Anytime you have a wood-destroying insect in your home, it is stressful. They can end up causing thousands of dollars in property damage if they are left to their devices for long enough. The biggest problem lies in the fact that the signs of their existence are very subtle and they can live in your home undetected for a long period of time. Carpenter ants don’t die in winter. While it is true that colonies may remain dormant when the air temperature is very cold, heat from the sun or furnace may warm house walls and stir dormant ants to activity. Sometimes, carpenter ants may skip their hibernation phase altogether! The key to avoiding costly repairs to your home is early detection. Rentokil are here to talk about some of the subtle signs that may be present when you have a carpenter ant problem in your home.

Difference Between Carpenter Ants & Termites

There are some similarities between carpenter ants and termites, but there are also distinct differences. The biggest difference is their eating habits. Termites actually feed off of wood. This means that as long as they are in your home, they are eating away at the structure. Carpenter ants don’t actually eat the wood they live in, rather they build nests in it. They hollow out structures building their nests larger and larger, but they don’t cause damage near as quickly as termites do. This means that you can hopefully have a little more time to catch the problem before you are faced with severe damage.

Signs of Carpenter Ant Infestations

While these pests can live for quite some time before they are detected, there are several subtle signs that are often present with carpenter ant infestations. The following are some of them.
– Sawdust: You may notice small piles of sawdust near baseboards, door jambs, and window sills.
– Noises: As the carpenter ants work to build their nests, you may hear rustling noises behind your walls.
– Ants: The biggest sign of a carpenter ant infestation is the presence of ants themselves. You may notice that they sneak behind your baseboards. You may also notice that they start to shed their wings in these areas as well.

Carpenter Ant Prevention

The best way to prevent carpenter ant damage is to not allow them to make their way into your house in the first place. The following are some tips that will help you prevent a carpenter ant problem before it starts.
– Store firewood away from your home.
– Fix any water leaks as soon as you notice them and before they cause water damage and attract carpenter ants.
– Seal cracks in the foundation with caulking.
– Store food properly to eliminate their food source as well as clean crumbs and other attractants from your home as often as possible.

Carpenter Ant Pest Control

If you have noticed any signs at all of a carpenter ant infestation, you need to call on the professionals at Rentokil as soon as possible. You don’t want to leave carpenter ants in your home to continue to cause damage. We have the experience and training to successfully locate the nest and get rid of any carpenter ant infestation you may have. Call us today!

Pests come in all shapes and sizes. Some are uglier and more unsettling than others. Where some pests can harm you and/or be destructive to your home or business, most can bring unsanitary and unhealthy conditions. When it comes to pests, they can simply be a nuisance or a real problem. But many people simply do not understand how their premises become infested in the first place. There are several reasons as to why your home or business has now unwelcomed residents, and today, we at Rentokil would like to briefly expound on the matter.

How Do Bugs & Pests Get in Your Home or Business?

1) Pests are brought in accidentally. Most people do not realize they are responsible for the infestation. You or your pet might inadvertently bring pests inside. Some are brought in through packages, second-hand items, or directly on your person or possessions. Cockroaches can easily be brought in via packages and second-hand items, and so on. The best preventative measure is thoroughly inspecting your luggage after a trip before unpacking and checking any second-hand items thoroughly before you bring them inside your home. Do not forget to check cardboard boxes as well.
2) Pests wander in. Pests are opportunists and take advantage whenever possible. There are quite a few pests whose natural habitats are right outside on your trees, bushes, and grass. When the vegetation is growing and makes contact with the roof, vent, or window, these pests will simply wander inside and enjoy the easier lifestyle your home or business provides. If their needs are met, food, water, and climate conditions, they will stick around. Also, open doors and windows are very welcoming to pests looking to escape harsher living conditions, predators, or even when they need food or water. To avoid this occurrence, keep firewood stacked away from the house, maintain the foliage and ensure it does not encroach on your house, and ensure screens are closed over open doors and windows.
3) Pests come in looking for food and water. Most pests will eat the scraps left behind from humans. Leaving food out on the countertops, piled up on dirty dishes in the sink, or even in open garbage cans can attract quite a few pests. Make certain food is secure in airtight containers, you are diligent with housekeeping, and your indoor and outdoor garbage cans are tightly secured with lids and you wash them out monthly with hot soapy water.

Professional Pest Management

These are the basic reasons as to why many homes and business are stricken with pests. On top of your preventative maintenance and care, you can avoid heavy infestations with routine pest control maintenance services. Professionals will customize your pest control needs and help you avoid pest infestations as well as eliminate them if they occur. Call Rentokil today to combat existing pest infestations or prevent them from occurring again!

