Howdy again, neighbors! Fred Talley here from Faith Pest Control. You know, living here in Jasper, we’re lucky to be just a stone’s throw away from some of the best mountain traditions in the world.

If you’re looking for a reason to pack up the family and head a little further north this August, I’ve got just the ticket for you. It’s time for the 76th Annual Georgia Mountain Fair up in Hiawassee!

From August 14th through August 22nd, 2026, the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds will be buzzing with excitement. It’s about an hour and fifteen minutes from us here in Jasper, and let me tell you, it is well worth the drive.

Here’s what’s cooking at the fair this year:

• The Music: Anderson Music Hall is going to be rocking! They’ve got Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone on the 14th, the legendary Vince Gill on the 15th and 16th, and Casting Crowns closing things out on the 26th.

• The Pioneer Village: This is one of my favorite parts. It’s like stepping back in time to see how our mountain ancestors lived—complete with moonshine making, cider squeezing, and blacksmithing demonstrations.

• The Carnival Midway: If you’ve got kids (or you’re just a kid at heart), the rides open a day early on August 13th.

• Puppy Pals Live: As a man who loves a happy dog (you know my slogan—Keepin’ the Tail Waggin’), I’m excited about this America’s Got Talent act featuring rescued pups performing stunts.

Now, speaking of “mountain traditions,” there’s one we’d all like to do without: summer pests. While you’re out enjoying the funnel cakes and the fresh mountain air, those North Georgia ants, roaches, and termites are looking for their own fairground—and they usually pick your crawlspace or your kitchen pantry. This time of year, with the humidity high, things like Subterranean Termites are more active than ever, and Stink Bugs are just waiting for a chance to move in.

Listen… I want to be YOUR BUG MAN!

I’ve been in this business for years, and I’m not just a Georgia State Certified Pest Control Operator; I’m a neighbor who cares about your home. Whether you’re in Jasper, Blue Ridge, or Ellijay, I treat your house like it’s my own.

I don’t believe in cutting corners, because cutting corners leads to bugs coming back. That’s why I offer the best guarantee in the business:

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. If you’re still not happy, I’ll give you back every penny of your money, plus an additional $25.00 for your time and trouble. Period.

So, go on up to Hiawassee, ride the Tilt-A-Whirl, and eat your fill of fair food. But if you come home and find that the ants have started their own “Pioneer Village” in your cabinets, you give me a call.

Call me at 770-823-9202. Let’s get those bugs out so we can keep those tails waggin’!

See you at the fair,

Fred Talley, Owner/Operator Faith Pest Control, Jasper, GA 770-823-9202

PS. Don’t forget—mention you saw this notice and I’ll take $25.00 OFF your first service!

By Fred Talley, Faith Pest Control

Well, howdy neighbors! Fred Talley here from Faith Pest Control, right here in our beautiful corner of North Georgia. If you’re like me, you’re already looking forward to those long summer days and the community spirit that makes Jasper such a special place to call home.

I’m writing to you today because there’s a mighty big event coming to town that you won’t want to miss. It’s time to dust off your tunics and polish your armor, because the Ga. Mt. Charity Camelot-Fest is returning to Jasper this June!

Mark your calendars for June 20 and 21, 2026. The festival will be held right here at the Chattahoochee Tech Conference Center (100 Campus Dr.).

This isn’t just your average weekend outing; it’s a full-blown trip back to the days of King Arthur. We’re talking about:

• Live Knights and Performers: You’ll see roaming bards, stage acts, and maybe even a wizard or two wandering through the crowd.

• The Artisan Market: Plenty of handcrafted treasures and traditional festival food (yes, you can feast like royalty!).

• Games for the Littles: From archery-style games to knightly quests, there’s plenty to keep the kids entertained.

• A Great Cause: The best part? All the proceeds go directly to support our local Public Library.

Cosplay is highly encouraged, so don’t be shy about dressing up as a knight, a noble, or even a forest fairy. It’s all in good fun for a great community cause.

