Everything You Need To Know About Homeowners Insurance & Termites

Everything You Need To Know About Homeowners Insurance & Termites

What does your home insurance protect you from? Across the country, insurance policies protect property owners from floods, fires, hurricanes, earthquakes and more. When catastrophes happen, insurance companies step in to relieve the pain of financial burdens. So, how about subterranean termites? Experts estimate that these insects cause more damage to properties in the United States than floods, fires, hurricanes and earthquakes combined. This type of damage is definitely covered, right? Well, obviously, from the heading of this article, it isn’t. Only in rare cases will insurance companies foot the bill for termite damage. This is because most cases of termite damage are considered by insurance companies to be the negligence of property owners, even though most property owners do not possess the education or training to protect their property from these silent and destructive pests. So if you think your Knoxville home is protected, you may want to look at the fine print on your insurance policy.

There is a reason insurance companies don’t want to get into the termite-damage protection business. The damage these insects cause is often extremely difficult (or impossible) to fix. When the structure of a home is weakened by termites (feeding on the inside of wood) it can create cascading issues such as warping and twisting. And since these insects are so secretive about the way they feed, this damage can go on for years and completely total a home without the homeowners realizing it. This would result in many large payouts for those insurance companies.

How can you protect your home if insurance companies won’t insure you? Well, we have good news for you; there is a way to protect your home that is better than insurance. When you invest in year-round termite protection from a licensed and trusted professional, not only do you get a guarantee of termite damage repair, you get ongoing service that works to stop termites from damaging your home in the first place.

Your insurance company can’t do that for you. Can you imagine if they did? It would be nice if a fire broke out in your basement in the middle of the night and a team of firefighters from the insurance company rushed into your home and doused it while you were sleeping. That’s kind of what we do at Russell’s Pest Control—minus the entering your home in the middle of the night part. Any time termites attack your home, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, your termite protection will immediately start working to destroy the colony that sent them.

If you live in the Greater Knoxville area, contact us right here on our webpage to schedule a visit with one of our termite control professionals. No Tennessee home should be without termite protection. Get yours in place today.

Fire Ant Season Returns To Knoxville – Are You Prepared?

Fire Ant Season Returns To Knoxville - Are You Prepared?

It is one thing to have ants in your yard. It is another thing altogether to have fire ants. Their name alone is enough to raise concern. For instance, if there was a breed of wolf called a lightning wolf, our guess is that you would be more intimidated by it than a regular wolf. Unfortunately, fire ants do not just have an intimidating name, they also have a nasty bite. As you may know, around this time of year, they are out and about looking for yards to infest. Our question for you is, do you have what is needed to keep them away?

Why Fire Ant Hills Are Common This Time Of Year

Although fire ants were given their name because of their painful bites, it is also a good hint as to what kind of weather they enjoy. If you have already put two and two together, you have already discerned that fire ants enjoy the heat. In fact, the hot summer is their favorite time of year. During this time you can expect them to be the most active as well as most likely to build a nest in your yard.

How To Prepare To Keep Fire Ants At Bay

The good news is, fire ants have not reached peak activity yet. You still have time to set up defenses to keep them at bay. These defenses consist of habits that you can do on a daily basis to decrease your yard’s potential of a fire ant infestation. Here are some good places to start.

  • Seal up cracks and gaps in your home’s foundation.
  • Keep your yard clutter free as much as possible.
  • Clean up food and drinks thoroughly after outdoor gatherings.
  • Make sure your gutters are all in good working order
  • Pick up your pets’ food and water dishes after they are done using them.
  • Keep areas where you make and eat food as clean as possible.

By following these steps, you greatly reduce your risk of a fire ant infestation. However, despite how helpful the above tips can be, they are not a perfect solution.

Why Call Russell’s For Help With Fire Ants

If you want a solution that will last (and requires no work from you) we have options here at Russell’s Pest Control. With just a single phone call, we will send one of our qualified pest technicians out your way not only to deal with existing ant hills but also to deter any existing fire ants from settling down.

Don’t let your summer be ruined by painful fire ants. Call Russell’s today and get the treatment your yard needs to stay protected.

