Pest Control in Knoxville, Tennessee

It’s wintertime in Knoxville, so that means there is no need to worry about insects, rodents, or wildlife bothering you and your home, right? Well, it may be true that pests are generally a little less active in the winter months, but it is never a good idea to let down your guard against any pests no matter the date on the calendar. In fact, wintertime is the time when pests have sought the warmth of your attic and wall voids. They may be less active outside, but they are more active inside. A few things to think about in regards to wintertime pests:

  • 21 million homes in the United States are invaded each winter by rodents.
  • Rodents are carriers of diseases such as Hantavirus and salmonella. They also contaminate food and can bring lice, mites, ticks, and fleas into your home.
  • When rodents get into your home, they get into your wall voids and attic spaces and damage insulation, stored items, treasured keepsakes, and even wires, which can be a fire hazard.
  • Ants, cockroaches, and spiders in your home can cause allergies and asthma attacks. They are also known to transmit bacteria and damage and contaminate food sources.
  • If termites are present in your walls, they can eat away at the wood of your home for years without being detected. Even in winter, they will continue to devour your house 24 hours a day non-stop.

Residential Pest Control from Active Pest Control:

It is never a good idea to let down your guard against disease-spreading, home-destroying pests. That is why at Active Pest Control, we offer several pest control plans to fit our customer’s individual needs.

  • Active Pest Control EDGE: This plan includes year-round pest control for common household pests including ants, spiders, cockroaches, and other pests that commonly infest homes in the Knoxville area. One of our trained pest control technicians will visit and give your home a thorough inspection and take appropriate measures to eliminate invading pests. This is then followed up with quarterly visits. In addition, we offer re-service for free. This means if you have a pest problem arise between visits, we will gladly make an extra visit at no extra charge.
  • Active Pest Control ADVANTAGE: This plan encompasses all that the EDGE plan has but also includes rodent monitoring and control and the Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System.
  • Active Pest Control COMPLETE: This includes all that the ADVANTAGE plan has, but also offers seasonal mosquito reduction and seasonal fire ant reduction.

If you don’t know what plan you need, that’s okay. When you contact us, we can send one of our pest control professionals to your home to do a thorough inspection, for free. There is no pressure to sign up for anything. They will let you know what you need and you can take your time to decide.

Protect your home, health, and property by taking advantage of one of our comprehensive pest control plans. You don’t have to fight those pests alone. Active Pest Control can help.

Life With Earwigs

Earwigs. You typically don’t give these little pests much thought, until one scrambles out from under the plant pot you just picked up off the front porch. You jump at first as you stare at this strange little creature and then a movement near your hand catches your eye. You thought there was only one, but now you realize that there are dozens of them falling, scurrying, and scrambling from the planter in your hands. Instantly grossed out you quickly drop the planter and jump back. Those bugs are so quick – and so strange – almost prehistoric! They look as if they could take quite a chunk out of your skin. Are they dangerous? Do they bite? Do they carry diseases? What do they eat? Why are they a problem?

So many great questions! Let’s see if we can answer them. First of all, earwigs, or pincher bugs, are small reddish/brown insects that have “pinchers” that protrude from the end of their abdomen. These pinchers, or cerci, are basically used to grab and hold food. They do not typically “bite”, but they will pinch you with their cerci if they feel threatened. The pinch can be painful; however, they will rarely break the skin of a person. They are not known for carrying diseases or transporting germs from place to place; therefore, they are considered to be mostly a nuisance pest.

Secondly, they are very shy creatures and will ‘scurry’ quickly for cover when they are found. Earwigs prefer dark, moist, undisturbed places close to dirt so they can easily find food. They do not tolerate dry sunny conditions for long and will search for a cool, damp place like your garage, shed, basement, bathroom, or kitchen to escape those conditions. They will sometimes enter your home in or on newspapers, boxes, outdoor furniture, or plants that you bring inside. Most often, however, they come in through cracks and small holes in your foundation, tears in your screens, or under worn door sweeps.

