10 best pest control companies in Knoxville, Tennessee

In Knoxville, snakes, spiders and bees are the most frequent source of issues. Taking preventative measures yourself can help you prevent pest problems, but contacting a pest control company is best if you spot signs of an existing infestation. Experienced pest control professionals in Knoxville know how to correctly identify pests, apply suitable treatments and resolve your pest problem.

Pests that invade your property put your home and family in danger. Insects and small animals can cause long-term damage to your home, contaminate your food and spread disease.

Bringing in pest management professionals mitigates these risks. A pest professional will spot infestations and treat them in a variety of ways, from sealing cracks and holes to using traps or pesticides. The right pest treatment can take care of your pest problem for the long term.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Knoxville

Look for pest control companies in Knoxville with at least 3.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews and a good rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB). Use the filters below to help you find the right company for your needs.

What are common pests in Knoxville?

While pests are all over, not all of them invade the same areas. Here are some indications of common pests in Knoxville.

• Flies: It's common to spot a few flies inside your home in the summer, but an excessive number likely signals an infestation. Flies leave droppings resembling clusters of black dots by drains, shelves, or trash. Finding maggots, which are fly larvae, in your trash also indicates an infestation.
• Bees: You may have a bee infestation if you hear humming inside your walls, notice an increased number of bees either inside or outside your home or see dark stains on your walls. An unpleasant odor radiating from your walls is another sign of a bee infestation, as bees dying or honey seeping into the walls can lead to mold or fungi. Bees are also a risk to your family and pets because their stings can cause serious allergic reactions.
• Fleas: You may have a flea problem if your pet is constantly scratching itself, and you notice black dots on its skin. While they don’t live on human skin or hair, fleas do jump up and bite, particularly around your ankles. Fleas are also responsible for a variety of diseases, including bubonic plague.
• Ticks: Ticks typically stay close to the ground outdoors, but they can easily get into your home on your clothing, pets or shoes. Once inside, a female tick lays her eggs in upholstery, in carpet fibers and on curtains. You may also spot nests along baseboards, in corners and even in the linings or pockets of clothing.
• Spiders: The easiest way to tell whether you have a spider infestation is to notice a increasing number of spiderwebs in your home. Other telltale signs include visible egg sacs and lots of other insects, which spiders like to feast on. Most spiders in homes are not dangerous, except for the brown recluse and black widow. Both have painful, venomous bites.

How can you prevent pests in your Knoxville home?

Fighting a pest infestation can be challenging, so preventative measures are the most reliable strategy to prevent future problems. Though infestations often require expert intervention, you can implement the following measures to keep pests away before they make their way into your home.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Bugs and small animals can cause serious issues for your home and health when left unchecked. The best way to stop these infestations before they start is to work with a pest control company. They may recommend plugging holes, laying traps or spraying pesticides in key areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Because pests commonly seek out food sources, limiting their food access will prevent them from infesting your home. Place food at least six inches above floor level and slightly away from walls. Be sure to keep sinks, food storage areas and counters clean and sanitized when not in use. Dispose of food scraps and other garbage regularly, and keep the areas around trash cans and dumpsters clean.

Keep up with yard maintenance

Pests can hide in standing water, trash, leaves and tall grass in your yard. One of the simplest methods to avoid an infestation is to keep your yard clean and properly maintained with mowed grass and pruned foliage. If you require professional landscaping services, check if national lawn care providers such as TruGreen operate in your area.

Seal off pest entrances

Closing off access points into your home will help prevent insects and small animals from entering. Rats, for example, can wriggle into holes just half an inch in diameter. Repair cracks in your roof or siding, and remember to seal broken window frames. Some pest control providers offer specialized pest exclusion services to keep critters out.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

Ask the following questions to ensure you hire a pest control professional that can meet your specific needs.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees the use of pest control chemicals under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Additionally, the EPA requires restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors to have certification in accordance with the agency and state, territorial and tribal laws.

Tennessee requires pest control professionals to earn a Commercial or Private Applicator License through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

What treatment schedule do you recommend?

The treatment schedule a pest specialist suggests will depend on the treatment type, pest type, infestation severity and property location. Pest control providers generally do not recommend getting a single treatment to rid a home of pests, as insects are often at different points in their life cycle, and can lay eggs in areas that are hard to access.

Pest professionals generally advise ongoing treatments, with some taking place only in the warmer months and others happening year-round. Preventative measures may also be recommended to stop infestations before they begin.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

The time needed to solve your pest problem will vary based on the nature and severity of the infestation, along with the pest's life cycle. After the pest control specialist applies the initial treatment, you may notice less pest activity. However, pests might reappear once they hatch, warranting further treatments. Alternatively, you may see more pest activity following the first treatment, as it can force pests out of their hiding places. The good news is this should taper off within a few days.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can remain in your home for certain portions of the pest control treatment, such as sealing entry points. Should your service provider use a pesticide, you'll most likely need to leave your home while you wait for the pesticide to dry. This typically takes a few hours.

Some services take a particularly long time. During termite fumigation, the pest control company needs to erect a tent around your home for three days to apply the pesticide. You must find alternative accommodations during that time.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

A service professional will know how much of a particular product to use, how long it takes to dry and when children and pets can safely re-enter the area that's been treated. Before applying any treatment, they should educate you on what you must remove from the affected space, such as animals, food and plants.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest control providers offer environmentally friendly methods for treating an infestation. This means they use methods with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. Eco-friendly pest control methods may include sealing potential entry points where pests can gain access, capturing rodents or applying pesticides made from natural ingredients.

What do I do if pests come back?

Most pest control companies provide guarantees and warranties in the event that pests reappear before a specific date. To resolve a returning pest issue, specialists may offer a single treatment or continued treatments. Consult with your service provider to learn about the options available.

Our methodology for selecting pest control companies

The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score. We review national pest control companies against our full pest control methodology. We score pest control companies based on service options, safety and certifications, service guarantees and customer service.