DIY Pest Control vs. Professional Extermination

Mouse traps are a common DIY pest control method in Knoxville TN. Learn more from Russell's Pest Control.

We’ve all hopped on the DIY bandwagon from time to time. Whether you tried to treat a trail of ants with a vinegar solution or bought a spray from the store for roaches, everyone has tried to get rid of a pest problem on their own from time to time. But how often does it work? If you have a small pest problem, DIY solutions can be a short-term solution. However, for infestations and prevention, a professional exterminator is always the way to go. At Russell’s Pest Control, we want our customers to make well-informed decisions when it comes to protecting their homes from pests. Keep reading to learn the pros and cons of DIY pest control vs. professional extermination.

Does Do-it-Yourself Pest Control Work?

When it comes to getting rid of pests, chances are you want it done quickly and effectively. Unfortunately, DIY methods rarely deliver the outcome you want. Some of the downfalls of do-it-yourself pest control include:

  1. Many store-bought products are filled with chemicals that can be dangerous for you, your family, and your pets. Reading the label doesn’t always guarantee the product will be applied perfectly and safely.
  2. At-home remedies rarely work in the long-term and do not prevent future infestations.
  3. DIY or store-bought products don’t come with a guarantee or warranty as often as professional services, meaning you often have to buy more products.
  4. Certain pests, including rodents, termites, bed bugs, and carpenter ants are more dangerous and destructive. Getting rid of these infestations can be challenging without the help of a professional.

When to Use Professional Extermination

Many people assume they only need to hire a pest control company for serious infestations, but that’s not the case. In fact, an exterminator can work with you year-round to prevent pest problems from starting in the first place! There are many benefits to this option. A professional exterminator has a unique understanding of the habits and behaviors of pests, making them better equipped to control an infestation quickly. You can also rest assured knowing that any pest control products are always applied carefully and efficiently for the safety of your family. Lastly, a pest control expert can work with you to develop a custom pest control plan suited to your unique needs, giving you the protection you need all year long.

Is Professional or DIY Pest Control the Best Option for You?

When it comes to DIY vs.professional pest control, the choice is easier than you think. Although do-it-yourself treatments seem easier, they are often fruitless and require more effort on your end. When you team up with a professional pest control company such as Russell’s, you can be sure we will work to prevent pests in your home year-round. To learn how we can provide you with pest-free* living, contact our team today!

Is Coronavirus Transmitted Through Mosquito Bites?

Mosquito bites do not transmit COVID-19 in Knoxville TN and worldwide. Learn more from Russell's Pest Control.

Here at Russell’s Pest Control, we understand how uncertain times are right now, and how our communities are being affected. We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation to stay up-to-date with the latest information. Now and always, our focus remains to be our dedication to the safety and health of our neighbors here in Knoxville TN. With news about the nature of the virus being updated constantly, there are still endless questions about how it is spread. Currently, there is no evidence or proof to suggest that mosquitoes and ticks transmit coronaviruses. Although these insects responsible for some of the world’s worst diseases with their bites, COVID-19 is thankfully not one of them.

In the following post, we will explore on the differences between vector-borne diseases and COVID-19 to help dispel common myths about transmission.

Are Mosquito Bites Transmitting COVID-19?

To date, there is no scientific evidence that mosquitoes and ticks transmit COVID-19. Coronavirus is a respiratory virus that, to date, is spread through person-to-person contact.  COVID-19 spreads through droplets from saliva or nasal discharge, often generated when an infected person sneezes or coughs. It can also be transmitted via contact with a contaminated surface and is increasingly considered to be an airborne virus. From what we know, coronaviruses are best avoided by avoiding exposure with infected persons. Studies have shown that COVID-19 may be spread by asymptomatic people, making social distancing a must. Diseases spread by mosquitoes and ticks are entirely different.