Lastly, these odd little creatures eat mainly decaying organic matter; although, they will eat live plants – especially the tender young ones. It is true that no one likes to have these creatures running through their homes and invading pantries and cupboards, but the greatest danger from earwigs is in their ability to damage or destroy gardens, flower beds, and ornamental shrubs and trees. They are particularly fond of corn! They can certainly wreak havoc in these areas and cost you time and money as you work to replace plants and suffer the loss of crops.

When you are faced with an earwig infestation on your property, it is a wise decision to contact a professional pest control expert like Active Pest Control. Here at Active Pest Control, we have been helping our friends and neighbors protect their homes and businesses from insects, like the earwig, for nearly 40 years. You can count on our technicians to accurately identify pests, eliminate them, and then determine the access points they are using to infiltrate your property. Once that is done, we will offer helpful solutions to eliminate those access points and prevent these pests from returning. Pest free peace of mind is what it’s all about when you partner with us, because when bugs are gone, it’s Active Pest Control.

Stink Bug Invasion

Invasion season has begun! Homeowners throughout the region have recently been spotting rather large brown or green bugs crawling around windows, doors, and exterior walls of their house. These armies of invaders, unaffectionately called stink bugs, have one goal in mind and that is to gain access to the warmth and comfort of your home. They have a natural instinct that alerts them and lets them know that the cold winter months are just around the corner. The focus of this very unwelcome bug is to find a crack or crevice big enough for them to fit through and take up residence inside the house.

Stink bugs are exactly that—bugs that stink! While this appears to be a very simple statement, any homeowner who does not recognize these nuisance pests and swats or steps on them will suddenly find out why they are called stink bugs. The stink bug puts off a very unpleasant smell that one doesn’t easily forget. If they gain entrance into the home, the preferred method of removal may be with the use of a vacuum cleaner. Even then, be sure and change the vacuum filter as the smell can linger for some time.

Stink bugs are threatening to the agricultural industry and local gardeners. They are especially fond of fruit trees. However, the good news is they do not bite or sting humans or pets. Neither do they cause structural damage to property. As with all household pests, the key to stink bug control is prevention. As stated in the old idiom, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Once stink bugs get inside the attic or walls of the home, they are extremely difficult to remove. There are several tips that homeowners should apply that will prevent stink bugs from invading the home.

Think like a bug and search your home for any gap or crack in the exterior of your house. Look around windows and doors for any crack and repair accordingly with caulking. This is an easy and inexpensive repair that will keep pests out and increase the heating efficiency of your home. Check the foundation for any cracks that may have developed and seal shut. You may also place a section of window screen over attic louvers and soffit vents.

Active Pest Control understands the aggravation of homeowners when it comes to removing unwanted guests. Our technicians are highly trained and able to make your home pest-free. Our pest solutions plans will provide a year-round solution for stink bugs and other common household pests. You will find peace of mind by contacting Active Pest Control today for the perfect solution to your pest problems.

It’s Fall, What’s All the Stink About?

Well, it’s that time of year again. The weather starts to cool off giving us warm wonderful less-humid days and cool, crisp nights. The leaves begin their annual ritual of changing from their deep hues of green to their dancing fall colors of red, yellow, and orange. You cannot go for a drive anywhere without at least a glimpse of this remarkable beauty. This truly is one of the most beautiful times of year in Tennessee, but it also signifies a change.

The carefree days of summer have come to an end, and it is time to begin preparing for the winter months. We think about filling the fuel tank in preparation for heating costs this winter. We also reluctantly start picking up lawn furniture and ornaments to store through the cold months. The leaves begin to fall, so our weekends are filled with raking up this forlorn foliage and bagging it for disposal or burning it in the fire. It is the time of year when we give our vehicles a once over making sure they have the proper amount of tread on the tires, the windshield fluids are topped off, the radiator has the proper levels in it, and the oil is changed.

It is the time of year when the harvest comes in, and we reap the bounty of our crops. The weather is finally cool enough to light the ovens and we begin to bake our apple pies and apple crisp with those red juices overflowing from the trees. There is hardly a home where the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg is not flowing from the kitchen windows. Along with it, you can usually smell the fresh, baked bread as that warm, yeasty scent fills the air and wafts through the window. The squash is finally ready and the potatoes are fresh for harvest. It is a wonderful time of year full of harvest and feasting, but it is also full of preparations and toil.

