How To Avoid Carpenter Ants This Spring

How To Avoid Carpenter Ants This Spring

Tis the season again, the season for ants to begin infiltrating our homes. While it is never pleasant to see a few ants, or a few hundred ants, crawling around on our pet’s food dish or a piece of food that was dropped on the floor, it should be especially alarming if you see large black carpenter ants crawling around. And it is important to note that these ants are usually only seen in living areas 1 or 2 at a time. But if you see 1 or 2, there are likely hundreds, or thousands, just out of sight inside the wood of your home.

What Is More Damaging, Termites Or Carpenter Ants?

While it is well-known that termites are the most destructive of all the wood-destroying organisms, carpenter ants should never be ignored. While termites cost U.S. property owners billions of dollars each year and carpenter ant damage is only in the hundreds of millions, that’s still pretty serious. So it is important that we know how to identify these destructive creatures and know what we can do about them before they can do extensive damage.

How To Identify Carpenter Ants And Carpenter Ant Swarmers

Carpenter ants are the largest ants you’ll see inside your home. These black–or dark red–colored ants measure from 7 to 12 mm in length, with winged carpenter ants being as much as 22mm in length.

Ways to tell the difference between any winged ant swarmer (typically called “flying ants”) and termite swarmers are the following: Ant swarmers have elbowed antennae. Termite antennae are straight or slightly bowed. Ant swarmers have a pinched or constricted waist. The waists of termite swarmers are broad. And ant swarmers have a front pair of wings that are longer than the back pair. Termite swarmer wings are similar in length.

What Factors Are Conducive To Carpenter Ant Infestations?

Carpenter ants, like so many other household pests, typically get into homes by way of gaps and cracks in foundations or walls. If wood is wet, or rotting, this makes it even easier for pests to get in. Some things that can cause wood to be wet or rotting include broken or obstructed gutters, leaky spigots or hoses, and areas of overgrown vegetation that holds moisture close to walls and the foundation.

  • To keep carpenter ants from invading, it is important to address these issues.

  • Seal up gaps, cracks or holes in your foundation or walls.

  • Dry up moist areas surrounding your home.

  • Repair or unclog gutters and be sure water is channeled away from your home.

  • Repair any leaky spigots or hoses.

While these DIY steps will help to keep carpenter ants and other pests at bay, the best way to protect your home from these wood-destroying insects is to partner with a professional pest control company. If you live in our Tennessee service area, contact us today to learn more about our residential pest control options. 

Learn More About Scorpions

Learn More About Scorpions

Professional Scorpion Prevention Tips

You and your family have decided to put down roots and create a home in a more rural, tranquil setting, outside of city limits and away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. You understood that moving away from the city and close to nature would bring you and your family closer to things like birds, squirrels, mice, spiders, insects, and even the occasional skunk or porcupine; you may not have, however, have realized that you would also be moving closer to scorpions. To help protect your family and give you peace of mind regarding these potentially dangerous creatures, the professionals at Russell’s Pest Control want to provide you with some helpful information about scorpions, including how to keep these stinging pests out of your home!

The first thing to know about scorpions is that while there are some very venomous and dangerous species of scorpions found living in the United States, the species found in East Tennessee pose much lower health risks to people. However, this is not to say that you shouldn’t be cautious around scorpions. Scorpions are definitely a pest that you want to take great care around. A sting from a scorpion is very painful, like a very painful bee sting, and depending on the person, could cause a serious allergic reaction. A scorpion sting should always be taken seriously, and if necessary, medical attention should be sought. Another problem with finding a scorpion on your property, near your home, or inside of your home is that if you see one, there are likely many more lurking around that you aren’t seeing.

Now that you have learned a bit more about East Tennessee scorpions, you are probably wondering how to keep them out of your home. The following scorpion prevention tips will help to keep scorpions from being attracted to your property and finding their way into your home, as well as help prevent you from being stung:

Outside your home:

  • Remove clutter and debris from your yard; scorpions like to hide in the cool shade that clutter provides.
  • Trim back trees and bushes away from the exterior of your home.
  • Inspect the exterior of your house, sealing any spaces or gaps that could allow scorpions to gain access into your home.
  • Make sure that all window and doors screens are completely intact.
  • When working outside or in outbuildings like garages and sheds, always wear work gloves.

Inside your home:

  • Reduce clutter inside your home, especially in storage areas like basements and closets, where scorpions typically like to hide.
  • Shake out clothing and shoes before putting them on.
  • Pull down bedding and inspect your bed for scorpions before lying down for the night.
  • Try not to leave piles of clothing on the floors, especially damp towels; scorpions love to hide under them.

If you are experiencing problems with scorpions on your East Tennessee property or inside of your home, contact us at Russell’s Pest Control. Our highly trained professionals are experienced at handling problems with scorpions and will safely remove them from your property; they will then work with you to put prevention measures into place, including implementing a year-round home pest control plan, to prevent their return. To receive the necessary professional help needed to keep your rural home free of scorpions, give us a call today at Russell’s Pest Control – East Tennessee’s pest control experts!

Health Concerns Cockroaches Bring To Businesses

Health Concerns Cockroaches Bring To Businesses

When cockroaches show up in a home environment, there are many reasons to be concerned. But, when they show up in a business environment, there are even more reasons to be concerned. Cockroaches not only pose emotional and health threats to humans, they also pose threats to the very survival of a business.

Cockroaches Are Unhealthy For Customers

If cockroaches are present in your business, and you deal with customers, it is important to know that cockroaches can spread many forms of illness and disease. Cockroaches are proven or suspected carriers of the organisms that cause diarrhea, dysentery, salmonella, cholera, leprosy, typhoid fever and viral diseases such as poliomyelitis. They also carry the eggs of parasitic worms which may cause allergic reactions in some people, including dermatitis, itching, swelling of the eyelids and more serious respiratory conditions.

