Faith Pest Control North Georgia Podcast

Faith Pest Control North Georgia Podcast
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Earth Sciences
  • Updated Biweekly

Pest Control Tips for North Georgia, Jasper, Blueridge & Elligay Ga Residents

Episodes

  1. 5d ago

    Why Are Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs Swarming Jasper GA Homes in October?

    Why Are Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs Swarming Jasper GA Homes in October? Well, howdy neighbors! Fred Talley here with Faith Pest Control, right here in beautiful Jasper, Georgia. If you have walked out on your porch this October, glanced up at your sunny siding, or tried to enjoy an afternoon watching the leaves turn across Pickens County, you have probably noticed those shield-shaped critters buzzing against your window screens. Every autumn, right as the night temperatures dip down into the 40s, our phones light up with folks asking the exact same question: “Fred, why are brown marmorated stink bugs covering my house?” Here is the straightforward answer: stink bugs are cold-blooded overwintering pests. During the spring and summer, they stay out in orchards, gardens, and timber lines feeding on plants and tree sap. But when October hits North Georgia, those bugs receive an unmistakable cue from nature that winter is around the corner. They start searching for warm, sheltered spots to enter a state of dormancy called diapause—essentially insect hibernation. Your house happens to be the biggest, warmest rock on the hillside. Stink bugs seek out the sunny south and west-facing exterior walls of your home in the heat of the afternoon. As the sun sets and the outside air chills, they crawl right into the tiniest structural crevices they can find. A stink bug only needs a gap about the thickness of a toothpick to squeeze behind your vinyl siding, slip through worn door weatherstripping, or shimmy past an attic gable vent screen. Once inside wall voids or attic rafters, they stay protected from freezing mountain temperatures until warm days fool them into creeping into your living room. To keep them from moving in with your family this season, run through three practical steps: Check window and door screens: Make sure screens fit tightly and do not have tears. Stink bugs love crawling through corner tears where the spline has pulled away. Inspect outdoor pipe and wire penetrations: Grab a tube of exterior silicone caulk and seal the openings where plumbing, gas lines, or air conditioning conduits punch through exterior siding. Never crush them indoors: If a few make it inside, vacuum them up or sweep them gently into soapy water. Crushing them releases that telltale coriander-like defensive odor and signals to other bugs nearby. At Faith Pest Control, we do not believe in just doing a generic spray-and-pray. We perform a thorough 58-point pest analysis to locate exact crawlspace, foundation, and roofline entry routes. Plus, we back everything we do with our unmatched guarantee: if you hire me to solve your bug problem and you are not 100% happy after 30 days, we retreat your home for free until you are! Do not spend October swatting smelly bugs off your curtains. Give me a holler at 770-823-9202, mention you caught this message, and let us protect your home. The post Why Are Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs Swarming Jasper GA Homes in October? first appeared on Faith Pest Control.

  2. Sep 22

    Are Termites Still Active During Winter in North Georgia?