We are not the only ones that spend our fall feasting and preparing for the cold months ahead. Stink bugs and other pesky insects are doing the same thing. Those shield shaped, tannish stink bugs are not just gathering on the walls of your home or barn to catch a few rays in hopes of a darker suntan. They are actually working. That’s right, working. They are in search of the tiniest of cracks or crevices that will allow them entry into your home for the winter. After spending the summer months feasting on your fruits, vegetables, and flowers, they are now ready to settle down for a long winter’s nap inside of your house.

These odd looking little creatures really can cause quite a stir once they choose your house as their winter destination. Although these little pests are not known for carrying diseases to humans, although not very commonly reported, they are known to cause allergic reactions and skin rashes in some people, so that fall cold you think you have may actually be the rhinitis or conjunctivitis that the stink bug shared with you!

These insects will actually gather in very large numbers, so if you have seen one inside, just look around – you just might see hundreds more emerging from your baseboards, ceiling fans, light fixtures, and door or window frames. Then, just try stepping on one or squishing it with your hands – but be sure to hold your nose. The smell of rotten cucumber will fill your nostrils and send you running for the door! So as you begin all your fall preparations, don’t forget to make sure you prepare for the invasion of stink bugs and other pests. Preventative measures need to be taken now in order to spend the winter in a pest-free home.

  • Fix cracks around windows and doors
  • Be sure your screens are in good working order and have no gaps or tears
  • Fill any holes around utility pipes and chimneys with silicone or latex caulking
  • Keep bagged leaves and debris or piles of them stored away from your house
  • Make sure your trash cans have tightly covered lids and are emptied regularly
  • Inspect your foundation for signs of trouble and repair any breaches
  • Keep gutters and drains free from debris and in good working order

When fall preparations bring you face to face with unwanted pests, give Active Pest Control a call. We have the expertise and experience to safely deal with your pest issues. Our family owned pest control company has been dealing with pests for almost 40 years; and has the training and technology to eliminate pests while protecting your environment. So, whether you are dealing with stink bugs or any of the myriad of fall pests that want to wander in your home, we are on the job waiting to serve you with friendly, professional service.

Fruit Flies in Tennessee

I don’t know if you have noticed or not, but fruit flies seem to be everywhere this year. They have been seen swarming around kitchen counters and sinks all across Tennessee in large numbers, hovering over fruits in the local grocery store, and swarming over farm stands along the roadside. They never seem to bite – although you may feel as if they are climbing all over you just at the sight of them!

So, what exactly are these pesky, tiny flies anyway? Well, these oval shaped flies grow up to be a whopping 1/8” long with red eyes and a tan or brown body. They are prolific breeders and will reproduce anywhere they can find moist, fermenting organic materials. This may include your sink, tub, showers, or floor drains, especially if they are rarely used. They love to breed in trashcans, under leaking pipes, and under refrigerators! They will also breed in old bottles and cans that are left lying around or in and around your kitchen fruit bowls! Fruit flies just love anywhere that offers them light and moisture. No wonder we see them everywhere – They are everywhere!! These tiny, little, itty-bitty flies sure are huge nuisance!

Although not known for carrying diseases on their own, they do crawl around in decaying organic matter inside drains, trash cans, and all things gross, and then they crawl all over your counters, fruits, and vegetables with those same legs. Certainly not a very appetizing thought is it? And, where you see adult fruit flies, you can be certain that there are a whole bunch of larvae nearby just waiting to hatch! No matter how you slice it, fruit flies have got to go!

That’s where our professional pest control technicians here at Active Pest Control come in. Here at Active Pest Control, we are a family owned business, and we treat our staff and clients just like part of the family. It is our goal to offer you the same trustworthy, friendly service we would expect for our families. Making you pest free, while offering complete satisfaction to you, is our top priority. That is why we offer our pest control plans that give you the coverage that you need within your budget.

So if you are experiencing the difficult fight with fruit flies or any of the other fall pests, just give us a call. We will safely and effectively eliminate your pest issues, giving your peace of mind this fall.

