Rats, Mice, and the Dangers They Bring

Rats chewing on wires are one of the many dangers of rodents in Northern Utah and Southern Idaho. The mice exterminators at Rentokil can help prevent them.

If you have a rat or mouse problem in your property, these rodents can be much more dangerous than you may think. As a nuisance pest, rodents will rummage through your food and chew on wires, but they can pose a bigger threat. In addition to simply making a mess in your home or business, rodents are infamous for directly or indirectly transmitting a number of dangerous diseases. Because rats and mice are a common problem throughout Northern Utah and Southern Idaho year-round, it’s important to understand the many dangers of rodents.

The Dangers of Rodent-Borne Diseases

Rodent problems are most feared for the health risks they bring about. Several of the world’s most infamous diseases have been tied back to rats and mice. We now know the bubonic plague was transmitted by fleas, but rats and mice carried the fleas and thus contributed to the outbreak. Today, some of these diseases remain a threat, including the following:

  • Hantavirus. Most often found in the urine and feces of deer mice, hantavirus can cause symptoms from fever and chills to aches in pains. In serious cases or when it is not treated, it can lead to shortness of breath and kidney failure.
  • Salmonella. Rats and mice can walk over surfaces and contaminate everything they tough. Salmonella, commonly referred to as food poisoning, can cause severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and worse.
  • Rat-bite fever. True to its name, rat-bite fever is caused by a bite or scratch from an infected rat. It is also caught by handling infected animals and ingesting food or drink contaminated with the rat’s feces or urine.

Property Damage From Rodents

Besides the diseases they may cause, rats and mice infestations can leave your property a mess. Three of the biggest headaches rodents cause include:

  1. Chewing. Rats have incisors that never stop growing … meaning they never stop chewing! When they chew on electrical wires, they can cause a short circuit and create a fire hazard.
  2. Nests. Rats and mice will make nests out of anything they can get their paws on, meaning they’ll shred through a number of things in your property at will.
  3. Droppings. In addition to being a health hazard, droppings are unsightly, messy, and smelly. It’s important to enlist the help of a professional in cleaning up after a rodent infestation.

When to Use a Mice Exterminator

If you’ve noticed rats or mice in your property, it’s recommended to call a rodent exterminator as soon as possible. With the threats and dangers of an infestation in mind, you now know why it’s always best to enlist the help of a professional rodent control company. At Rentokil, we will work with you to keep your home or business safe from the dangers of rodents year-round.

The German Cockroach: 10 Facts to Keep in Mind

German cockroaches are one of the biggest roach problems in the Northern Utah and Southern Idaho region - Rentokil

Cockroach infestations are one of the most feared, and for good reason. Not only are roaches a gross sight to behold, they also contaminate surfaces and carry potentially dangerous pathogens and diseases. The German cockroach in particular is feared for their ability to breed at rapid rates, making it easy for them to quickly spread throughout an entire property. German roaches are most commonly found in homes, multi-family units, restaurants, food processing facilities, hotels, and more, making them a constant threat to all property owners.

In this blog post, the experts at Rentokil share 10 facts to keep in mind about the German cockroach.

German Cockroach Habits & Behaviors

Because German cockroaches are such a common problem in properties throughout Northern Utah and Southern Idaho, it’s important to learn their habits and behaviors. The top things to know about German cockroaches include:

  1. German roaches can be identified by their pronotum (protective plate behind the head), which has two longitudinal dark stripes.
  2. German cockroaches have an extremely quick rate of reproduction. They can quickly spread throughout a building.
  3. The ootheca (egg case) of the German roach contains between 35–40 eggs, which take a month to hatch.
  4. These roaches are most commonly found in residential and commercial kitchens or bathrooms.
  5. German cockroaches typically prefer areas of high temperatures and high humidity.
  6. They live indoors primarily. They are only found outdoors occasionally in warm weather.
  7. German cockroaches can carry or transmit diseases and pathogens that may be dangerous to humans.
  8. German cockroach infestations may cause severe asthmatic reactions in some people.
  9. They are able to climb on smooth surfaces because they have a sticky pad on their feet.
  10. German cockroaches prefer to stay hidden in dark areas. They are often found inside walls, behind cabinets, inside appliances, and other rarely accessed areas.

How to Prevent German Roach Infestations

If you want to avoid dealing with the frustrations of a German cockroach infestation, it’s important to be proactive about preventing them in the first place. As we all know, roaches are attracted to filth and clutter. The key to keeping them away, then, is to maintain a tidy property! To keep them out, make sure to keep all food in sealed containers and secure your garbage cans securely. Lastly, continually check on dark, undisturbed spots in your home or business for evidence of roach activity.

What to Do When you Have German Cockroaches

If you’ve done all you can to keep German roaches out of your property and have spotted them in your property regardless, it’s time to call the exterminators at Rentokil. Our team will thoroughly inspect your property for the roaches before coming up with a German roach removal plan suited to your needs. Our goal is to keep you roach free all year long!