    Are Termites Still Active During Winter in North Georgia? By Fred Talley, Faith Pest Control — Jasper, Georgia Howdy, neighbors! Fred Talley here from Faith Pest Control, right here in our beautiful corner of Pickens County. When the chilly mountain air rolls down across Sharp Top and Burnt Mountain, folks around Jasper, Ellijay, and Blue Ridge tend to bundle up and head indoors. Most people assume that when the frost hits the ground, bugs pack it in for the year. That might be true for mosquitoes and gnats, but when it comes to the number-one threat to your home’s structural integrity—Eastern Subterranean Termites—winter is definitely not quitting time. The Cold Truth About Winter Termite Activity The short answer is: yes, termites are active 365 days a year here in North Georgia. Here is what is happening beneath the surface while the furnace is running: Our Winters Aren’t Cold Enough: In North Georgia, we rarely experience prolonged, deep freezes that penetrate far below the frost line. They Head Deeper Into the Soil: Subterranean termites survive cold snaps simply by digging a little deeper into the earth, where ground temperatures remain steady and mild. Your Heated Home Is an All-Inclusive Resort: Once worker termites find their way into your crawlspace, basement, sill plates, or wall studs, your heating system keeps them perfectly cozy. Inside your walls, it feels like spring all winter long. The “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” Trap Homeowners usually think about termites during the spring when they see “swarmers”—the winged reproductive termites taking flight to start new colonies. Because termites don’t typically swarm in December or January, people assume the danger is gone. In reality, the worker termites—the ones that actually chew through cellulose 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—never hibernate. They continue tunneling quietly through wood framing, subfloors, and drywall paper without making a sound. What to Watch For in the Winter Months Even in the dead of winter, subtle clues can give away an active colony: Mud Shelter Tubes: Termites need moisture to survive. They construct pencil-thin mud tubes along foundation walls, piers, and crawlspace footings to travel safely between the moist soil and the wood in your home. Hollowed Wood: Wood that sounds papery or hollow when tapped, especially around baseboards, windowsills, and floor joists. Tight-Fitting Doors and Windows: Moisture and structural shifting caused by termite tunneling can make doors stick in their frames. Bubbling Paint or Drywall Discoloration: Often mistaken for minor water damage, termite tunnels just under paint or sheetrock can cause bubbling and ripples. Protecting Your Mountain Home Termite damage is almost never covered by standard homeowner’s insurance, and fixing structural damage after the fact is costly. The best defense is keeping a solid chemical barrier in place around your foundation and having a trained set of eyes inspect your crawlspace and perimeter at least once a year. If you haven’t had your home inspected recently, or if you notice mud tubes along your foundation walls, don’t wait for spring swarms to confirm your suspicions. Give us a call at Faith Pest Control—we’re always happy to help our neighbors keep their homes safe, sound, and pest-free all year long! The post Are Termites Still Active During Winter in North Georgia? first appeared on Faith Pest Control.

  3. Sep 14

    Why Spiders Come Inside Jasper Homes When the Weather Gets Cold?

    Why Spiders Come Inside Jasper Homes When the Weather Gets Cold? Well hello, neighbors! Fred Talley here with Faith Pest Control, right here in beautiful Jasper, Georgia. Around late September and October, when that cool mountain air starts rolling off the ridges and we get our first real taste of sweater weather, my phone at the office starts ringing off the hook. Folks all across Pickens County ask me the exact same thing: “Fred, why am I suddenly seeing so many eight-legged critters sneaking across my living room rug?” It’s easy to assume spiders are just like us—hunting for a warm thermostat and a cup of hot cider. But what’s really going on under your roof is a little more interesting. 1. The Real Reason: It’s Mating Season, Not Just Frostbite Believe it or not, most outdoor spiders produce a natural “antifreeze” compound that allows them to survive cold winters outside under tree bark and leaf litter just fine. The reason you see a sudden surge indoors during autumn isn’t purely the dropping temperature—it’s mating season. Mature male spiders leave the quiet corners where they’ve spent the whole summer and start actively wandering around searching for females. That sudden sprint across your bathroom floor at 10 PM? That’s usually a lovesick spider on the hunt. 2. Following the Buffet Indoors When the temperatures dip, other common pests—like crickets, flies, stinkbugs, and roaches—look for cozy gaps around your foundation and weatherstripping to escape the freeze. Spiders are natural predators with great instincts: they simply follow the food truck straight into your home. If you have plenty of small insect activity behind baseboards or in the attic, spiders are going to set up shop nearby. 3. They Were Already Sharing the Rent Here’s a little secret from someone who’s inspected thousands of Georgia homes: many house spiders never lived outside to begin with. True house spiders adapt specifically to human structures. They spend spring and summer tucked away in quiet, undisturbed spots—crawl spaces, storage closets, behind water heaters, or between floor joists. As they reach full adult size by autumn and begin roaming, you finally start noticing them. Common Spiders We See Around Pickens County Wolf Spiders: Large, hairy, and fast on their feet. They don’t spin webs to catch prey; they hunt on foot. They look intimidating, but they are generally harmless to humans. Cobweb Spiders (Cellar Spiders): Long, spindly legs that love dark corners in basements and garages. Black Widows & Brown Recluses: The two we treat with real caution. Black widows prefer damp, dark woodpiles and cluttered crawl spaces, while recluses favor dry, tucked-away storage boxes. 3 Simple Steps to Keep Them Out Seal the Perimeter: Replace worn weatherstripping around doors, fix torn window screens, and caulk gaps around outdoor pipe penetrations. Declutter Cardboard: Spiders love nesting in cardboard boxes. Switch your seasonal storage in basements and attics over to sealed plastic totes. Control Their Food Source: Routine pest defense keeps the insect population down, which gives spiders zero reason to hang around. If you’re seeing more eight-legged visitors than you’re comfortable sharing your morning coffee with, don’t stress. Give us a call down here at Faith Pest Control in Jasper. We treat your home just like our own—with honest advice, reliable service, and true peace of mind. The post Why Spiders Come Inside Jasper Homes When the Weather Gets Cold? first appeared on Faith Pest Control.

