Well, howdy folks. Fred Talley here from Faith Pest Control, right here in our beautiful corner of North Georgia. I’ve been in the pest control business for a good while now, and I’ve seen a thing or two when it comes to the critters that try to make our homes their own. As we look ahead to 2026, I want to share some of my thoughts on what we can expect in the world of pest control here in Jasper and the surrounding areas.

The Ever-Present Intruders: Our Local Pest Scene

First and foremost, some things never change. Our regular cast of uninvited guests will likely keep us on our toes. With our warm, humid climate, mosquitoes will continue to be a significant nuisance and a health concern. We can also expect to see plenty of ants, from the tiny sugar ants in your kitchen to the more destructive carpenter ants. And, of course, termites remain a constant threat to our homes, silently causing damage that can lead to costly repairs if not caught early.

In recent years, we’ve also seen a noticeable increase in calls for wildlife management. As we continue to build and expand into their natural habitats, critters like squirrels, raccoons, and even bats are more likely to seek shelter in our attics and crawlspaces. This trend is something I anticipate will continue, making professional exclusion services more important than ever.

Smarter, Not Harder: The Future of Pest Management

Now, while the pests may be familiar, the way we deal with them is evolving. The pest control industry is seeing some exciting advancements, and here at Faith Pest Control, we’re always looking for better ways to serve you.

One of the biggest shifts is the move towards more eco-friendly and integrated pest management (IPM) solutions. Gone are the days of just spraying harsh chemicals and hoping for the best. Today, it’s about understanding the lifecycle of the pest and using a combination of methods to control them with minimal impact on the environment, your family, and your pets. This can include sealing entry points, using targeted baits, and applying botanical-based products.

We’re also seeing some incredible new technologies emerge. Smart traps and monitoring systems can now give us real-time data on pest activity, allowing for more precise and effective treatments. This means less guesswork and a more proactive approach to keeping your home pest-free.

The Enduring Value of a Trusted Professional

With all this new technology and the wealth of DIY information online, some folks might be tempted to tackle their pest problems themselves. And for a minor issue, that might be just fine. But for persistent or large-scale infestations, the expertise of a trained professional is invaluable.

Here in Georgia, we have specific regulations and licensing requirements for a reason. A professional exterminator has the knowledge to correctly identify the pest, understand its habits, and choose the most effective and safest treatment method. We’re also trained to spot the subtle signs of a potential infestation that a homeowner might miss.

At Faith Pest Control, we’re a local, family-owned business. We live and work in this community, and our reputation is built on trust and a commitment to our neighbors. When you call us, you’re not just getting a technician; you’re getting a partner in protecting your home.

As we look towards 2026, you can be sure that we’ll continue to embrace the latest advancements in pest control while holding true to the old-fashioned values of honest, reliable service. Because at the end of the day, our goal is simple: to give you the peace of mind that comes with a pest-free home.

Well, howdy folks. Fred Talley here from Faith Pest Control, and I want to talk to you about a problem we’re all too familiar with here in Jasper: mosquitoes. As we head into 2026, the buzzing, biting, and blood-sucking are going to be a bigger headache than ever. Our warm, humid climate is a perfect breeding ground for these pests, and the trends I’m seeing suggest we’ve got to be more vigilant than ever.

The Usual Suspects are Getting Bolder

You already know about the mosquito season that runs from spring until the first hard freeze, but with our mild winters, that season is getting longer. The main species we see are the Asian tiger mosquito and the southern house mosquito. The Asian tiger mosquito is particularly aggressive—it bites during the daytime and is a serious nuisance in our yards and on our porches.

It’s not just about the itchy bites. These little critters are a public health risk. They’re a primary vector for diseases like West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), and while severe cases are rare, the risk is always there.

The most frustrating part is that a lot of our mosquito problems are born right on our own properties. It only takes a bottle cap of standing water for them to lay their eggs. We’re talking about bird baths, clogged gutters, old tires, even a child’s toy left outside.

A Smarter Approach to Control

At Faith Pest Control, we’ve had to get smarter about how we fight back. The old days of just “spraying and praying” aren’t enough. As a local business, I believe in being on the forefront of effective, safe pest control.

Targeted Larvicide Treatments: We’re now focusing more on stopping the problem before it starts. We treat areas of standing water with larvicides that specifically target mosquito larvae. These treatments are safe for people and pets, but they stop the mosquitoes from ever reaching adulthood.

Barrier Treatments: We apply a professional-grade treatment to the foliage around your yard—the shrubs, bushes, and trees where adult mosquitoes rest during the day. This creates a protective barrier that significantly reduces the mosquito population, allowing you to enjoy your yard again.

Education: A big part of my job is educating our community. We need everyone to be a part of the solution. That means getting in the habit of doing a quick check of your yard after every rain to “Tip ‘n Toss” out any standing water. This simple habit can make a world of difference.

The truth is, fighting mosquitoes is a two-way street. We can provide the most advanced solutions, but it also takes some effort on your part to eliminate their breeding grounds. By working together, we can protect our families and our community from these pests, keeping Jasper a beautiful place to live and play.

Well, howdy folks. Fred Talley here from Faith Pest Control, and I want to talk to you about something that’s been a growing issue here in Jasper and all of North Georgia: rodents. I’m not just talking about the occasional mouse in the garage; I’m talking about a problem that’s getting more persistent and more serious as we head into 2026.

A Year-Round Problem

Most folks think of mice and rats as a winter problem, and that’s partly true. When the weather gets cold, they definitely look for a warm place to nest, and our homes look awfully inviting. But here in North Georgia, thanks to our warm, humid summers, these pests are a year-round threat. They’re always looking for food and water, and the humid conditions allow them to thrive even when it’s hot outside.

The two main culprits we deal with are the Norway rat and the house mouse. The Norway rat is the bigger one, a burrower that usually sticks to the ground floor or crawl space. They can chew through just about anything to get inside. Then you’ve got the house mouse, a smaller, more nimble pest that can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime. That makes it nearly impossible to keep them out if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for.

The Dangers of a Rodent Infestation

When people call me about a rodent problem, they’re often worried about the scratching noises in the walls or the droppings they’ve found in the kitchen. And those are definitely signs of a problem. But the real issue is what you can’t see.

Rodents cause structural damage by chewing through electrical wires, which can create a major fire hazard. They can also gnaw on pipes, leading to leaks and water damage. More importantly, they pose a serious health risk. Rodents carry diseases like hantavirus and salmonella, which can be spread through their droppings and urine, contaminating your food and surfaces.

My Approach to Rodent Control

At Faith Pest Control, we believe in a smarter, more thorough approach than just setting out a few traps. My business is founded on trust, and I won’t do a half-baked job. Here’s how we tackle the problem:

Inspection and Exclusion: First, we do a complete inspection of your home to identify every single entry point. Mice only need a tiny gap, and rats can fit through a hole the size of a quarter. We seal those points with materials they can’t chew through.

Removal: After we’ve sealed them out, we use traps and baits to get rid of the pests already inside your home. We prefer traps over poison to avoid the terrible stench of a dead rodent decaying in your walls or attic.

Sanitation: Finally, we clean up. We remove nesting material and droppings to eliminate the health risks and the pheromones that attract other rodents.

The problem with rodents is that they multiply quickly. If you see one, there are likely many more you don’t see. Don’t wait until it becomes a bigger, more dangerous issue. Give a local professional a call who puts your family’s safety first.