Diseases Transmitted by Mosquitoes and Ticks

Ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes are considered vectors. But what are vectors? Vector pests are organisms that transmit diseases to humans through bites. Ticks and mosquitoes are feared worldwide for their roles in the transmission of dangerous diseases over the past decades:

  • Mosquitoes are are able to transmit some of the most deadly diseases, including malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus, chikungunya, yellow fever, and more.
  • Ticks are most known for their ability to spread Lyme disease, which is currently the most common vector-borne disease in the United States.
  • If these vector pests feeds off a diseased host, they can transmit pathogens that can infect other hosts it subsequently bites. This is how humans get these diseases.

Mosquito Prevention During a Pandemic

Mosquitoes may be feared for their transmission of diseases, but to date, COVID-19 is not one of them. Here at Russell’s, we understand mosquitoes are still a threat. As always, it’s important to take caution in the presence of pests and to always enlist the help of a professional exterminator to prevent dangerous insects. Our team continues to provide essential pest control services to our communities during these trying times.

As the COVID-19 situation continues to unfold, we encourage our customers to seek more information and follow guidelines released by the WHO and the CDC.

Are You Prepared for Pests This Spring?

Prevent spring pests by spring cleaning your Knoxville TN home! Learn more from Russell's Pest Control.

Pest problems are a fact of life in Knoxville TN all year long. However, springtime sees an influx in pest problems every year. Do you get excited about warmer temperatures? Unfortunately, so do pests! Many types of pests and bugs that may have been less active in the winter months become more and more present this time of year. Since so many property owners already have spring cleaning plans in place, it’s the perfect opportunity to implement pest prevention measures into the mix. Keep reading for expert tips from the professionals at Russell’s Pest Control.

What Spring Pests Do You Need to Worry About?

Many of the below pests may be a nuisance all year long, but they’re especially troublesome in the spring. Even worse, this is just the beginning of pest season, meaning the problems will get worse and worse through the summer and even the fall! Some of the most common pests we get called about this time of year include:

  1. Ants
  2. Termites
  3. Rodents
  4. Stinging insects
  5. Stink bugs
  6. Flies

What Can You Do to Prevent Spring Pests?

‘Tis the season for spring cleaning. Why not implement pest control measures while you’re at it? Some of our tips to prevent pests from finding your home the ideal place to infest include:

  • Thoroughly cleaning your windows and doors. Seal any cracks or crevices.
  • Deep-cleaning your carpets and rugs. Vacuum, shampoo, or even steam-clean the surface.
  • Sanitizing and cleaning your kitchen with a focus on your appliances. Crumbs and spilled liquids will welcome all sorts of bugs and pests.
  • Removing debris from your yard, and trimming any shrubs or tree branches away from your home. Clear out your gutters and downspouts.
  • Keeping a tidy home at all times. Clean under furniture, wipe down surfaces, and inspect areas of your home that need some fixing up.

Year-Round Pest Prevention

Pests aren’t just a problem in the springtime, unfortunately. Here in Tennessee, pests can cause property owners a lot of frustration all year long. If you need help safeguarding your home against the threat of pests, the exterminators at Russell’s are here to help!

What’s The Difference Between Termites & Carpenter Ants?

Wondering if you have Termites or Carpenter Ants in Knoxville TN? Learn more from Russell's Pest Control!

Although they are both wood-destroying insects, termites and carpenter ants are different in several ways. They may look quite similar as swarmers, and both cause a lot of structural damage, so how do you tell them apart? The easiest way to tell them apart is by their appearance. Termites are responsible for the most destructive pest infestations across the nation, and are dangerous for being silent destroyers, making it important to know what pest you are dealing with.

Keep reading for expert info from the experts at Russell’s Pest Control!

