Rats & Mice on the Rise During the Pandemic

Rodents infest Northern Utah homes during the pandemic - RentokilRodent problems are always an issue for property owners in the fall months here in Northern Utah. However, they are worse than ever this year due to the pandemic. This is because many restaurants and cafes had to limit operations, leaving rodents with fewer food resources. Unfortunately, this only encourages rodents to look to another source, which is often your home! With rodents competing for limited resources, the CDC has warned that they could be more aggressive than usual. For this reason and because rodent infestations are dangerous, it’s crucial to learn how to prevent rats and mice in your home. The team at Rentokil is here to help.

How to Prevent Rats and Mice During the Pandemic

With everything else going on this year, you definitely don’t want to add a rodent infestation to the pile. Here’s how to keep them out:

  1. Securely store all food in metal or glass containers with tight-fitting lids.
  2. Seal off cracks and crevices around openings. Mice can squeeze inside holes the size of a dime.
  3. Clean up pet food and bird seed debris, and store pet food in robust containers with fitted lids, preferably above ground level.
  4. Thoroughly clean inside the house and around the garden. Less clutter means fewer places to hide.
  5. Put outdoor garbage bags in metal garbage cans with securely fitted lids to stop them from feeding on contents.
  6. If you have a compost heap don’t include organic food waste, as this will attract them.
  7. Inspect your garage, attic, crawlspaces, and vents for potential rodent hiding spots.

Are Rodents Dangerous Because of COVID-19?

Rodents are a dangerous pest to have on your property during a pandemic or not. There has been a lot of information falsely spread about a link between rodents and the coronavirus. Thankfully, there is no current evidence or research to show that rodents are transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to humans. When it comes to rodents during the pandemic, the main thing to worry about is that they are getting more aggressive in nature, can carry other diseases, and could cause damage to your property. Some of the diseases they have been linked to include salmonellosis and hantavirus.

Need Rodent Control This Fall?

With Rodent Awareness Week upon us, now is the ideal time to make strides to protecting your property from rodents. A fall rodent infestation can be frustrating and dangerous. If you need assistance with rodent exclusion, our rats and mice exterminators can help. The Rentokil team is committed to keeping you rodent-free all year long.

Termite Infestations in the Fall & Winter

Termites can infest homes in Utah in the fall and winter - RentokilHere in Utah, we are accustomed to pest problems being less abundant in the fall and winter months. However, it’s important to never let your guard down about termites. Termite colonies are active all year long, even if you may not always see them. These wood-destroying pests most often swarm between March and November. During the colder months, they will sometimes burrow deep down into the soil to keep warm until springtime returns. That said, the queen termite is able to lay eggs all year long, meaning a colony can grow at a constant rate. Because of this, it’s crucial to stay vigilant about preventing termites throughout the entire year. Keep reading to learn more from the termite exterminators at Rentokil!

Are Termites Infesting Homes in the Fall?

The short answer is: yes! Just because you may not see termites swarming doesn’t mean they’re still hard at work. A termite colony can infest your property at any time and continue to grow before you even notice the damage they’ve caused. Maturity is the number one determinant in a colony’s ability to damage your home. A two to four-year-old colony can cause damage to your property at any time of the year.

Termites need to stay warm in colder temperatures, which is why they will nest 25 to 30 feet down in the soil during the winter. This may make them slightly less noticeable this time of year, but it is nonetheless crucial to stay vigilant about looking for the signs of termites and the damage they cause.

 Signs of Termite Activity in Your Home

Out of all pest problems, termite infestations are most feared because the damage they cause often doesn’t show up until you have a serious problem. In the fall and all year long, it’s important to look for the following signs of termites in your property:

  • Mud tubes
  • Discarded swarmer wings
  • Termite frass (feces)
  • Drywall discoloration
  • Loose tiles or buckling floors
  • Bubbling or uneven paint on walls
  • Holes in drywall
  • Hollow-sounding or crumbling wood

How to Protect Your Home from Termites This Fall

If you want to avoid the distressing discovery of a termite infestation in your Northern Utah or Southern Idaho home this year, it’s important to get the help of a professional termite exterminator. At Rentokil, we offer a number of options designed to protect your property from these pests in the fall, winter, spring, and summer! Contact us today to learn more.

