Seeing a cockroach is enough to set off alarm bells for most people. However, these insects are more than just an unsightly nuisance. They can pose a danger to you and your food.

Although we might regard cockroaches as invaders, they have existed on our planet for millions of years. Wherever humans have gone, cockroaches have followed and adapted to their new surroundings. Indeed, they are so resilient that they could even survive a nuclear attack!

You might see cockroaches in a variety of places in your home: pipe holes, sinks, fridges, cupboards, wall cracks, boxes or bins. Nobody likes to see them scurrying around. However, many people regard them as nothing more than a harmless embarrassment. In fact, although cockroaches do not cause diseases themselves, they do spread germs and bacteria.

Cockroaches can attack your body and your food.

Your body

The most obvious way a cockroach can attack your body is simply by biting you. They tend to favour toenails, fingernails, and soft skin. Although their bites are usually not dangerous, they can be irritating. Be aware also that cockroaches could enter your body through your nose or ear while you are sleeping.

If you are prone to allergies, cockroaches can become a serious problem. The allergens in their bodies and saliva can cause rashes, sore eyes and sneezing. People who suffer from asthma are particularly vulnerable, and could have a serious reaction to a cockroach infestation. Cockroaches can even cause asthma to develop in people who are not asthmatic.

Read more: Common signs of cockroach infestation in your house

Your food

As well as directly attacking your body, cockroaches can attack the food you put into your body. Cockroaches will eat almost anything, including paper, leather, waste materials, and dead plants or animals.

When cockroaches attack food, they can spread bacteria through cross-contamination. They pick up bacteria while eating and these bacteria then reside in their guts. When they attack your food, they often leave their waste products (and the bacteria!) on the food. They also may carry the bacteria on their bodies, and pass it on to the food when then touch it. Humans who eat the contaminated food can then be infected by the bacteria and suffer food poisoning. Indeed, cockroach cross-contamination can lead to the spread of, among other bacteria, salmonella, streptococcus and pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Read more: Common cockroach species in Ireland

The post Cockroaches put you and your food at risk appeared first on deBugged.

Engine wires are particularly vulnerable to rodent damage. If rodents chew away the insulation covering the wires, this can cause short circuits, resulting in expensive damage to the engine. And when you replace the wires, the insulation on your new wires might simply be chewed away again!

As well as providing tasty morsels for rodents, your car engine could provide a tempting nest. Rodents might use the insulating fabric in the engine as bedding for nests. The engine also has many nooks and crannies that could function as safe shelters for baby rodents.

A third risk occurs when rodents use engines as a storeroom for food. This food could end up scattered around the engine or car interior, causing accident risks. For example, discarded food could interfere with pedal mechanisms, causing accidents. Rodents may be startled when the engine kicks into life. The resulting panicked scurrying can lead to debris scattering all over the engine. As the engine heats up, the rodent debris in the car could catch fire, causing further serious risk.

Rodents can also interfere with the aesthetic appeal for the car. Moulding food, droppings and decomposing creatures can, over time, lead to unpleasant smells in the car. Also, the scratching and tears caused by the rodents can ruin the interior fabrics and surfaces.

Read more: “Swarm of RATS destroyed wiring and leather seats of Irish couple’s two-year-old Mercedes worth €50,000″

Preventing rodents in engines

You can’t eliminate every rodent in your area, but you can take some practical steps to reduce the risks of unwanted passengers in your car:

• Remove any food from the surrounding area. Clear away any pet food, and ensure bird seed is out of reach from the rodents.
• Watch for rodent activity near the car. Keep an eye out for tell-tale signs such as droppings, nibbled paper and disturbed rubbish.
• Reduce rodent hiding spaces. Are there bushes near your car? Prune these back so that they don’t provide cover for rodents. Keep garages and surrounding areas tidy. And seal off any possible entry points where rodents could gain access to your yard.
• Open the hood.An open hood makes the engine a much less inviting shelter for the rodents. However, remember to close the hood during inclement weather.
• Check the engine entrances. Make it difficult for rodents to gain access to the engine. You might use wire screen to close up any openings. Or you could put mouse traps on the wheels or around the car.
• Disturb the rodents’ peace.Ultrasound alarms and strobe lights can disturb rodents, making it unlikely that they’ll nest in your engines. Also, you can spray deterrent smells around the engine. You can use peppermint oil, cat litter, or pet hair to create an unpleasant environment for rodents.
• Eliminate the rodents.Even with all these prevention techniques in place, some rodents might still make it through to your engine. If you suspect that rodents have gained access to your car, set suitable traps to catch and eliminate them. Be careful when using toxic traps, however; they could harm other creature, such as pets, too.

