Wildlife, Rodent, & Pest Control Services

When you’re a new homeowner in Knoxville, it can be tempting to place all your focus on setting up your house the way you want and exploring the community you’ve moved into. But take our word for it: nothing sours the purchase of a home quite like having household pests move in with you. After all, how can you rest easy in your new home knowing that there are mice racing through the walls or roaches scurrying about beneath the kitchen sink?

There are several simple, proactive measures you can take to prevent pest infestations on your property. Check out this checklist of things you should do as a new homeowner in Knoxville to keep rodents and bugs from settling under your roof.

• Find a Local Pest Control Company

It’s important to establish a connection with a pest control provider in Knoxville so that you have someone you can trust to help you prevent pest issues and resolve any problems that do occur. Find a local pest control company that is licensed, insured, and well-reviewed. At Critter Wranglers, we’re all three, and we’d be happy to serve as your trusted pest control partner.

• Schedule Annual Termite Inspections

Of all the pests that can infest your home in Knoxville, termites are the absolute worst of the lot. These wood-eating pests will hollow out walls and floors in your home, causing a massive amount of damage over time. Worse still, termites are stealthier than other pests and infestations are often almost undetectable at first. To make sure your home stays termite-free, schedule annual termite inspections with a local exterminator.

• Seal All Entry Points

Any point at which a pest can gain access to the interior of your home is known as an “entry point” in the pest control industry. These entry points come in many forms, with tinier pests like ants and spiders being able to slip in through almost any space. Inspect the foundation, walls and roof of your new home upon moving in for any holes or cracks that pests might be able to enter through. Close these entry points off with a durable sealant. You might also need to replace damaged screens and vent covers or flashing around windows and doors so that pests can’t get through.

• Install Rodent Bait Stations

Mice and rats are common nuisance species in the Knoxville area. One of the best methods to prevent these pests from accessing your home is to install bait stations around the perimeter of your house or hire a professional to do so. These bait stations will lure in rodents that have taken an interest in your property and feed them a deadly poison. Bait stations are specially designed so that children and pets can’t get into them; they’re only a danger to rats and mice.

• Clean Remote Spaces

While it’s custom for a newly purchased home to be cleaned out prior to move-in, there are some spaces which are generally given less attention. Such spaces include the attic, garage, crawl space or unfinished basement, and any sheds or other outbuildings on the property. People tend to enter these spaces less often and, not coincidentally, these areas are where pest infestations in the Knoxville area most commonly begin. After moving in, inspect these spaces for any signs of pest activity and clean out clutter and debris to deprive pests of hiding spaces.

• Remove Pest Attractants

To avoid having to pay for professional pest control services down the road, try to address anything on your property that makes your home a likely target for pest infestations. Examples of pest attractants include wood piles or brush piles, bushes growing densely against the home, overflowing gutters, and bird feeders placed too close to the house. Remember that all pests, from ants to rats, are attracted by the same three things: food, water, and shelter. Reducing how many of these things a bug or rodent can find on your property will make you less likely to suffer a pest invasion.

 

We Can Help You Complete Your Pest Control Checklist

Work your way through your pest control checklist in no time by partnering with a trusted pest control provider. Connect with Critter Wranglers today to learn more about our professional pest control services in the greater Knoxville area!