The most common species of mouse found in Utah is the deer mouse. They cause problems when they build nests in sheds, garages, outbuildings and in our homes. They are called deer mice because they look like very small deer. They are also known as field mice because they live in fields and forests.

Deer Mice Identification

Deer mice measure about three inches with a tail that is also about three inches long. Their fur is brownish-reddish on the top with a white belly. They have large, black beady eyes, with a pointed nose and large ears with a little fur on them. Their tail is also bi-colored, dark on the top and light on the bottom. They feed from dusk till dawn and prefer insects, seeds, nuts, berries, and small fruits. They need very little water for survival because they absorb it from the food they eat. Deer mice can breed all year round. One female deer mouse can have five or six litters every year and young mice can start to have babies in as little as six weeks after they have been born. This can make deer mice very difficult to control. If you see rodents of any kind during the day, you likely have a big problem on your hands. The help of professional pest control is the best way to take care of problems with any rodents.

How Do Deer Mice Gain Entry into My House?

Mice have all sorts of ways they use to gain entry into your home.
● They can get into openings as small as ¼”
● They can jump up to 18”
● They can climb vertical surfaces that have a rough texture
● They crawl through pipes and tunnels
● They can gnaw through almost anything, including window screens, wood, aluminum sheeting and even concrete!

Hantavirus Disease in Deer Mice Droppings

Deer mice might look cute, but they can carry dangerous diseases. Deer mice can carry Hantavirus. This virus is spread through exposure to rodents and is carried predominantly by deer mice in North America. You can become infected with this virus when contaminated dust is inhaled after it has been disturbed. There is no evidence that Hantavirus can be spread from human to human, but the infection can lead to respiratory failure or Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). This is a deadly lung disease that has a mortality rate of 38 percent. While it is rare, it can be deadly.

Deer Mice Prevention

The best way to keep mice out of your home is to prevent them from getting in in the first place. Seal any openings they might use and use heavy material like concrete mortar, sheet metal or heavy gauge hardware cloth to do it. Protect food and make sure pet food doesn’t sit out overnight. If you have to work in areas that deer mice have been, wear heavy gloves and OSHA-approved respirators to prevent exposure. The area will also need to be disinfected after it has been cleaned up.

Rodent Control

If one or two mice manage to get into your home, it may not be long before you have many of them in your home. Contact Rentokil as soon as you suspect you’re dealing with rodents.

By and large, spiders are one of the most feared pests out there. Something about the swift way in which they move, and their eight creepy little legs. They also like dark, dank places which doesn’t make anyone feel good. Any way you cut the cake, people are scared of spiders. We are approaching the fall which everyone may or may not see an increased amount of spider activity. Rentokil is here to talk about the increased spider activity you may start to see in your area as the weather gets cooler.

Spider Webs Everywhere Outside During the Fall

Have you noticed that there is an increased number of spiders in the fall months? You aren’t imagining things, they really are more active in the fall. The reason for this being that they are nearing the end of their lifespan. They are in search of a mate to lay eggs and find a place to hunker down for the winter. Gardeners start to notice they are around much more. However, these gardeners are often unphased by a spider’s presence because the gardener understands that spiders are actually beneficial in controlling other pests.

Common Spiders Found in the Fall

There are several commonly found spiders found in Utah during the fall months. Following are a few that you can count on seeing:
– House Spider: If you notice a brown to black spider crawling around your bathtub when you go to fill it up. These are harmless and more a nuisance than anything else.
– Garden Orb Spider: These spiders usually build their nests in the trees or bushes of your backyard. Garden spiders are usually quite large in the autumn because they are pregnant and getting ready to lay their eggs.
– Jumping Spiders: These spiders spin their web for the sole purpose of hunting. They catch their prey in their webs.
– Wolf Spider: This spider is crazy and furry looking. It is only natural to fear this spider even though they aren’t aggressive.

Why Spiders Are Good for Humans & the Environment

You may be asking how these pests can benefit us at all. They are so creepy and hide in the corners lurking in the night. However, these spiders actually work as natural pest control experts. They feed on anything that comes in contact with their web. This includes flies, bugs and other pests that make our lives miserable. Now, this doesn’t mean you should let spiders take over your home, but if you happen to see them in your garden or outside, just think about all the flies and other pests that they are eating for you.