Appearance of a Termite vs. a Carpenter Ant

When they are swarmers, these two insects can look alike. However, there a few key differences to tell them apart:

  1. Carpenter ant swarmers
    • Black in color, with an occasional red tint.
    • Measure 1/2″–5/8″ with antenna bent at a 45-degree angle. Carpenter ants are by far the biggest ant species in the nation.
    • Wings are translucent with a reddish brown hue, laying over the posterior of the ant.
  2. Termite swarmers
    • Very dark brown to black in color, and measure 3/8″ long (including the wings).
    • Wings are a translucent to slightly milky or smoky color.
    • Their wings may overlap, and are typically as long as or slightly longer than the body. This helps differentiate them from carpenter ants.
Winged ant vs termite in Knoxville TN - Russell's Pest Control

Habits of Wood-Destroying Insects

Both carpenter ants and termites can destroy wood. Carpenter ants establish nests in wood that is already in decay, and later expand into sound wood, insulation, or wall voids. When you notice the damaged wood, the galleries they excavate appear to have been sanded. Typically, carpenter ant damage does not amount to the potential damage of a termite infestation.

Termites find their way into a structure around basement windows, doorways, porches, or any other area of the property in contact with soil. Grown colonies can range from 60,000 to over a million workers and can consume nearly 5 grams of wood per day. Needless to say, termites are considerably more dangerous than carpenter ants just by how quickly they can spread!

Termite vs. Carpenter Ant: How to Get Rid of Them

If you notice the signs of either of these insects inside or outside your property, it’s crucial to enlist the help of the experts at Russell’s Pest Control. We have a unique knowledge of the pest problems in Knoxville TN and can keep you safe from wood-destroying insects all year long. Contact our termite exterminators today!

What Are These Weird Looking Beetles In My Cereal?  

saw toothed grain beetle identification in Knoxville TN.

With fall arriving and colder weather with it, we don’t anticipate finding insects in our homes anymore, especially beetles in our cereal!  Summer is the season for insects, and many people believe that the chill of winter eliminates most insect problems. However, this simply isn’t true. Pantry pests, like the saw-toothed grain beetle, commonly invade homes in fall and winter.

What are saw-toothed grain beetles?

No one wants to find insects in their pantry items, but if you do find bugs in your cereal, understanding how to identify what pest infestation you’re dealing with is important. Saw-toothed grain beetles are small brown beetles with long flattened bodies that get narrower at the tip. These small insects are pantry pests and get their name from the six saw-like protrusions on either side of their thorax.

How do saw-toothed grain beetles invade?

Saw-toothed grain beetles are most often found in stored-food products such as cereal, pasta, flour, nuts, baking mix, bread, sugar, and a wide range of other dried goods. Most infestations begin in grocery stores or food-processing facilities. If you find saw-toothed grain beetles in your home, it’s almost always because you bought an infested food item at the store by mistake. While it is more common to encounter adult saw-toothed grain beetles in your home, it is actually the larva that does most of the damage. Saw-toothed grain beetles don’t bite or cause harm in any physical way. Instead, these insects cause problems by contaminating food items with their bodies, eggs, and larvae.

Pantry Pest Prevention Tips

There are many prevention tips you can try that will reduce your risk for an infestation, but prevention tips will never be as effective as professional pest control. To keep saw-toothed grain beetles and other pantry pests out of your home this fall, follow these helpful pantry pest prevention tips from the National Pest Management Association (NPMA):

  1. Inspect dried goods before purchasing. If a bag or box has small holes, it could mean that saw-toothed grain beetles have already gotten inside.
  2. Inspect the interior bagged food items themselves once you arrive home. If there are signs of larva or eggs inside, throw the infested product away.
  3. Store pasta, flour, and other dry foods in hard plastic or glass containers that can’t be chewed through.
  4. Only purchase items that show no sign of damage.
  5. Check expiration dates on baking ingredients before use.
  6. Keep kitchen counters, floors, and sinks clean because crumbs and spills quickly attract pests.
  7. Dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles.
  8. Seal cracks or holes around the stovepipes and water pipes.
  9. Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains.

If an infestation has already occurred, you shouldn’t try to handle it alone. Pantry pest problems can get out of hand quickly if they aren’t dealt with right away. It is recommended to contact a pest professional if a pantry pest infestation is suspected.