Pest Season 2020 – Look Ahead for These 6 Pests

They say hindsight is 20/20, but when it comes to protecting your family and home against pests this year, you can be proactive with the help of Rentokil. We are helping homeowners prepare for the upcoming pest season by offering insight into anticipated pest activity.

The experts at Rentokil have examined trends, used our company data and our field experiences and to determine the following six pest predictions. We are also offering preventative tips to help keep your home pest-free this year.

Mosquitoes

In some Western states, disease-spreading mosquitoes, such as the yellow fever mosquito and the Asian tiger mosquito, have surged in recent years. These mosquitoes, as well as the common house mosquito, can spread diseases such as the Zika virus, West Nile virus, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). A bite from a mosquito can also spread the parasite that causes heartworm in pets.

Homeowner Tips: The risk of mosquito-borne diseases, such as the West Nile virus can increase with rising populations. Mosquitoes only need one tablespoon of water to lay their eggs. To protect yourself and your family, dispose of standing water from your property and always wear an EPA-approved insect repellent when spending time outdoors.

Rats

Over the past several years, rat populations have increased and this may be partly attributed to warmer than normal winters. We can expect to see that trend continue as rodent populations in suburban areas increase this year. Warmer winters, a booming construction pipeline, lack of sanitation control, and lack of affordable housing are all issues that have advanced the swell of recent rat activity.

Homeowner Tips: Rats spread disease and can be extremely destructive to homes. To prevent rodents, try the following rodent control tips: Keep trees and shrubs cut back, especially thick low-vegetation that can serve as good hiding places for rats. Make sure that trees do not overhang onto the roofline. Seal any exterior openings larger than a nickel with rodent-proof material such as hardware cloth or flashing. Finally, seal and tie trash bags, placing them into garbage cans with tight-fitting lids.

Termites

Termites cause homeowners in the United States $6 billion in property damages each year and are one of the most destructive pests. These wood-destroying pests are a continual problem for homeowners in the Western U.S., and this year, termites could prove to be even more damaging. The experts at Rentokil have seen an increase in activity from subterranean and dampwood termites in many areas this year.

Homeowner Tips: Earth-to-wood contact provides an avenue for termites to enter your home. To prevent termites, eliminate soil to wood contact and avoid moisture build-up near your homes’ foundation. Remove excess wood (stumps, lumber, etc.) from your yard. Termites can be present for years before homeowners ever see signs of their activity, causing considerable and costly damage. Avoid these costs by having a termite protection plan in place. Speak to your pest control provider about risk and protection options for your home.

Cockroaches

In the last several years, cockroach populations have increased dramatically, due in large part to warmer weather and increased rainfall. Cockroaches carry diseases, infest and contaminate stored food, and then spread bacteria through their excrement. Cockroach removal is critical as infestations can become serious if not taken care of in a timely manner.

Homeowner Tips: Cockroaches are not just a nuisance, they can make children sick. The presence of cockroaches increases the symptoms of asthma and allergies. To prevent an infestation, cockroach-proof your home by sealing small cracks and crevices around windows and door frames with a silicone-based caulk. Keep a clean kitchen, sweeping, mopping and wiping up any spills. If you’re experiencing cockroach problems, speak with your pest control professional to determine the best solution for your home.

Flies

If you have noticed more flies this past year, you are not alone. Although they’re more active in the summer, house flies reproduce year-round. Filth flies – house flies, bottle flies, flesh flies – generally live and breed near human habitats and their numbers have increased in recent years. Increasing population density, waste management practices that haven’t kept pace with growth, and a general trend toward a warming climate for the fly pressure all contribute to increasing this disease-spreading insect.

Homeowner Tips: House flies and “filth flies” are attracted to filth, and have the potential to harm humans and animals. Keeping a clean home is the first step to protecting yourself and your family. Keep trash closed in lidded containers and take it out often. Clean spills quickly and cover any non-refrigerated foods. Keep pet feeding and litter areas clean and fix drips and eliminate any areas of excess moisture.

Spiders

Spiders are carnivores, eating other insects and thriving in wet environments. Increased moisture leads to an increase in the insects that spiders eat as a food resource. Heavy rain and warmer temperatures have created the perfect conditions for insects and spiders to flourish. Although beneficial for our ecosystem, most people prefer spiders to stay outside where they belong.

Homeowner Tips: To keep spiders out of your home, keep food put away in tightly sealed storage containers. This will help eliminate ants, roaches and other pests, which will leave spiders with no food source. If the thought of spiders lurking is alarming, try changing your white outdoor light bulbs to yellow light bulbs, which attract fewer insects that can serve as food for the spiders. There are a few species of spiders that can live indoors and need to be controlled by spider removal experts.

The experts at Rentokil agree that a proactive approach is the first step any homeowner can take to prevent pest problems. With these pest predictions in mind, take time to evaluate your current pest control plan and make sure that you have the protection you need to protect yourself and your family from pests this year.