Lakeland, TN

Lakeland TN PEST CONTROL

Pest Control is required when you live in Lakeland TN to help prevent sharing your home with pests such as ants, roaches and spiders.

With the warm climate and mild winters in Lakeland, you will find area pests are active year-round in many homes and businesses. 901 Pest Control has a friendly, trained and state certified service technician near your home or business and ready to help protect you against a pest invasion. Below are some of the pests you can expect to see by season.

pest size compared to a penny

Seasonal Pest Control

Below are some of the pests you can expect to see by season.

Click here to learn more about how 901 Pest Control protects homes and businesses against ants, roaches, spiders and roof rats in the Lakeland area.

Lakeland TN TERMITE CONTROL

Lakeland is in the termite belt (i.e. the group of Southern states that rank highest in USA with heavy termite infestations). Lakeland is an ideal termite area and contains the 3 conditions required for subterranean termites to flourish (warm soil, moisture and cellulose for food). A common question for residents is “Not if your home will be infested by termites but WHEN?”

Termites can be a serious problem for Lakeland homeowners due to warm spring temperatures and heavy rainfall providing moisture. Termites swarmers or alates usually emerge in spring between March to May. Termite swarmers are reproductive termites that leave the nest (colony) to start new termite colonies. It can take up to four years for a termite colony to begin developing swarmers. So when you see termite swarmers in your home, it is a mature termite colony that is infesting your home. During termite swarm season, you may come home to find wings on your floor or window sill. You can trust the experts at 901 Pest Control to quickly and accurately identify termites and recommend the best termite control measure to help protect your home and investment.

Termites Can Be a Serious Problem

Termites feed on any cellulose material including debris, lumber, cardboard boxes, wood piles, paper, mulch, and more. Homeowners can protect their property by removing these materials and diverting standing water from their roof, porch, or deck. Moisture and mulch in flower beds are conditions conducive to subterranean termite infestations. Be careful not to over water plants or place wood much mulch near your home!. Subterranean termites are the most destructive of wood destroying insects in Lakeland and the midsouth. While termites are a necessary pest to help recycle dead, fallen trees back into the soil, they also cause very costly structural damage to residential and commercial structures. It is estimated that subterranean termites cause more damage than fires, tornadoes, hail storms, wind storms, and hurricanes combined and cost Americans an estimated at $5 billion in termite damage repairs each year.
close up of termites on wood

Some interesting facts about subterranean termites:

  • Termites are estimated to have been around for more than 240 million years. They adapt to ever changing environments. Termites are nature’s way to break down wood and return it to the soil.
  • Termites can’t smell, taste or see. Termites choose their food based on the vibrations wood makes as they bite into it. As termites grip and pull wood fibers, the fibers snap and send a small impulse through the entire structure that they’re eating. Those vibrations return to the termites and let them know what they’re eating.
  • Genetic research has determined that termites are related to roaches.
  • Termite colonies can contain up to one million termites. There can be as many as 20 or more subterranean termite colonies per acre. So the average size Lakeland home may have up to 1 million termites living just below the structure!

Click here to learn more about how 901 Pest Control protects homes and businesses against termites in the Lakeland area.

Lakeland TN MOSQUITO CONTROL

We also inspect your property for any active mosquito larvae populations and 901 Pest Control will treat them at the same time. Your technician will help you identify potential mosquito breeding grounds in your yard and recommend ways to eliminate standing water. No hassle service! Approximately every 3-4 weeks, our team will return to reapply the mosquito barrier to your yard.

All of the mosquito barrier products we use are synthetic forms of pyrethrins called pyrethroids. Pyrethrins are insecticides that are derived from a naturally occurring compound called pyrethrum found in the chrysanthemum flower. Pyrethroids are used in numerous commercial products that consumers use to control insects such as household pets insecticides, pet shampoos and sprays, and even head lice shampoos.

close up of mosquito on someones skin

901 Pest Control Technicians Will Help You

We also inspect your property for any active mosquito larvae populations and 901 Pest Control will treat them at the same time. Your technician will help you identify potential mosquito breeding grounds in your yard and recommend ways to eliminate standing water. No hassle service! Approximately every 3-4 weeks, our team will return to reapply the mosquito barrier to your yard.

All of the mosquito barrier products we use are synthetic forms of pyrethrins called pyrethroids. Pyrethrins are insecticides that are derived from a naturally occurring compound called pyrethrum found in the chrysanthemum flower. Pyrethroids are used in numerous commercial products that consumers use to control insects such as household pets insecticides, pet shampoos and sprays, and even head lice shampoos.

Types of Mosquitos

There are 3 types of mosquitoes often found in the Lakeland TN and the midsouth area. Click here to learn more about how 901 Pest Control protects homes and businesses against mosquitoes in the Lakeland area.