What National Pest Management Month Means For Knoxville Residents

What National Pest Management Month Means For Knoxville Residents

In April, organizations across the country observe National Pest Management Month for its role in helping homeowners and business owners protect their health, food, and property from common pests. The one thing pests need to thrive, more than anything else, is for residents and business professionals to be unaware of the measures that work to control them. Here are some helpful pest-proofing tips that National Pest Management experts and professionals here at Russell’s Pest Control recommend. Consider sharing them on social media to help spread awareness and stop pests from thriving in Knoxville and the surrounding area.

  • Eliminate all sources of standing water around the foundation perimeter of your home, including clogged gutters, compacted soil, and plumbing leaks to reduce biting mosquito populations.

  • Do an inspection of your exterior and use a caulking gun to seal cracks, gaps, and holes. Look closely around utilities, pipes, and door frames.

  • Replace weather stripping and door sweeps on doors that have gaps.

  • Repair loose mortar around the foundation of your home, especially around windows and doors.

  • Trim tree branches and shrubbery away from your home. Branches that hang over your roofline or touch your home can be highways for pests.

  • Fix fascia, soffits and rotted roof shingles. Many pests get on your roof in search of vulnerabilities.

  • Keep mulch at least 15 inches away from your foundation walls.

  • Ventilate your basement, cellar, and attic spaces and install dehumidifiers, where necessary, to reduce moisture that pests need to survive in your home.

  • Store all garbage in containers that have a lid and dispose of your trash regularly.

  • Do a routine cleaning of trash receptacles to reduce the smells that can attract pests.

  • Avoid leaving pet food on the floor or ground for long periods of time.

  • Consider partnering with a pest control professional to establish a protective barrier around your home and to provide ongoing pest control support for the health of your family and the protection of your property.

April is the beginning of the warm weather in Knoxville that leads to increased pest activity. Take steps to reduce the conditions that attract pests to your home and seal entry points to make it harder for bugs and animals to accidentally get into your home.

For more information or to schedule service for your Greater Knoxville home, contacts us for a consultation. Russell’s Pest Control is an industry leader. We can give you the support you need to keep pests out.

April Is National Pest Management Month

April Is National Pest Management Month

It’s that time of year again; the time when bugs and wildlife around, or inside, your home are going to start waking up. The warm temperatures get all those creatures moving. And, when bugs and animals get moving, they can become pests. National Pest Management Month is the perfect opportunity for each of us to share important pest control facts with each other.

Homeowners

If you own a home, you should know that termites cost U.S. property owners over $5 billion annually and that this damage can be prevented with the Sentricon® System with Always Active™. When you have ongoing termite protection, you decide how much you’re going to allow termites to cost you.

Every homeowner should know that moisture issues around a home is not only bad for the home, it also inspires pest infestations. Fixing gutters, leaky spigots, and trimming vegetation to allow sunlight to dry wet areas, can make a big difference in keeping pests out of a home.   

It is important that you not only stay informed but that you inform others. Bed bug infestations are a perfect example of this. When you share bed bug facts with those who live with you, you will help to prevent them from bringing bed bugs home with them. If your school-age kids know what bed bugs look like and what signs they leave behind, it could keep them from bringing these bugs home from a sleepover. If your college-age kids know important bed bug prevention tips, they are less likely to carry bugs home for the holidays. When you tell your friends and family that bed bug infestations have been found in movie theaters, libraries, senior living centers, taxi cabs, and many other places–that aren’t hotels and motels–you could save them, and you, from a bed bug infestation.

Business owners

National Pest Management Month is the perfect time of the year for business owners to remember that an Integrated Pest Management plan implemented by a trusted professional helps to manage financial and reputation challenges created by pests. It also helps a business stay in compliance with all governmental regulatory standards.

