There are over 2,000 species of fleas, and every last one of them is a pest. They’re resilient, and hard to get rid of.

But not impossible.

We’ll tell you everything you need to know and exactly how to get rid of fleas – for good.

What Are Fleas?

Fleas are tiny blood-sucking parasites no more than a few millimeters long. The like hot humid climates, so places up north tend to get a reprieve from flea season. Every winter wills off a lot of the population and makes the rest go dormant.

Fleas drink blood. That’s why we most often find them on our pets. But they can live on any warmblooded creature. That includes wildlife like deer, skunks, bear, and raccoon. They can even live off you.

Some people are deathly allergic to flea bites, and they go into anaphylactic shock. If that happens to you, use an emergency EpiPen if you have one and immediately call 911.

But for most people, they’re more annoying than deadly.

The Flea Life Cycle

Understanding a flea’s life cycle can help you better control the fleas in your home. Each stage has to be treated differently. On average, fleas live for 30 to 90 days. But in the larval stage, they can go dormant for months.

Eggs

To make eggs, a female flea has to have available food – usually your pet. After a blood meal, she’ll lay up to 40 tiny white eggs on your pet’s skin every day. The eggs are small, smaller than a grain of sand.

As your pet walks around their environment, the eggs fall off and disperse. This infests carpets, fabrics, and especially the areas where your pet sleeps.

At this stage, it’s important to regularly bathe your pet. With any luck, you’ll be able to wash them down the drain before they can get into your home.

Eggs last anywhere from two days to two weeks. They like warm, humid environments where they think food is close. The surrounding temperatures will affect how long before the egg hatches

Larvae

The larvae stage lasts from about 5 to 20 days. They’re tiny almost translucent like worms that are usually no more than 1/4th inch long. They avoid light. Instead, they burrow into your carpet and fabric where they go unnoticed.

Most of the time, about 35% of the flea population in a given household is in the larvae state.

You can vacuum daily or use household pesticides with a growth regulator. The growth regulator will keep the insect from going on to the next life stage.

Larvae feed off organic debris in the house, like dust, dead skin, and flea dirt. Flea dirt is coagulated blood that’s already been digested and disposed of by adult fleas.

Regular vacuuming cleans up the food larvae need to eat. With less food, it’s harder for the larvae to survive.

Pupae

Another 10% of the flea population is typically in the pupae stage. The pupae is the cocoon the larvae flea makes before becoming a full-fledged adult flea. It can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. But some pupae will protect the adult flea for several years if conditions are bad.

The pupae stage is resistant to household pesticides. Since the chrysalis is sticky, they’re hard to get out of the carpet with only a light vacuuming or sweeping. Sometimes professional carpet deep cleans can help get rid of flea pupae.

Vacuum anyway. The vibrations trick the pupae into thinking there’s a large, edible animal close by. They think conditions are favorable. So they’re more likely to move onto the next stage more quickly.

Adult Flea

Like a hungry vampire, if a flea doesn’t feed on a host within a few hours, it will die.

Within a few hours after their blood meal, they’ll start to lay eggs and the cycle starts over again.

Most often, when you notice fleas in your home, they’ll be adults. They have an iconic shape, with a tiny body and even tinier legs. They’re easiest to recognize when they’re in the water. They float on their sides and you can better see their profile.

On your pet or in your home, they tend to look longer and flat, and they don’t have that distinct shape from a top view. Try to catch some off your pet with a flea comb so you can get a better view.

Here’s the scary part: Adult fleas only make up about 5% of the entire population in the home. So the fleas you can see are barely the start of it.

Where Do Fleas Come From?

Fleas will get into your home most often via your pets. They live in areas of your yard that are weedy or dense with fallen leaves. When a host walks by, they hop on and catch a ride.

Your pets can also pick them up from other animals, like wildlife, strays, or untreated dogs at the park.

Even if your dog is healthy, they can still easily get fleas. So make sure they’re on a reputable flea preventative. If you’re in a terrible flea area, like Florida, take your pet to the vet. You can get a prescription flea preventative – it’s worth it.

How Do I Know If I Have Fleas?

Most likely you’ll first notice fleas by watching your pet’s behavior. They’ll tend to be itchier than usual.

Start by looking for flea bites on your pet. Check underarms and bellies, since this will be the most likely place you can see the bites. They’ll look like little red bumps.

But even if you don’t see bites, your dog might still have fleas. Look for flea dirt in your pet. Cats are self-cleaning, so you may not find any. You could still have fleas.

Flea dirt in dogs is easy to find. Check especially at the base of the tail, since it’s hard for most dogs to lick that spot. Flea dirt will feel like very coarse dirt, like dirt that has caked up in the dog’s natural skin oils.

Sometimes that’s all it is – dirt caked in a dog’s skin oils. Flea dirt will be dark, almost black. To know for sure, put some flea dirt on a white paper towel and get it just barely damp. Mist it with a spray bottle for optimal results.

Then smear the dirt over the paper towel. Does it leave a dark rusty smear? Then it’s almost inevitably flea dirt.

As we mentioned above, flea dirt is essentially flea feces. It’s clumps of blood that an adult flea has already processed and relieved on your pet’s skin.

If you’re still not sure, get a flea comb. Flea combs are very fine-toothed combs designed to trap fleas between their teeth. Whenever you comb for fleas, keep a tub of water with dawn soap next to you. This is so you can rinse out any bugs and keep them from hopping back into your home.

How Can I Treat Flea Bites?

So you have fleas. If this is your first time experiencing fleas, it can be frustrating. You may even feel embarrassed if you grew up in an area that was relatively flea free.

Don’t be. Most likely, fleas are a seasonal thing. Flea season is just like mosquito season or any other summer pest. When you tell your friends your pet brought home fleas, they’ll have stories of their flea trouble.

