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Frequently ASKED questions

QUESTIONS?

Answers Provided By Our Licensed & Certified Knoxville Pest Control Experts

Encountering an insect, bird, or rodent can be a frightful experience that leaves many with questions as to how best to rid their properties from such creatures. At Pest Ops, we’ve compiled some of the questions our Knoxville pest control experts are most frequently asked. Contact us for a free home inspection.

What pests do you treat?
Our general pest control services include treatment for common pests such as ants, roaches, spiders, silverfish, crickets, and rodents, along with many more. We have a full range of services available, so please contact us if there is a question. Our termite control services are offered as a specific and separate treatment from general pest control service treatments.
I live in a brick home (or slab home). Do I have need for termite control?
Yes, if you have wood stud walls, sheetrock, or any other wood-based products in your home, you are at risk for termite infestation and damage.
How often should I have my home inspected for termites?

We suggest an annual inspection to ensure that your home is free from termites, moisture, or wood-destroying organisms.

Do I have to leave my home or move furniture for treatment?

In most cases, you can be in the home while we are controlling pets. Our family-safe application methods employ materials labeled for use while buildings are occupied. In most cases, you will not have to move anything. When application is necessary inside the home, we use crack and crevice applications to reach the pests where they live and breed.

What should I do with my dog or cat?
Our pest control methods pose no threat to your animals. If you have a special circumstance with a pet, contact us and we will work together to ensure your pet’s safety.
Are the pest control materials environmentally friendly?
We meet the requirements of the EPA, OSHA, and the Department of Pesticide Regulation in Tennessee. Ask about our green pest solutions and integrated pest management solutions to see if they are right for your pest problems.
How long does it take to complete this job?

Treatment times depend on the size of your structure. For more information on how long we plan to be in your home or business, just give us a call.

We welcome your questions. If we didn’t address a question you have about our services, please feel free to contact us by calling (865) 966-0750. It is our passion to serve you.

Termite FAQs

How can I tell if I have termites?

One of the issues with termites is they can go months and even years without being noticed, even if you are living with a major infestation. We recommend an annual termite inspection from a local termite company to catch problems early.

The reason termites are able to hide in your home for so long is they eat the wood they infest, so they don’t have to forage for food, and they do so silently. The likelihood you’ll ever see a termite out of the nest or in your house when it’s not mating season is low. So you’ll have to look for other signs:

  • Windows and doors that don’t fit
  • Bucked floors or loose floorboards
  • Damaged wood with no explicable cause
  • Pinholes in drywall
  • Mud tubes around your foundation
  • Termite sawdust

Seeing swarms of termites is also a major sign that you have a serious problem. Termites don’t fly very far from the nest to pair off and mate. So their presence is an indicator of a mature colony on your property.

What kind of damage can termites do?

Termites eat wood, tunnel through wood, and break down wood. If they get into areas of your home like your floor joists, support beams, or wall studs, they will start breaking these down. If left alone, termites can cause massive amounts of damage that may even threaten the structural integrity of your house.

Termite removal is vital. The longer termites stay in your house, the more damage they do and the harder and more expensive it is to get rid of them. That means you need to call the experts at Pest OPS the minute you suspect you might have a termite infestation.

Can I get rid of termites on my own?
In reality, dealing with termites on your own is one of the most difficult do-it-yourself pest control tasks you can attempt. Termite colonies are complex and often massive entities that can span the entire area of your house, living inside your walls, floors, and ceiling. Your ability to even see and get to them is limited, much less your ability to actually do anything about them.

Your best option for termite control and elimination is to call in pest professionals like the experts here at Pest OPS. Our termite technicians are trained in the latest and greatest tools and techniques to ensure the elimination of the entire colony.

Bed Bug FAQs

What kind of bed bug treatments do you offer?

Pest Ops believes that every property owner should have the opportunity to choose a preferred bed bug treatment. That’s why we provide heat, chemical, and preventative services that address infestations at any stage. Give us a call today to discuss these options in detail.

Do you provide a bed bug guarantee?

Heat treatments from Pest Ops come with a 30-day warranty to ensure lasting protection. If bed bugs return after completing our work, we will return to make things right. It’s just the Pest Ops guarantee!

How much does bed bug treatment cost?

Because bed bug treatments vary, it is impossible to provide a generalized quote for individual services. The team at Pest Ops will be happy to provide you with personalized estimates for unique treatments and approaches. Simply complete our online contact form to get connected with an experienced representative.

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Bees & Wasps FAQs

Are bees and wasps dangerous?

Bees and wasps can definitely be dangerous. Social wasps, like hornets, yellow jackets, and certain types of bees, will chase anything they perceive as a threat, stinging as many times as possible.

Bees and wasps can also trigger anaphylaxis in those allergic to their venom. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that can kill within minutes if left untreated.

What attracts bees and wasps to my property?

