As the days become longer and the temperatures warm up spring is just around the corner. With the warmth of spring, bugs that overwintered will be emerging. Among these pests is the brown marmorated stink bug.

Stink bugs are brown, grey or dark green, triangular in shape and are usually around 3/4 of an inch to 1 inch in length. They have alternating light bands on the antennae and dark bands on the thin outer edge of the abdomen.

Stink bugs frequently enter homes during the cooler months in search of a warm place to overwinter and then re-emerge in the spring once the weather starts to warm up. As they start to emerge homeowners may notice stink bugs on curtains, lampshades or other items inside your home. They like to gather in areas where the sunlight is prevelant.

Stink bugs can reak havoc on crops but they are not known to bite and do not pose any health threat to humans. They do however have a tendancy to become a nuisance due to  invading homes in large numbers. In addition they have a habit of secreting a bad smelling fluid when disturbed or crushed, so caution should be used when handling them.

To Prevent stink bug infestation follow these steps:

•  Seal and caulk cracks around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, behind chimneys and other openings.
•  Repair or replace damaged screens on windows or doors.
•  Replace outdoor lighting with yellow bulbs, which are less attractive to stink bugs and other pests.
•  If stink bugs have already entered a home, use a vacuum cleaner for their removal and dispose of the bag immediately to prevent odor from permeating the area.
•  If an infestation develops, a licensed pest professional should be contacted to evaluate and assess the severity problem.
• Remember a licensed pest professional can pre-treat structures for stink bugs to prevent stink bugs before they become a problem.

For more information or if you are experiencing a problem with stinkbugs call Johnson Pest Control at 865-453-7587.

Stinkbugs Re-emerge as Weather Warms

Protect Your Home From Termites
Termite prevention tips for homeowners

 Believe it or not, spring is just around the corner and as temperatures slowly begin to increase across the country, so will the potential for termite swarms. Now is the time for homeowners to take proactive steps to protect their homes from this aggressive pest species in the coming months.

Termites eat wood around the clock, so they can cause significant damage to the structure of a home in a relatively short period of time, as a result, it’s important for homeowners to perform yearly inspections and routine maintenance to help stave off a potential termite infestation.

There are many stepsyou can take to protect your greatest investments from termites.

• Carefully inspect the perimeter of the home for mud tubes (used by termites to reach a food source), cracked or bubbling paint and rotting wood.
• Repair fascia, soffits and rotted roof shingles. Some termites are drawn to deteriorating wood.
• Keep basements, attics and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.
• Maintain a one-inch gap between soil and wood portions of the home.
• Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and 5 inches up off the ground, and inspect it closely before bringing it indoors.
• Divert water away from the property through properly functioning downspouts, gutters and splash blocks.

A pest professional will be able to properly identify the termite species and recommend an appropriate course of action.

For more information on termites or tp schedule a termite inspections call 865-453-7587.

Protect Your Home From Termites

Meet Us Before We Meet You

Safety & Security with a Technician Profile Appointment Confirmation Email

Johnson Pest Control now provides customers with an appointment confirmation email featuring our new technician profile. We let you know who will be arriving at your home before the appointment.

Now when customers call in to schedule an appointment we send out an email confirming the day and time of your appointment that includes a picture of your scheduled service technician as well as a picture of the representative you spoke with on the phone when you scheduled your appointment.   With Johnson Pest Control you can feel safe and secure knowing who will be knocking on your door.

Meet Us Before We Meet You

Johnson Pest Control Earns Esteemed 2012 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

Johnson Pest Control has earned the service industry-coveted 2012 Angie’s List Super Service Award, an honor awarded annually to approximately 5 percent of all the companies rated on Angie’s List, the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service companies.

“It’s a select group of companies rated on Angie’s List that can claim the exemplary customer service record of being a Super Service Award winner,” said Angie’s List FounderAngie Hicks. “Our standards for the Super Service Award are quite high. The fact that Johnson Pest Control earned this recognition speaks volumes about its dedication providing great service to its customers.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2012 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, including earning a minimum number of reports, an excellent rating from their customers and abiding by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality. Members can find the 2012 Super Service Award logo next to company names in search results on AngiesList.com.

angieslist.com/review/386811

Johnson Pest Control Earns Angie’s List Super Service Award

 DON’T LET PESTS RUIN HOLIDAY BAKING FUN

Cookie exchanges and baking marathons are a fun part of the holiday season for many families. But when breaking out the ingredients and pie pans, beware of uninvited pests that many be infesting household items.