Getting the issue under control so you and your pets can live comfortably is the next important step.

To treat flea bites, get anti-itch cream like caladryl calamine. If you or your pets are particularly bothered, get Benadryl. It comes in a pet form too, and it can help relieve the itch.

Call your vet especially if you live in an area where fleas are particularly bad. They can prescribe extra strength flea medication to protect your pet. They can even prescribe medication that kills fleas on contact. This can help keep your infestation from getting worse.

Once you’re not suffering from flea bites anymore, you can go on to treating the issue directly.

Treat the Issue

Once the itching is under control, you can tackle the fleas directly. Let’s start with your pets. If possible, try to figure out where your pet got fleas in the first place. It may be a strange dog park you went to, or it may be a spot in your yard.

Try to avoid those places to avoid reinfestation, and clean up your yard to keep a safe home.

Since your pets are likely the biggest factor, get them on a flea control medication. Give them regular baths to wash out adult fleas and flea eggs.

Do not use flea soap on your pets. Some flea soaps meant for dogs will kill cats. And other flea soaps can make your pets sick. Dawn dish soap works perfectly fine.

You may want to consider grocery store flea control spray. That may help but get a reputable brand. It’ll be more expensive, but it will be safer for your home and your pets. It’ll be more effective too.

Keep your home clean. Vacuum and sweep daily and clear your yard of any place fleas might like to hide. A good defense is your best offense when it comes to fleas.

Regularly vacuum upholstery and wash anything your pets regularly sleep on.

Use These Tips to Show You How to Get Rid of Fleas

Fleas are troublesome, frustrating pests. But now you know how to get rid of fleas from your pets and out of your home. If you want professional help to get rid of fleas quickly, call us today.

Worried your home may be infested with pests? We can help. Get a free pest control estimate today! 

Pest problems come in all shapes and sizes. Some start from unclean conditions while others begin in even the cleanest of homes.

Nobody wants bugs in their home. Let’s take a look at the most common Tennessee insects.

Tennessee Insects that Invade Homes

This landlocked state extends 440 miles, with 6 distinct land regions. All sorts of insects can thrive in the state’s environment.

Don’t let that affect your home. Keep out harmful insects to stop the problem before it begins.

Ants

This little insect can cause a huge headache for homeowners. While some types, like little black ants, are simply annoying, others can cause damage and even harm your family.

Acrobat Ants

Acrobat ants carry a heart-shaped abdomen and come in many colors. Their size ranges from 1/16th to 1/8th of an inch.

The workers tend to look like an acrobat as they lift their abdomens over their heads. These pests end to nest all over the house.

Throw out food contaminated by these ants and watch out for the workers as they bite and give off a foul odor when killed. They tend to nest all around the house and require professional ant control.

To prevent them, keep piles of leaves and decaying branches away from your home. Also, clean out your gutters, as clogged debris will attract these pests.

Argentine Ants

They appear shiny black or brown and sport segmented antennae. These ants grow anywhere from 1/16th of an inch to a quarter-inch long.

You can smell large Argentine ant colonies. They give off a musty odor.

These guys colonize homes in large quantities, making extermination extremely difficult. They crawl in through open windows and doors, and cracks in the foundation. Close them out and seal any foundational cracks you see in the home.

Carpenter Ants

They only come in black and grow much bigger than the other species. These guys can get anywhere from 1/8th of an inch to a quarter-inch long.

These guys cause much more than an annoyance to homeowners. Carpenter ants create nesting sites in wood. They cause significant damage in homes as they nest.

Keep them out by sealing cracks in the foundation, especially where pipes and wires enter the home. Also, take care of any leaks or moisture problems.

Fire Ants

Fire ants contain a copper-colored head with red, black, or brown bodies. During times of drought, flood, or extreme heat, these pests enter into homes in search of food, water, and shelter.

These pests will invade your home and hunt down anything that threatens their colony. A fire ant sting causes instantaneous, intense pain.

Odorous Ants

This species of ant will not hurt you, but their scent will bother your senses. These Tenessee bugs are tiny with an unevenly shaped thorax.

Due to their size, the smallest crack gives them an opportunity to invade the home for food and water.

Like any other ant, keep them out by closing doors, windows, and any cracks in the foundation. Also, keep the home clean and free of food crumbs.

Carpenter Bees

These large bees can grow from 1 to 1.5 inches in length. They have a shiny abdomen. Females appear completely black in color, while males look orange.

These common pests fly solo, so each female creates her own little nest. The female will bore into wood to lay her eggs.

This creates minimal structural damage. However, these nests attract woodpeckers, which will cause significant damage to your home.

To prevent these pests from nesting, spray the wood on your home with citrus or almond oil, as these scents tend to repel them. Painting and staining the wood will also help keep them from nesting.

Cockroaches

Depending on the species, cockroaches can grow anywhere from half an inch to 2 inches long. Their coloring can appear reddish-brown, tan, or shiny black.

They typically do not cause any structural damage. But, they do destroy the sanitation in your home.

These nasty critters can pose a threat to you as they often travel through sewers, garbage, and fecal matter. They carry harmful bacteria that spread disease, and their excrement can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks.

You can accidentally introduce cockroaches into your home from contaminated packages or used furniture. They can also enter the house through pipes, drains, and cracks.

Prevent cockroaches in your Memphis home by sealing cracks and spaces around pipes and drains. Also, inspect packages and anything used you bring into your home. Keeping your home clean and properly storing garbage will also help to keep these bugs at bay.

If they do colonize your home, you may see ridged, cylindrical droppings. Cockroach infestations also tend to muster up a distinct pungent, must odor. Call for help in exterminating these bad boys before they pose a health risk.

Hylotrupes

Also known as, old house borers, and the longhorn beetle, they appear flatter than most beetles and grayish-black in color. Their wing covers contain white stripes and they have two shiny segmented areas behind the head with antennae that stretch as long as or longer than the bug itself.

