Can Pests Trigger Springtime Allergies?

Pests may trigger your springtime allergies in Northern Utah and Southern Idaho - RentokilFew places are as beautiful as Northern Utah and Southern Idaho in the springtime. Unfortunately, springtime also means spring allergies! This time of year, many residents are suffering from runny noses and itchy eyes, among other seasonal allergy symptoms. But is it the weather causing your allergies, or something else? A little known fact is that pests like roaches, dust mites, rodents, and more could be behind the allergy symptoms so many people are experiencing this time of year.

Here at Rentokil, we are committed to helping our customers learn how to reduce pest-related allergens in the home.

Prevention Tips for Pest Allergens

To avoid exacerbating your seasonal allergies, it’s important to reduce pest allergens in your home as much as possible. Basic pest prevention goes a long way to eliminate these allergens:

  • Store food in sealed containers and clean kitchens on a daily basis.
  • Dispose of garbage regularly and use a tight-fitting lid.
  • Seal cracks and holes in homes, including entry points for utilities and pipes, screen doors, and windows.
  • Keep your basements and crawl spaces well-ventilated and dry!
  • Wash blankets, rugs, and bedding in hot water or get them dry-cleaned.
  • Vacuum and dust your property frequently.
  • Keep pet food sealed in a tight container and wash food bowls.

What Pests Cause Allergies and Asthma?

Pest infestations can be dangerous for many reasons, from structural damage to disease. But they can cause allergies, as well! The biggest culprit is cockroaches–roach skins, droppings, and more have all been proven to trigger allergic reactions and asthma. Children are especially vulnerable to these types of allergies. Other pests include stinging insects, from yellow jackets and wasps to fire ants. A sting from any of these can cause an allergic reaction in certain individuals.

**If you experience severe symptoms of an allergic reaction such as swelling, wheezing, dizziness, or trouble breathing, call 911 or get medical attention immediately!

Getting Rid of Pests and Allergens

To stay safe from pest allergens, you need to stay safe from pests! If you’ve done all you can to prevent pests but are still dealing with them, it’s time to call the experts at Rentokil. Our team will work with you to customize a pest control plan suited to your unique needs.

Top Tips for Ant-Proofing Your Home

Sweeping your floor is a top ant-proofing tip for your Northern Utah or Southern Idaho home. Rentokil.The weather is starting to warm up here in Northern Utah and Southern Idaho. With rising temperatures comes the return of ants in your home! Anyone who has had an ant problem knows how frustrating they are–not to mention how difficult they are to get rid of. To avoid dealing with an infestation, it’s crucial to learn about ant prevention. The team at Rentokil have compiled their best ant-proofing tips for homeowners. Keep reading to learn more!

Ant-Proofing Tricks and Tips for Your Home

To keep ants away, it’s important to learn what attracts them in the first place. By limiting their access indoors, and subsequently any food and water sources they may find, you can avoid an infestation. The following tips will lessen the chance of getting an ant problem:

  • Inspect your property and seal any cracks or crevices using a silicone-based caulk.
  • Keep all pet food bowls clean and always clean up after spills and messes. Pick pet bowls up off the floor after meal times.
  • Ensure downspouts and gutters are all functioning properly so that water is flowing away from the foundation.
  • Regularly check under sinks for excess moisture problems and repair leaky pipes promptly.
  • Trim trees and shrubbery in your yard to be at least 6 inches away from the foundation of the home.
  • Wipe down any countertops and sweep floors regularly to clean up spills and remove crumbs.
  • Store dried goods, food, and pet food in airtight containers and refrigerate ripe fruit.
  • Take out your garbage on a regular basis and use trash cans with a tight-fitting lid.

How to Get Rid of Your Ant Problem

If you’ve done all you can to prevent ants and still find yourself with a possible infestation, it’s important to always enlist the help of a professional ant exterminator. Ants are determined pests that are more resilient than you may think. Colonies can spread quickly and into satellite colonies, which is why controlling them can be a lengthy process. A pest control company has the tools and resources to get rid of your infestation quickly and effectively.

Professional Ant-Proofing Services

Learning how to prevent ants can be difficult. Our team of ant exterminators knows how frustrating ants can be, which is why we’ll work with you to determine the best way to keep ants out all year round. Call our team today to find out more!

Can a Mosquito Bite Transmit Coronavirus?

Mosquito bites do not transmit coronavirus. Rentokil in Northern Utah and Southern Idaho.

No, you are not going to get COVID-19 from a mosquito bite! There is a lot of information about this virus as the pandemic is underway, but we thankfully know that vector pests such as mosquitoes and ticks do not transmit coronavirus. Here at Rentokil, we know how distressing times are right now. As always, our focus is our commitment to the health and safety of our communities throughout Northern Utah and Southern Idaho, which is why we want to dispel the myth that mosquitoes are spreading this virus. Mosquitoes and ticks may be vectors for other deadly diseases, but these are vector-borne diseases that are not passed from person to person. In this blog post, we’ll explore what that means.

Difference Between Coronavirus and Vector-Borne Diseases

Coronavirus is a respiratory virus that is said to pass from person to person, which is why it is so contagious. People are being exposed to the virus from droplets from saliva or nasal discharge, which are typically generated when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Research has shown that it can be spread through contaminated surfaces, and it is increasingly considered to be an airborne virus. Mosquito-borne and tick-borne diseases are of an entirely different nature than this current virus. The biggest difference is the fact that vector-borne diseases do not spread from person to person contact! While there is a lot of uncertainty about the coronavirus right now, it’s safe to say you will not get it from a mosquito or tick.

What Diseases do Mosquitoes and Ticks Transmit?

Since mosquitoes and ticks do not transmit COVID-19, what diseases do they spread? Unfortunately, some of the world’s worst diseases are transmitted by these insects:

  • When vector pests feed off a diseased host, they can transmit pathogens that may infect other hosts it subsequently bites.
  • Mosquitoes are infamous for transmitting malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus, chikungunya, yellow fever, and more.
  • Ticks play a role in the transmission of Lyme disease, which is currently the most common vector-borne disease in the United States.

Pest Control During the Pandemic

Mosquitoes and ticks may not transmit coronavirus, but they are still dangerous pests that need to be taken care of by a professional pest control company. As always, the Rentokil team is here for you. We will continue to provide essential pest control services to our neighbors and customers all year long.

With new information about the coronavirus coming out every hour, we want to encourage our customers to seek more up-to-date info and follow guidelines released by the WHO and the CDC, as well as your state and local public health agencies.