  4. Sep 7

    Why Are Mice Getting Into Jasper, Georgia Homes This Fall?

    Why Are Mice Getting Into Jasper, Georgia Homes This Fall? By Fred Talley, Faith Pest Control Well, howdy neighbors! Fred Talley here from Faith Pest Control, right here in our beautiful corner of Pickens County. When the leaves start putting on a show across Burnt Mountain and that crisp North Georgia mountain air rolls in, most of us look forward to cozy evenings, sweet tea on the porch, and fire pit weather. But right around late September and October, something else is getting ready for fall: our local field mice and deer mice. If you’ve started hearing that faint scritch-scritch-scritch in your attic or behind your baseboards late at night, you aren’t alone. Here is why mice make a sudden dash for Jasper homes every autumn, and what you can do to stop them. 1. The Temperature Drop Drives Them In Mice are warm-blooded creatures. When night temperatures in our foothills dip into the 40s and 50s, outdoors isn’t comfortable anymore. Your home’s foundation, crawlspace, and attic trap warmth rising from your heating vents, making your house the coziest shelter on the block. 2. Natural Food Sources Start Vanishing During summer, mice feast on berries, seeds, and outdoor insects. As the hardwoods drop their leaves and wild forage dwindles, mice follow their noses straight toward human kitchens, garages with pet food bags, and pantries. 3. Mountain Homes Have Ample Entry Points A full-grown mouse can squeeze through a hole the size of a standard dime (roughly a quarter-inch wide). Common entry points around Jasper properties include: Gaps around HVAC lines and outdoor spigots Worn-out garage door bottom seals and weatherstripping Unscreened foundation vents and crawlspace doors Roofline openings where tree branches touch gutters How to Keep Them Out This Season Seal the gaps: Use coarse copper mesh or stainless steel wire wool mixed with silicone caulk around pipe penetrations—mice chew right through expanding foam alone. Store food in hard plastic or metal: Never leave dog kibble, birdseed, or pantry grains in paper bags in the garage or basement. Trim the perimeter: Keep firewood stacked at least 20 feet away from your foundation and cut back tree limbs hanging near your roof. If those unwanted houseguests have already found a way inside your crawlspace or attic, don’t wait until they multiply. Give us a call at Faith Pest Control, and we’ll make sure your home stays safe, sound, and pest-free all winter long! The post Why Are Mice Getting Into Jasper, Georgia Homes This Fall? first appeared on Faith Pest Control.

