fitting lid, and routinely take it out.
Avoiding leaving piles of clutter or junk both inside and outside of your property.
Promptly fixing any leaky pipes or clogged rain gutters to avoid moisture problems.

Are Cockroaches Only Summer Pests?

Cockroaches are a year-round pest in Tennessee. That said, the summer months are when they are most likely to be active. Almost all cockroach species are known to be drawn toward warm or even damp environments. This is why they are most commonly seen in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and crawl spaces. This is also why they are more likely to infest homes in the summertime. A lot of cockroaches will be less active in the winter to wait out the warming temperatures during the summer months. For this reason, roach infestations are one of the most common pest problems we get calls for in the summer.

How to Get Rid of Summer Cockroaches

Seeing just one roach in your home or business can be a bad sign that there are many more hidden elsewhere. Because of the germs and bacteria they spread—as well as the allergies they can cause—it’s important to always enlist the help of a professional cockroach exterminator. The experts at Johnson can keep you cockroach-free in the summer and all year long.

Cockroaches summer pests

Different Types of Wasp Nests

Everyone knows that insects are at full-force in the summer. One of the most common summer pests here in the Sevierville area is the wasp! There are several different types of wasps common to the area, and they all build different types of nests. Some wasps are more aggressive than others and can sting repeatedly. This makes it important to learn about the different characteristics of wasp nests. If you notice any of the below wasp nests in or around your yard, always exercise caution. Keep reading for expert tips from the team at Johnson Pest Control on how to identify different types of wasp nests.

Common Wasp Nests in Tennessee

Many wasps are confused for yellowjackets, but they’re all different in several ways. The easiest way to identify them is to learn what their nests look like:

Mud daubers
- Their nests are built be female members
- These nests consist of short mud tubes
- Often appear to look like an organ pipe
- Often found under eaves, garages, attics, or on the sides of buildings
Yellowjackets
- Made out of a papery material and have a single opening
- Interior contains hundreds of cells for eggs
- Some types nest underground, often with thousands of members
- Otherwise build nests in hollow trees, under porches, and a number of other areas

Bald-faced hornets
- Nests are typically at least three feet off the ground
- Built out of chewed wood fibers mixed with saliva
- Can grow to the size of a football or basketball
- Usually in trees, bushes, or wooded areas, but also can be on buildings
Paper wasps
- Look like upside-down umbrellas
- These nests are more open, with visible cells at times
- They are typically supported by a single stalk and made out of a papery substance
- Found beneath eaves of structures, in attics and wall voids, and in other enclosed areas
Need Help Identifying a Wasp Nest?

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What Should You Do When You See a Wasp Nest?

If you notice a wasp nest forming on or near your property, it’s safest to be cautious around it. Even when a nest appear dormant or empty, there still could be lingering stinging insects inside. When it comes to defending their nests, certain wasps can become very aggressive and either chase or sting you—repeatedly. For that reason alone, it’s best to always enlist the help of your local wasp removal experts at Johnson when you have a wasp nest problem.

Bald-Faced Hornet mud dauber Paper Wasp Stinging Insects summer pests Yellowjacket

8 Common Breeding Grounds for Mosquitoes

Here in Eastern Tennessee, mosquitoes are a fact of life in the summertime. They are active at dawn and dusk, and will gladly take up residence in your yard if given the chance. Female mosquitoes need just a half inch of water to be able to lay their eggs in. This means any container on your property capable of collecting water is likely to invite mosquitoes. Thankfully, you can work to eliminate these common breeding grounds for mosquitoes and, in turn, keep mosquitoes away from your yard!