Cockroaches Are Unhealthy For Employees

The illnesses listed above are also a threat for employees. No business needs the added frustration of cockroach-related sickness. It is hard enough battling with colds, flu, and other health conditions that keep employees from coming to work.

Cockroaches Are Unhealthy For Your Reputation

If roaches are present in your business and they are not eliminated quickly, word will get around, especially if your business deals with customers. In this day and age of instant review sites, a few reports of cockroach encounters can have long-lasting and devastating effects on the reputation of your business. The internet never forgets.

Cockroaches Are Unhealthy For Your Bottom Line

If cockroaches are allowed to spread diseases to your employees or customers this can lead to all sorts of issues, including lawsuits. The presence of roaches in your business can also lead to failed inspections. And, failed inspections can lead to the complete closure of your business. Whatever the case, not taking care of cockroaches is almost certain to cost your business more than if you take action and eliminate these unhealthy creatures when they appear and, preferably, before they appear.

If you have questions or wish to schedule service to eliminate (or prevent) cockroaches in your business, reach out to Russell’s Pest Control today. We provide advanced pest control solutions in Knoxville Tennessee and the surrounding area. Give us a call to schedule a free commercial pest evaluation and get your business the protection it needs from cockroaches and other pests.

Stinging Insects Are Back

Stinging Insects Are Back

There is an old saying that folks have used for generations to welcome the emergence of springtime. The saying is, SPRING has SPRUNG! This is a beautiful saying! Flowers are blooming, trees are showing off new greenery, butterflies are flitting about… But there is something that could change this saying drastically if you don’t have proper pest protective measures in place. Spring has STUNG!

The fact is, nothing ruins a perfectly pleasant day in your backyard faster than a lot of stinging insects plaguing you as you try to work, or play, or simply relax. While we understand that pollinating insects, such as honey bees, are necessary, you don’t need to have hives on your property. And it certainly isn’t necessary to allow wasps and yellow jackets to set up shop in your yard.

Why Do Stinging Insect Populations Increase In Warmer Weather?

Insects are cold-blooded creatures and cold weather cause them to slow down or stop completely. When the weather warms up, cold-blooded creatures (like stinging insects) become more active. They will come out of hiding, create nests, and begin multiplying as soon as the temperatures become ideal.

Steps To Defend Yourself From Stinging Insects

  • Have nests removed from your property. While this is dangerous to attempt on your own without proper equipment and knowledge, the removal of nests and hives by a professional is a key way to reduce stinging pests.

  • Check window and door screens. Make sure these are present and in good condition to keep stinging insects out of your home.

  • Refrain from wearing perfumes and other sweet-smelling products when you are outside. Stinging insects are drawn to sweet smells.

How To Make Your Property Less Appealing To Stinging Insects

  • If eating outside, keep all food in sealed containers as much as possible. Make sure drink containers have lids. Also, do not leave leftover food, pet food, or other food sources in your yard.

  • Keep all garbage in receptacles with tight-fitting lids. If your trash cans have loose lids, consider using bungee cords to fasten them. This will help keep smells in and bugs out.

  • Try to keep your property dry. All pests need a water source to survive. The dryer you keep your property, the less appealing it will be to pests. Remove items that collect water, and fix spigot, hose, and gutter leaks. Trim vegetation away from your home so things can dry out.

The Best Plan

If you don’t want to be saying, “Spring has stung!” this year, reach out to Russell’s Pest Control. With our year-round pest plans, you will benefit from the reduction of stinging insects as well as the elimination and reduction of a host of other dangerous or nuisance pests. Give us a call today for prompt, professional assistance.

Why You Need Termite Protection Right Now

Why You Need Termite Protection Right Now

In February, we talked about getting ready for spring termites. Spring is when most subterranean termite colonies send out male and female winged reproductives to mate and establish new nests. We talked about the role moisture plays in attracting swarmers to a home and gave steps you could take to make your home less attractive. Then, in March, we talked about Termite Awareness Week and shared facts that property owners in Tennessee should know about termites, especially after the mild winter we just had. Now let’s talk about what you need to know in May that will help you protect your property.

The warm and humid weather of May makes it the perfect time for termites to be active. These are cold-blooded insects that slow down when it’s cold and speed up when it’s warm. They’re also moisture pests that need a lot of moisture to survive and thrive. May gives them the perfect conditions to grow their populations and establish new colonies quickly. If you didn’t take the steps we suggested in February and March, your home is at an even greater risk of a termite infestation. And the worst part is, you’re not likely to know it.

By nature, subterranean termites are sneaky. Even if we were to explain how to detect the presence of these wood-destroying pests, you may still not be able to see the warning signs. Subterranean termites are able to elude detection from even qualified professionals such as Certified Home Inspectors. And even an experienced termite control professional can miss termites during an inspection. Sometimes a professional has to get into a crawl space and use a flashlight and a mirror to check every cinder block pier under a home. If every detail of an inspection is not performed perfectly, termite shelter tubes, evidence of swarmers, and other subtle signs can be missed.

At Russell’s Pest Control, we employee highly-trained, certified professionals who do a thorough job of inspecting homes for termites, but they don’t have to with the Sentricon® System with Always Active™. Sentricon® with Always Active™ takes all the guesswork out of detecting and eliminating subterranean termites. Like its name implies, this system is always active. When termites come to feed, this system immediately begins the process of using worker termites to eliminate the colony that sent them. When they take the bait, your certified termite control professional will be able to easily tell.

Don’t let subterranean termites destroy your property, get your termite protection in place today.