  5. Aug 31

    The Fall Pest Checklist Every Jasper GA Homeowner Should Follow

    The Fall Pest Checklist Every Jasper GA Homeowner Should Follow When the leaves start changing across Pickens County and that crisp mountain air rolls off Sharptop Mountain, most of us look forward to cozy evenings, high school football, and lighting up the fireplace. Unfortunately, you and I aren’t the only ones looking for a warm, dry place to spend the winter. As temperatures drop across North Georgia, all sorts of critters—from field mice and roaches to stink bugs and spiders—start searching for shelter. If your house isn’t buttoned up, they’ll decide your living room, attic, or crawlspace makes the perfect winter resort. Taking a few proactive steps now can save you a mountain of headaches later. Here is the straightforward fall pest checklist every Jasper homeowner should run through before the first hard freeze. 1. Seal Entry Points Around the Foundation and Siding Insects and rodents don’t need a wide-open door. A mouse can squeeze through a gap the size of a dime, and a stink bug needs only a hairline fracture. Inspect the perimeter: Walk around your foundation and look for cracks in mortar, gaps around plumbing pipes, or openings where electrical lines enter the home. Caulk and seal: Use silicone-based caulk for small gaps and steel wool backed by expanding foam around larger pipe penetrations (mice can chew right through standard spray foam, but steel wool stops them cold). Check the garage door: Ensure the bottom weatherstripping makes a tight seal against the concrete slab. 2. Inspect Crawlspaces, Basements, and Attics North Georgia homes frequently feature crawlspaces or unfinished basements, both of which are prime real estate for moisture and pests. Check crawlspace vents: Ensure screens are intact and undamaged by squirrels or raccoons. Monitor moisture levels: Excess dampness attracts camel crickets, silverfish, and termites. If your crawlspace stays damp, consider a vapor barrier or dehumidifier. Look up in the attic: Check gable vents and ridge caps for openings that bats, squirrels, or rodents could use for entry. 3. Clear the Perimeter and Manage Firewood What sits against your home’s exterior directly influences what gets inside. Stack firewood high and dry: Keep firewood racks at least 20 feet away from your foundation and elevated off the ground. Firewood piles harbor spiders, ants, and mice. Trim back branches: Cut back tree limbs and shrubs so they do not touch siding, rooflines, or gutters. Overhanging branches act as highways for rodents and ants. Clear leaf litter: Rake damp leaves away from the foundation wall to eliminate hiding spots for overwintering beetles and roaches. 4. Fortify Doors and Windows Check weatherstripping: If you can see daylight beneath exterior doors, replace the door sweep immediately. Fix torn screens: Repair tears in window screens before opening windows to catch the autumn breeze. Taking care of these basic maintenance items puts a strong physical barrier between your family and seasonal invaders. If you’d like an extra layer of defense with a preventative exterior perimeter barrier before the cold really sets in, our team at Faith Pest Control is always right down the road and ready to help. Stay warm, enjoy the mountain fall, and keep your home protected! The post The Fall Pest Checklist Every Jasper GA Homeowner Should Follow first appeared on Faith Pest Control.