Main Breeding Grounds For Mosquitoes Around Your Home

Once they breed, female mosquitoes can lay anywhere from 100-300 eggs at a time. Once the larvae hatch, the mosquitoes will become adults within two week’s time. Because they can reproduce so quickly, it is very important to learn how to stop them from breeding in your yard in the first place. Some of the main areas they will breed include:

Old tires
Tree stumps and wood piles
Children’s play sets
Trash cans
Birdbaths
Gutters
Mud pots
Pools & spas

5 Ways to Stop Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are pesky and can quickly take over your yard, keeping you from wanting to venture outside at dawn or dusk! In addition to getting rid of standing water, there a number of ways you can prevent mosquitoes in your property:

Install screens on doors and windows to keep mosquitoes outside
Avoid going outdoors at dawn and dusk
Fix water leaks or drainage issues promptly
Keep your lawn and shrubs trimmed and neat
Following the manufacturer’s instructions, apply repellent containing DEET

Other Ways to Prevent Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are a nuisance in the summertime. No one wants to deal with hoards of them every time they step out into their backyard, making it important to do all you can to stop them. If you’ve done everything you can to get rid of common breed grounds for mosquitoes and still are dealing with them, contact the mosquito exterminators at Johnson today. Our team has what it takes to keep mosquitoes away for good.

mosquitoes summer pests

6 Ways to Prevent Ants This Summer

Most property owners have dealt with ants at one point or another. As the number one nuisance pest in the United States, it’s important to learn what you can do to keep ants away from your home. During the summertime, ant infestations spike in properties throughout the Sevierville TN area. To avoid the frustration of an ant infestation this summer, there are a number of things you can do to keep them from getting indoors in the first place. The team at Johnson Pest Control knows how frustrating these pests can be, which is why our experts are sharing the best ways to prevent ants this summer.

6 Tips to Prevent Ants in the Summertime

If you’ve had ants before, you likely never want to go through the frustration of getting another infestation! Ants typically make their way inside to seek out sources of food or shelter. Once indoors, they can spread quickly! Thankfully, there are several things you can do to lessen their chance of getting indoors in the first place:

1. Keep a clean home. Sweep your floors regularly to get rid of crumbs. Ants are attracted to sugary food sources and a few crumbs will keep them coming back for more.
2. Store food properly. Avoid leaving food out uncovered. Keep food in airtight containers or store them safely in cupboards and fridges.
3. Seal entry points. Ants can crawl through the tiniest of cracks. Inspect your property and use caulk to seal any gaps, holes, or potential entry ways.
4. Avoid excess moisture. Areas with standing water or leaks will attract ants quickly. Attend to broken pipes and clean up spills quickly.
5. Trim back trees and vegetation. Plants close to your home can encourage ants to come in. Make sure tree branches, shrubs, and bushes are trimmed away from the perimeter!
6. Pick up your pet’s food. Crumbs and spills from your cat or dog’s food and water bowls can be a huge attractant for ants. Always clean up and store bowls between mealtimes.

Common Ants in the Summer

There are several types of ants that cause homeowners a lot of grief this time of year. With over 700 species of ants in the nation, it’s easy to get these pests confused with one another. That said, it’s important to know what you’re up against when you have an infestation. A few of the most common types of ants you’ll likely encounter in our area are odorous house ants, carpenter ants, fire ants, and pavement ants. For help identifying them, it’s always recommended to enlist the help of a professional.

What to Do When You Have Ants

If you’ve done all you can to prevent ants but still have trouble keeping them out, it’s time to call a professional ant control company. The ant exterminators at Johnson have the years of experience needed to keep ants out of your property for good!

Ants Carpenter Ants fire ants odorous house ants pavement ants summer pests

Bed Bugs Facts & Myths

Bed bugs are one of the most dreaded pest problems. Unfortunately, they’re also one of the most common. With Bed Bug Awareness Week upon us, there’s no better time to dispel common myths about these pests. In order to better prepare yourself for the possibility of getting an infestation one day, it’s important to unlearn misconceptions about bed bugs. The team at Johnson Pest Control has gathered the most typical bed bug myths we hear from our customers and are here to give you the facts!

