Grace Valley Pest Control

05/26/2026

Hidden just under the front deck… and packed with yellow jackets. 🐝

Aerial nests like this can stay unnoticed until the colony gets large and defensive. One vibration from the deck, lawn equipment nearby, or someone walking too close can turn into a bad day fast.

This one was safely removed before anyone got stung.

If you’re seeing increased yellow jacket activity around your home, especially near decks, soffits, shrubs, or play areas, it’s worth having it checked sooner rather than later.

📍Grace Valley Pest Control
Protecting homes with honest service and expert care!

05/20/2026

Larry was more than a client — he was a great neighbor and a great friend. He was the kind of person who always@ had a joke ready, no matter the situation.

One day after a long day of work, I came home to find my mailbox knocked down. I was outside fixing it with my daughter, clearly irritated, when Larry drove up and asked, “What happened?”

I answered, “What does it look like?” and jokingly blamed my daughter, Amelia. She immediately started protesting and explaining how the mailman had actually done it. Larry looked at her and said, “As your lawyer, I advise you to stop talking, Amelia.”

That was Larry. Always quick with a joke, always able to make people laugh.

Here’s to Larry — you will be deeply missed by the many people who knew and loved you.

If you’re able, please consider donating to help support his six-year-old daughter, Alyssa, as she navigates a world without her father. Every donation, share, and prayer means more than words can say.

Alyssa is a smart, loving little girl who recently lost her dad after his courageous battle wi… Mira Knotts needs your support for Support for Alyssa’s Future

05/13/2026

Wasp mimicry is one of nature’s most incredible adaptations.

This Typocerus zebra looks remarkably similar to a yellowjacket at first glance, but it’s actually a completely harmless longhorned beetle. The black-and-yellow coloration is thought to help protect it by convincing predators it might sting.

I got to use this find as a chance to talk with my daughter about mimicry, defensive adaptations, and how insects evolve to survive. One of those small moments that reminds me why I love entomology. 🪲🐝

05/01/2026

1800’s farmhouse. Crawlspace that turned into a textbook case of termite biology.

After a few days of rain, the termite swarmers showed up in full force… and I mean FULL force.

The sound? Like it was literally raining under the house — thousands of wings hitting the v***r barrier at once.

We didn’t treat this one. The construction is too complex and the crawlspace clearance is too tight to properly access all the active areas. Sometimes the right call isn’t spraying—it’s recognizing when a structure needs a different level of solution.

This is exactly what peak swarming activity looks (and sounds) like after rainfall.

If you’re seeing this around your home, it’s not just a few bugs—it’s a sign of a much bigger colony nearby!

04/04/2026

Ever seen THIS before? 👀

An active paper wasp nest… with earwigs hiding inside.

Sounds crazy, but it’s actually a perfect example of how opportunistic pests can be.

Earwigs aren’t teaming up with wasps—they’re taking advantage:
• Sneaking in at night 🌙
• Feeding on scraps and debris
• Using the nest as a protected hiding spot

Even a well-defended paper wasp colony can have weak points.

In pest control, it’s rarely just one issue—it’s an ecosystem.

This week? Termites.
Today? Wasps vs. earwigs.

You never know what you’ll find sometimes!

04/02/2026

This whole week has been termites… 😯

Pulled apart an untreated 2x4 in direct contact with the ground—and it was completely gone. Nothing left but debris.

This is exactly why wood-to-soil contact is a big risk. Termites don’t need much time when conditions are right.

If you’ve got wood touching the ground around your home, it might be time to take a closer look.

03/11/2026

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to teach about insects for our local homeschool group, Heritage of Grace. It’s always fun sharing the fascinating (and sometimes creepy) world of bugs with curious kids.

At one point I was handing out coloring sheets with different pests. When I got to the ladybug sheet, my daughter got upset because she wanted it… but I had already given it to another little girl. Trying to smooth things over, I told her, “Don’t worry—you have a cockroach!”

The whole room burst out laughing… everyone except my daughter. 🪳😅

We also talked about a few “bonus pests” that weren’t on the coloring pages—like head lice. I’m pretty sure several parents went home that day and had a discussion about the dangers of sharing combs and brushes. 😬

Occupational hazard of being the bug guy, I guess. 🤪

03/09/2026

The groundhog said 4 more weeks of winter…
The termites said, “Nah.”
Active termites today in North Georgia!

03/05/2026

Honored to talk with Pest Control Technology (PCT) about online reviews and what’s worked for us at Grace Valley Pest Control.

We’ve always tried to keep it simple—do good work and let the feedback happen naturally. When we send our invoices after service, there’s just a simple “How was your service today?” prompt.

Since opening in 2022, that approach has helped us earn 172 five-star reviews. Grateful for every customer who took the time to share their experience!

02/13/2026

Shoutout to Billy for going above and beyond! 🙌

While visiting her new granddaughter, a delivery was accidentally left at the tearoom — and Billy made sure it was safely brought inside during our early morning service. That’s the kind of care, attention, and small-town service we believe in at Grace Valley Pest Control.

It’s more than pest control — it’s looking out for our community. 💛
Thank you, Billy, for representing what Grace Valley is all about!

12/19/2025

Went in for a medical appointment…
Left diagnosing an ant infestation 🐜😅
Old habits die hard.
Here’s hoping they call Grace Valley Pest Control 🙏