  6. Aug 20

    A Walk Through Lee Newton Park

    Enjoying the Heart of Jasper: A Walk Through Lee Newton Park Well, howdy neighbors! Fred Talley here from Faith Pest Control, right here in our beautiful corner of North Georgia. If you’ve lived in Jasper for more than five minutes, you know we’ve got a lot to be proud of in Pickens County. Living up here in the North Georgia Mountains, we get the best of everything—the stunning views, the fresh air, and a front-row seat to every beautiful season. Today, I want to step away from talking about crawlspaces and attics for just a minute to shine a spotlight on one of the real gems of our hometown: Lee Newton Park. Right in the center of downtown Jasper at 500 Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Lee Newton Park is the heartbeat of our community. Whether you’re looking to get a little exercise or just want a peaceful place to sit, the park has it all. There’s a beautiful, babbling creek running right through the property and a wide-open grassy area that’s perfect for a family picnic. If you’re looking to stretch your legs, the park features some great walking trails, with a smaller 0.3-mile loop and a larger 0.42-mile loop if you want to get your steps in. But Lee Newton is a whole lot more than just a park. It’s a place where we honor our heroes at the Pickens County Veterans Memorial Park. It’s also home to the Pickens County Visitor Center and the Georgia Marble Museum, where you can learn all about our rich local history as the Marble Capital of Georgia. And let’s not forget the events! This park is the proud staging ground for some of our best memories. From the famous Georgia Marble Festival that takes over the grounds every October, to the Jasper Lions Club Carnival celebrating the 4th of July with midway rides and fireworks, Lee Newton Park brings our whole community together. Now, as much as my family and I love spending a day outdoors by the creek, I’d be remiss if I didn’t put my “bug man” hat back on for a second. You know what else loves creeks, trees, and tall grass? Mosquitoes, ticks, and ants. Nature is beautiful, and bugs have their rightful place out in the woods and the parks. But we want to leave the bugs at the park, not let them set up shop in your backyard or, worse, inside your home. We take a lot of pride in our homes here in Jasper. Seeing a roach, an ant trail, or a termite isn’t just a nuisance—it feels like a personal insult. If you’re noticing some “uninvited guests” hanging around your property after your weekend out, don’t run out to the big-box store for a “bug bomb” that’ll just scatter those critters deeper into your walls. Give my team a call. We aren’t some giant national chain where you’re just a ticket on a screen; we live and work right here in Pickens County. We don’t just “spray and pray”—we perform a thorough 58-point pest analysis to find exactly where those critters are hiding. Whether it’s squirrels in the attic, termites in the floorboards, or those nasty German cockroaches in the kitchen, don’t let ’em bug ya. Give me a holler at 770-823-9202. Let’s get those pests out of your house and back to nature where they belong. And remember my Personal Guarantee: 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 treating it for FREE until you tell me you ARE happy. If that still doesn’t do it, I’ll promptly and politely give YOU back every penny of your money, plus an additional $25.00 for your time and trouble. Period. See you at the park, neighbors!   The post A Walk Through Lee Newton Park first appeared on Faith Pest Control.

  7. Aug 11

    Sharp Mountain Vineyards: A Local Gem in Our Own Backyard

    Unwinding at Sharp Mountain Vineyards: A Local Gem in Our Own Backyard Howdy, neighbors! Fred Talley here from Faith Pest Control. If you’ve lived around Jasper or Pickens County for more than a minute, you know one of the best things about calling the North Georgia Mountains home is that you don’t have to drive for hours to find world-class beauty, rich local craft, and a quiet spot to kick back with family and friends. We’ve got fresh air, stunning mountain views, and right down the road on Rathgeb Trail, one of my absolute favorite local treasures: Sharp Mountain Vineyards.   Crafted with Precision right Here in Pickens County Now, in my line of work, I talk a whole lot about attention to detail—knowing the soil, understanding the environment, and doing things right the first time so you get quality results. The folks at Sharp Mountain Vineyards live by that exact same philosophy, just with a much sweeter outcome! Established back in 1995, Sharp Mountain Vineyards was built on a simple guiding rule: the finest wines come from the finest fruit. Sitting at an elevation of 1,600 feet on five acres of well-drained, rocky soil, the vineyard takes full advantage of sunny, west-facing slopes and crisp mountain breezes. Instead of chasing big commercial numbers, they focus on quality over quantity. Every single vine—from European Vinifera varieties to carefully tended specialty grapes—is handpicked and handcrafted in the old-world tradition. That kind of care and patience shows in every bottle they cork. Detail What You Need to Know Location 110 Rathgeb Trail, Jasper, GA 30143 Elevation & Setting 1,600 feet on 5 acres of mountain slopes Philosophy Old-world, hand-harvested, small-batch winemaking Tasting Room Hours Friday & Saturday (12:00 PM – 6:00 PM), Sunday (12:30 PM – 5:00 PM) The Perfect Weekend Porch & Picnic Spot Whether you consider yourself a wine connoisseur or just somebody looking for a relaxing afternoon, their tasting room and gift shop welcome you like old friends. One of the neatest things about visiting Sharp Mountain Vineyards is their open-air pavilion overlooking the vineyard rows and the rise of Sharp Mountain itself. You can pack your own picnic lunch, grab a bottle of estate-grown wine, sit under the shelter, and just let the stress of the workweek roll right off your shoulders. Supporting local businesses like Sharp Mountain Vineyards is what keeps our Pickens County community strong, vibrant, and unique. Next time you’re planning a Friday afternoon outing or looking for something special to do over the weekend, take a drive down to Rathgeb Trail and enjoy what our mountain community has to offer!   The post Sharp Mountain Vineyards: A Local Gem in Our Own Backyard first appeared on Faith Pest Control.