Common Bed Bug Myths Debunked

The more feared a pest is, the more misinformation is spread! A few of the most common questions we get about bed bugs include:

Are bed bugs nocturnal?
- No! Bed bugs are active when their hosts are at rest. This usually means overnight, but they are able to adjust their schedule to feed whenever you are at rest.
Can bed bugs infest areas of your home other than your bedroom?
- Bed bugs can infest anywhere–including chairs, sofas, cracks in the wall, and even power outlets. They prefer to congregate near where their hosts rest, making bedrooms the main target.
Are bed bugs too small to see with the naked eye?
- No. Although nymphs are nearly impossible to see, adult bed bugs are about the size of an appleseed and are definitely visible.
Are bed bugs more likely to infest messy homes?
- This is one of the biggest myths. Anyone is prone to a bed bug problem, regardless of how clean or cluttered your property is!
Do bed bugs jump or fly?
- No! Unlike fleas and ticks, bed bugs have underdeveloped wings. To get from one place to another, they crawl.
Should you dispose of infested furniture?
- No! In fact, you shouldn’t move infested furniture in the midst of an infestation. Doing so can contribute to bed bugs spreading into other areas.
Can bed bug bites transmit disease?
- Thankfully, no. Bed bugs may cause you anxiety and even itchiness, but their bites do not transmit any dangerous diseases.
Can you get rid of bed bugs yourself?
- Almost never. A bed bug infestation requires professional treatment to exterminate. Trying to get rid of them on your own can worsen or lengthen the infestation!

How to Prevent Bed Bugs

As mentioned previously, anyone and everyone can get a bed bug problem! In order to avoid this, there are several ways you can lessen the risk of getting an infestation. Always be wary of buying used furniture unless you inspect it for bed bugs first. In addition, take caution while traveling. This includes inspecting your hotel room for bugs and being careful when unpacking your suitcase. Lastly, get regular inspections from a professional bed bug control company that can look for all types of pests in your property. Contact Johnson Pest Control to learn more!

bed bugs summer pests

3 Common Summertime Wasps

Here in Sevierville, summertime is beloved by all. Warmer temperatures means more time spent outdoors near the beaches, at parks, or in your own backyard. Unfortunately, wasps love the summertime as much as you do, and can be a constant nuisance for people all summer long. Wasps are more than a nuisance, though–they can be dangerous and are known to sting when they feel threatened. There are 3 common summertime wasps to look out for: paper wasps, mud daubers, and, of course, yellow jackets. If you see signs of stinging insect activity or nests built near your home or business, it’s important to stay away. Read on for more things to know about these summertime wasps from the experts at Johnson Pest Control.

What to Know About Summertime Wasps

Paper Wasps. These wasps are known for the papery nests they build, which look like upside-down umbrellas. Their nests typically hang from tree branches or twigs, but can be built on porch ceilings and door railings as well. The nests usually only contain about 30 wasps, but are still dangerous. While paper wasps aren’t as aggressive as yellow jackets, their stings are especially potent and can cause an allergic reaction in some.
Mud Daubers. As their name suggests, mud daubers build their nests from mud. They are mostly black in appearance but may have light-colored markings. The most characteristic feature of the mud dauber is their thin, thread-like waist. Nests are usually located in covered areas such as porch ceilings, sheds, and attics. These wasps are less social than other types, often preferring to be solitary. Mud daubers aren’t as aggressive and will only sting when directly handled.
Yellow Jackets. During the summertime, yellow jackets are infamous for being aggressive. Yellow jackets congregate in colonies of up to or more than 1,000 workers. This is why it’s so important to never attempt to knock down a nest on your own. Yellow jackets will not bother you unless they feel threatened, in which case they may sting more than once.

How to Prevent Wasps

Wasps are a normal part of life, but it’s important to avoid nests and swarms of them. In addition to keeping an eye out for nests forming on or near your property, it’s crucial to know how to prevent wasps when you spend time outside:

When outdoors, wear shoes, especially in grassy areas.
Do not leave drinks or food in accessible areas.
Install screens on doors and windows.
Always keep garbage in sealed receptacles.
Do not swat at wasps as it increases the likelihood of an aggressive reaction.
If stung, seek immediate medical attention, as reactions can be severe.

Safe Wasp Removal

When it comes to wasp problems, it’s important to always be very cautious. Never try to remove nests yourself, as this can be very hazardous for anyone around at the time. The team at Johnson has the years of experience needed to provide safe and reliable wasp removal during the summer and all year long.

mud daubers paper wasps Stinging Insects summer pests yellow jackets