Tennessee Moths

You may have noticed those flittery, fluttery moths break dancing all around your outside lights at night and not ever given them a thought. They are so common that they just seem like part of the scenery by now. You never even really stop to consider much about them, but did you know that they can cause extensive damage if allowed to sneak into your home?

That’s right! There are two primary types of moth that you are likely to encounter here in Tennessee that are known predators of the clothes and soft goods that you treasure. These hungry beasties won’t think twice about munching a hole into your Michael Kors woolen jacket, or snacking on the Vera Wang hanging in the back of your closet.

So, here’s the 411 on these destructive, little moths.

Webbing Clothes Moth: This moth is the most common in the U.S. The adult moth is buff to golden in color with a tuft of red hair on its head. The larvae stage of this moth forms silk webbing wherever they feed. You probably won’t even notice them until you see the webs attached to your favorite sweater and the holes and geometric grazing patterns running across it. Your clothes and fabrics that are keratin-based are their choice menu items. This includes garments made from wool, fur, and hair of animal origin. They typically will not feed on any plant-based materials.

Casemaking Clothes Moth: This moth is second only to the Webbing Clothes Moth in numbers and is equal in ability to cause damage to your soft goods. The adult moth is also buff to golden in color, but has a more distinctive brown tone to it. Rather than a red tuft on its head, this moth has three dark spots on the front of its wings. The larvae stage of this moth spins a silken tube that it carries around with it, and attaches to fabrics and materials that are either keratin-based or plant based. Their favorite munchies include: tobacco, herbs, spices, hemp, and furs.

The best way to avoid costly repairs or expensive replacement of your favorite clothes is to be sure that you use proper storage methods. Clean your clothing before you store them. Moths are attracted to semi-soiled materials. Also be sure to seal clothing in airtight bags to ensure that moths do not have access to them. With proper identification and treatment, you can avoid having your Pierre Cardin on the menu this fall.

If you are dealing with moths or any other pest infestation, be sure to call the experts here at Active Pest Control for help. Our pest control plans are set up to help you avoid pests while fitting into your budget. With a year round plan, your pest worries will be nothing more than a past nightmare. Let our courteous, professional technicians help you protect your home and clothing investments. Call today for your inspection and begin your personalized pest control treatment so you too will look lovely in your perfectly preserved pest-free fall colors.

 

Is There A Fly In Your Soup?

If there is a fly in your soup, be thankful you don’t have Grover helping you with your problem. In this classic scene from Sesame Street, a restaurant patron must rely on Grover–who can’t tell the difference between under, next to, on and in–to help him with a fly in his soup. After several failed attempts, Grover bursts out with a line that is probably one of the funniest in Sesame Street history. “You should have asked for a bowl of soup and said, ‘Hold the flies!'” The absurdity of this statement is only made more pronounced when Grover replaces the man’s fly-tainted soup with another: cream of mosquito.

Bugs may not be a big deal in Grover’s kitchen, but they can be bad news in yours. Flies aren’t only a frustrating pest, they are a known spreader of harmful bacteria. It’s not entirely their fault. They start their lives out as maggots and feed on rotted organic material in your trashcan and other unsavory places. It is only natural for them to continue to be drawn to filthy things for the rest of their lives. If you think it bugs you to see a fly land on your food, imagine if you could know where that fly’s feet have been. It would throw you right off the edge.

Flies are not an insect you should ever shrug off. They can’t be effectively controlled with a few strips of flypaper. This is a dirty insect that shouldn’t be in your soup, on your counters or in your kitchen. Here are a few ideas to make your kitchen a fly-free zone:

  • Make sure you screens are in good condition. Some flies will zip in through the front door when you open it, but a large number get in through poor screening and holes in window framing. Use fingernail polish to fix small holes, and invest in a tiny patch kit to get holes that are up to a quarter in size.
  • Don’t lure flies onto your property. Get trash cans that seal. Put compost several feet away from your exterior walls. And don’t provide any other food sources around your home.
  • Trash cans inside should be sealed as well. If a fly does get in, you don’t want to give it the perfect breeding site.
  • Soak dishes in soapy water rather than stacking them next to the sink. Flies can’t breed fast enough to use your dirty dishes as a breeding site, but they will definitely grab a bite and use the energy to find another more suitable site.
  • Commercial businesses use light traps to control flying insects. If a couple of flies get in, you might want to have a small light trap to take care of the problem.
  • Remember that the trash can in the kitchen isn’t the only trash in the house. If you have kids, there could be food in the bathroom trash as well.