Now, while we’re all excited about the knights and the fair ladies coming to Jasper, there are some other “guests” trying to make their way into our homes this summer that aren’t nearly as welcome. I’m talking about those nasty North Georgia spiders, ants, and termites that think your kitchen is their personal banquet hall.

Listen… I want to be YOUR BUG MAN!

Nothing spoils a summer evening like finding a black ribbon of ants marching across your counter or hearing that “scritch-scritch-scritch” in the walls. Termite and pest control is serious business—it involves protecting your home, your family, and your four-legged friends.

At Faith Pest Control, we don’t just “spray and pray.” We use common-sense, pet-friendly methods to put the treatment where the bugs live and your pets don’t.

I am so confident in my expertise that I’m willing to place MY NAME and MY MONEY on the line. 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. If you’re still not happy, I’ll give you back every penny of your money, plus an additional $25.00 for your time and trouble. Period.

So, go enjoy the Camelot-Fest and support our library! Just remember, if you come home and find that the only “dragons” in your house are the roaches under the fridge, don’t you hesitate to give me a ring.

Give us a call at 770-823-9202. Let’s keep the pests out and the tails waggin’!

Have a great day, neighbors,

Fred Talley, Owner/Operator Faith Pest Control, Jasper, GA 770-823-9202

Summer “Stingers” in the North Georgia Mountains: What’s Buzzing Around Your Eaves?

By Fred Talley, Faith Pest Control

Well, neighbors, summer has officially arrived in Jasper. The sun is out, the lake is calling, and if you’re like me, you’re spending as much time as possible on the back deck or out in the yard. But there’s a downside to this beautiful North Georgia weather: The stingers are out in force.

Up here in the mountains—from Talking Rock to Big Canoe—summer is the peak season for things that fly, buzz, and pack a punch. At Faith Pest Control, we’re getting the calls every day from folks who walked into a yellow jacket nest or found a “paper lantern” hanging over their front door.

Here’s the breakdown of who’s who in the world of North Georgia stinging insects this summer:

1. The “Ground Troublemakers”: Yellow Jackets

If there’s one bug that can ruin a backyard BBQ faster than a summer thunderstorm, it’s the Yellow Jacket.

The Hiding Spot: Unlike honeybees, these guys love to build nests in the ground—often in old rodent burrows or under railroad ties.

The Danger: They are notoriously cranky. If you run a lawnmower over their “front door,” they’ll come out swinging. And unlike a honeybee, a yellow jacket can sting you multiple times without losing its stinger.

1. The “Eavesdroppers”: Paper Wasps

You’ve seen these nests—they look like an upside-down umbrella with open honeycombs.

The Hiding Spot: They love our North Georgia architecture! You’ll find them under the eaves of your house, behind shutters, or tucked into the corners of your porch.

The Behavior: They aren’t quite as aggressive as yellow jackets, but if you get too close while painting or cleaning your windows, they’ll defend their home with a painful sting.

1. The “Gentle Giants”: European Hornets

These guys are big—sometimes over an inch long—and they can look pretty scary when they’re bumping against your porch light at night.

The Hiding Spot: They usually nest in hollow trees, but they aren’t above moving into an attic or a wall void if they find a gap in your siding.

The “Attraction”: They are the only wasps in our area that are active at night. If you leave your porch lights on, don’t be surprised to see these big fellas circling the glow.

1. The “Drill Bits”: Carpenter Bees

While the males don’t have stingers (they’re just “all bark and no bite” hovering in your face), the females do.

The Damage: Their real “sting” is to your wallet. They bore perfectly round holes into your cedar siding, decks, and fascia boards. If left alone, they’ll turn your beautiful mountain home into a piece of Swiss cheese.

Fred’s “Stay Safe” Summer Tips

Before you grab a can of spray and head out there, keep these things in mind:

Watch the Flight Path: Before you start weeding or mowing, stand back and watch your yard for a minute. If you see bugs consistently flying in and out of a hole in the ground or a crack in your siding, you’ve found a nest.

