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.

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!