The larvae of these common house beetles can appear cream-colored or grayish-white. Their heads are rounded and they contain mandibles and three eyes on the sides of their heads.

These beetles typically come from contaminated wood from lumberyards. They mate in late summer months. Each female lays about 200 eggs into softwood.

For about 2 to 10 years, the larvae will feed on the wood to mature. Once they reach full size, they will burrow out of the wood to produce another generation.  Over time, this process can create serious structural damage.

You can prevent these pests by only using kiln-dried lumber that never got left outside in the late summer months. Also, properly ventilated, as moisture will soften the wood and make it more prone to infestation.

Keep an eye out for the larvae exit holes in your home’s wood. If you find them, then know that the only way to completely rid your home of an infestation is to fumigate.

Termites

Termites infest around 600,000 homes in the United States annually and cause approximately $40 billion in damage around the globe, making them one of the most common home insects. Tennessee is not exempt from the termite’s reign of terror, so you should know how to identify, prevent, and eradicate them.

Winged termites possess two straight antennae and 4 wings. Each of the wings grows to the same length as the termite’s body. These guys appear brown or black in color.

However, you may see termites without wings as well. Worker termites appear white or translucent with antennae while soldier termites look brown in color with antennae and pincers, and neither have wings.

Leaks and other moisture issues will attract these Tennessee bugs. They can also come in by way ow wood that comes into contact with the structure of the home and through cracks in the foundation.

You can prevent an infestation by correcting these issues that attract them. Replace fix leak and plumbing problems, replace damaged wood, and properly ventilate your home.

Despite the best prevention efforts, sometimes these pests break-in. If termites do infest your home, identifying the problem quickly can save you a ton of money.

Listen to your walls. You can hear moving and scratching noises with a large infestation.

Also, look for visible signs of these Tennessee insects. You may see their wings near windowsills and doors in the springtime, as they shed them after mating.

If you do not catch them right away, you may see signs of their structural damage. Pay attention to uneven or bubbling paint and any wood damage around the home.

By the time you notice the infestation, you most likely cannot handle the problem yourself. Call a professional to treat a termite infestation.

Wasps

Though wasps and bees may appear similar to some people, wasps do not buzz around pollinating plants. These aggressive creatures can pose a problem for you and your house if they nest on your property.

Wasps usually appear black or brown with yellow markings and gray wings. They are longer and more slender than bees and their back legs hang down during flight.

These predatory creatures feed on other insects and look for spaces, like attics, walls, and chimneys, to survive the winter. Wasps generally search for the opportunity to get into a home, like already splintered wood, rather than working their way in. So, they do not create the same level of structural damage as termites or carpenter ants, but their nests can still damage the ceiling and wallboards with their nests.

Capping chimneys and vent covers, keeping intact screens on doors and windows, caulking around windows, and repairing broken shingles can make it more difficult for wasp queens to choose your home as nesting space. Also, trim trees and shrubs away from the house, as that will draw them near.

If you do suspect a wasp infestation, contact a professional right away. Many species of wasps carry a potent venom that stings badly and can even cause a life-threatening allergic reaction.

They protect their nests fiercely. So whether your little one curiously pokes around at it or you attempt to remove it, they will go into an aggressive attack mode.

Call a Professional Memphis Tennessee Exterminator

Many Tennessee insects play a role in balancing the ecosystem. However, they do much more harm than good once they enter your home. 

Insect infestations do not go away on their own. They can be difficult to treat.

We can help! If you suspect a pest problem in your home, call us right away for your free estimate!

Pest Control in Tennessee

Tennessee is a land unto itself. Residents and visitors alike are drawn to the immense wild beauty, awesome attractions, and rock n’ soul attitude the Volunteer State affords. But the attraction for people is also an attraction for pests of all kinds into homes and businesses. How do you know the pest control company you’re trusting around your family and pets is reputable? How do you know their treatments are effective? With more than two decades serving our friends and neighbors in the community that we love, Inman-Murphy has the knowledge, skills, and experience to become your trusted partner in pest control and prevention. Read on as we explore some of our more frequently asked questions from other Tennessians considering Inman-Murphy pest control services.

What do pest control companies do?

Any pest control company worth their weight will take an integrated approach to your home or business’s pest control management. This requires a multi-pronged treatment plan including an on-site inspection of the present conditions and underlying issues. With this knowledge, the technician should then prepare a detailed plan of attack for treating the issues. There should also be a plan in place for the preventative measures that need to be taken to prevent infestations from reoccurring. Our trained and experienced technicians have the certification and licensure from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture that gives us the ability to treat an incredibly wide range of common pest control issues in Tennessee. Currently, we hold licensing in Bird Control (BDC), Fumigation-Structural (FUM), General Pest and Rodent Control (GRC), and Wood Destroying Organisms (WDO). A pest control company should come into your home or business and quickly be able to spot and neutralize the infestation using pesticides, habitat removal, and limiting the available ingress points into the property. From there, regular maintenance treatments helps to ensure the pests don’t return.

What kind of bugs are most common in Memphis, TN?

At Inman-Murphy we see a wide range of different native pests, as well as, some invasive species making their way into our area. However, by far the most common types of pests in Memphis are Termites, Ants, Bed Bugs, Roaches, Spiders, Mice & Rodents, Wasps, and Mosquitos. In autumn, we also see a great many boxelder bugs in Memphis and the surrounding counties.

How much does it cost to get a pest inspection?

Prices for inspection vary on the size of the property and other factors like ease of access in and around the property. We offer completely free estimates with a detailed description of the services that will be done so you can make the best decision for your home or business after you know all the facts.

How much does it cost for monthly pest control services?