5 Ways to Prevent a Fall Rodent Infestation

Rodents infest homes in Northern Utah and Southern Idaho in the fall - RentokilHere in Northern Utah and Southern Idaho, we deal with rodents at all times of the year. However, because we experience such a shift in weather when the seasons change, rodent problems rise in the fall. When temperatures start to drop, rats and mice will make their way inside homes and businesses to seek out food, warmth, and shelter. Because rodents can contaminate surfaces, spread germs, and cause structural damage, it’s extremely important to learn how to keep rats and mice away. The team at Specializes knows how important it is to keep your property and family safe from rodents. We’re here to share our top 5 ways to prevent a rodent infestation.

How Dangerous are Rodents Inside?

Rats and mice can be a lot more destructive than you think. If you’re hearing rustling in the walls or gnawing noises, chances are you may have a rodent problem. Rats and mice will take shelter in the attic, basement, and garage. They also will infest kitchens, laundry rooms, and are highly likely to invade your trash cans if given the chance.

A rat or mouse problem often begins when the rodents get in through your chimney, pipes, air vents, and more. With incisors that never stop growing, their chewing habits can be destructive. They also are known carriers of germs and bacteria that can cause disease. For these reasons, it’s crucial to invest time in rodent prevention.

Tips & Tricks to Prevent Rodents This Fall

Once inside, rats and mice can be difficult to get rid of. That makes it all the more important to know how to keep them out in the first place. Our top ways to prevent a rodent problem include:

  1. Store food properly. Securely store food in tight-fitting containers with lids.
  2. Seal holes around pipes. Use caulk or wire wool to cover up gaps and openings near pipes and other openings.
  3. Cover vents. Install mesh screens on your vents. Also, consider installing screens on doors and windows.
  4. Use tight lids on trash cans. Rodents love to rummage in the garbage! If possible, keep your trash cans sealed and stored.
  5. Protect eaves. Fix any damaged roofing and use wire mesh to seal gaps in your eaves.

Need Rodent Control in Utah?

A rodent infestation is bad news. They are harmful to your health and the integrity of your property. If you’re noticing the beginnings of an infestation, or you want to prevent one, the rodent exterminators at Rentokil can help! Contact us today to learn more.

Need Help with Rodent Prevention?

Avoid These Two Spiders This Fall

Black widows are a dangerous spider in Northern Utah - RentokilSpiders are a common pest throughout the year here in Northern Utah, but they are certainly more common in the late summer and early fall months. Most spiders hatch in the springtime, begin to reproduce in the summer and are at full force by the time August and September roll around. Just like any other pest, spiders will crawl indoors to seek out food, water, and shelter. The good news is that most of these “house” spiders are completely harmless. That said, there are two spiders, in particular, to look out for this fall: the black widow and the brown recluse. The experts at Rentokil are here with expert info on spiders this fall.

Utah Spiders in the Fall

Like any other pest, spiders can get inside through the tiniest of cracks in your home. Broken screens or crevices in your doors and windows often let spiders in. An unkempt yard or lawn will invite spiders to your property. You may also notice more spiders when you have other bugs and insects on your property. Spiders will be more drawn to properties that provide them with shelter and food (other insects) inside the home. Keeping your home clean enough to prevent other bugs will work to prevent spiders, as well.

Black widow vs brown recluse infographic - Rentokil in Northern Utah and Southern IdahoThe Dangers of Black Widows and Brown Recluse Spiders

Most spiders are poisonous in the sense that they contain venom. But most spiders are not capable of biting humans and transmitting this venom. That said, there are two spiders in particular that are of more danger to you and your family:

  1. Black widows
    1. These spiders have a characteristic red hourglass shape on its body.
    2. They build sticky, tangled cobwebs in garages, sheds, and near the ground.
    3. They can bite when they feel threatened.
  2. Brown recluse spiders
    1. Brown recluses have a darker brown hourglass shape on their brown bodies.
    2. They build loose, dome-shaped webs for shelter.
    3. A brown recluse bite is known to be very painful.

Spider Infestations in Your Home

We all have to deal with seeing a spider here or there from time to time. But no one should have to deal with daily sightings or dangerous spiders inside their home. If you need help controlling spiders on your property this fall, the team at Rentokil can help!