Avoid “The Swat”: If a wasp flies near you, try to stay calm. Swatting at them is interpreted as an attack, and that’s when they call for backup.

Check the Kids’ Playsets: Check under the slides and inside the “fort” area of backyard playsets once a week. These are favorite hiding spots for wasps.

Don’t Block the Exit: If you find wasps entering a hole in your house siding, do not caulk that hole shut while they are inside. They will find a way out—and “out” might mean chewing through your drywall into your living room!

We’ve Got the Gear to Handle It

Look, I know a lot of folks like to “DIY” their pest control, but when it comes to stinging insects, it can get dangerous fast—especially if you have an undiscovered allergy.

At Faith Pest Control, we have the protective gear and the specialized treatments to knock out these nests safely. We live and work right here in Jasper, and we want to make sure your summer stays fun and sting-free.

Give us a shout at Faith Pest Control, and let’s keep those “mountain stingers” in the woods where they belong!

The Jasper Homeowner’s Essential Pest Control Checklist

By Fred Talley, Faith Pest Control

Living up here in the North Georgia Mountains, we get the best of everything—the views, the fresh air, and a front-row seat to every season. But let’s be honest: our neck of the woods is also “Bug Central.” Between the heavy woods in **Bent Tree** and the lake breeze over in **Big Canoe**, our homes are under constant pressure from critters looking for a free meal and a warm bed.

At **Faith Pest Control**, I always tell my neighbors that a little “mountain maintenance” goes a long way. If you want to keep the ants out of your sweet tea and the termites out of your floorboards, here is my personal checklist for every Jasper homeowner this season.

### 1. The “Six-Inch Rule” for Foundation

The quickest way to invite termites and wood-decaying beetles into your home is to give them a “bridge.”

* **Pull back the mulch:** Keep your pine straw or wood mulch at least six inches away from your wooden siding or foundation.

* **Check your “soil-to-wood” contact:** If you’ve got wooden stairs or lattice touching the dirt, you’re basically ringing the dinner bell for subterranean termites.

### 2. Gutter and Drainage Audit

Water is the #1 attractant for pests in North Georgia.

* **Clear the debris:** Clogged gutters create “micro-swamps” where mosquitoes breed and carpenter ants love to nest.

* **Extend your downspouts:** Make sure rainwater is moving *away* from your crawlspace. A damp crawlspace is a playground for camel crickets (those “sprickets” we all hate) and wood roaches

### 3. Seal the “Mountain Breezes”

If a breeze can get under your door, a **Kudzu Bug** or a **Stink Bug** can get in with it.

* **Check your door sweeps:** If you can see daylight under your front door, it’s time for a new sweep.

* **Screen your vents:** Make sure your attic and crawlspace vents have tight-fitting, heavy-duty mesh to keep out “the big stuff” like squirrels and raccoons.

### 4. Manage the “Greenery”

We love our trees, but they shouldn’t be touching your roof.

* **The “Two-Foot Trim”:** Keep tree limbs and shrubs trimmed at least two feet away from your house. These branches act as a “highway” for ants and spiders to bypass your ground-level treatments and walk right onto your roof or into your windows.

### 5. Kitchen & Pantry Lockdown

As the weather shifts, ants are on a mission for moisture and sugar.

* **Seal the snacks:** Invest in some airtight containers for your flour, sugar, and pet food.

* **Wipe the “invisible” spills:** Ants follow pheromone trails. Even if a spill looks dry, the “scent” is still there. A quick wipe-down with soapy water breaks that trail.

### Don’t Tackle the Mountain Alone

I know you’re busy enjoying the North Georgia lifestyle—maybe hitting the trails or spending a Saturday at the Jasper Farmers Market. You shouldn’t have to spend all your free time chasing bugs.

At **Faith Pest Control**, we specialize in the specific pests that call Jasper home. We don’t just treat your house; we protect your peace of mind with a professional perimeter barrier that stands up to our mountain weather.

**Give us a call today, and let’s che

Spring is Popping in North Georgia—And So Are the Bugs!

