Pests such as bugs, arachnids, and rodents commonly invade homes. With effective pest prevention, you can avoid the trouble repairing excessive damage they do. Additionally, preventing pests can spare you the grief of getting bitten and having allergies and asthma attacks triggered as well as the diseases, bacteria, and other unsanitary conditions they spread. Where some pests can be easily avoidable, others can be a challenge. Bearing this in mind, we at Rentokil would like to take a moment to elaborate on why you should have routine professional pest control services taking care of your property.

Why Professional Pest Control Should Be Done Often & Regularly

1) Pests put your health at risk. Common household pests including rodents, ants, ticks, and cockroaches to name a few, carry a number of dangerous diseases that can infect humans and pets. As mentioned, quite a few can induce allergy and asthma symptoms as well as spread disease. Professional pest management programs are truly the best solution to keep you and your family safe from these pests.
2) Pests damage and destroy property. There are many other pests that destroy valuables. Carpet beetles, carpenter ants, and silverfish are destructive pests that can be difficult to detect early on. Silverfish are tiny little bugs that live off of organic fibers. For example, they can easily destroy your photo album of irreplaceable photos, a limited-edition book, or vintage clothing passed down from your grandmother. Structure and possessions are susceptible to pest damage.
3) Perishables and food can be easily contaminated. Something both homeowners and business owners alike are striving for is keeping their food and other perishables protected from pests. Nothing short of a disaster are the cockroaches in a restaurant kitchen on inspection day. Making commercial and residential kitchens a nightmare are ants, rodents, and pantry pests that also contaminate food. Keeping food in air-tight sealable containers can help better protect them.
4) DIY pest control is ineffective. Often very rewarding are the many DIY projects that can keep you busy at work or at home. DIY pest control, however, is one that will fail before it begins. Only meant to be a mere temporary solution, over the counter pest control products available to the public are not a cure. Professional pest control, in the long run, saves you money and is more efficient at keeping the pests out and eliminating the current infestations. The heavily diluted products available to the untrained and unlicensed public are no match for professional treatment.
5) Peace of mind. Potentially hazardous to your health as well as being destructive and a nuisance, pests simply make life miserable. Seeing the scary spider hanging out in your favorite shoe, or a line of marching ants pilfering an unsealed bag of chips, or even cockroaches darting off under the fridge when the lights flicker, can leave you feeling anxious and uncomfortable. Having professional pest control maintenance can give you peace of mind that your home is pest-free.

Pest Management

Call Rentokil for all of your pest control needs and let our certified experts take care of your home or business.

Pigeons that we see in our urban areas of Greater Salt Lake City, Utah are descendants of the Rock Dove, a species of pigeon domesticated by humans for food and as pets. The rock doves that were released or escaped became today’s city pigeons. Now you probably can’t imagine a pigeon sitting in a nest as a serious problem. They do however become an issue when their numbers get large and they take up residence in areas they aren’t supposed to. Pigeons do not have natural enemies in urban areas and will reproduce very quickly if they have a place to do it. A well-fed pigeon can produce 25 pounds of droppings every year. That’s a lot of poop! Not only are droppings ugly to look at, but they can also be harmful to your health, cause damage to buildings and become a serious liability.

Diseases Caused by Pigeon Droppings & Feathers

Bird droppings act as a sponge for pathogens and can create many health risks that come from inhaling the spores produced by bird droppings. Some of the diseases that pigeons can transmit include:
• Histoplasmosis is a respiratory disease that can be deadly. The largest outbreaks of histoplasmosis in the United States occurred in the late 1970s in Indiana. Over 120,000 people became sick and 15 died after a building containing bird droppings was demolished.
• Candidiasis is a yeast or fungus infection that affects the skin, mouth, respiratory system, the intestines, and the urogenital tract.
• Cryptococcosis is caused by yeast found in the intestinal tract of pigeons. It can lead to pulmonary disease and can affect the central nervous system in later stages.
• Salmonellosis can be found in bird droppings and causes “food poisoning”.
• E. Coli infection is one of the most common infections caused by enteric bacteria.
• Bird droppings and nests that collect around HVAC systems can block airflow into buildings and result in a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide.
• Pigeons can also introduce parasitic pests like ticks, fleas and bird mites into your home.

Corrosion & Damage Caused by Bird Droppings

Bird droppings can become extremely slippery when they get wet. A man in The Bronx was awarded $1.36 million for the pain and suffering that he endured when he fell down a flight of stairs. The jury agreed that his injuries were caused by pigeon droppings that were left to accumulate on the stairs. Droppings can also become a structural liability. Bird droppings that have been left to accumulate can clog drainage systems, corrosion and other damage to roofs. The roof can then leak and even collapse. Remember how much poop one pigeon can deposit in a year? Multiply that by many birds and you have a problem.

Roosting Bird Control

Other than the fact that birds can be hazardous to your health and property, they can be annoying. Take preventative measures to keep them away and maintain your sanity. The sooner the potential problems are addressed, the better. Call Rentokil for professional bird control services. We have humane options and the experience to keep birds away from your property. We look forward to hearing from you!

A number of spider species will invade homes during the winter season. Spiders will invade homes for a few reasons; one is to escape the cold. Since other insects will also invade homes for a reliable food source and to also get out of the cold, spiders can often rely on other invading insects for food. While many spider species don’t pose a serious threat, some can. During the winter season, some of the most dangerous spider species will invade your home. Rentokil will share the top three most venomous spiders you may find hiding in your home this winter season.

Black Widow Spiders

Black widows are well known as a venomous species of spiders and can be found in Utah and throughout America. Black widow spiders have an icon symbol and are easily identified, the female particularly. They are larger than the males and are all black with the deep red hourglass marking on the bottom of their abdomen. Females also have that robust circular abdomen while the males are much smaller and have an angular shaped abdomen. Black widow spider bites are most deadly to young children and the elderly and can be very painful. Black widow spiders like to hide in dark places during the day and come out at night to feed.

Hobo Spiders

Hobo spiders don’t have a venomous bite like brown recluse or black widow spiders. What makes them dangerous is their attitude. They are very aggressive spiders and they have a painful bite. Their bites can cause the site to swell and throb with constant pain. The swelling and pain will fade over the course of a few days. Hobo spiders build funnel webs. The females will protect their egg sacs which are when most bites occur. Hobo spiders will invade homes, shed or garages. They can withstand the colder temperatures better than other species but will venture inside in search of food.

Wolf Spiders

Wolf spiders are often mistaken for tarantula spiders. The easiest way to identify them is by their eight eyes arranged in three rows. Females are generally larger than the males of these species and females carry their egg sac and babies on their backs. When wolf spiders bite, you may see fang marks and torn skin. Redness, swelling, and pain can occur for up to 10 days. Wolf spider bites are not as dangerous as the black widows or hobo spiders but they can lead to further complications.

How to Prevent Spiders

To protect your home from spiders, start by sealing your home and prevent spiders and other pests from invading during the winter season. However, the best way to keep spiders out is by proactively treating the exterior of your home. This will stop any spiders and insects before they work their way into your home.

Spider Control

If you need the service of a quality pest control service, contact Rentokil. We provide pest control, lawn care and even holiday light installation services. To schedule our services, contact Rentokil today.