5 Tips To Avoid Yellow Jackets In Knoxville This Spring

5 Tips To Avoid Yellow Jackets In Knoxville This Spring

Considering their size, it is amazing how much terror yellow jackets are able to cause. What other pests can drive an individual to cross a street just from the sound of their wings buzzing? For people who are allergic to their stings, the terror they cause is even greater. Luckily, yellow jackets can be avoided and there are things you can do to prevent them from stinging you this summer.

Problems Yellow Jackets Cause and Why They Are Buzzing This Time Of Year

As you may know, yellow jackets are a species of wasp, which means unlike bees, they can sting more than just once. This becomes increasingly more problematic the more yellow jackets you are up against, and the angrier they are. Speaking of anger, yellow jackets are known for having the worst temper out of the list of stinging insects in our area. All it takes for them to become aggressive is just one step too close to their nest. Since their nests are often well hidden under the ground, keeping a fair distance can be difficult.

If you are wondering why yellow jackets are buzzing around this time of year, the answer is simple. They cannot survive in freezing temperatures. This means, as fall turns into winter, as long as the temperatures drop low enough for a week, the majority of male yellow jackets will die leaving only the fertile females to hide in shelter till the weather heats back up.

Tips To Deter Yellow Jackets

The first thing you should know about yellow jackets before we go into tips and tricks is that they are attracted to areas where they can find their two favorite foods: meats and sweets. Keeping this in mind, here are tips for keeping yellow jackets away this summer.

  • If your yard has fruit trees, stay vigilant to pick up any overripened fruit that drops from them.

  • After outdoor gatherings, clean thoroughly and be sure not to leave any scraps of food or drink behind for wasps to scavenge.

  • When feeding your pets outdoors, pick up their food and water bowls immediately after they are done using them.

  • If you don’t mind having a yard vacant of flowers, consider removing any floral growth that may be sprouting up around your home.

  • Keep an eye out for newly formed yellow jacket nests. Early prevention is much easier than dealing with a fully mature nest.

Why Call Russell’s If Yellow Jackets Become A Problem

Sometimes yellow jackets settle down onto properties regardless of what we do to stop them. If this is the case for your property, the professionals here at Russell’s Pest Control would like to offer assistance today. All it takes is a simple phone call and we will have one of our pest experts out your way ASAP to deal with the terrors in your yard.

Why Eastern Tennessee Homes Need Spring Termite Protection    

Why Eastern Tennessee Homes Need Spring Termite Protection    

Ever wonder why termites get away with so much damage? The total yearly cost of termite damage in the U.S. is in the billions! Perhaps termites are not even on your radar. It’s easy to go about the day and not think about whether our homes are being attacked on the inside without us knowing. Termites are tiny and so hard to detect that homeowners can go months, or even years, without knowing they have a termite infestation. It’s not something that typically crosses our minds until it’s too late and the damage has already been done.

Unless, of course, you deal with pests every day. Russell’s Pest Control knows what termites can do and we want to keep homes in Eastern Tennessee safe from termites. We’ve seen the damage firsthand, damage that can cost homeowners thousands of dollars and can pose a threat to families. Termites, when left alone to breed and eat away at wooden structures, can make a home unsafe to live in. If you’re a home or property owner, or if you’re looking to buy a new home, you want to make sure it’s protected from termites.

Unfortunately, Tennessee has the perfect conditions for termites to thrive. That nice spring weather we enjoy, well, termites love it too. Spring also brings moisture and dampness, factors termites need to really thrive. Damp wood is the preferred food source for this pest. Since termites thrive in Tennessee and since they are so hard to detect until it’s too late, this means protection is absolutely necessary for Eastern Tennessee homes.

Prevention Tips for Homeowners

  • Clean up wooden debris in the yard.
  • Prevent moisture build up by cleaning out gutters and trimming back vegetation so the sun can dry things out.
  • Fix leaks.
  • Repair damaged wood.
  • Use dehumidifiers to cut down on humidity and moisture inside.
  • Always be looking for the signs termites!
  • Seek professional termite control.

The best way to prevent termites is through professional termite control. Russell’s Pest Control uses the Sentricon® System with Always Active™, a system that is scientifically proven to wipe out termite colonies invading your home and yard. Not only will it eliminate current infestations in a safe way, but it is proven to prevent future termites from invading. Want to know how it works? Learn more about the Sentricon System for termite defense. Contact Russell’s Pest Control today to ensure termites aren’t infesting your home. You can have peace-of-mind like many other Sentricon users.