  8. Aug 4

    Fred Talley’s Guide to Burnt Mountain Preserve

    A North Georgia Gem Right in Our Backyard: Fred Talley’s Guide to Burnt Mountain Preserve Howdy, neighbors! Fred Talley here from Faith Pest Control, right here in our beautiful corner of Pickens County. If you’ve lived in or around Jasper for any length of time, you know we are blessed with some of the finest mountain air, friendliest folks, and prettiest scenery in the whole state of Georgia. Whenever folks ask me what I love most about living and working up here in the mountains, I tell ’em it’s the fact that you can finish up a day’s work and be standing on top of a mountain ridge taking in a million-dollar view ten minutes later. One of my absolute favorite hidden gems in our local community is the Burnt Mountain Preserve. Whether you’re looking to stretch your legs, take in the seasonal wildflowers, or just enjoy a quiet moment away from the hustle and bustle, this 900-acre county-owned treasure is tough to beat. What Makes Burnt Mountain Preserve So Special? Located right off Route 136 heading east out of Jasper—just before you hit the main scenic overlook—Burnt Mountain Preserve sits at an elevation of roughly 2,500 feet. What a lot of folks don’t realize is that this land isn’t just pretty to look at—it plays a huge role in protecting our community. The preserve covers the headwaters of the Champion Creek valley and protects the Long Swamp Creek watershed, which helps safeguard the clean drinking water supply for the city of Jasper. As someone who spent years studying engineering before getting into public health and pest control, I appreciate good stewardship when I see it. Preserving this valley keeps our water clean and keeps the native wildlife thriving. Exploring the Trails: Something for Every Hiker Whether you’re out for a breezy afternoon stroll or you want a workout that’ll make your legs burn, the preserve has three main trails built and maintained by the Mountain Stewards: The Crest Trail (0.3 Miles – Orange Blazes): If you just want a light, easy loop to stretch your legs or get a quick breath of fresh mountain air, start here. It loops through the upper portion of the preserve and offers great winter vistas across the valley. The Preserve Trail (1.0 Mile – Yellow Blazes): Graduating to moderate difficulty, this trail takes you along ridge crests with gorgeous western and southern views looking out toward Sharp Top Mountain and Grandview Lake. Keep an eye out for the educational signage along the path identifying local tree species and native plant life. The Champion Creek Trail (Strenuous): Now, if you’re looking for a true physical test, this is the one. The trail drops down 800 feet of elevation into the bottomland of the Champion Creek valley before reaching a wooden bridge over the creek. Just remember: every foot you walk down, you’ve got to climb right back up! A Quick Tip from Your Local Bug Man Now, you knew I couldn’t write an article about walking in the woods without throwing in a little friendly advice from your neighborhood exterminator! When you’re out enjoying North Georgia’s trails—especially during the warmer spring and summer months—nature is out there enjoying it, too. Ticks, mosquitoes, and chiggers love the shade of our hardwoods just as much as we do. Here are a few simple tips before you head out: Tuck and Cover: If you’re heading down the Champion Creek Trail where vegetation gets a bit thicker, tuck your pant legs into your socks. It might not be a high-fashion look, but it keeps seed ticks and chiggers off your skin. Use a Friendly Repellent: Spray an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin on your boots and lower pant legs. Do a Post-Hike Check: When you get back home to Jasper, do a quick tick check on yourself, your kids, and your pets before settling in for dinner. Get Out and Enjoy Pickens County! We are so lucky to call this area home. Places like Burnt Mountain Preserve remind us why North Georgia is such a special place to live, raise a family, and enjoy the outdoors. The next time you have a free Saturday morning, pack a bottle of water, grab a pair of sturdy walking shoes, and head up Route 136 to check out the preserve. And hey, while you’re out enjoying the wild bugs in their natural habitat, make sure the ones at home aren’t invading yours! If you ever run into termites, ants, mice, or anything else creeping around your crawlspace or attic, you know who to call. Stay safe, enjoy the mountain views, and let me be YOUR bug man! — Fred Talley Owner & Certified Public Health Specialist, Faith Pest Control Jasper, Georgia   The post Fred Talley’s Guide to Burnt Mountain Preserve first appeared on Faith Pest Control.