Read more: Tips to get rid of rats and mice

When you are aware of the risks rodents pose to your car, you are more likely to take the necessary preventative measures to protect it. And you have to be proactive when you see any signs of rodent activity in the car.

If you have any concerns about the rodent risks to your car, contact us.

The post Protect Your Car from Rodent Damage appeared first on deBugged.

You may have heard the famous saying that around the house, not even a mouse was stirring at Christmas. In fact, at this time of year, you are very likely to hear a mouse stirring. Like everyone else, mice are looking for some nice Christmas presents. And you mightn’t even be aware that you are giving them the very presents that they want!

But if you consider all the food, wrapping paper and heat around your house at Christmas, it’s no wonder that mice want to join you for some festive cheer. Even in this mild winter, these rodents are looking for a cosy nest.

At Christmas, your house is most likely a treasure trove of tasty morsels, including cake, chocolate, biscuits, bread, rice, pasta, cereal and vegetables. And cheese! And the easier it is for mice to nibble on your food, the more mice you’ll attract.

Mice are unwelcome intruders in any part of your home. So how can you protect your sanctuary?

Rocking around the Christmas tree

We all like to see a well-lit Christmas tree in our window during these dark winter evenings. The sight of twinkling lights invites us into the warmth inside. However, the tree might also be inviting mice.

First of all, a Christmas tree is like a giant playground for mice. As you may know, mice are able to climb to great heights. They can scurry up a 2m vertical surface if they can get a good grip on it. So your tree is a fun climbing frame for them. They can scramble up the tree and leap from branch to branch to their hearts’ content. The bright flickering lights simply add to the fun.

The tree also serves a more practical purpose for mice. It can be used as a ladder to access other parts of your home. And the sturdier your tree is, the better access it provides.

In addition, the Christmas tree can be a source of food for mice. While you tuck into your turkey and stuffing, mice might be nibbling the pine needles on the tree, or the gift wrapping on the (hopefully!) many presents under the tree. Also, many people like to use edible treats, such as gingerbread men or chocolate coins, as Christmas tree decorations. Your tree could soon turn into a sumptuous treat for your rodent visitors. And that’s before you leave out the cookies and milk for your special guest on Christmas Eve!

Precautions

Of course, it wouldn’t really be Christmas without the tree. So don’t worry. You don’t have to throw out your tree. A few simple precautions can help reduce your risks of rodent invasion.

Take care regarding where you put your tree. If you place the tree near a door or window, you increase the risk of mice gaining access to your tree.

Try to reduce the temptations for mice. Don’t leave food or scraps near the tree. And clear away any pine needles from around the base.

Have you heard the rumour that peppermint candy canes will prevent mice? Well, unfortunately, it’s just a rumour. So don’t be tempted to sprinkle peppermint around your tree.

Christmas stockings

Do you still leave your stocking out for Santa? Doing so helps us reconnect with happy childhood Christmas memories. We all remember the excitement of waking up and wondering what might be in our stocking.

One thing you don’t want to find in your Christmas stocking is a mouse! Your stockings might attract mice if they are stuffed with edible goodies such as sweets, biscuits, cakes and so on. In effect, your stocking becomes a feast in a tent for your furry friend.

Precautions

If you want to continue the tradition of filling Christmas stockings, consider using non-edible gifts instead. If you really want to add food to the stockings, make sure the food is safely stored in a plastic or metal container.

Leftovers

When you sit down to your Christmas dinner, you usually can’t wait to tuck into the savoury food displayed before you. The turkey and ham. The piping hot stuffing. The mashed and roast potatoes. Carrots. Sprouts. Gravy. And then you have to work your way through the tasty treats at dessert!