**By Fred Talley, Faith Pest Control**

Well, neighbors, it’s that time of year again. The daffodils are peeking out, the Coosawattee is flowing high, and if you look closely at the sunny side of your house here in Jasper, you’ll see exactly what I’m seeing: **The bugs are waking up.**

Up here in the North Georgia Mountains, our spring is beautiful, but it’s also the “Grand Opening” for every creepy-crawly that’s been hitching a ride in your insulation or hiding under your leaf litter all winter. At **Faith Pest Control**, we’re already getting the calls.

Here’s what’s shaking off the winter slumber and heading your way this month:

### 1. The “Big Three” of Spring Home Invasions

While everything is waking up, three pests usually lead the charge into our North Georgia homes:

* **Ants (Especially Odorous House Ants):** They’re thirsty and hungry. As soon as the ground warms up, scouts start looking for a sugary snack in your kitchen. If you see one, there are a thousand more following that scent trail.

* **Termites:** This is the big one. Spring is “Swarm Season.” When we get those warm days right after a spring rain, subterranean termites send out winged “swarmers” to start new colonies. If you see what looks like flying ants inside your house, don’t wait—give us a call.

* **Carpenter Bees:** If you’ve got a wooden deck or cedar siding, you know the drill. These “flying drill bits” are waking up to hover around your eaves and start boring those perfectly round holes.

### 2. The Overwintering “Wake-Up Call”

Remember those **Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs** and **Kudzu Bugs** that disappeared back in November? They didn’t leave; they just went into your attic and wall voids. Now that the sun is hitting your siding, they think it’s summertime. They’ll start crawling out of your light fixtures and vents, looking for a way back outside.

> **Fred’s Pro Tip:** Don’t squish ’em! You’ll end up with a literal “stink” and a stain on your carpet. Vacuum them up and toss the bag.

### 3. Mosquitoes and Ticks are Checking In

With the spring rains filling up every discarded pot and low spot in the yard, the mosquito larvae are ready to go. And if you’re out hiking the trails around Bent Tree or Big Canoe, the ticks are officially active. It only takes one warm week for them to climb to the top of the tall grass waiting for a host.

### How to Get Ahead of the Spring Rush

You don’t have to wait until you’re outnumbered to take action. Here’s what you can do right now:

* **Clean Those Gutters:** Clogged gutters are a breeding ground for mosquitoes and a “highway” for ants to get into your roofline.

* **Mulch Mindfully:** Keep your pine straw or mulch a few inches away from your foundation. Piling it right against the house is like laying out a welcome mat for termites.

* **Check the Seals:** Look at your door sweeps and window screens. If a breeze can get in, a bug can too.

Let Faith Handle the Rest

At **Faith Pest Control**, we know the North Georgia terrain because we live here. We don’t just spray and pray; we look at the biology of these mountain pests to stop them before they get a foothold in your living room.

Whether you’re in Jasper, Ellijay, or Blue Ridge, we’re ready to help you enjoy the spring without the “uninvited guests.” Give us a shout, and let’s get your home protected.

**Happy Spring, everybody!**

The “Kudzu Bug” Invasion: What You Need to Know in North Georgia

By Fred Talley, Faith Pest Control

If you’ve lived around Jasper, Ellijay, or anywhere in the North Georgia Mountains for more than a few years, you’ve probably noticed a “new” neighbor that’s making itself right at home. I’m talking about the Kudzu Bug (Megacopta cribraria).

Now, we’re used to ladybugs and those pesky Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs, but these little guys are a different breed of nuisance. If you’ve seen small, olive-brown, square-shaped beetles clustering on your white siding or swarming your soybean crops, you’ve met the Kudzu Bug.

Where Did They Come From?

They aren’t from around here. They first showed up in Georgia back in 2009—right down the road in Hoschton—and they’ve spread like wildfire across the Southeast. They’re named after their favorite snack: Kudzu. Since we’ve got plenty of “the vine that ate the South” up here in the mountains, the Kudzu Bug thinks North Georgia is a five-star buffet.