  9. Jul 28

    Pickens County’s Historic Tate House

    Howdy, neighbors! Fred Talley here from Faith Pest Control. If you’ve lived around Jasper or traveled down Highway 53 in Pickens County for more than five minutes, you’ve probably caught yourself staring off toward the trees, admiring that stunning, glowing pink structure tucked into the foothills. I’m talking, of course, about the world-famous Tate House—or as a lot of folks around here like to call it, the “Pink Palace”. Now, usually when I’m writing to y’all, I’m talking about termites, carpenter ants, or the sneaky mice that try to make a home in your crawlspace when the mountain weather turns chilly. But living and working right here in North Georgia, I believe in taking care of our community and appreciating the rich history we’re standing on. And folks, you won’t find a grander piece of local history than Colonel Sam Tate’s marble masterpiece.   Built on Solid Georgia Marble (And Built to Last) Construction on the 19,000-square-foot Neo-Classical mansion began back in 1921 and wrapped up in 1926. Colonel Samuel Tate—president of the Georgia Marble Company—didn’t build his home out of standard brick or pine framing. He went straight to the source right underneath his feet. The mansion was constructed using rare, hand-picked pink Etowah marble. The story goes that Colonel Sam personally selected matching pink slabs for the exterior walls, floors, and interior fireplaces. A Bug Man’s Take: When you build a house out of solid Georgia marble, subterranean termites don’t stand a chance against those exterior walls. Though I can tell you from experience as a Certified Pest Control Operator, even a marble palace has wooden roof rafters and grand gardens that need a watchful eye! From Mountain Mansion to North Georgia Gem Over the decades, the Tate House has worn a lot of hats: The Family Era (1926–1955): Home to Colonel Sam Tate and later his heirs. The Restoration Era (1974–1985): After falling into disrepair, it was saved and lovingly restored over a 10-year effort, securing its spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Today: One of the premier wedding, event, and holiday tour destinations in all of Georgia, surrounded by century-old oak trees and flowing fountains. It’s an absolute landmark for Pickens County. Whenever friends or family come to visit from out of town, driving them past the Tate House is always right at the top of my list. Protecting Your Own Castle Right Here in Jasper Whether your home is a 19,000-square-foot pink marble estate or a cozy mountain cabin in Jasper, Talking Rock, or Ellijay, your house is your castle. And just like the caretakers who preserve the historic Tate House, every homeowner around here needs to protect their investment from wood-destroying organisms and unwelcome pests. If you ever suspect pests are trying to crash your home—whether it’s termites in the foundation or critters in the attic—you don’t have to tackle it alone. Give me a call or text at 770-823-9202 for a free inspection. And remember Fred’s Personal Guarantee: If you hire us and you aren’t 100% HAPPY after 30 days, we’ll keep coming back and retreating for FREE until you are. If you’re still not happy, I’ll give you back every penny plus an extra $25.00 for your time and trouble. Period. Enjoy our beautiful North Georgia mountains, take a drive past the Tate House this weekend, and as always—let me be YOUR bug man!   The post Pickens County’s Historic Tate House first appeared on Faith Pest Control.