No matter how hungry you are, there’s a limit to the amount of food you can stuff into yourself. Leftovers are as much a part of Christmas as holly and mistletoe.

Unfortunately, if you’re not careful, those leftovers can then become a banquet for mice. While you snooze in front of a roaring fire, the rodents might be settling down to their own Christmas dinner.

Precautions

The key when dealing with leftovers is safe storage and disposal. Don’t leave leftovers lying around on plates in the dining room. Store them in airtight containers in your fridge or cupboard. If you don’t plan to use the leftovers, dispose of them safely in a suitable sealed lidded bin.

Pay attention to the tiny scraps of food too. These can be a like a feast for small rodents. Clear away all food debris, and carefully clean all surfaces, utensils and cutlery.

Christmas lights

One of the joys of Christmas is turning on the lights on the Christmas tree for the first time. The warm festive glow lets you know that Christmas has officially started.

Unfortunately, Christmas lights might also attract mice. Because mice’s teeth grow so fast, they have to gnaw on things to ensure their teeth don’t grow too big. Electrical wiring is especially effective for this. If mice start gnawing on the wires of your Christmas lights, that festive glow could go out suddenly. More seriously, gnawed electric wires can become a fire hazard.

Precautions

Try to ensure that mice don’t gain access to your electric wiring systems. Check your plug sockets for any cracks or crevices, and seal if necessary. Pay attention to air vents too. Some wire mesh will prevent mice from using these to gain access to electric wires.

Christmas presents

We all love to give and receive Christmas presents. After all, it’s part of the seasonal spirit. It’s a chance to show loved ones how special they are to us.

Unfortunately, your presents may also make mice feel pretty special too! Mice love to gnaw on wrapping paper and cardboard boxes. Also, these provide mice with material for their nests.

Precautions

Don’t use mice as an excuse to stop giving presents! Simply protect your presents by storing them in plastic lidded boxes. And make sure you clear away all discarded wrapping paper and empty boxes. Don’t leave paper lying around the house. Store it in a lidded recycling bin instead.

We at Rentokil hope you have a merry, pest-free Christmas. If you are concerned about pest problems over the festive season, please contact Rentokil today. 

The post Why Are Mice Stirring This Christmas? appeared first on deBugged.

How do you get bed bugs?

Bed bugs have become a significant problem everywhere in recent years. Since the early 2000s there has been a drastic increase in the number of bed bug infestations around the globe. In Ireland, 2016 saw an 80% increase in bed bug infestation, compared to the same period in 2015.

Hotels and other overnight accommodation facilities play an important part in the spread of bed bugs. The increase in global travel has led to these facilities receiving a high amount of human traffic. This allows bed bugs to spread easily, discreetly travelling from one occupant to another. With the increasing travel at this time of year, the problem becomes more prevalent.

How to avoid bed bugs when travelling at Christmas

Avoid bed bugs on airplanes

We’ve all heard about the problem of bed bugs in hotels. But this isn’t the only risk travellers might face. Recent years have seen an increase in reports of bed bugs on airplanes. And these insects don’t distinguish between economy and business class!

Airplanes provide an ideal environment for bed bugs to thrive in. People’s belongings are left unattended for hours. Passengers sit close to each other and do not move for long periods. In such confined spaces, it’s not surprising that bugs can be transmitted from person to person.

Avoid bed bugs in the hotels

Check your hotel room for bed bugs

Contrary to their name, bed bugs are not only found in beds. Easily transportable in clothing and baggage, these insects can thrive in just about any crack or crevice. Rarely seen in the day, they hide their paper-thin bodies in all kinds of furniture.

When staying in a hotel, motel, or any other overnight accommodation this Christmas, inspecting the room for bed bugs can help ensure you don’t find yourself giving these biting insects a free ride back to your home.

What are signs of bed bugs?

• Dark/black stains– on the mattress and surrounding area from bed bug excreta.
• Sweet scent– an unpleasant, sweet, sickly scent.
• Cast nymphal skins– small crisp-like insect skins that are cast off as the bed bug nymphs grow from stage to stage.
• Live insects– despite being small (adults are only 4-5mm long) it’s possible to spot live bed bugs and shed skins.