Spider Control

If it seems like spiders are taking over your home this fall, you can call on the pest experts at Rentokil to take care of the problem for you. You don’t want to battle the many webs that spiders build throughout your home. We will work to keep your home spider-free. Call us today!

Fall is only a few weeks away, which means it is the time of year that we begin preparing our homes in hopes to prevent pests such as rodents from invading. Rodents often look for a warm place with both food and water sources to call home during the cold winter season. Utah is home to many species of mice and rats that will invade homes and may enter yours this coming fall. Rentokil will share how you can eliminate this threat from your home.

Pest Exclusion & Home Sealing

Exclusion should always be the first step you take to keep rodents out of your home. Both mice and rats are great climbers and will look for the smallest holes to access your home. Begin a top to bottom inspection of your home’s exterior. Start by covering all exterior vents with a wire mesh material. The metal wiring can keep rodents out and still provide airflow to areas such as chimneys, attic vents, and dryer vents. Another place you will want to inspect is around your windows and doors. Do you see daylight from outside your homecoming through your doors? If so, the weather stripping needs to be replaced. Mice can fit through a gap the size of a pencil so make sure you replace weather stripping around doors. Windows frames often develop gaps. Use a strong sealer and avoid silicone caulking glue. Instead, use a concrete sealer. Mice or rats will simply chew through glues. Stainless steel wool can also be used to prevent entry and to plug holes as rodents can’t chew through it. After sealing up your home you will want to take the next step toward prevention.

Rodent Infestation Prevention

Exterior – Prevention involves removing potential water or food sources along with nesting sites. Start outside. If you have a firewood pile next to your home, remove the firewood and stack your wood as far from the house as possible. Make sure to stack the wood a foot off of the ground. Rodents and other pests love living in firewood piles and you are creating a place for them to live. You don’t want pests next to your house. If you leave food or water for wild birds or pets, stop. By leaving food or water outside you are feeding the other wildlife including rodents. It also helps to reduce rodents by keeping the yard maintained and the home exterior free of clutter.
Interior – Inside the home you will want to seal food and repair leaky plumbing. All stored food in pantries should be sealed in airtight containers, preferably metal or glass. Again, rodents will eventually chew through plastic. Never leave out a snack or fruit bowl. All leaky or dripping faucets and other plumbing should be repaired. You want to deny the rodents of food and water completely.

Rodent Control

After you have worked on exclusion and prevention, the last step is rodent control. It is best to hire a professional to trap and eradicate rodents as they harbor bacteria and diseases. Professional pest control companies know the best treatment methods to successfully eliminate rodent infestations. For more help controlling pests, including rodents, then seek the aid of a professional pest control service. Rentokil can help you with all of your pest control needs. Contact Rentokil today!

What Do Boxelder Bugs Look Like?

Boxelder bugs get their name because they are often found around boxelder trees. These pests are a nuisance to homeowners because they will frequently intrude into structures, especially homes, sheds, and garages to overwinter. These insects are black with reddish or orange markings on the dorsum. It crawls around on 6 legs that extend from an elongated-oval shaped and somewhat flattened body and its head is narrower than the pronotum. The boxelder bug averages about ½ inch long. These bugs have wings, but as nymphs, they are bright red and do not have wings.

Are Boxelder Bugs Harmful to Humans?

These insects are typically more of a problem when they intrude into structures in the fall and then emerge in the spring. They are not known to bite; however, their piercing-sucking mouthparts can pierce the skin if they are in close contact, which can puncture and leave the skin slightly irritated. Some people may experience a red spot like a mosquito bite. The fecal matter of a boxelder bug can cause red stains on porous materials, such as drapes, curtains, clothing, rugs, carpets, upholstery, and other fibers. If they roughly handled or crushed, they can produce a foul-smelling odor.

What Do Boxelder Bugs Eat?