Bees and wasps are attracted to food, water, and convenient shelter. If you have a lot of overhangs or holes in the ground, aerial and ground-nesting wasps will set up shop in them. Likewise, if you have lots of flowers and fruits on your property, these can be big bee and wasp attractants.

For the best bee and wasp prevention; you should take the following measures:

  • Remove flowers that provide food for these insects.
  • Harvest fruits from trees immediately after they fall.
  • Keep outdoor garbage cans tightly covered.
  • Never leave sweet drinks or foods of any kind sitting out.
  • Fill holes in the ground to prevent ground-nesting wasps from setting up shop.

Taking these measures can make your property less attractive to all sorts of stinging insects, encouraging them to move on.

Can I get rid of stinging insects on my own?
You should always avoid doing your own wasp and bee control. Only experts should perform bee and wasp removal. If you don’t have the proper training and equipment, including safety clothing, trying to get rid of bee or wasp nests on your own can trigger an aggressive attack that can get you stung dozens of times. The only way to ensure you avoid being stung when trying to remove wasp or bee nests is to hire professional experts like those here at Pest Ops!

Cockroach FAQs

What are the signs of a cockroach infestation?
Some of the most common signs of a cockroach infestation include seeing live roaches, finding their droppings, and detecting an unpleasant odor. You may also see egg casings or dead insects on the floor, walls, or other surfaces. Since these pests are nocturnal and often secretive, they can be very difficult to detect until they have reached a high population density. However, with regular inspections and the help of a professional who knows how to get rid of cockroaches in your house, it’s possible to keep these pests at bay.
What are the risks of a cockroach infestation?

Cockroaches can pose serious health and safety risks due to their ability to carry bacteria and spread germs. Some common illnesses that cockroaches can transmit include salmonellosis, gastroenteritis, and staph infections. These insects can also contaminate your food supply with their droppings, which contain a variety of dangerous pathogens that are hazardous to humans. Cockroaches can contaminate more than just your food; they can also spread bacteria and viruses throughout entire buildings.

Cockroaches can chew through electrical wiring, insulation materials, and cardboard boxes. In short, cockroaches are nasty pests that you should avoid at all costs.

What steps can I take to prevent cockroaches?

One of the best ways to prevent a cockroach infestation is to keep your home clean. Ensure that food is properly stored, dispose of food waste in the trash and not on the ground, vacuum regularly to remove any crumbs or dust, and clean your kitchen thoroughly after each meal. You can also take steps to seal entry points around pipes and vents that cockroaches will enter through.

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Flea & Tick FAQs

What diseases do fleas and ticks spread?
Fleas and ticks can spread disease to both people and pets. Some of the most common illnesses these pests transmit include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, typhus, and other serious conditions. In pets, they can also spread tapeworms and cat scratch fever.
How can I protect my family from these risks?
In addition to regular treatments from a professional pest control service, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce your risk of exposure to fleas and ticks. Keep your lawn trimmed and free of debris, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when spending time outdoors, and use insect repellent on exposed skin. Additionally, taking precautions with pets, such as regular flea treatments, can help keep both your family and your pets safe from these pests.
How do I know if fleas or ticks have infested my home?
These pests can be difficult to detect, as they usually live and breed outdoors. However, some signs may indicate the presence of flea or tick infestation in your home. Heavy populations of these pests can cause skin irritation in both people and pets, and you may notice them clinging to your pets’ fur or crawling on your skin. Additionally, you may notice flea feces or eggs in your home, which can look like small specks of dirt around baseboards and upholstered furniture.

If you suspect fleas or ticks have infested your home, contact the experts at Pest Ops immediately for help. Our experienced technicians can provide an effective, eco-friendly treatment to eliminate these pests and keep your home safe.

Mosquito FAQs

What attracts mosquitoes to humans and yards?
Mosquitoes are primarily attracted to carbon dioxide and moisture.

Humans, pets, and other animals release carbon dioxide when they breathe and put off a lot of heat while working, playing, and moving about the yard. Mosquitoes can sense the presence of a nearby body and will attack in droves for a chance of a blood meal.

Second, moisture availability is needed for mosquitoes to reproduce. Even water puddles the size of a bottle cap are enough to support a colony of hundreds.

Since it isn’t always possible to control each of these factors, you may want to seek protection from the professionals at Pest Ops.

Can mosquitoes bite through clothes?
Yes, mosquitoes can bite through tight-fitting clothes, meaning it’s still possible for mosquitoes to transmit bacteria, viruses, and even parasite eggs while wearing a full set of clothing. To combat this, do what you can to wear thick layers in places where mosquitoes tend to congregate, then tuck your pants into your socks for a layer of added protection.
What diseases do mosquitoes spread?
Here in Knoxville, mosquitoes spread West Nile virus, La Crosse virus, and the eastern equine encephalitis virus. Many species are also known to transmit heartworm larvae to cats and dogs, requiring medical treatment to resolve. As you can see, waiting for mosquitoes to abate on their own is simply not worth the risk.
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