10 best pest control companies in Oak Ridge, Tennessee

In Oak Ridge, fleas, bees and ticks are a regular cause of issues. Taking preventative measures by yourself can help you prevent pest issues, but contacting a pest control company is best if you spot signs of an existing infestation. Licensed pest specialists in Oak Ridge know how to correctly identify pests, use proper chemicals and methods and resolve your pest problem.

Letting a pest problem go untreated can introduce a variety of risks to you, your loved ones and your pets. Insects and small animals can spread disease, damage the structure of your home and contaminate food.

Bringing in exterminators reduces these risks. A technician will find nesting areas, and create a treatment plan, using methods such as shutting off entry points, capturing pests or spraying pesticides. When the proper fixes are put in place, you can get rid of infestations for good.

Find the best local pest control company for you in Oak Ridge

Look for pest control companies in Oak Ridge 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 Oak Ridge?

While pests are all over, not all of them invade the same places. If you think you have an infestation, here are some signs of common pests in the Oak Ridge area:

• Snakes: Snakes commonly nest among rock piles, debris, overgrown grass and wood and are more active during the spring and summer months. Signs of a snake infestation include snake eggs and shed snake skins. To test for a snake infestation, pour flour near where you think a snake is nesting. If you find a trail through the flour, contact a pest control professional right away.
• Ticks: Though ticks typically stay close to the ground outside, they can get into your home via shoes, clothing or pets. Inside, female ticks lay eggs in upholstery, on curtains or in carpet fibers. Nests may also be hidden in corners, along baseboards and in the lining or pockets of clothing.
• Bees: An uptick in bees inside or around your home, humming within your walls or dark stains on your walls maysignal a bee infestation. You may also smell an odd odor coming from your walls, which happens as bees die or honey builds up inside, leading to mold and fungi growth. Bees can easily harm your family or pets by stinging them and potentially causing allergic reactions.
• Termites: Termites feed on the cellulose fibers found in wood. They may be present in your home if you notice cracked or bubbling paint, termite swarms, droppings, mud tubes or wood that emits a hollow sound when you tap on it.
• Fleas: You may have a flea problem if your pet is always itching, and you notice black dots on its skin. While they don’t live on human skin or hair, fleas do leap up to bite, particularly around your ankles. Fleas are also responsible for a variety of diseases, including bubonic plague.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are flat, reddish-brown, wingless insects about the size of apple seeds. Found in multi-unit apartments and hotels, they can attach to belongings, such as backpacks, purses, used furniture and clothing. They hide in your bed and in nooks and crannies during the day then come out at night. When you have an infestation, you may spot the insects or find blood stains on your bed or other furniture.
• Cockroaches: Cockroaches are nocturnal, but you may see a few during the day if you have a major infestation. Their nesting areas concentrate around kitchens, bathrooms and basements. Cockroaches commonly leave brown marks on walls and floors and leave droppings that resemble ground black pepper. Cockroaches transmit disease and can even exacerbate respiratory problems.

How can you prevent pests in your Oak Ridge home?

While an infestation will probably require professional help, the best way to prevent infestations is to implement preventative steps.

Schedule regular preventative pest control

Left uncontrolled, pests can significantly affect your home and well-being. Discuss preventive options with a pest control company to stop infestations before they start. Experts may suggest that you set traps, seal access points or apply pesticides in specific areas.

Cover, seal or eliminate food sources

Since pests are often in search of sustenance, restricting their access to food sources will prevent them from settling in. Store food at least half a foot above the ground and slightly away from walls. Ensure food storage areas, counters and sinks are clean and disinfected when not being used. Quickly dispose of food waste and other garbage, and keep the spaces near trash cans and dumpsters tidy.

Keep up with yard maintenance

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

Seal off pest entrances

Sealing off entry points will prevent insects and small animals from making their way indoors. Rats, for instance, can fit through openings as tiny as a half-inch wide. Be sure to address gaps in your roof or siding and fix damaged window frames. Some pest control companies focus specifically on keeping pests out and can help you with this task.

What are questions to ask your pest control provider?

When selecting a pest control provider, ask the following questions to verify they have the expertise to handle your unique situation.

Are your technicians properly licensed and insured?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees the application of pest control chemicals under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Furthermore, the EPA mandates that restricted-use pesticide applicators and their supervisors have certification in line with the agency's regulations as well as state, territorial and tribal legislation.

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 plan a pest professional recommends will vary based on the specific treatment method, the severity of the infestation, the location of the property and the particular pest type. In most cases, pest control providers advise against relying on a one-time treatment to eliminate household pests, as there will likely be insects at various stages of their life cycles that may have laid eggs in hard-to-find spots.

Pest control experts often recommend regular treatments, with some scheduled exclusively during the warmer seasons and others occurring throughout the year. To prevent infestations from taking hold, they might also propose preventive treatments once per quarter to stop new infestations from forming.

How long will it take to get rid of pests?

How long it takes for your pest issue to disappear depends on the infestation type and severity, as well as the insect's life cycle. When the pest control professional applies the first treatment, you may perceive a decline in activity, but pests could resurface after hatching, requiring further treatments. On the other hand, you might notice increased activity after the initial treatment, as it can drive pests from their hiding spots. Fortunately, this should subside within a few days' time.

Can I remain in my home during pest control treatments?

You can stay in your home for some stages of the pest control treatment, such as when the professional is sealing up entry points. But if a pesticide is used, it may need several hours to dry, and you'll have to vacate your home while it dries.

Some pest control services can be particularly lengthy. During termite fumigation, the pest control professional must set up a tent around your home for three days to release the pesticide. Throughout this timeframe, you'll have to stay at a hotel or with friends or family.

Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?

A skilled service technician has the knowledge to determine the appropriate amount of product to apply, the drying time required and when it is all right for children and pets to re-enter the treated space. Before administering any treatment, they should instruct you on which items such as food, animals and plants must be cleared from the area.

Do you offer any “green” pest control methods?

Some pest exterminators provide environmentally conscious methods for treating infestations. This involves using techniques that don't impact the environment as much as traditional chemical approaches. Some examples of eco-friendly pest control include sealing entry points for pests, setting catch-and-release traps for rodents, and using pesticides derived from natural sources.

What do I do if pests come back?

Many pest control services have guarantees and warranties in place to protect you if pests return before a predetermined date. These companies may offer a single service or continuous treatments to tackle a stubborn pest problem. Be sure to discuss the service packages with your provider.

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.