Prices for residential or commercial pest control can vary significantly based on a variety of factors such as the size of the space, level of infestation, type of treatments to be used, etc. We want you to be confident in your choice to use Inman-Murphy pest control so offer 100% free estimates that will go into complete detail about the issues we’ve found, the path to remediation, and all of the costs therein. We don’t believe in presenting a “one-size fits all” low price and then jacking it up after inspection but would rather give you peace of mind by explaining the full extent of your issue and everything needed to make it right. This honest and upfront approach is why we’ve been trusted by our friends and neighbors in Memphis and the surrounding areas for more than 20 years.

Questions About Specific Insects and Pests in Memphis

Are there cockroaches in Memphis?

Unfortunately, yes. Roaches are some of the most common pests worldwide. Because of their nasty habit to infiltrate our food sources, roaches can also be some of the most harmful to your health. Their defecation and secretions can litter an area where roaches have taken up residency and their bodies are known to carry pathogens, which can cause severe sickness or allergic reactions. German cockroaches are some of the most prevalent species – you’ll recognize them by their relatively small size and parallel brown bands on either side of their heads. The species matures rapidly and reproduces almost continuously, with large hatching counts compared to other species, making their populations grow almost exponentially and quite rapidly. The old adage rings true, if you spot one cockroach, chances are good there are many more nearby. Schedule an inspection today to rid your home or business of these nuisance pests.

How do you get rid of termites?

Every situation for exterminating termites from a home or business is unique. Depending on the size of the property, the location, the extent of the infestation, the food source, etc. the integrated pest management plan will differ. Inman-Murphy technicians are trained and certified to inspect your property, locate the problem, neutralize the infestation, and prevent future infestations from occurring. We deploy a variety of tools in our arsenal to accomplish this task including EPA-certified pesticides and fumigation. We also look to help property owners spot likely problem areas like woodstacks near the home or unvented crawl spaces. At Inman-Murphy, we take a proactive approach and utilize innovative equipment and techniques to completely rid your home or business of termites.

Are termites harmful to humans?

Termites are not poisonous and do not act as carriers for pathogens like other types of pests can. However, termites are quite good at causing property damage. Subterranean termites typically swarm in the spring and drywood termites during the late summer or fall. When termites swarm, they are trying to establish new colonies. When this happens to be in the woodwork of your home or business, this can mean significant wood damage over time. Often, these pests will go undetected for long periods as the traces termites leave of their presence can be hard to spot to the untrained eye. If you see certain tell-tale termite signs such as mud tubes around your foundations, piles of wings, or small piles of termite droppings (resembling salt and pepper), chances are good you’ve already got an infestation and need to schedule a service right away.

How do you get rid of bed bugs?

Inman-Murphy technicians are trained in the latest techniques for safely and efficiently removing pests like dreaded bed bugs. One of the least invasive and innovative treatment plans we offer is through the specialized application of heat. By creating an environment too hot for the bugs and their eggs to survive, over a few hours technicians can completely rid a property of a bed bug infestation.

Can you see bed bugs?

Adult bed bugs are visible to the naked eye, but they are incredibly small – usually no more than a quarter of an inch. Bed bugs are so named because they can usually be found in beds, due to the proximity of their food source – blood. Bed bug bites aren’t poisonous and their bites aren’t usually painful but a bite can lead to a nasty allergic reaction in some people or can lead to an infection if not treated properly. If you consistently wake up with red welts, check around your bed area for a small, tan or brown wingless bed bug. If you spot one or want a professional inspection, call our knowledgeable service representatives today.

What is a natural way to repel bugs?

The best offense is a good defense applies to pest prevention aptly. Bugs and creepy crawlies will look for a habitat that affords good protection and ample food and water sources. Try to keep your yard free of large stacks of wood and other brush. Also try and thin out or underbrush any wooded areas away from the home. If your home has a crawl space, make sure it remains well ventilated. Cracks around doors and windows should be filled and the screens for attic ventilation should be inspected and repaired, as needed. As well, there are also several varieties of plants you can plant around your yard that will naturally repel some pests like mosquitos. Citronella, lavender, and lemongrass are among these. When chemicals are necessary, Inman-Murphy only uses EPA-approved pesticides to ensure the safety of you and your family or place of business.

What is the most poisonous snake in Memphis?

There are four types of venomous snakes found in Memphis and throughout Tennessee. These are the Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Timber Rattlesnake, and Pygmy Rattlesnake. Of these four, the Timber Rattlesnake is by far the most dangerous because of its sheer size, long fangs which can easily penetrate clothing, and high venom yield. Timber Rattlesnakes, as their name implies, prefer wooded areas and can often be found sunning themselves on a log or a sunny rock. Of the pit viper family, Timber Rattlesnakes can inject a large dose of hemotoxic venom, which, if not treated very quickly, can cause widespread tissue damage, and even death. If you spot a snake you’re unsure about, call our snake removal experts to safely and effectively take care of the problem.

Are mosquitoes bad in Memphis?

Mosquitos are prevalent anywhere there is enough stagnant water in which to lay eggs and can be found in almost every climate on Earth. With the proximity of the Mississippi river running alongside Memphis and the numerous bodies of water, swamplands, and other waterways crisscrossing the city, mosquito numbers can be particularly bad during the warm summer months. Mosquito larvae only take around 10 to 14 days to fully develop in standing water and new hatchlings are keen on two things – feeding and breeding. However, it’s actually only the female mosquitoes that bite. If you’re experiencing a constant buzzing while trying to sit outside at night, call our experts to begin a mosquito mitigation plan today.

Will a bug zapper kill June bugs?

If a June bug flies into a bug zapper, it will almost assuredly be killed by the electrical current. However, June bugs, which are actually a non-scientific name applied to several varieties of Scarab beetle, can be fairly large and round in shape and might not fit between the protective grates of many zappers on the market. One of the most effective methods for controlling June bugs is by killing their larvae before they develop into adults. Even as grubs, June bugs can be destructive to your lawn and garden plants. Inman-Murphy technicians can apply specialized pesticides to your lawn and garden that specifically target these larvae. If June bugs are killing the atmosphere of your backyard get-together, call now to schedule an appointment to mitigate the problem.