Avoid bed bugs on public transportation

When you mention bed bugs, most people will first think of hotels. But did you know that bed bugs are hiding and waiting to hitch a ride home with you in many public places? They are like tiny monsters that are nearly visible to the naked eye. You need to know where they may be sheltering if you want to protect yourself from health risks. Let’s check out the bed bug infestation risks in public places where you may accidentally pick up

DIY bed bug strategies

Travel

You all like to get a restful sleep and nice DREAM when you travel this Christmas:

• Do a survey of the bed to see if there are any telltale indications of infestation, such as noticeable spots on the mattress or bed clothes.
• Raise the mattress and the bed itself. The bedbugs are more likely to be hiding there during the day.
• Elevate your belongings. Don’t leave them lying on the floor or bed. Use luggage racks or tables.
• Analyse your belongings when you get home. Did you bring back any unexpected passenger bugs with you?
• Machine-dry your clothes in a hot drier to ensure no bedbugs are snuggling up in them.

Use luggage stands with caution

Luggage stands in hotel rooms are a hot spot for bed bug activity. Bed bugs often use luggage to travel and infest a new home. Because of this, luggage stands are often the first point of contact for bed bugs.

When staying in a hotel it’s a good idea to store your luggage in the ensuite bathroom whilst carrying out an inspection of a room, and during the whole stay. This can drastically reduce the risk of bringing bed bugs home with you.

Get rid of bed bugs at home

So your Christmas break is over. You’ve managed to avoid bed bugs. Nothing more to worry about, right? Wrong! When you get back home in the new year, remember to use your WITS:

• Wash your bed clothes at a temperature of at least 60℃, and if possible place the items into a tumble dryer for at least 30 minutes. Bed bugs aren’t great survivors in high temperatures. Washing clothing will help eliminate both adult bed bugs and bed bug eggs, reducing the risk of a bed bug in your home.
• Inspect your luggage, clothes, beds and furniture for signs of infestation. And remember to check after visitors too.
• Tidy your rooms. You can see signs of infestation more clearly when your rooms are clean and tidy.
• Send old clothes and linens to charity shops. Don’t leave them lying around in closets. If you don’t wear it, you don’t need it.

Professional Bed Bug Treatment

If you have found yourself with a bed bug problem, the best way to remove bed bugs from your home or business is to enlist the help of a pest control professional. Or simply Tweet us at @Rentokil_PestIE to get immediate assistance.

Get in contact with Rentokil for expert advice, free survey, and solutions on how to get rid of bed bugs.

The post Christmas Travel – How To Avoid Bed Bugs appeared first on deBugged.

Just like humans do, rodents and pests seek warmth and shelter as the chilly winter days take hold. Common winter pests include rats, mice, spiders, cockroaches, fleas and bed bugs. As well as causing unease, damage and inconvenience, these pests can pose a danger by spreading disease and contaminating food. They may also introduce other problems such as lice, fleas and ticks.

So how should you deal with these pests? Take a look at our advice below!

Rats 

Rats tend to settle in basements, near rubbish and sewers or indeed anywhere where they are unlikely to be disturbed. They possess very strong jaws that can gnaw through a variety of materials, including plastic and piping. In addition, they can spread diseases such as cowpox, rat-bite fever and jaundice.

Find out more about  signs of rat infestation in your property 

Our advice:

• Keep gardens and property tidy. Don’t provide rats with convenient places to hide.
• Don’t leave food lying around. Store it in tight glass or metal containers.
• Don’t forget about the risks posed by pet food and bird seed. Clear away all food and store it safely.
• Rats are attracted to rubbish, so make sure they don’t have easy access to discarded food. Store rubbish in robust metal bins.
• If you’re using compost heaps, avoid putting food in the compost. Otherwise, rats will swarm to it.

Mice

Most people encounter mice in their homes at some stage. These small pests like to gather in basements and attics.  Indeed, they’ve been known to cause electrical fires by chewing on wires in ceilings and attics. And they can spread diseases such as tapeworms and salmonella.