If you own a home or business in Tennessee, find out if you’re in our service area. Russell’s Pest Control provides industry-leading commercial and residential pest services in Knoxville and the surrounding area. April is the perfect time of year to get ahead of those pests.

Foolproof Pest-Proofing Tips To Keep Pests Out Of Your House This Fall

Foolproof Pest-Proofing Tips To Keep Pests Out Of Your House This Fall

It’s that time of year when nothing feels better than curling up in front of the fireplace on a chilly evening. If you have pets, you know they enjoy it too, so it should come as no surprise that other animals also love to cozy up in the comfort of a warm room.

When the temperatures begin to drop, rodents, cockroaches, and spiders are just some of the critters that will begin to make their way indoors in search of a warm place to stay. Russell’s Pest Control would like to remind you that fall is the perfect time to pest-proof your home to keep these unwelcome visitors out.

It’s no great surprise that these pests try to get in. When colder weather hits, they go into survival mode, searching for a place to call home for winter that not only provides warmth, but also food and water. They often end up in houses because inhabited homes are the most likely places that will provide for all these of their winter needs.

Once inside, these pests are bad news. Rodents, cockroaches, and other invaders contaminate food, spread disease, destroy property, and can even bring other unwelcome visitors into your home. In order to minimize your chances of allowing these pests into your house this fall, Russell’s recommends following the guidelines on fall pest-proofing set forth by the National Pest Management Association. By acting on these tips, you can protect your home and family from the threats that these pests bring.

  • Cap chimneys, screen vents, and cover any other openings to the outdoors, such as mail slots or pet doors.
  • Keep areas prone to moisture, such as basements and attics, well-ventilated and dry. Consider using a dehumidifier in these areas and repair any water-damaged spots immediately.
  • Keep food stored in airtight containers or in the refrigerator. Clean counters and remove trash from your home regularly. When trash is stored outside, keep it in tightly sealed bins away from your house.
  • Replace damaged tiles, shingles, and weather stripping around your home. Check for holes, cracks, and gaps, and fill any you find.
  • Inspect boxes, mail, and grocery bags for pest damage before bringing them into your home.
  • Do not leave pet food outside.
  • Contact a professional pest control service like Russell’s Pest Control when you suspect an infestation.

Remember pests can fit through the smallest of openings, so your best line of defense is to make sure your home is in tip-top shape and if it’s not to repair any damage you find. Try using caulk and steel wool in damaged areas to help keep pests out. They can work wonders.

For more information about fall pests and how to prevent them, give us a call today!

Are You Ready For Summer?

Are You Ready For Summer?

Summer pests are coming, are you ready? Perhaps you have already seen some pests around your home, but there are still more to come. Cockroaches, termites, mosquitoes, wasps, and hornets are on the way! So, what can you do to rid your home and yard of the most common and dangerous insect pests that are active in summer? Once the battle of dealing with summer pests is under control, you can get outside and enjoy the summertime to its fullest.

First, let’s examine the dangers of these pests:

Cockroaches are dangerous to both humans and pets. They walk through garbage and travel through sewers before they enter your home. During that time, their legs and bodies collect a variety of bacteria that they can then spread inside your home through contact with food and the surfaces inside your home, as well as through their feces. This bacteria can cause illnesses that can cause vomiting, fever, and diarrhea. Their shed skins and feces can also lead to asthma attacks in some people as well.

Termites are dangerous to structures. They live underground but eat and travel through the wood to gather cellulose to feed the members of their colonies. They stay very well hidden underground or inside the wood and work virtually silently as they hollow out wood where they may create a secondary or satellite nest. It can take months, or even years, to detect an infestation, and by that time your home may already have significant and costly termite damages.

Mosquitoes are now known to carry some dangerous diseases that they can transmit to humans and pets through their bites. These diseases include malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, encephalitis, West Nile virus, chikungunya, and Zika virus. West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne illness in the United States and can lead to confusion, weakness, high fevers, and can sometimes even put people in a coma.