Boxelders adults overwinter and emerge from hibernation in late March/early April when the boxelder tree buds open. These bugs return to host trees for the warmer months of summer. They will first eat the fallen boxelder seeds where they will then move onto the female boxelder or maple trees and devour the newly developing leaves. Some of these insects will consume the fruit on apple and plum trees if given the opportunity.

Boxelder Bug Life Span

Congregating on the south side of rocks, trees, and buildings during autumn where the sun hits and they can stay warm, boxelder bugs become gregarious. They migrate to nearby buildings or homes to overwinter once they have gathered in mass. To hide from the cold temperatures, they insulate themselves in the walls from the small cracks and crevices. As mentioned, by spring, they emerge to their host tree.

Boxelder Bug Control

Keeping your home well sealed will help prevent boxelder bug infestations. Caulk any cracks and crevices in the foundation, install weather stripping, and keep the ventilation and utility lines covered with mesh covers. Should you find these pests infesting your boxelder trees or if they have moved in during the fall, call Rentokil for treatment.

Grass, among other plants in anyone’s landscaping, is an ornamental design to help the exterior of your home look good and enhance the curb appeal. Where grass has its benefits, the overall purpose of grass is to help your home look good. Weeds in the grass are often distracting and mar the appearance of grass, much like a stain on your carpet. Thankfully, getting weeds out is a lot easier most of the time. Where some weeds can slowly creep in and almost blend into the grass making them more discreet as they do their damage, other weeds are distinctly destructive. Invasive weeds are for the most part, noticeable. They have different coloring, texture, and growth habits. The bad thing is that weeds slowly overtake your lawn or other vegetation and can potentially do it in a single season, leaving unattractive and sparse blemishes in your grass. Additionally, some weeds can also be harmful to pets and livestock. Today, we at Rentokil would like to take the opportunity to elaborate on weeds in your lawn.

What are the Characteristics of Weeds?

Weeds are defined generally as a plant that has no redeeming value in regard to nutrition, medicinal, or food. Often leaving seeds to perpetuate their kind, weeds have accelerated growth patterns. Weeds frequently have thorns or other physical features making them difficult to remove and are often poisonous if eaten and taste horrible.

Weeds Compete with Grass & Plants for Nutrients

Competing with not only your grass, but they will also compete with flower, fruit, vegetable, and ornamental plants for the sunlight and nutrients, which leaves your vegetation starving. This will leave them prone to insect and disease infestation because they have become weakened by the loss of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Most weeds have a growth rate that is outstanding, allowing them to absorb more of one nutrient than another, which leaves the weed imbalanced. Because of the theft, other plants are overwhelmed which creates abnormal coloring, flowering, or fruit growth.

Weeds Choke out Grass & Overrun Lawns

Because they are so successful in competing for space if not kept in check, invasive weeds can be devastating as the evidence is well documented. Invasive weeds that take over areas outside of its natural habitat are especially more devastating. These weeds are successful in killing neighboring plants, beneficial insects, and promoting diseases.

Examples of Parasitic Weeds

Not all plants are classified as a weed in the true sense but can spread havoc among neighboring plants by attaching themselves and stealing its nutrients. The root variety being more common, these parasitic plants can be stem or root parasites. Mistletoe, for example, is a parasitic plant that attaches itself to a host plant in order to get the water and nutrients it needs. Mistletoe, like other parasitic weeds, will eventually weaken its host plant as it starves the plant, which will leave it susceptible to disease or pest infestations.

Lawn Weed Control

To keep your grass and landscaping safe from weeds, call Rentokil for our weed control services. We can ensure your grass is healthy and weed-free by taking the steps necessary for weed control.

The thick of summer and early fall are always thick with flies, and they feel extra sticky. You know, that feeling when their sticky little legs land on you? This is the time of year that they are breeding like crazy and as long as they are outside, they aren’t quite as bothersome. It’s when they start to make it inside your home that it gets irritating. Rentokil are here to talk about some tips to keep flies away this fall since they are especially thick right before the first freeze.

