When it comes to pest control in Knoxville, it is crucial to treat all areas of your property. The last thing you want to do is skip anywhere and end up leaving those uninvited houseguests a free pass into your home! One commonly missed area that many homeowners do not consider in terms of pest control is in your gutters! You might not immediately consider this a haven for pests, but it makes a lot of sense. Many pests are attracted to damp or moist areas and will seek out organic materials to feast on. That makes your gutters prime real estate for pests, especially if it has been a while since you cleaned them out to remove old leaves and other debris that may have been collecting there. Let’s take a look at some of the common pests that could be lurking in your gutter.

Mosquitoes

One of the prime candidates for hanging out in your gutter is the mosquito! Mosquitoes need stagnant water to reproduce as they lay their eggs there. If your gutters are clogged with leaves or other debris, then it is likely preventing them from draining properly, leaving enough standing water for mosquitoes to start laying eggs. Some species of mosquitoes need only a teacup’s worth of water to breed. The best way to prevent mosquitoes from invading your gutters is to clean them out regularly to keep water draining freely. This will reduce the likelihood of mosquitoes laying their eggs there. You can also ask for the gutters to be sprayed during your next treatment from your provider for pest control in Knoxville.

Wasps & Hornets

Another type of pest that may make itself at home in your gutters would be stinging insects like wasps and hornets. Unlike mosquitoes, wasps and hornets won’t make their home inside the gutter but will build their nest underneath it. This makes it much easier for you to spot them. Paper wasp nests have a distinctive shape like an upturned umbrella. Yellowjackets will often build their nest under gutter splash blocks. If you spot a wasp or hornet nest, do not be tempted to remove it yourself. Seek professional pest control in Knoxville.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are often seen as indoor pests, but most of the species we have in North America will breed and live outdoors. Like many pests, cockroaches are attracted to decaying plant material, and a moist environment, so clogged gutters are an attractive place for them to set up home. Nobody wants cockroaches in their home, so make sure you are staying on top of cleaning those gutters!

Termites

One of the biggest pest concerns our customers have is termites. These wood-boring insects can cause extensive structural damage if an infestation is left unchecked. Termites need moisture to survive. If your gutters are not draining properly because of blockages, the water can gather elsewhere, resulting in potential wood rot. This is something that will attract termites to your property. Aside from keeping those gutters clean, work with pest control in Knoxville to arrange termite treatment and preventative maintenance to keep your property termite free.

Carpenter Ants

Sometimes, you may think you have termites, but the pest you are dealing with are actually carpenter ants. Like termites, carpenter ants are often found near gutters, like water-damaged wood. Carpenter ants can live outdoors and indoors, so once they have made themselves home in your gutters, it is only a matter of time before they infiltrate your indoor spaces. Book a visit from pest control in Knoxville to protect against carpenter ants.

Avoiding Gutter Dwelling Pests

As you may already have deduced from the previous paragraphs, one of the critical elements of avoiding infestations of pests in your gutters is keeping up to date with your home cleaning and maintenance tasks. Cleaning your gutters will rid them of any standing water and other debris that might make them attractive to pests. Not only that, but it is also essential for the overall upkeep of your roof! You need to make sure that your gutters are draining water away from the roof and your foundations. The next step in avoiding gutter dwelling pests is to arrange professional pest control in Knoxville to exterminate existing pests and provide preventative protection against future infestations.

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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.