  10. Jul 22

    What Bugs Are Hiding in your Crawlspace in Jasper GA

    Well, howdy neighbors! Fred Talley here again with Faith Pest Control, comin’ to you from right here in beautiful Jasper, Georgia. Now, today we are going to talk about a place most folks in Pickens County avoid like the plague: the crawlspace. Let’s be honest. Unless your water heater acts up or you need to shut off a water valve, you probably don’t spend a whole lot of time thinking about that dark, damp area under your floorboards. But just because it’s out of sight doesn’t mean it should be out of mind. Up here in the North Georgia hills, our red clay holds a mountain of moisture, and that dark, humid underbelly of your house is absolute prime real estate for some of the nastiest critters in Georgia. I’ve been shimmying on my belly through the dirt under Jasper homes for decades, and let me tell you, I’ve seen it all. If you were to grab a flashlight and pop your head down there today, here are the most common bugs you’re likely to find hiding out. 1. Subterranean Termites (The Silent Destroyers) These are the kings of the crawlspace, and they cause more damage to Georgia homes than fires and storms combined. Because they have soft bodies, they can’t handle the open air—they need constant moisture to survive. They tunnel up through our red dirt and build those little pencil-sized mud tubes right up your concrete blocks to reach your wooden floor joists. Once they’re in, they eat your home’s structural framing from the inside out, completely silent and completely hidden. 2. Camel Crickets (The Creepy Jumpers) Folks around here call them “cave crickets” or “sprickets” because they look like a cross between a cricket and a spider. They love dark, damp, undisturbed places. They don’t chirp, but they have one incredibly unnerving habit: when they get startled by a flashlight, their defense mechanism is to jump directly at you. If you have a damp crawlspace, you can easily have hundreds of these leggy critters hanging upside down from your subfloor. 3. Wolf Spiders and Black Widows (The Hunters) Where there are crickets and small bugs, the predators will follow. Crawlspaces are a haven for spiders. The big, furry Wolf Spiders don’t spin webs; they run across the dirt floors hunting down their prey. They’re harmless enough, but they’ll give you a heart attack if you aren’t expecting them. The ones you really have to watch out for are Black Widows. They love the quiet corners of a crawlspace, particularly near the access door or vents, where they build messy, tangled webs to catch unsuspecting insects. 4. “Waterbugs” (Oriental and Smokeybrown Cockroaches) Around here, folks love to politely call them “waterbugs,” but let’s call a spade a spade—they’re giant cockroaches. Unlike the little German roaches you find in kitchens, these big boys prefer high-humidity environments with plenty of decaying organic matter. A damp crawlspace is their paradise. The trouble is, when the crawlspace gets too crowded or the weather turns dry, they follow the pipe cutouts straight up into your bathrooms and kitchen sinks. 5. Powderpost Beetles (The Wood Borers) If you look up at your floor joists and notice tiny, perfectly round holes—about the size of a pinhead—accompanied by a fine, powdery sawdust, you’re looking at the work of powderpost beetles. Their larvae live inside the damp wood under your house, slowly chewing through it over a period of years until the wood loses all its structural integrity and turns to dust. Fred’s Crawlspace Wisdom: Bugs don’t just stay under your house. The air inside your home is actually pulled upward from your crawlspace through a process called the “stack effect.” That means if you have a moldy, bug-infested crawlspace, you are breathing that same air upstairs. Keeping it dry and treated isn’t just about protecting the wood; it’s about protecting your family’s health. Listen, neighbors… I want to be YOUR BUG MAN! You don’t have to strap on a headlamp and crawl through the cobwebs to see what’s living under your floors. That’s what my team and I are here for. Give us a call or text today at 770-823-9202, and we will send an expert out to perform a FREE, 100% Complete Crawlspace Inspection and Pest Audit. We’ll take a look at the bug activity, check your moisture levels, and tell you exactly what it takes to protect your home. And you know I back that up with my personal, ironclad guarantee: If you aren’t 100% happy with our service within 30 days, we’ll keep treating your home for FREE until you are. And if you’re still not satisfied, I’ll give you every single penny back, plus an extra $25.00 for your trouble. (Make sure to mention you read this article, and I’ll take $25.00 OFF your very first service!) Don’t let the bugs own your crawlspace, Jasper. Give us a call today! The post What Bugs Are Hiding in your Crawlspace in Jasper GA first appeared on Faith Pest Control.

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Pest Control Tips for North Georgia, Jasper, Blueridge & Elligay Ga Residents

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