What to Expect When You Need Pest Control For The First Time!

Aug 10, 2023

If you have been lucky enough never to have needed a visit from pest control in Knoxville, you may be at a loss for what to expect the first time you catch sight of an unwanted guest of the pest variety! With that in mind, we have put together a brief guide to what you can expect the first time you have a visit from pest control in Knoxville.

When to Call

One of the big questions many first-timers have is when is the right time to call pest control in Knoxville? The simple answer is - call as soon as possible. Seeing one or two bugs around is not a major concern - depending on the type of pest! However, you will want to monitor the situation. If you see things like bed bugs or termites, where there is one or two, there is likely a whole colony. You will definitely want to call pest control in Knoxville if you have seen pest activity on several consecutive days, the sooner you call, the better. Don’t wait for a handful of pests to become an infestation; treating it early will help to minimize damage and make it easier to rid your home of the pest.

What Details Will the Pest Control Technician Need?

If you have never had to call pest control in Knoxville before, you might be nervous about making the phone call. It might help if you prepare yourself in advance with some of the information you might be asked for. Some of the common questions a pest control provider might ask when you call for the first time include:

  • What is the square footage of the property? - This will give your technician an idea of how much time it will take to treat your home and an idea of how much insecticide, baits, and traps will be needed. You won’t need an exact figure, but a rough estimate is helpful.
  • Where did you see evidence of pests? - If there is a specific area of your home where you notice pest activity, it can be helpful to let your pest technician know so they can choose the most appropriate treatment plan.
  • What did the pest look like? - You may know exactly what type of pest you are dealing with, but even if you don’t, it can be helpful to describe what you saw, whether that is the pest itself or the damage it has left in its wake.
  • Do you have children or animals in the home? - If you have children or pets, it is important to let your pest control technician know so they can consider that when choosing your treatment plan.

What to Expect During the First Visit

Once you have called pest control in Knoxville to arrange a visit, you might be wondering what happens once they arrive at your property. The first step is to carry out a thorough inspection of the property. This will allow the technician to identify the type of pest they are dealing with and to determine how extensive the infestation is. Once this inspection has been completed, they will formulate a treatment plan best suited to your pest problems. Once you agree to the treatment plan, the technician will begin the process of treating your pest infestation.

What Happens Next?

Once you have had treatment from professional pest control in Knoxville, you may wonder what comes next. Depending on the severity of your infestation, follow-up treatment may be required in a few weeks to eliminate any remaining bugs. However, even if this is not the case, we recommend a recurring maintenance plan to spray for pests regularly. This is going to help prevent the pests from returning. Your technician may also make some recommendations regarding preventative maintenance around the home. This includes sealing up cracks and disposing of standing water, among other tasks that discourage pests.

Do I Have to Wait Until I Notice Pests in My Home?

We are often asked if it is okay to contact pest control in Knoxville for an inspection, even if no pests have been spotted in the home. The answer is yes! We actively encourage people to arrange for preventative pest control measures. If there is one thing that is better than catching a pest infestation early, it is preventing it in the first place! While we cannot guarantee you will never encounter pests in your home, regular preventative treatments can drastically reduce the risk.

If you are struggling with a pest problem for the first time, there is no need to feel embarrassed! Everyone has pests at some time in their life! Just reach out to professional pest control in Knoxville to arrange treatment as soon as possible, and you will be well on your way to a pest-free environment.

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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.

Testimonials

OTIS

Emily Moeck

"I unknowingly moved into a home that had a HUGE bed bug infestation..."Don't you worry, we are on top of this until they are gone, I promise!"... Jack was knowledgeable and honest in his assessment of my house/treatment methods. Thank you, Jack and Rocky and the whole Otis team! My home is home again!"

OTIS

Joshua Weaver

"Prompt responses and appointment times. Very friendly and knowledgeable. Straight forward service without any "pushing" for extras."

OTIS

Charlotte Bishop

"These guys were super helpful and kind. Jack thoroughly explained every procedure and made what could have been a horrible situation much more bearable. I definitely recommend them!"

OTIS

Tamie Ridenour

"Excellent service and staff!! They were at my house the same day I called, for New construction pre-treatment!"

OTIS

Cathy Amos

"Highly recommend! Jack and Rocky are great! You've got a business and highest recommendation! Great people to work with!"

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Main Headquarters

112 Hayfield Road
Knoxville, TN 37922

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Location Specific Phone Numbers

  • Knoxville (serving Knox County)

    865-419-9063
  • Maryville (serving Blount County)

    865-983-8011
  • Lenoir City (serving Loudon & Monroe Counties)

    865-986-1412
  • Oak Ridge (serving Anderson, Roane, Scott, Morgan, Campbell, Union, & Cumberland Counties)

    865-482-2740
  • Sevierville (serving Sevier, Hamblen, & Cocke County)

    865-453-7540

Servicing all areas of Knoxville and surrounding counties and the Greater East TN area including Tri-Cities, Johnson City, Crossville & Chattanooga.

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