As winter approaches, it is more important than ever to arrange pest control in Knoxville to keep your home free from unwanted pests. Many people wrongly assume that pests are a summer problem, but the truth is that when the temperature drops, pests will start to seek warmth and shelter, and they are more likely to invade your home. That’s why it is important to have preventative pest control measures in place.

Rodents

Rodents will set up in your home at any time of the year, but you may see a spike in the number of rats and mice during winter since they will spend much less time outdoors in the colder weather. Mice can sneak through small holes and cracks the size of a dime! Just one pregnant mouse or rat can birth enough babies to trigger an infestation! Rodents are also known to carry a variety of diseases, so if you think you have some mice or rats scurrying around your home this winter, it is important to work with pest control in Knoxville to eradicate the problem.

Cockroaches

If the temperature drops to less than 15 degrees, cockroaches cannot survive, so they are likely to appear indoors much more often during the Winter season. Cockroaches are bad news for anyone who suffers from asthma or allergies, as they can trigger attacks. Cockroaches will also eat just about anything, so it is important to keep kitchen surfaces clean of any crumbs or spillages and to make sure that your food is securely stored in airtight containers. Pest control in Knoxville can be used to help rid your home of cockroaches and help prevent their return.

Beetles & Other Stored Pests

You might not have heard the term stored pests before. This is an umbrella term that covers pests like beetles, moths, and silverfish that tend to hole up in storage boxes. When you start pulling out all of your holiday decorations and seasonal textiles, you will want to keep an eye out for these pests lurking amongst them. If you do find an abundance of them, you can get in touch with pest control in Knoxville to discuss the best treatment options.

Spiders

The winter months will also show an increase in the number of spiders weaving their webs around your home. The majority of spiders are completely harmless and can actually help to keep the pest population down. However, their webs are unsightly, and arachnophobia afflicts up to 15% of the population, so many homeowners would prefer to keep spiders at bay whenever possible! Pest control in Knoxville can help you remove a spider infestation and help with preventative measures to keep them away.

Ladybugs

When we think about pests, many people wouldn’t immediately think of ladybugs! The pretty color and pattern of their wings make them seem like a friendlier type of insect, but if you happen to suffer a large-scale infestation, they will soon be more unappealing! Lady bugs are not harmful, and although they can bite, they don’t carry disease, but in large numbers, they may destroy fabrics and damage wood. They are attracted to warmth and heat, so they will likely enter your home in the Winter months. If you see them in large numbers, it is a good idea to arrange pest control in Knoxville to remove them.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are a threat at any time of year, but they do tend to spike around the holidays when people are traveling more than usual. They are expert hitchhikers, so it is important to take precautions if you stay in hotels or other accommodations over the holiday season. If you do find yourself infected with bed bugs following a trip, Otis Pest Control in Knoxville can offer state-of-the-art thermal heat treatment to eradicate live bed bugs and their eggs effectively.

Take Preventative Action

As with all pests, the best course of action is to take measures to help prevent them accessing your home. Prevention is better than a cure! Some of the steps pest control in Knoxville recommends to prevent pests from entering your property include:

• Seal gaps and holes around your home that may allow pests to enter, including cracks in the foundation and damage to window or door screens.
• Keep firewood raised off the ground and a minimum of 20 feet away from your home. Take care to inspect it for evidence of pests before bringing it inside.
• All food should be stored in sealed containers in your refrigerator or on elevated shelving in a pantry or store room.
• Vegetation and overhanging branches should be trimmed back so they are not too close to your home; otherwise, they will serve as a direct highway for pests.
• Keep surfaces clean and minimize leftover food to avoid attracting pests in search of a meal.

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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.