Why Call Russell’s Pest Control For Mosquitoes Around Knoxville

Why Call Russell's Pest Control For Mosquitoes Around Knoxville

Once mosquito season hits Knoxville this summer, there will be no escaping. Therefore it is a good idea to start thinking about mosquito control right now.

Mosquitoes can contract and spread diseases like West Nile virus, malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya, yellow fever, tularemia, encephalitis, and Zika virus, all of which can become serious if not treated promptly, and some can be lethal.

One thing is for sure, to be safe, humans should not come into contact with mosquitoes. But they are nearly impossible to get rid of completely. Mosquitoes will soon be everywhere, flying around us, biting us, and breeding like crazy.

Hot summers, high humidity, and standing water all contribute to the high mosquito population in Tennessee. We don’t have any control over the weather but there are a few things we can do to limit places mosquitoes breed. The first thing you can do is inspect your property to eliminate sources of standing water by…

  • Emptying water from toys, tools, bird baths and wheelbarrows.
  • Emptying kiddie pools and flipping them over daily.
  • Drilling holes in the bottom of tire swings or other items that collect rainwater.
  • Aerating your soil so that it will effectively absorb water.
  • Keeping your lawn raked.
  • Keeping rain gutters clear of clogs.
  • Directing rainwater so that it will drain properly.

When you are outdoors, you should use effective mosquito repellent as well as wear long sleeve shirts and pants to cover your skin and avoid mosquito bites. But there is a way you can relax and enjoy your back yard. All you have to do is enlist the help of Russell’s Pest Control.

Many DIY methods to eliminate mosquitoes will actually draw more mosquitoes to your yard. Other methods just use up time and hard-earned money and don’t offer any guarantee.

The best solution is to contact Russell’s Pest Control in Knoxville for seasonal mosquito treatments. Our licensed professionals can treat your yard monthly during mosquito season where they land and breed. The result will be a drastic reduction in the mosquito population in your yard so that you can get outdoors and enjoy the summer. If you’re ready to combat mosquitoes, we can help, just give us a call at Russell’s Pest Control.

What To Do If Fleas Have Invaded Your Tennessee Lawn

What To Do If Fleas Have Invaded Your Tennessee Lawn

Springs has sprung and fleas are becoming more and more of a problem for residents in our Tennessee service area. If you have a pet, your furry friend has the potential to pick fleas up every time he goes out into the yard. If you don’t have a pet, fleas can come into your home on mice, rats, and other critters. And when flea infestations take root, those fleas are hard to control. So, what do you do if fleas have invaded your Tennessee lawn? You keep doing what you’ve been doing. Apply flea prevention to reduce fleas in your yard and prevent them from getting into your home.

Flea Prevention in the Yard

Fleas are brought into your yard by animals. The more you do to control wildlife, the fewer fleas you’re going to have in your yard. It’s just that simple. How do you control wildlife? Here are a few tips:

  • Keep exterior trash in sealed receptacles. Trash smells lure pests in.
  • Keep yard clutter to a minimum. Rodents and other small animals use clutter to hide in.
  • Create a fenced-in play area for your dog(s). This will keep animals from bringing fleas into that sensitive area and prevent your pet(s) from exploring your landscaping and picking fleas up.
  • Reduce moisture to make it hard for fleas to survive in your yard. Trim tree branches to allow the sun to dry shaded areas near your home. Create space between the plants in your landscaping to allow the air to flow through and keep the topsoil dry. Fix leaky spigots and hoses. Fix or clean your gutter system and fix any broken downspouts.
  • Put pet or livestock foods down only during meal times.
  • Do routine inspections of your exterior and address any entry points that rodents can use to get into your home.

 What to Do if Fleas Have Invaded Your Home

If you’re seeing fleas inside your home, reach out to a licensed professional. Fleas can be a nightmare to get under control. Also, consider an ongoing reduction of fleas in your yard to reduce exposure. A residential pest control plan that includes coverage for fleas is something every homeowner should have. Fleas and other pests can significantly threaten the health of your pets and everyone living in your home. If you’re in the Greater Knoxville area, let the experienced and friendly professionals at Russell’s Pest Control help you get the right plan in place.