Well, howdy neighbors! Fred Talley here from Faith Pest Control, right here in our beautiful corner of North Georgia. Now, if you’re like me, you’re probably already looking forward to those warmer days, the dogwoods blooming, and maybe getting a little dirt under your fingernails in the garden.

But I’ve been in this business a long time—I’m a Georgia State Certified Pest Control Operator and a Public Health Specialist—and I can tell you one thing for sure: the bugs are looking forward to spring just as much as you are. In fact, they’re probably already making plans to move into your guest room!

With the mild winter we’ve had leading into 2026, those critters are going to be waking up hungry and looking for a place to raise a family. Here is my “neighbor-to-neighbor” guide on how to batten down the hatches before the spring rush.

Pests are like little water-seeking missiles. They’ll find the tiniest crack in your foundation or a gap around a utility pipe and think it’s a front-door welcome mat.

• Seal the Gaps: Grab a tube of high-quality silicone caulk. Check where your siding meets the foundation and around those outdoor faucets.

• Check the Screens: Don’t wait for the first swarm of flies. If your window screens have holes, those “no-see-ums” will be “now-I-see-ums” inside your kitchen real quick.

In Georgia, moisture is the root of almost every pest problem. Termites, cockroaches, and mosquitoes are all looking for a drink.

• Gutter Check: Make sure your gutters aren’t clogged with last fall’s leaves. When they overflow, they dump water right against your foundation, which is like ringing the dinner bell for Subterranean Termites.

• The “Inch of Water” Rule: Mosquitoes only need about an inch of standing water to breed. Check those flower pot saucers, old tires, or even kids’ toys left out in the yard.

I always tell folks, “If you take care of your home, it’ll take care of you.” That goes for the pantry, too!

• Airtight is Right: Flour, sugar, and pet food should all go into sealed containers. If an ant can smell it, an ant will find it.

• The 20-Foot Rule: Keep your firewood piles at least 20 feet away from the house and up off the ground. Termites and mice love a good woodpile, but you don’t want them using it as a bridge to your living room.

Now, I know life gets busy. Sometimes you do everything right, and those bugs still find a way in. That’s why I’m here. I’m not just a guy with a sprayer; I’m your neighbor.

Here is my promise: If you hire me to get rid of your pest problem and, at the end of 30 days, you are not 100% HAPPY, I will come back and retreat your home for FREE. And I’ll keep on doing it until you are happy. If that still doesn’t do it, I’ll give you back every penny you paid me, plus an additional $25.00 for your time and trouble. Period.

Don’t let the bugs put a damper on your spring. Give me a holler!