Eliminate Fly Infestation Breeding Grounds

The lifespan of a fly is actually pretty short; 10-25 days to be exact. However, they lay hundreds of eggs and that creates a problem as they start to hatch. Usually, they lay eggs on food products. As the eggs hatch the larvae feed on the leftover food until they reach adulthood and the cycle continues. Leaving leftover food around your home makes it easy for flies to make their way into your home. Make sure your trash is stored far from the house and you clean up food as soon as you are done eating to avoid this breeding ground problem.

Get Rid of Excessive Moisture that Attracts Flies

Just like several other pests, flies need to have a constant source of water to survive. They will search for water; so where there is standing water, there will likely be flies. The more moisture you have around, the more flies you will have around as well.

Keep the Kitchen Clean to Help Prevent Flies

Everyone knows how attracted flies are to your food. Whenever your kitchen is a mess, the problem is even worse. Keep your kitchen free of even the smallest crumbs as they will also attract flies. You should also take out the trash regularly since flies are extremely attracted to rotting food.

Clean Up Outdoor Areas to Stop Flies Around Bins etc

If you have any outdoor areas like a kitchen or fire pit and other seating areas, they should be kept clean as well. Even forgetting to wash off the table after eating an outdoor meal will attract a large number of flies. Sometimes without knowing it, there are remnants of food on outdoor tables that are keeping the fly population interested in your space. Remember, if they are attracted to it inside your house, they will also be attracted when it is outside.

Fly Control

Hopefully, by following these few sanitation tips, you can avoid the onslaught of flies this fall. They will still likely be somewhat of an issue this fall which makes our team of professional pest control specialists so important in keeping them away. Rentokil have the experience and resources needed to help keep your house clear of house flies this fall when they are trying to get inside to survive. If you notice that you are surrounded by this irritating pest, let us help you get rid of the problem with our pest control services. Call us today!

Many people will wonder how common rat and mice infestations are in Utah. The answer is they are quite common. There are a number of rodents that live with humans and inside human structures and domains. They will invade anywhere that provides them food, water, and shelter. Rentokil will share what species may be living at your side and how you can prevent an infestation.

Common Rodents Found in Utah

Utah is home to many invasive rodent species, both mice and rats alike. Some of the species that live closest to humans are the white-footed mice, deer mice, harvest mice, the black rat (or sometimes called the roof rat), and the wood rat. However, the two main species found inside homes are the Norway rat and House mouse.

Diseases Spread By Mice & Rats to Humans

Both mice and rats could potentially be carrying harmful diseases and parasites that can affect humans. One particular disease is the Hantavirus known to be carried by the deer mouse. However, cases in Utah are very rare. Besides the disease that threatens humans, we also face the destruction they cause. Rodents can be chewing through plumbing, electrical wiring, and cause structural damages to your home. They quickly contaminate food and other household goods. Due to the many threats rodents pose, it is important to protect your home and prevent major infestations.

How to Prevent Rodent Infestations

If you have identified a rodent problem, you will want to take steps.
• First, identify how mice or rats are getting into your home. Begin a thorough inspection. Start on the outside of your home. Look for gaps or openings or even structural damages. Mice can fit through an opening ¼ of an inch in size. When repairing holes, use a concrete mix or metal to repair or patch up holes and gaps.
• Next, clean up the yard. Remove overgrown or thick vegetation that provides rodents cover and shelter. They will hide or use them to travel. Prune brush so the bottom is open and prune back branches of trees that may be touching the roof. Remove all yard debris and clutter.
• Pet owners should do daily feedings and avoid leaving food out for pets. Water should be kept inside and out of the reach of rodents. Also, make sure to remove pet waste daily. Rodents will feed on feces. Also, pet food should be sealed in pest-proof containers.
• Repair all of your home plumbing inside and outside, thereby removing any potential water sources. Seal away food in airtight steel or glass containers. Rodents can and will chew through plastic.
• For a major rodent infestation use traps. Place the trap by major traffic sites. If you need further help it is recommended you seek the aid of a licensed pest control company. They can help place traps, provide bait and poison in certain situations and remove used traps.