It is no fun having flies in the kitchen. Use these tips and a year round pest control program from Active Pest Control to keep them out, for good.

Family Pets And Household Pests

Do you have a furry friend running around your Rome Georgia home? For some of us, it is impossible to imagine life without a pet. Their antics are a constant source of enjoyment. They bring us healing on those days when we have to stay home from work or school, and, they are a fluffy companion on this journey called life. That is why it is so important to have proper pest control in and around your home. Here are a few creatures found around your home that can hurt your furry family member.

  1. Fleas. It is no surprise to see this pest on the list. Fleas are a tormentor for dogs and cats. They are responsible for horrible dermatological issues that can cause your pet’s fur to fall out and scabbing to appear. They can spread tapeworms to your pets, especially dogs, when fleas that have tapeworm eggs are ingested. Fleas can carry diseases that cause fever, heart disease and even the plague. The solution to this problem is protective gear and medicinal treatment for your pet and a routine flea treatment for your lawn.
  2. Ticks. If you allow your dog or cat to spend any time in tall grass, you’re going to have ticks. Though they aren’t too much of a problem to remove, ticks can transmit diseases to your pet, like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, hepatozoonosis, cytauxzoonosis, ehrlichiosis, tick paralysis and others. There are a few things that you can do to prevent ticks; Keep your grass cut short and put a fence around your yard to keep wild animals from transporting ticks into your yard. Remove bird feeders so that birds do not deposit ticks near your home. Seal and secure all trash to avoid luring wild animals onto your property, and, get a routine pest treatment to kill ticks and tick eggs in your yard.
  3. Little red ants. If you have fire ants in your yard, your pet could get into some trouble. A single fire ant bite is only mildly irritating. But several ant bites over a long period of time can cause severe irritation of the skin, and vision loss. If you have fire ant mounds encroaching upon your property, it is important to have them removed by a professional. Do-it-yourself methods can cause fire ant populations to split and multiply. With this veracious pests, it is important to act quickly and aggressively to stop the spread.
  4. Stinging insects. Your pet is as susceptible to the dangers of stinging insects as you are. If you have a wasp, bee, hornet or yellow jacket nest on your property, your pet could be at risk. Yellow jackets can be especially troublesome because they build their nests in the ground where animals can get near them. They are also an aggressive swarming insect that can sting multiple times without losing its stinger. If you have a nest on your property have it removed immediately. Stinging insects grow their populations all summer long and in early fall they pose an even greater risk to your pets and your family. When you have no nests, you have less risk. It’s that simple.
  5. Wildlife. There are many creatures that carry rabies in their bodies. If your pet gets into a tangle with one of these, the results could be life threatening for your pet. If you believe a wild animal is living on your property, call a pest control company immediately.

Your pet is a part of your family. Always be aware of where your cat or dog is playing, and keep those areas free of dangerous pests. Pet sickness can be costly, both financially and emotionally. Stay protected with help from the professionals here at Active Pest Control. Let us protect all of your loved ones, including your four-legged family members from pests with one of our home pest service plans. Contact us today!

 

Is Lyme Disease Really A Big Deal?

You’ve probably heard many times that you need to watch out for ticks because you’ll get Lyme disease. Is this really true? If so, how bad is it to get Lyme disease? Are my limbs going to fall off? Let’s take a look at the hysteria and controversy surrounding Lyme disease, and examine some practical ways you can protect yourself and your family.

The truth about Lyme disease.

First of all, not everyone who gets bitten by a tick develops Lyme disease. Though many ticks carry the harmful bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) that causes Lyme disease, they are not guaranteed to have it. So, if you find a tick on you, don’t panic.