When we find ourselves in the thick of winter, there are still some pests that you will have to continue to battle even more now that temperatures are subzero. Mice are going to start looking for a place to keep warm throughout the winter, and the last place you want that to be in your home. Rentokil is here to share some tips to help you keep mice out of your home this winter.

Mouse & Rodent Proof Food Storage Containers

Food is something that mice are searching for in the winter with their food sources much more difficult to find as the snowfalls. Your food should be stored in airtight containers to avoid a mouse infestation. This is especially true for areas like basements and storage rooms. These dark places are often a good place for mice to build their nests. Not only do you need to worry about your food, but mice will be attracted to pet food as well. Store your dog or cat food in a plastic container with a lid since mice will chew their way through the bags pet food comes in.

Store Firewood Outside & off the Ground to Avoid Mice

A nicely stacked pile of firewood is the perfect place for a mouse nest. If you store your firewood off the ground at least 18 inches, it will greatly decrease the number of mice you find in it during the winter. You should also avoid storing your firewood near any of the entrances into your home to avoid easy access into your home.

Seal Mice Holes & Entry Points

It is important to give your home a thorough inspection for any places that a mouse can gain entry into your home. You may not realize this, but a mouse can squeeze its way through a hole the size of a dime. If you have any holes or cracks in your home, they should be repaired as soon as possible to avoid a mouse problem.

Remove Clutter as Mice like Messy Rooms

Is your garage full of boxes and other clutter? You may want to start organizing things and getting rid of any clutter that you don’t need. Mice will make their nests in these places as long as you let them. You should always keep basements and crawl spaces neat and tidy as well to avoid a mouse problem.

Maintain Landscaping to Keep Mice out of Garden

If you haven’t cleaned up the fallen leaves in your yard and the bushes are overgrown on your property, consider cleaning them up a bit to avoid mice. These areas offer mice a nice place to shelter themselves from any storms that could come their way during the winter.

Rodent Control

If you have a mouse problem this winter, it is important that you act quickly before they take over your home. The pest specialists at Rentokil have the experience and resources to rid your home of any mouse problem you may have. Call us today!

Idaho is home to four main species of cockroaches: German, American, Oriental and brown-banded. Oriental cockroaches are very hardy and can deal with the cold temperatures better than other species of cockroaches. When it gets too cold outside, they will come inside. If cockroaches have food, water, and a humid environment to live in, they will easily live throughout the cold winter season. The Oriental cockroach is also known as the water bug or black beetle. It is a large roach measuring an inch long. They are dark brown in color and their bodies are glossy. The females have a wider body, while the males are narrower. The males also have wings that are more developed. They can live for a month without food, but without water, they will die within two weeks.

Are Cockroaches Dangerous?

Cockroaches can be dangerous because they travel through filthy places and live and eat in filthy conditions. The filth they collect from sewers, bathrooms, garbage disposals, kitchens, bathrooms, and other outdoor areas is what makes them dangerous. They will spread this filth to supplies of food, preparation surfaces, utensils, dishes, and other surfaces. Cockroaches contaminate far more food than they are able to eat. Cockroaches carry disease-producing organisms like bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. These are carried on their legs and bodies and leave them behind as they crawl through our home. Cockroaches can also cause allergic responses through excrement and shed skin as it contains allergens that can cause skin rashes, congestion, watery eyes, sneezing, and asthma.

Cockroach Prevention

Cockroaches can make you and your family very sick. Good sanitation and reducing places for them to live are key to keeping them out of your home. You will also need to make sure your home is clean and dry by fixing water leaks. Sealing any opening they will use to get in. These include gaps under doors and siding, around pipes, drains or sewers. Keep rotting leaves and other debris out of your yard to reduce places for them to hide. Because cockroaches love trash so much it’s important to keep trash cans sealed tightly. As soon as you suspect you have a roach problem you can use baits. Baits can be effective for smaller infestations, but professionals are highly recommended to deal with a cockroach infestation of any size.

Signs of a Heavy Oriental Roach Infestation

There is no magic number for how many cockroaches mean an infestation but a strong odor will be your first indication. Oriental cockroaches are often identified by the very powerful, musty, foul-smelling odor they emit. Seeing them during the day is a bad sign because it indicates a large infestation. You may notice coffee grind-like feces found under sinks, in drawers, and in cabinets. You may also see dark brown or reddish egg capsules.

Cockroach Control

Because cockroaches are so adaptable, they have successfully adjusted to living with humans. They breed very quickly and can become very difficult to control on your own. The best way to deal with cockroaches is to pick up the phone and contact professional pest control. Contact Rentokil today!