What attracts June bugs?

June bugs are generally most active at night. They will be attracted to any lights around your property and even brightly lit windows. The larvae live underground and feed on the root systems of grass, trees, and other plants. If you’re noticing a large amount of brown spots around your lawn, it may be associated with June bug larvae and a treatment plan should be started to protect your landscape.

What attracts boxelder bugs?

Boxelder bugs are so-named for their favorite food, the boxelder trees’ seeds and leaves. They also like fruit trees like apples and plums but will settle for a wide variety of other trees, as well. They can become a nuisance as large numbers tend to gather in warm, sunny locations like the sides of houses in the late summer and early autumn months. When it starts getting cold, boxelder bugs will seek out shelter like the cozy cracks and crevices around your home. If you notice a boxelder bug infestation around your home or business, call today for efficient removal.

How do I permanently get rid of boxelder bugs?

Any pest control plan requires an integrative approach to truly be effective. If you have boxelder trees or other trees that these bugs like to feed on, it’s a good idea to take steps to help mitigate the seasonal infestation of boxelder bugs. A great non-toxic place to start is diatomaceous earth. This finely ground powder is made up of the fossilized remains of algae. The fine particles cling to the boxelder bug’s exoskeleton and dehydrates and kills quickly. You can sprinkle the powder around your trees and the perimeter of your home as a good first line of defense. Next, treat the cracks, crevices, and other possible entry points of your home with a good, quality insecticide. Not sure what to use? Let our technicians come up with a customized pest control solution for your specific location.

Your home is the host for between 32 and 211 different types of bugs.

Does that bug you? If so, you’re not alone. Unless you chose etymology as your career, you probably aren’t interested in face-to-face contact with bugs or pests of any kind.

We get it, although bugs are kind of our thing.

Knowledge is power when it comes to bugs in your home. Learn about 11 common household pests and what you can do to keep them out of your home.

1. Flies

One of the most common insects found in Tennessee homes is the house fly.

Everyone has that annoying fly that visits simply because a door or window is open. If you have more than the occasional visitor you may have a sanitation issue.

If you have leaky faucets, don’t remove pet feces, or leave food out on the counters, you’re putting out the welcome mat for house flies.

House flies are dangerous because they carry bacteria on their legs and bodies.

Controlling house flies isn’t an easy task. A good starting point is storing food in the refrigerator in covered containers. Washing dishes immediately after meals rather than leaving dirty dishes to pile up in the sink is another proactive control method.

If you have a recurring house fly problem, the best cure is a year-round program designed to control household pests.

2. Ants

You may have never seen a bedbug, a cockroach, or a flea (all common household pests) but you’ve most certainly seen an ant. And rest assured, if you’ve seen one, an entire army will soon follow.

Odorous house ants are a common ant species found in Tennessee homes. Step on one and you’ll wish you hadn’t—they smell like rotten coconut.

Some species, like the pharaoh ant, carry diseases. Fire ants deliver a nasty sting that may require medical attention if you’re sensitive to its venom. Carpenter ants wreak havoc on wood structures because they excavate so that they have a place to build their nests.

Other than the ants that transmit disease, sting, and destroy, most ants are just a nuisance. They contaminate food meaning you must dispose of it. And they’re difficult to get rid of on your own.

3. Cockroaches

The name is enough to give a person the heebie-jeebies but if you have a cockroach infestation in your home, your nerves may not be the only part of your body in danger.

One common cockroach found in Memphis homes is the brown-banded cockroach. These lovelies can make a person sick. They carry and spread a variety of diseases and bacteria, including E. coli and Salmonella.

An interesting fact about the brown-banded cockroach—they shed their skin and leave behind their feces. If you have an infestation, check your cabinets, you’ll find evidence of both. Some people are so sensitive to cockroach “gifts” they have asthma and allergy attacks when exposed to them.

American and German cockroaches also invade homes and like their other cockroach friends, they carry disease. They contaminate any food they touch. Cockroaches also destroy wallpaper and books because they feed on the glue.

Preventing cockroach infestations begins with a clean environment. Once you have them in your home, they breed quickly. Using DIY bug sprays and bombs or roach hotels isn’t effective and may be dangerous for you and your family.

Roach infestations are better handled by the people who know them best—a pest control team.

4. Indian Meal Moths

Speaking of bugs and food, have you ever opened your pantry and found moths? If so, you’ve encountered another common household pest—the Indian meal moth.

Unlike cockroach infestations, meal moths aren’t associated with filth. They tag along with the foods you buy from a store infested with their larvae. You’ll find them in cereals, pasta, rice, flour, spices, and nuts. They also infest dry pet food and birdseed.

Indian meal moths don’t bite, sting, or carry disease. Instead, they lay eggs in their favorite food products, meaning you shouldn’t eat that pancake mix if you find these pantry pests hanging out in it.

Avoid Indian meal moths by inspecting packaged foods before you buy them. Look for tears and holes in bags and boxes. Once you get pantry items home, rotate them frequently and throw away outdated goods.

5. Termites

If you want to scare a homeowner, talk about termites. The Eastern subterranean termite is commonly found in Tennessee and most other states in the country.

Termites live in underground nests. Their favorite meal is cellulose, which they find in soil, leaves, and wood. But their appetite for wood is what frightens homeowners.

Once they get inside your home, they go to town on the wood structure. They’re not like ants, houseflies, or roaches who march (or fly) defiantly across countertops. These pests remain hidden and you may not know you have them for several months, or even years.

Don’t even attempt to eradicate these pests on your own.