Rodent Control

Controlling rodents can be difficult. They can climb, jump and squeeze through the smallest of cracks. If you need the assistance of a professional pest control company, then contact Rentokil. We provide rodent control services and can help you get your home under control and rodent-free. 

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The flower spider or Goldenrod Crab spider is one of the many species of crab spiders that are found all throughout America, including Utah. The goldenrod crab spider is also referred to as the flower spider because they are found on flowers, often one of similar color to act as camouflage. They use this camouflage to help them hide from larger predators and also to hunt for prey. This spider can sometimes be found indoors. However, it is often by accident as they are most often encountered in yards and flower gardens. Rentokil would like to share more about this unique spider and how you can prevent them from invading your home.

Yellow Flower Crab Spider Identification

The flower spider is a member of the crab spider family where they resemble a crab and often move side to side like one. Flower spiders are one of the smaller species of crab spider, the largest being ¼ of an inch not including their legs. The color of flower spiders varies from white with accent colors of yellows, reds, pinks, and browns. They can also be a solid green, brown, tan, yellow and white color. They are often drawn to flowers of similar coloring to help them blend in while they hunt for prey. The flower spider is a hunter species that hides and jumps out at their prey. With lightning speed, they can even catch bees and dragonflies out of the air. Like other hunter spider species, they have only six eyes that triangulate in front of the head instead of spreading out around.

Flower Spider Life Cycle

The flower spider has excellent vision. They are most active during spring and summer when all of the flowers and plants are awake and other insects are most active. Spiderlings hatch from their eggs once the winter temperatures begin to warm up. After hatching, the young spiderlings will hunt and eat. By midsummer, they are fully mature and begin mating and laying eggs. Once the temperatures drop for winter their metabolism slows down and eventually, they will die. The eggs are safely encased which helps them survive the winter. Come spring, the cycle repeats for the new generation.

Where Do Goldenrod Crab Spiders Live?

Flower spiders prefer to stay outside. However, they are occasionally found inside homes. Flower spiders are often brought into homes, either when a homeowner brings in a new indoor flowering plant or a pet or person rubs against a flower and they attach themselves onto them becoming a passenger. As long as they remain outside they are regarded as a beneficial spider preying on other harmful insects or vegetation damaging pests. When they are found inside a person’s home, often they assume they are harmful due to their bright colors.

Flower Spider Prevention

The flower spider’s bite does hurt, however they are not poisonous to humans. To help keep flower spiders out of your home, inspect indoor plants before bringing them inside, especially if you like to bring in your homegrown boutiques. Maintaining a clean yard often discourages flower spiders as they don’t like their hunting area disturbed.

Spider Control

If you need help controlling spiders and other summertime pests then contact Rentokil. We can handle all of your pest control needs.

Insects do not adhere to manmade borders and divisions. Though they may be common in an area doesn’t mean they are not seen in other places. As Rentokil provide services to Northern Utah and Southern Idaho, some species of insects can be more common than others. For example, there are thousands of cockroach species found in the world. In northern Utah, the most common species include German, American and Oriental cockroaches. Today, we at Rentokil would like to briefly touch on these common species of cockroaches.

American Cockroach Facts

Though the average length is a little over an inch, American cockroaches can reach up to 3 inches in length and they are one of the largest species in the United States. Their colors vary from a reddish-brown to dark mahogany color and feature a yellow band that outlines their heads. Once the American cockroach reaches adulthood, both females and males have developed wings that make flight possible. These cockroaches are normally found outside, preferring warm, damp areas like under mulch or in flowerbeds to infest. Additionally, American roaches can frequently be found invading sewers. American cockroaches generally invade homes and businesses in search of food and water. Roaches will crawl under doors and through damaged weather stripping, through basement windows, garages, and common entryways. Once inside these roaches will dwell in basements, bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. American cockroaches will eat American cockroaches eat leaves, tiny wood particles, fungi, and algae as well as small insects and any human scraps or crumbs they can find in addition to pet food.