Why Are They a Problem for You?

While they love kudzu, they don’t stop there. Here’s why they’re a headache for homeowners in Jasper and beyond:

The Smell and the Stain: Just like a stink bug, if you squish a Kudzu Bug, it releases a foul-smelling defense chemical. Even worse? That liquid can actually cause a mild skin burn or “stain” your skin and your home’s siding.

The “Home Invasion”: As the weather starts to cool down in the fall, these bugs look for a warm place to spend the winter. They love light-colored surfaces (like white or beige siding) because they soak up the sun. Once they find a gap in your windows or trim, they’ll crawl inside by the hundreds.

Agricultural Impact: If you’re a farmer or gardener, watch out. They love legumes—specifically soybeans and snap beans. They can do some real damage to a crop if left unchecked.

How to Keep Them Out

At Faith Pest Control, we believe an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Here is what I recommend for my North Georgia neighbors:

Seal the Gaps: Take a look at your doors and windows. If you see light coming through, a Kudzu Bug can get through. Use a high-quality caulk to seal cracks and replace worn-out weatherstripping.

Check Your Screens: Make sure your window screens are tight and don’t have any holes.

Don’t Squish ‘Em: If they get inside, don’t reach for the fly swatter. Use a vacuum with a hose attachment to suck them up, then empty the bag or canister into a bucket of soapy water. This avoids the smell and the staining.

Professional Perimeter Treatment: The best way to stop an invasion is to stop them before they ever get inside. We apply a specialized exterior treatment that creates a barrier they can’t cross.

We’re Here to Help

Living in the North Georgia Mountains is a blessing, but the bugs can be a chore. If you’re tired of seeing these brown specks all over your beautiful home, give us a call at Faith Pest Control. We know the Jasper and North Georgia area like the back of our hand, and we know exactly how to handle a Kudzu Bug problem.

Stay bug-free, neighbors!

Keepin’ the Tail Waggin’: How We Do Pet-Friendly Pest Control in Jasper

Well, howdy neighbors! Fred Talley here from Faith Pest Control, right here in our beautiful corner of North Georgia.

If you’re like me, your four-legged friends aren’t just “animals”—they’re family. Whether it’s a loyal lab curled up by the fireplace or a curious tabby prowling the porch, the last thing any of us wants is to put them in harm’s way while tryin’ to get rid of uninvited guests like roaches, ants, or those nasty North Georgia spiders.

Folks ask me all the time: “Fred, can I really keep my home bug-free without worryin’ about my dog or cat?” The answer is a big, North Georgia YES. But it takes a little bit of “faith” in the right process and a whole lot of common sense. Here’s what makes a pest control service truly pet-friendly.

It Starts with “IPM” (That’s Expert Talk for Common Sense)

At Faith Pest Control, we don’t just “spray and pray.” We use what’s called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). It’s a fancy term, but here’s what it means for your pets:

• Targeted Treatment: Instead of soaking your whole baseboard in chemicals, we look for the source. We put the treatment where the bugs live and the pets don’t—like deep in cracks, crevices, and behind appliances.
• Bait Stations: If we use baits for ants or roaches, we use tamper-resistant stations. These are little “lockboxes” that keep the good guys (your pets) out and the bad guys (the bugs) in.
• Exclusion First: Sometimes the best pest control isn’t a spray at all; it’s a tube of caulk! By sealing up those gaps around your foundation or utility pipes, we keep the bugs out so we don’t have to use as much product inside.

The “Dry Rule”

One of the most important things to remember is the drying window. Most of the professional products we use today are specifically designed to be safe for pets once they have completely dried.

Fred’s Pro Tip: I always tell my neighbors to keep their pets in a “safe room” or out for a walk while I’m workin’. Once that product is dry—usually about 30 to 60 minutes depending on the humidity—it’s perfectly fine for them to go back to their favorite nap spot.