6. Earwigs

Let’s talk about something more pleasant for a minute. Earwigs. It’s fun to say, isn’t it?

Earwigs are the subject of myths and for some people, nightmares. 

The truth is these bugs, also called pincher bugs, don’t crawl in your ears, at least not deliberately. They prefer living outside underneath piles of leaves, grass, or mulch.

Earwigs love cool environments. If you see them in your home, it’s probably due to hot, dry weather conditions outside. If you don’t like earwigs, make it difficult for them to come inside.

Don’t leave grass and leaves piled up outside. Seal cracks in your foundation and caulk gaps in window and doorframes.

Hint: The pinchers on the male earwigs aren’t meant for biting humans. They use them as a self-defense mechanism against their fellow earwigs.

7. Silverfish

Silverfish live everywhere in the United States in bathrooms and basements. They also congregate in attics and crawl spaces. Have you figured out they thrive in areas with high humidity levels?

The main diet of silverfish is starch and your home is an excellent place for eating starch. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but they’ll feast on any of the following:

• Paper
• Books bindings
• Photos
• Glue
• Sugar
• Dandruff
• Human Hair

You were probably okay with the paper products, but hair and dandruff? Well, silverfish do work mainly at night. If it’s any consolation, they don’t bite.

Prevention is possible if you vacuum, keep tubs and sinks clean, and use a dehumidifier.

Once you have a silverfish infestation, unless you plan on staying up all night with a newspaper in hand, you’ll soon feel discouraged. These pests are quick and elusive.

Exterminators know silverfish and their habits and can get rid of them better than you can.

8. Stink Bugs

Stink bugs are probably the most fun insect you can have in a house! Forget for a minute that they smell and just look at them.

With bodies shaped like little shields, they march around on six legs. The two adorable antennas help them find food and detect enemies. Okay, perhaps we’re talking up the stink bug too much but they are cute.

If you have them inside your home, it’s because they don’t like the cold and winter is coming.

Gardeners hate them, especially if they grow any of the stinkbug staples like tomatoes, grapes, apples, peppers, and peaches. They also like soybeans.

Stink bugs don’t bite, carry disease, or destroy your home. They do smell terrible if you smash them!

Keep them out by sealing your home’s cracks and crevices. If that doesn’t work, get on a pest control program with a professional exterminating company.

9. Spiders

Spiders can’t be that bad, right? After all, one of the most beloved children’s books tells the story of one special spider named Charlotte.

Unfortunately, as much as we love reading about friendly spiders, we don’t like them in our homes.

Some spiders are harmless, quietly spinning webs in corners of basements, attics, and yes, bedrooms and living rooms. Others, like the black widow and brown recluse spiders, are venomous. If either of these spiders bite you, seek medical attention!

For the other spiders such as the common house spider and the wolf spider, if you don’t want them in the house, seal up any openings where they can fit through. Also, since they prey on bugs, don’t leave dead ones lying around.

For those people who prefer reading about spiders rather than hosting them, a pest control program is your best solution.

By the way, E.B. White’s famous spider’s full name was Charlotte A. Cavatica. She was a barn spider, known by its scientific name, Araneus cavaticus. You can look but you likely won’t find a Charlotte inside your home.

10. Fleas

Now that we’ve talked about some of the more endearing household pests, let’s discuss two no one wants in their home.

The first pest is the flea. Fleas are parasites and feed on blood. Fleas aren’t picky—they’ll bite on cats, dogs, or you.

There’s nothing charming about adult fleas, or their eggs and larvae. 
Adult fleas bite and leave itchy red bumps on the skin. Flea bites may cause allergic reactions in both people and animals.

The flea species found in Tennessee can infect humans and pets with bubonic plague and murine flea-born typhus. Fleas also host tapeworms, which is one reason why vets push flea prevention for dogs and cats.

Your vet can treat your pets for flea infestations but your home will need attention from an exterminator.

11. Bed Bugs

The last pest we’ll talk about for now is the dreaded bed bug.

Like fleas, bed bugs are parasites and feed on blood. They’ll take any warm-blooded creature but they prefer humans.

Places like hotels and airports are hot spots for bed bugs but so are apartment buildings. If you’re curious whether they live in your home, lift up your mattress and look for tiny reddish-brown bugs.

Be aware they don’t only thrive in the crevices of your mattress. Bed bugs also live in the seams of upholstered chairs and couches. They hide behind baseboards, wallpaper, and electrical switch-plates.

Yes, they bite and it’s unpleasant, but they don’t carry diseases. Even so, you don’t want them in your home.

Bed bugs are impossible to get rid of on your own. It’s not only the adults that need help leaving, but it’s also the nymphs and eggs. If you have them, let a professional help so that you can sleep in peace.

Get Rid of Your Household Pests Today

Thanks for reading about a few of the more common bugs found in homes here in Tennessee. You may find others, not on this list.

The important thing to remember is while household pests are common, you don’t need to put up with them.

We’ve helped people take care of pest problems for over 20 years. Call us today and let’s figure out the best solution to your unwanted houseguests — pests, not people.

Knowing how to prevent pests from entering your house is an absolute must for any homeowner. Having pests can take away from your sense of well-being and security, and can throw you into depression. 

They can also cost you financially, as you will have to spend money replacing food and drinks that pests have ruined. 

Once these pests get in, they are very difficult to kick out. Depending on the types of pests infesting your home, you’ll need to take different measures to get rid of them. 

No matter what you do, fighting pests will cost you time and money, so it’s best you prevent them from getting in altogether. 

Lucky for homeowners, there are many things that can be done to prevent infestation, or at the very least, stop it from getting worse.

If you are at the stage where your primary goal is just not letting the problem get worse, you will need to call a professional. Some pests will infest a home and can’t be removed by any means available to the average person. 

So read this guide carefully to determine how you can prevent pests, stop them from spreading, and to learn when it’s time to call an exterminator. 