Wasps and hornets can sting humans and pets. Their stingers are smooth and can sting their victims repeatedly. Hornets are just larger wasps; both will defend their nests aggressively if they feel threatened. Both wasp and hornet stings are painful. Some people can have a serious allergic reaction to these stings and may require medical attention.

Each of these pests are dangerous in one form or another, and it is important to eliminate them and the threats they cause, but trying to get rid of these pests without the help of a pest control professional can be dangerous. Russell’s Pest Control can help you control these summer pests and provide services to prevent them in the future.

Here are some helpful tips to help you to get ready for summer pests:

  • Keep vegetation trimmed back and away from your home
  • Make sure your chimney caps are tight fitting and vent covers are secure
  • Repair broken, damaged, or loose roof shingles and window screens
  • Seal any gaps, cracks, and holes in exterior walls, windows, and doors
  • Reduce moisture in and around your home
  • Fix leaky pipes and fixtures right away
  • Use a dehumidifier inside your home where moisture is a problem
  • Avoid wood to soil contact around your home
  • Keep your yard free from piles of wood and debris
  • Reduce standing water around your property
  • Take trash out on a regular basis
  • Store food inside airtight containers
  • Clean up food and drink spills right away
  • Keep counters clean and free of crumbs
  • Inspect bags, boxes, and packages for pests before bringing them inside

In the end, professional pest control is essential to eliminate these pests, control them, and keep them away. At Russell’s Pest Control, our motto is: “The Power to Prevent, Driven to Protect”. We are here to help in Eastern Tennessee and Knoxville. We offer four Power programs that protect your home against 30+ common household pests, and more! Our programs are Power, Power Gold, Power Plus+, and Power Platinum. Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help you get summer pests under control so that you can get out and enjoy your summer, stress-free from dangerous pests.

Pest Prevention Tips To Consider While Spring Cleaning

Pest Prevention Tips To Consider While Spring Cleaning

There are so many reasons that we look forward to spring! We can spend more time outdoors, fire up the grill, and play games with the kids in our backyard. But, there is one big reason to not look forward to spring, which would be spring pests and the problems that they cause. With spring will come mosquitoes, ticks, boxelder bugs, odorous house ants and many others.

Mosquitoes flock to yards that provide areas of standing water in order to breed and lay their eggs. This includes man-made ponds, bird baths, and fountains, but also includes miscellaneous items that get left outdoors that collect water like buckets, toys, wheelbarrows, and containers. They also need to feed on hosts in order to survive. Mosquitoes can harbor and transmit a multitude of diseases like malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, encephalitis, West Nile virus, chikungunya, and the Zika virus. These diseases can be extremely harmful if left untreated.

Ticks are harmful parasites that embed in the host’s skin to feed. They live in tall grasses and wooded areas and will latch on to an animal or human as they pass by. Ticks need blood to survive. A tick bite can cause Lyme disease, which can affect the nervous system, joints, skin, and heart.

Boxelder bugs attack maple, ash, apple, and plum trees to feed. If they get inside a home, they invade in very large numbers and can be a huge annoyance for the people living there. They are not dangerous but their feces can stain items made mostly of fabric.

Odorous house ants primarily nest outside underneath wood or in exposed soil. During long periods of rain, these ants move to higher ground or indoors for shelter. They are not dangerous, but they can be a nuisance in large numbers and contaminate food.

Use these cleaning tips to avoid spring pests this year:

  • Seal off all entry points

  • Fix or replace broken or missing screens and vents

  • Keep food in sealed airtight containers

  • Eliminate standing water in your yard

  • Keep wood and debris away from your home

  • Use a dehumidifier in damp rooms

After using these spring cleaning tips, you may find your home is still penetrable by pests. If so, you are going to need the help of a professional pest control company like Russell’s Pest Control. Our Power programs are designed with our customers in mind, and are designed to keep harmful, damaging, and nuisance pests from becoming problematic in your Knoxville home.