As we move into the Spring season and begin to notice flowers in bloom and pleasant weather, our thoughts often turn to Spring cleaning! Most homeowners have probably already started to make a list of things they need to tackle to get their homes in order. That list probably includes a variety of task ranging from cleaning the gutters and washing the windows to fixing the hole in the screen door and everything in between. However, one thing that many homeowners have likely forgotten to add to the list is booking a visit for pest control in Knoxville! As the weather begins to warm up, pests will soon start to swarm, and you will want to ensure that your home is prepared to avoid an infestation. Let’s look at a few spring cleaning tips that can help you keep your home free from pests!

Ticks

Ticks can be a particular problem in Eastern Tennessee, especially the closer we get to the summer months! They cause potentially serious health risks to both humans and animals and are known to transmit a number of different diseases, including:

• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
• Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis
• Red Meat Allergy
• Lyme Disease

If you find a tick on yourself or your pets, removing it as quickly as possible is essential. There is not much pest control in Knoxville can do to prevent ticks, but you can take steps to reduce the risk of being bitten or bringing them into your home. When you are outdoors near long grass, make sure you wear long sleeves and pants to cover your skin. You can also apply an insect repellent with a minimum of 20% DEET.

Fleas

When we think about fleas, we usually associate them with our pets. However, these pests are also capable of biting humans and can transmit multiple diseases, including allergic dermatitis, fleaborne typhus, plague bacteria, and even tapeworms! You can help keep fleas out of your home this Spring by ensuring your pets are up to date on their flea and dewormer treatments, regularly vacuuming, and washing bed linens often. Fleas can also travel on rodents, so taking steps to avoid attracting rats can also help keep fleas at bay. If it is already too late, you can call for pest control in Knoxville to spray for fleas.

Termites

Every year in the United States, termites cause over $5 billion in property damage. These intrusive pests begin to swarm in the early Spring when the weather starts to get a little warmer. In addition to arranging pest control in Knoxville to carry out preventative termite treatment, there are also a number of other steps that can be taken to help prevent a termite infestation.

• Reduce humidity and moisture build-up by ensuring proper ventilation, especially in attics, basements, or crawl spaces.
• Store firewood a minimum of 20 feet away from your house.
• Leave at least 15 inches between the foundation of your property and any mulch you are putting down.

Ants

There are about 20 different types of ants that could potentially infest your home. Ants are often seen as more of a nuisance than anything else, but they can pose genuine threats regarding food contamination and property damage if left unchecked. It is important to keep all foodstuff in sealed containers and to cut back trees, branches, and shrubs so that they are not touching the house. These steps can help to prevent ants from accessing your home. If necessary, you can also have pest control in Knoxville spray your property to terminate any existing ant colonies.

Bed Bugs

One of the most prevalent pests that homeowners will encounter is bed bugs! According to the National Pest Management Association, 97% of pest control providers have treated bed bugs in the past year! Bed bugs do not transmit disease, but their bites can be incredibly itchy, and nobody wants them as a roommate! A bed bug infestation is not easy to eliminate and will require professional pest control in Knoxville. If you want to avoid an infestation, some of the steps you can take include inspecting your luggage for signs of bedbugs before bringing it inside after taking a trip. You should also wash your clothing on a hot wash to help kill off any eggs. If you do find signs of bed bugs in your home, one of the most effective treatment options is thermal heat treatment which can be carried out by professional pest control in Knoxville.

These are just a few Spring cleaning tips that can help you keep your home free from unwanted pests over the coming months. The best course of action for protecting your property is to consult Otis Pest Control to discuss treatment options, including preventative options.

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Otis Termite & Pest Control is a full-service pest control company with a focus on outstanding service. We have been serving the East Tennessee area for over 56 years and our reputation is built on prompt and effective service. We’re good at what we do and we’re fast. We do the job right the first time – and that’s an actual guarantee! 

Call 865.690.1662 or visit www.otispestcontrol.net.