1. Knowing How to Prevent Pests Starts with Cleaning 

The number one reason most house pests will settle into your home is because of the food they know is there for them. It’s for this exact reason that you should do your best clean up after yourself. 

The amount of food residue on crumbs and unwashed dishes might be minuscule for humans, but for insects, you may as well have left out a 3-course-meal. Always wash up any crumbs, dishes, or messes the second you see them. 

Denying access to food can make all types of pests move elsewhere. Roaches, mice, rats, and ants don’t want to stick around in any place where they can’t get a free meal. 

Cleaning also doesn’t always go far enough. Deny further access to food by pouring out anything contained in a cardboard box into a plastic container. 

This will prevent any mice or rodents from chewing through the box, and preventing bugs from crawling in through any holes. 

2. Seal Any Cracks You Find 

Although most pests are flexible and can get into your house from really small holes, they do have limits. 

Look around your roof, the crawlspace beneath the house, and inside your attic. Find any holes a mouse or insect might try to crawl through. 

Once you find them, seal them up with steel wool, rubber cement, or anything that can’t be chewed through by any rats, or crawled under by any insects. 

Also, make sure there are no tears in your bug mesh. Doing this will prevent any flying insects from getting inside your house, and physically secure your house from common house bugs. 

3. Check the Area Around Your House 

Wasps, hornets, and rodents can still be a plague on your house even if they can’t get inside. 

Some species of rodents are capable of making colonies in bushes outside of homes. Once they’ve done this, they can start snacking on your garbage. 

Wasps and their ilk may also take interest in your trash, and are a huge nuisance during any outdoor get-togethers. 

You can prevent these sorts of rodent colonies from forming by trimming the hedges around your house. 

For wasps and hornets, your best bet is to destroy their nests before they’re complete. Usually, only a queen wasp will start building a nest. If the nest is not staying up, she will move to a location where it will. 

If you’ve already got a full formed hornet’s nest on your hands, you should call a professional to remove it. 

Hornets are very aggressive. Their stings hurt a lot but aren’t likely to kill you unless you have an allergy. And it’s best not to find out that you’re deathly allergic to wasp stings the hard way. 

4. Get a Dehumidifier to Combat Spiders 

Spiders usually make their homes in dark, humid places. This is why dehumidifiers are so important. 

Just leave the dehumidifier wherever the infestation has occurred, and after a while, the spider population should go down significantly. 

This hands-off approach is especially good for anyone who is understandably unwilling to expose themselves to spiders for a long period of time. 

This is especially preferable if the spiders are venomous like black widows or brown recluses, both of which are common in Memphis.

Although if a pest in the house is venomous, calling a trained professional to get rid of them is the safest course of action. 

5. Bed Bugs Don’t like Heat 

Unfortunately, cleanliness is not enough to get rid of bed bugs. Unlike the other critters on this list, bed bugs survive by sucking human blood. 

They also don’t need to smell food, crawl into your house, or fly to get into your home. Bed bugs most often take refuge in fabric and travel on people’s clothes and reproduce in people’s homes. 

You can get rid of bed bugs without calling an exterminator. However, you will spend the same amount of money getting rid of your furniture and buying new furniture as hiring an exterminator. 

So, you’re better off getting a professional to make sure they’re gone. But, if you’d like to cull their numbers, you need to throw out any furniture with fabric. 

Then you need to wash anything that can be washed. The most important part of this is to dry these clothes on the highest possible heat setting for the longest amount of time. 

Bed bugs can’t survive high temperatures, and they can’t survive without blood. So you’ll also need to put your clothes in plastic bags, and put them on a radiator for a while before you put them on. 

6. Secure Your Trash Lids and Use Poison

Pests that live outside are likely to eat your garbage. So if you want to avoid flies or rodents tearing holes in your trash, make sure the lid is sealed properly. 

If you want to go the extra mile, you can leave out rat poison outside your house. if you’ve been starving them, they’ll be desperate for any food they can get. 

Once enough members of the colony are dying of starvation or poison, they’ll get the memo that your house is dangerous, and move on assuming they don’t all die. 

If you have any outside pets, you should avoid putting out poison so that your animal doesn’t eat any by accident. 

7. Invest in Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is the best preventative method for dealing with an insect or spider. If your household pests are mammals, diatomaceous earth will not help you. 

Diatomaceous earth is the crystalline remains of microscopic creatures that lived on earth a long time ago. Unfortunately for modern insects, the diatomaceous earth is like shards of glass against their exoskeleton. 

When an insect with an exoskeleton is covered in it, their exoskeleton is shredded, leaving them exposed and causing them to dry out and die. 

You can spread this along the ground, or cover any insects you see with it and they’ll die pretty quickly. 

Insects are unlikely to eat diatomaceous earth because it can also tear them apart from the inside. 

8. Know When to Call a Professional 

If you’ve tried everything and household pests somehow continue to find a way to survive in your home, you need to call a professional. 

You may have missed something, or your infestation may not be something an untrained person can deal with. Plus, hiring an exterminator leaves you free to do what you need to, instead of killing vermin all day. 

You should also call an exterminator if you think you have termites. Termites cause a billion dollars in property damage every year, and you don’t want to miss any of them in a DIY extermination attempt. 

Even if you don’t think you have termites, checking for termites is simple, and is worth your while to avoid damage in the future. 

Take Your Memphis Home Back from Pests

Once your home is infested with vermin, and you’ve been fighting them for a while, you can start to feel powerless. 

Vermin can make themselves seem like they’re everywhere you look, and that there’s no escaping them. After all, your home is supposed to be your sanctuary, and an infestation can start to feel personal after a while. 

However, you should always do your best to maintain your composure. Panicking is not the recommended course of action in any scenario. 