German Cockroach Infestations

German cockroaches are usually light brown or tan colored and bear two black horizontal stripes located on the pronotum behind the head. These roaches are approximately 5/8” long. Though both adult female and male roaches have wings, they rarely fly. German cockroaches are most commonly found indoors, although they can adapt outdoors in tropical environments. They prefer warmer and more humid areas of a structure; lurking in kitchens and bathrooms most often but can be found in other areas of the home where food is available. German roaches are natural scavengers and will feed on nearly anything including book bindings, crumbs missed or the residue left on the dishes, soap, and toothpaste.

Are Oriental Cockroaches Harmful?

Males are significantly shorter than females, males are just under an inch long and females can just get over a 1 ¼ inch long. The male’s wings are only about ¾ length of their and females only have large wing pads; both are shiny black to a reddish-brown color. They will intrude into buildings through open doors, gaps beneath the siding, following utility lines, in pipes or open drains. Outside they keep warm and moist under mulch, landscape beds, in leaf litter, beneath stones or debris outdoors. They will thrive particularly thrive in the voids or openings beneath porches, in wall voids and crawlspaces. Oriental cockroaches crawl around service ducts, toilets, bathtubs, sinks, radiators, and pipes and will frequently live in cellars and basements. Unfortunately, the oriental cockroach’s strong attraction to water often leads them to sewers and other sources of bacteria-ridden water. They also love eating decomposing food which means they can transmit this bacteria and pathogens to humans making them extremely harmful.

Cockroach Extermination

No matter what type of roach you have infesting your Northern Utah or Southern Idaho home or business, Rentokil can help you eliminate them! Contact us for a consultation to formulate a custom pest control plan today.

Most wasp species are social insects. Noticing wasps swarming overhead will likely indicate there is a nest close by. They work together to build the nest, forage and protect the nest. To ensure wasps are effectively removed from the premises, removing the nest is a vital step. Many homeowners will attempt to remove the nest on their own accord, thinking it is not a problem to do so, but when they are confronted with thousands of aggressive wasps capable of relentless and multiple stings to protect their home, they learn a hard lesson. Today, we at Rentokil would like to drive home why leaving the removal of wasps’ nests to the professionals is important.

Wasps Can Sting Multiple Times

As aforementioned, wasps are capable and willing to deliver multiple stings to a perceived threat. Their nests can prove to be a logistical challenge due to their remarkable long-range of flight patterns when foraging. Additionally, their wasp placement can be difficult to reach and more problematic than it seems because many wasps prefer the aerial locations of trees and structures. Since many times the nests are partially or fully concealed, retaliation can be expected if you try to exterminate the exposed nest or wasps with an over the counter aerosol wasp exterminating product. Homeowners should rely on and call professionals to remove the wasp nest due to these challenges, to avoid the painful and repeated stings that can likely occur without the proper training for execution.

Wasp Sting Swelling, Pain & Allergic Reaction

Despite gearing up with protective clothing, homeowners can make mistakes that either the colony isn’t effectively eliminated, or the gruesome attack will be underway. Though wasps do not administer venom when they sting, the effects are unpleasant with pain, swelling that makes the site more uncomfortable and dealing with multiple stings can be especially grueling. Not only are these initial stings unpleasant, but many people experience varying degrees of allergic reactions to the sting that range from minor to severe, and like bee stings, in those with severe reactions and multiple stings, the results can be fatal if medical attention isn’t given fast enough.

DIY VS Professional Wasp Nest Removal

Without the right training, handing the wasp nest is not worth the risk. A better investment is allowing a trained and experienced professional to remove the wasp nest to ensure your safety and efficiency of eliminating the threat of wasps. Professionals have the expertise, skills, and effective products that make the process a lot easier, efficient, and safe. It is only a matter of time before they are colonized once again even if you manage with the initial nest removal and enough wasps manage to survive. Not only will the professional ensure the wasp nest is efficiently removed from the premises, but most companies will offer a guarantee should a nest comes back in a short time frame, obligating them to take care of it at no cost to in some cases.

Stinging Insect Control

As they look for meats and sweet offerings leftover from your scraps, wasps are notoriously known for invading trash areas and water locations. In the event you have a wasp issue, call the experts of Rentokil & Lawn Treatment to safely and effectively remove the wasp nest from your grounds.