Another misconception is that everyone who gets Lyme disease gets the chronic kind that can last for years–and even a lifetime. The truth is, each of us reacts to this bacteria in a different way. For some, there is no visible reaction. Others may experience a round bullseye rash, fatigue, chills, fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes. But after three weeks of antibiotics, all symptoms go away.

There is, however, a percentage of people who experience stronger symptoms that can last for years, and even a lifetime. This is usually in people who do not receive antibiotic treatments. In fact, 60% of people not treated develop recurring attacks of arthritis. And, on average 15% of people not treated develop chronic arthritis. Lyme disease can also lead to neurological problems which manifest as numbness in the hands and feet, shooting pains, and short-term memory loss.

Who is at risk of Lyme disease?

  • People who spend a lot of time in high grass risk greater exposure to ticks.
  • People who hike in wooded areas.
  • Children and young adults are more likely to get Lyme disease.

Prevention

  • If you find a tick on you, use a tick removal kit, tweezers or pliers to get the entire tick out. It takes 24-48 hours for a Lyme disease producing amount of Borrelia burgdorferi to enter the body. Catching ticks early can prevent this disease.
  • Keeping the grass cut in your yard will reduce tick populations.
  • Regular tick treatments from a pest professional can fully eliminate ticks.
  • Wear insect repellent when traveling in the woods or tall grass. Put your pants inside your socks. Wear light clothing so ticks can be easily seen. And, wear a hat.

So, is Lyme disease a big deal? It can be, for some. But of all the tips mentioned here, it is important to note that you’re going to be mostly safe if you simply check for ticks and remove them early. There is no need for hysteria–well, not yet anyway. But it is a good idea to stay vigilant. It is also a good idea to protect what you can protect. Keep your yard safe and be cautious when visiting friends and family. If you do this, you should be fine.

Contact us for more information on ticks in Georgia and Active Pest Control‘ pest control services for ticks.

Get Your Chattanooga Home Ready For Sale

If you were considering the prospect of selling your home, it may be time. Last year, Chattanooga realtors saw the greatest number of home sales since the recession of 2006, and they are expecting 2015 to be an even bigger year. Not only that, median sale prices on homes in Chattanooga are up 5.9 percent from 2013, making the average home $147,900. And, the good news keeps coming, as last month Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reduced down payment requirements from 5 to 3 percent. It is finally time for millennials (ages 25-34) to get out there and buy their dream home. That home may be yours. Are you ready to sell?

Spring cleaning tips for prepping your home.

When those potential buyers stop by, you want them to leave with the best impression possible. It has never been more important to do proper spring cleanup.

  • Lawn: Now that winter has passed, make sure all twigs, leaves and other debris is picked up off your lawn. Use an herbicide to get rid of weeds. And, check to make sure your inground sprinkler system is still working, if you have one.
  • Deck or Patio: Sweep, clean, stain and reseal your deck or patio.
  • Water build up: Make sure your gutters are in good working order and that water is being channeled away from your home. To avoid injury, hire a professional to clean your gutter and downspouts. It is well worth the $100 to $200.
  • Roof: Look for cracks or missing shingles and make sure your roofline is in good shape.
  • Exterior walls: Look for any rotted or chew holes where water and pests have eaten away at your wood. Look in hard-to-see areas because a home inspector is likely to check these areas for their client.
  • Chimney: Examine your chimney for efflorescence, a white calcium deposit that is a warning sign of water absorption.
  • Windows and screens: Replace any broken or damaged screens, weather stripping and door sweeps.
  • Leaks: Inspect your home for leaky faucets, spigots or pipes. If you find puddles or areas of moisture, have a plumber take care of these trouble spots.
  • Lights: Make sure all your lights work.
  • Clean: Spring clean everything and get rid of unnecessary clutter.
  • Pests: Make sure all trash cans have sealable lids and that they are in a place where they can’t be knocked over. Get rid of spider webs outside. And do an inspection of your attic for nests or dens. Hire a pest control professional to do an inspection and offer options to keep your home pest-free during the sale process.

Hopefully, you will have a quick and profitable sale. But sometimes it can take a while. Maintain a pest treatment plan to avoid damage from wood chewing pests and to give your home a pest-free feel every time buyers come to visit.