If you can keep a cool head, you’ll be able to put all of the previous tips into action and maximize the effectiveness of each. 

And it’s important to remember that regaining control over your house is possible. Plus, you’ll never forget how to prevent pests from getting in once you’ve finally gotten rid of them. 

You don’t have to feel your skin crawl every time you see something small flicker by in your peripheral vision. 

If the problem has become too much for you to handle, there are exterminators who can help you regain your peace of mind. 

Schedule an appointment with the experts today and take your life back. 

Are you interested in natural ways to keep pests out of your home? Certain houseplants can do the trick. Not only can plants deter pests, indoor plants offer significant health benefits. They can reduce pollutants in the air, boost your mood, and help you think better and smarter.

When selecting indoor plants for your home, don’t forget to think about pests. Some plants attract them while others do a better job of keeping pests away. The following houseplants can help you combat your indoor or patio pest problems.

Citrosa (Mosquito Plant)

This hybrid plant is a cross between African geraniums and Chinese Citronella grass. The plant’s green leaves contain citronella oil which mosquitos will do anything to avoid. The plant is most effective if you crush the leaves and rub it directly on your skin. This plant can grow up to a foot tall indoors and prefers full sun or partial shade. Occasional water and plant food are needed for the plant to thrive.

Catnip

While your cat will love it, cockroaches and mosquitoes hate it. Catnip contains nepetalactone which is a natural cockroach deterrent. The plant is non-toxic to humans and pets and works best when small amounts are placed in areas where pests congregate. You can create a spray repellant by simmering small amounts of catnip in water and using a spray bottle to spray baseboard corners and doorways. Keep in mind, this type of repellent will also attract cats. Catnip can grow to about six inches tall and enjoys a sunny location with good soil drainage.

Venus Flytrap

It’s easy to understand why a carnivorous plant won’t attract many bugs! These unique plants are native to wetlands on the East Coast and the Carolinas. Its leaves form a trapping structure triggered by tiny hairs on the surface. If a bug crawls on them and touches one of the hairs, the leaf trap closes and the plant digests the insect. Venus flytraps can grow up to six inches tall and can help get rid of flies and gnats in the home. They prefer sun and damp soil.

Lavender

While lavender is a relaxing for humans, it’s also known to repel flies, fleas, mosquitoes, and moths. It can be grown indoors in a container slightly larger than the root ball. They prefer sunny and dry areas with good drainage. Cut some of the lavender to create bouquets in vases throughout your home. As the lavender dries, it will continue to offer a sweet fragrance while keeping pests away.

Culinary Herbs

Indoor herb gardens offer dual functions. They keep pests at bay while providing you with fresh spices for cooking. Many herbs can be grown in a pot together, except mint, which grows rapidly and would take over the container.

• Basil: Repels mosquitoes and flies and is a great spice for Italian dishes.
• Chamomile: Deters flying insects and makes a soothing tea.
• Lemon Thyme: Repels mosquitoes and can add zest to many dishes.
• Spearmint: Repels ants, beetles, fleas, moths, and rodents. Adds a nice flavor to sauces and drinks.

Try one of these plants in your home or on your picnic table to reduce pests indoors and around eating areas. If pests become a bigger problem, let the experts at Inman-Murphy Termite and Pest Control handle the dirty work for you. Call us today at 901-388-0852 or request a free estimate online.

 

Some pests can be easily exterminated or discouraged from being inside your home with natural methods and common store-bought products. However, not every pest issue can be managed with DIY methods alone.

Here we’re helping you identify when a pest issue can be handled on your own and when to call the professionals to get involved.

When It’s Okay for DIY Pest Control

Tiny Sugar Ants

Do sugar ants invade your home in the spring or summer? Ants may not be a nuisance outside, but when they come inside and invade your kitchen counters, that’s when they need to go.

Natural DIY methods, gels, or ant homes may do the trick. However, if the ants continue to come marching and it’s difficult to kill the entire colony, call the professionals for reinforcement.

Seasonal Spiders

Spiders often enter homes in late summer and early fall seasons. While their presence is never appreciated inside, spiders help with pest control by eating roaches, earwigs, mosquitos, flies, and more.

When possible, set harmless spiders free rather than killing them. Place a water glass over a spider and slide a stiff piece of paper underneath. Toss them in your yard to handle unwanted pests outside.

Fruit Flies

Fruit flies are attracted to ripe fruits and vegetables and often breed quickly in drains, garbage disposals, trash, cleaning rags, and bottles or cans.

Natural methods with household products such as apple cider vinegar in a cup can do the trick. Cover the cup with plastic wrap and poke small holes in the plastic for the flies to enter. Fruit flies are attracted to the vinegar and get trapped inside. If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, try a few other home remedies.  

When to Call for Professional Pest Control

Termites

Termites are one pest we never recommend handling with DIY methods. Termite colonies and infestations are difficult to spot and can cause damage to structures before the issue becomes known.

Call pest control professionals at the first sign of termites or termite mud colonies near your foundation. With specialized solutions and equipment, professionals can assess the situation and recommend treatment to eliminate the colony and keep them from coming back.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are difficult to exterminate and don’t die easily with DIY methods. Before an issue spreads throughout your home, call professionals at the first instant you spot bed bugs or discover small bites or welts on your skin after sleeping.

Wasps

Nothing ruins summer fun and backyard barbecues faster than large wasp nests. Entire wasp colonies may attack in force if they sense their colony is under attack. Call the professionals for wasp control to safely remove wasp nests to keep you and your family safe.

Any Infestation

There’s a difference between a few pesky insects or critters and a full-on infestation. If they’ve had time to breed and multiply, DIY methods may be too late. Call for professional pest control right away to keep a growing infestation from getting worse and causing further damage to your home or property.

Do you have a pest issue that’s difficult keep under control? Call the professionals at Inman-Murphy Termite & Pest Control for help.