AEDES SPECIES OR ASIAN TIGER MOSQUITO (TRANSMITS ZIKA VIRUS)

Aedes mosquitoes are visually distinct because they have black and white markings on their bodies and legs. They are active during the day in shaded areas and into the early evening. Females will blood-feed primarily on humans in order to produce eggs. This species is a vector, or carrier for the following diseases: yellow fever, dengue fever, chikungunya. These viruses are passed on to humans through the bites of an infected female Aedes mosquito, which mainly acquires the virus while feeding on the blood of an infected person. Preferred feeding times are during daylight, for approximately two hours after sunrise and several hours before sunset.

ANOPHELES SPECIES (TRANSMITS MALARIA)

Anopheles mosquito is dark brown to black in color and has three sections which are the head, thorax and abdomen. When resting, the stomach area of the anopheles mosquito species points upward, rather than being even with the surrounding surface like most mosquitoes. The female Anopheles mosquito will mate several times in her short life span, producing eggs after she has found a blood meal. Although she only lives a few weeks to a month, she will have been able to produce thousands of eggs during that time. The Anopheles mosquito is known universally as the malaria mosquito species because it is considered the primary vector of the disease. It is also a transmitter of heartworms in dogs. Preferred feeding times are either dawn or dusk, although some are nocturnal feeders.

CULEX SPECIES OR HOUSE MOSQUITO (TRANSMITS ENCEPHALITIS)

Culex Tarsalis is a black mosquito with faint white bands on its proboscis and tarsal joints. It also has white stripes along the legs and dark chevrons on the abdomen. Both male and female feed on nectar and plant fluids. The female, when she is ready to lay eggs, feeds on the blood of both mammals and birds and prefers making an appearance from dawn to dusk. As with all female mosquitoes, a blood meal is necessary in order to reproduce. In spring the females generally feed on birds, while in late summer they seek out mammalian hosts, such as horses, cattle and humans. This species is known to contribute to the spreading of the West Nile virus, filariasis, and encephalitis. Preferred feeding time is daytime from dawn to dusk.

Lakeland TN ROOF RAT CONTROL

One of the biggest pest problem Lakeland homeowners face can encounter is a roof rat invasion of their attic. In addition to the 5 ways listed below, rats and mice can climb up gutter downspouts and easily scale brick walls to enter homes through gaps between the roof decking and fascia. Roof rats are nocturnal and homeowners will normally hear noises from their attics at night. Remember that rats and mice can enter your home through very small cracks or openings! Rats can enter through cracks as small as ½ inch and mice are able to squeeze through cracks as small as ¼ inch in diameter!
rat sitting on top of pans

5 Ways Roof Rats and Mice Can Enter Lakeland Homes and Businesses

CRACKS IN THE WALL
Inspect the exterior of your home and look for any potential entry points. Fill smaller holes with caulk and use steel wool or waterproof sealant to block larger entry points.

VENTS

Many vents can have openings large enough for a rat to squeeze through. Rats can also squeeze through any gaps left around the vent opening. Seal any gaps around vents. Cover vents securely with metal screening.

GAPS AROUND WINDOWS

Rats can easily enter through small gaps or cracks around windows. Seal any openings and check your window screen for holes.

HOLES IN THE ROOF

If you suspect you have rats in your attic, it’s a good idea to have your roof checked for openings. Rats can often enter through small gaps created by the room corner intersection. They can also chew ridge cap plugs. Any openings should be blocked with a waterproof sealant.

CHIMNEY
A chimney is an easy target for a rat to enter your home looking for food and warmth. If you have rats in your chimney, it’s a good idea to have it professionally cleaned to be sure there are no nesting materials present. A chimney grate or cap can be installed to help deter rats.

LEARN MORE
Click here to learn more about how 901 Pest Control protects homes and businesses against roof rats and mice in the Lakeland area.

Lakeland TN COMMERCIAL PEST CONTROL

901 Pest Control is the leading provider for commercial pest and termite services in the Lakeland area. With over 50 years of experience serving businesses, there is no problem too big or too small for 901 Pest Control to handle.

901 Pest Control provides commercial pest control services to the businesses in Lakeland, West Tennessee and North Mississippi.

commercial building

Commercial Pest Control Services For:

  • Hospitality – Hotels and Motels
  • Healthcare – Clinics, Doctor Offices
  • Nursing Homes
  • Education – Daycare, Elementary, Middle and High Schools
  • Property Management – Condos and Apartment Complexes
  • Construction – Pre and Post
  • Restaurant – Dine-in and Fast Food
  • Food Processing
  • Government Facilities
  • Warehouse
  • Manufacturing

Click here to learn more about how 901 Pest Control protects Lakeland businesses against ants, roaches, spiders, bed bugs, termites, roof rats and mice.

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