Knowing Your “Exotic” Neighbors

Now, I know not everyone just has cats and dogs. We’ve got folks in Jasper with birds, fish, and even the occasional reptile. These little critters can be more sensitive.

• Fish Tanks: If we’re doin’ an indoor treatment, we always ask you to cover the tank with a towel and turn off the air pump for a little bit to keep the water pure.
• Birds: Their lungs are delicate! If we’re doin’ any kind of heavy-duty work, it’s best to move the cage to a part of the house we aren’t touchin’.

My Personal “Make You Happy” Guarantee

Termite and pest control is serious business. It involves chemicals, and I’ll never tell you otherwise. But when you hire someone who treats you like a neighbor—not a number—you get the peace of mind that comes with knowing the job is done right.

I’m a Georgia State Certified Pest Control Operator, and I’ve spent years learnin’ exactly how these products interact with our environment. My promise to you is simple: If you hire me to get rid of your pest problem and you aren’t 100% HAPPY within 30 days, I’ll come back and retreat for FREE until you are.

So, don’t let the bugs run your house, and don’t let “worry” keep you from callin’ the pros. We’ll keep the pests out and the tails waggin’.

Give us a ring right here in Jasper, and let’s bring some peace back to your home!

When the Walls Start Talking: What to Do if You Hear Mice in Your Jasper Home

If you’re sitting in your living room here in Pickens County, enjoying a quiet evening, and you suddenly hear a scritch-scritch-scritch coming from inside your drywall, I know exactly what’s going through your head. Your skin starts to crawl, and you start wondering if you’ve got a tiny renovation crew moving in behind the baseboards.

At Faith Pest Control, we hear from folks in Jasper every week who are dealing with this exact problem. In North Georgia, mice love our cozy homes just as much as we do—especially when the weather turns.

If you hear those tell-tale sounds, here is what you need to do (and what you definitely shouldn’t do).

1. Identify the Sound

Mice are nocturnal, so you’ll usually hear them most clearly at night when the house is still.

• The Sound: It’s typically a light scratching, scurrying, or even a faint squeak.
• The Location: If it sounds like it’s “moving” horizontally along the floorboards or vertically up a corner, you’re likely dealing with a mouse using your wall studs as a ladder.

1. Don’t Just Start Pounding on the Walls

I’ve seen folks try to “scare” them out by hitting the walls. All that does is make the mice hunker down or move to a different part of the house. It doesn’t solve the entry point or the nesting problem.

1. Look for the “Highway”

Mice don’t just stay in the walls; they have to come out for food and water. Check your pantry, under the kitchen sink, and behind the stove. Look for:

• Droppings: Small, dark grains of rice.
• Rub Marks: Mice have oily fur; they leave dark smudges along the baseboards where they travel.
• Chew Marks: Look at your plastic containers or the corners of your cabinets.

1. Check the Perimeter (The Jasper Special)

Around here, we have plenty of trees and brush right up against our houses. Walk around the outside of your home and look for any gap larger than a dime. If a pencil can fit in a hole, a mouse can squeeze through it. Check where the utility lines enter the house and look for gaps in the foundation.

The “Faith” Approach to Mice

A lot of people run to the hardware store and grab those yellow boxes of poison. I want to give you a word of caution on that: If a mouse eats poison inside your wall and dies there, you’re going to have a smell in your house that you won’t soon forget.

At Faith Pest Control, we believe in doing things the right way—the “Faithful” way. We focus on:

• Exclusion: Sealing those holes so they can’t get in to begin with.
• Strategic Trapping: Removing the mice safely and effectively without leaving a mess behind your sheetrock.
• Sanitation Advice: Helping you identify what’s attracting them so they don’t come back.

Don’t Live with Houseguests You Didn’t Invite

If you’re hearing those noises in Jasper, Talking Rock, or Marble Hill, don’t wait until they chew through a wire or start a family. Give us a call at Faith Pest Control. We’ll come out, take a look, and give you a straight answer on how to get your peace and quiet back.

We’re not just killing bugs and rodents; we’re protecting your family’s home.