Pantry pests, also known as stored product pests, tend to gather around food stored in pantries and can quickly become a nuisance to homeowners during the holidays. Beetles, earwigs, pillbugs, stink bugs and weevils are all considered pantry pests, but the most common species is the Indian meal moth. Fortunately, these small moths do not pose serious threats to our health and property. 

“Pantry pests are often found near a variety of household items from flour and dry cereals to spices and potpourri. Over time, these pests can infest baking products and contaminate food, so it’s important to practice caution and keep them from putting a damper on the baking fun.

To ensure a pest-free holiday season try following these tips: 

• Immediately wipe up any crumbs or spills from countertops, tables, floors and shelves.
• Add a bay leaf to canisters and packages of dry goods like flour, rice and      other grains – the pungent scent repels many pantry pests.
• Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly in sealed      receptacles.
• Only purchase food in sealed packages that show no sign of damage.
• Check expiration dates on baking ingredients before use.
• Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens.
• Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains.

For more information on pantry pests and how to maintain a pest-free home, call Johnson Pest Control at 865-453-7587.

Don’t Let Pests Ruin Holiday Baking Fun

INVASIVE PEST SPECIES: A GROWING PROBLEM FOR HOMEOWNERS
Homeowners to be cautious of insects of foreign origin

Invasive species, or insects of foreign origin, continue to grow in population, causing major issues for American homeowners. Johnson Pest Control wants to urge homeowners to be vigilant against invasive species including Formosan termites and red imported fire ants (RIFAs).

Like many other pests, invasive species tend to make their way into homes during the fall in search of resources and shelter for the winter months ahead. Unfortunately, invasive species can cause severe property damage, and in some cases injury, once inside the home.

Experts at the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) encourage homeowners to be especially aware of the Formosan termite, a species of subterranean termite that tends to be more aggressive than its native counterparts. Formosan termites are capable of consuming wood at rapid speeds, which largely contributes to the $5 billion termites cause in property damage every year.

Another common invasive insect is the red imported fire ant, a species mainly found in the southern United States. When disturbed, RIFAs are known to swarm and sting humans repeatedly, often producing painful welts.

Due to the health and property risks posed by invasive species, the NPMA recommends sealing cracks and holes on the exterior of the home with caulk, eliminating sources of water and moisture in and around the house, and frequently inspecting the property for signs of an infestation.

If an infestation is suspected, people should not attempt to control it with do-it-yourself measures. Instead, contact a licensed pest professional who can identify the species and effectively treat the problem.

For more information on invasive pest species and other pest issues contact Johnson Pest Control at 865-453-7587.

Invasive Pest Species: A Growing Problem for Homeowners

A CHILL IN THE AIR SENDS PESTS INDOORS

Johnson Pest Control reminds homeowners to be vigilant of pests during the colder months.

As temperatures across the country continue to fall, homeowners may soon be joined indoors by unwelcome guests. Be warned that pests including ants, spiders and rodents are looking for a warm refuge from the upcoming winter months.

Many pests have trouble adapting to the colder weather, so the change in seasons forces them to become opportunistic and search for a safe haven indoors . Unfortunately, our homes act as the perfect refuge for pests because they have access to shelter, food and water throughout the winter.

Experts at the National Pest Management Association, a nonprofit organization committed to the protection of public health, food and property from household pests, recommend the following tips to keep these pests outdoors where they belong:

• Seal cracks and crevices on the outside of the home with caulk. Pay special attention to areas where utilities and pipes enter the home.
• Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens.
• Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows.
• Screen vents and openings to chimneys.
• Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and keep shrubbery well trimmed.
• Consider partnering with a licensed pest professional to identify pest problems and recommend an appropriate course of treatment.

We also encourage homeowners to eliminate all moisture sites, as some pests such as termites and carpenter ants are specifically attracted to this element. Once inside, both of these pests can cause extensive damage to homes.

For more information on fall pests and how to protect your home, contact Johnson Pest Control at 865-453-7587.

Prevent Pests From Invading Your Home To Escape Cooler Weather

Cockroaches are among the most hated insects. They can infest even the cleanest of homes. They contaminate food and leave an unpleasant odor, They also can transmit diseases. Cockroach infestations (large or small) can be eliminated by using any of a variety of pest control tools, Determining which type of roaches you have in your home will give us better information on their natural habitat, how they enter your home, and their preferred foods.

Cockroaches thrive where food and water are available to them. Even tiny amounts of crumbs or liquids caught between cracks provide a food source. To assist in exterminating cockroaches follow these steps then watch the video for more tips on cockroach prevention and treatment.

• Practice good sanitation, both indoors and outdoor.
• Do not leave unwashed dishes, kitchen utensils and uncovered food out overnight.
• Clean up all spilled liquids.
• Clean areas beneath cabinets, furniture, sinks, stoves and storage bins where tiny particles of food may accumulate.
• Keep kitchen garbage and excess trash in containers and remove them regularly. Store dry pet food away from the kitchen and other foods.
• If you feed pets indoors, remove the leftover foods immediately.
• Clean outdoor garbage cans frequently, along with platforms or slabs on which they are kept.

If you experience a cockroach infestation call Johnson Pest Control or call 865-453-7587.

Cockroach Prevention & Treatment Tips

With the arrival of autumn comes the annual invasion of brown marmorated stink bugs as they seek winter refuge inside homes and businesses. Stink bugs often enter structures in larger numbers, making them a difficult pest to control once inside.

Stink bugs get their name from their habit of secreting a bad-smelling fluid when disturbed or crushed. They are not known to bite humans but caution should be used when handling them to avoid a release of their odor. Many species are attracted to lights at night. Stink bugs are not known to bite humans but caution should be used when handling them to avoid a release of their odor.

Entomologists with the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) are expecting higher populations of the brown marmorated stink bug this autumn than last year. As a result, the NPMA is recommending that homeowners take steps now to pest-proof their homes against this stinky pest.

• Seal and caulk cracks around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, behind chimneys and underneath the wood fascia and other openings.
• Repair or replace damaged screens on windows or doors.
• Keep outdoor lighting to a minimum as stink bugs are attracted to lights.
• If stink bugs have already entered a home, use a vacuum cleaner for their removal and dispose of the bag immediately to prevent odor from permeating the area.
• If an infestation develops, a licensed pest professional should be contacted to evaluate and assess the severity problem.

Homes can be pre-treated for stink bugs before they become a problem. But, if you suspect an infestation has already developed or for more information on prevention, contact Johnson Pest Control at 865-453-7587.

Record Number of Stink Bugs Expected This Fall

West Nile Virus 2012 Statistics

West Nile virus is a common concern among Americans – and rightfully so. West Nile virus has continued to spread across the country since the first reported incidence in 1999. The worst year for the mosquito-borne disease was 2002, which saw nearly 3,000 severe cases and 284 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, experts are predicting that the outbreak in 2012 might become the deadliest ever. As of September 18, there have been 3,142 cases and 134 deaths reported to the CDC this year.

There are a number of precautions that people can take to protect their home and family from mosquitoes and minimize the potential of contracting West Nile virus. The NPMA recommends the following tips:

• Eliminate or reduce mosquito-breeding sites around the home by replacing all standing water at least once a week. This includes birdbaths, flowerpots, grill covers, baby pools and other objects where water collects. Mosquitoes on need about ½ inch of water to breed.
• Screen windows, doors, and other openings with mesh. Repair even the smallest tear or hole.
  • Use mesh that is 18X18 strands per inch, or finer.
  • Seal around all screen edges; and keep doors and windows shut to prevent entry of most mosquito species.
• Minimize outside activity between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
• When outdoors, wear long-sleeved shirts and long-legged pants.
• Use an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon-eucalyptus on exposed skin whenever outdoors. Check product labels for information on age restrictions to make sure they are safe for your toddler or infant.

West Nile Virus 2012 Infograph and Statistics