Find out more about signs of mouse infestation in your property 

Our advice:

• First, check for signs of mouse activity. These include nibbled food, gnawed wires, torn paper and mouse droppings.
• Because they are so flexible, mice can squeeze in through tiny holes and cracks. Seal any cracks or holes in your property using steel wool or caulk.
• Don’t give mice hiding spaces. De-clutter your basement and attic, and store boxes on shelves.

Cockroaches

Finding cockroaches in your home or business can be very distressing. As known carriers of diseases such as Salmonella, Dysentery & Gastro-enteritis, exposure to this pest also poses significant health risks. Increases in eczema and asthma have even been linked to cockroach droppings.

The most common cockroach found in homes is the German cockroach. These pests usually enter the home hidden in bags, boxes and second-hand purchases. They congregate where they can find food and moisture. As well as spreading diseases, cockroaches can trigger allergic reactions in some people.

Cockroaches are very tough insects and their ability to breed rapidly makes professional treatment essential to control any infestation. Only expert products and solutions are powerful enough to eliminate all stages of their lifecycle.

Find out more about  signs of cockroach infestation in your property 

Our advice:         

• Keep your property clean. Clear away any crumbs or spillages. Don’t leave discarded food lying around. And clean up all pet trays every night.
• Keep your property tidy. Cockroaches seek refuge in clutter, such as stacks of newspapers and discarded boxes.
• Carefully store away food. Cockroaches will hunt out food, so don’t make it easy for them!
• If you are unable to eradicate the cockroaches yourself, consult a professional pest control company.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs can strike in the winter as well as the summer. Bed bugs have become a significant problem in Ireland and around the world. Most people have never seen a bedbug, and until recently, most people have never had a problem with bed bugs. They thrive in holes and crevices, and of course bed clothes. They are easy to spread and difficult to treat, resulting in a rapid growth in the number of bed bug outbreaks. Many people still associate bed bugs with public places such as hotels or cinemas, not realising they can be easily transported into your own home.

There has been a recent resurgence of bed bugs in homes biting people at night. It is widely thought that this is related to a global increase in international travel (bed bugs are known to travel in luggage or clothing).

Find out more about signs of bed bug infestation in your property 

Our advice:

• Keep the bedroom tidy. This will make it much easier to spot a bed bug infestation.
• Wash and dry all clothes regularly, using hot water.
• If you see bed bugs, you can try to vacuum them. However, this is unlikely to complete erase the problem.
• When visiting other homes, don’t bring clothes or furniture if you can avoid it. This will help prevent the spread of bed bugs to other properties.

Fleas

Fleas are a common problem in homes, especially those with pets. You may discover a problem with fleas even if you do not have pets, if previous owners of your property kept cats or dogs.  In Ireland, fleas are driving residents hopping mad as pest cases rise by 121% this year as compared to 2015.

Fleas may also be carried on other, especially hairy, animals like rabbits, foxes, squirrels, rats, mice and livestock such as pigs.

As parasites, the greatest concern about the presence of fleas in your home or business comes from their bites. Although these are not painful, they can result in an uncomfortable itch or rash. Your pets could also develop allergies to flea saliva.

Find out more about signs of flea infestation in your property 

Our advice: 

• Before you do anything else vacuum carpets, furnishings, cracks in the floorboards and upholstered furniture. This will not only get rid of adult fleas, but also their eggs and larvae. The larvae feed on adult flea faeces and other organic matter, which collects in things like carpets and rugs. Removing this source of food is an important step.
• Empty your vacuum cleaner very carefully away from the house because the fleas will still be alive.
• Groom your pets regularly with a flea comb and wash their beds every week (ideally at 50°c or above).
• If your pet is scratching or biting its fur you should talk to your vet. They can recommend the best flea sprays or powders to use to treat your pet.

Spiders

Many spiders are harmless, but they can cause distress to some people, especially sufferers of arachnophobia. However, some spiders are venomous and can pose a real danger. Spiders thrive in undisturbed spaces, building their nests in garages, attics, basements and closets.

Find out more about signs of spider infestation in your property 

Our advice:         

• If you think you have been bitten by a spider, seek immediate medical advice.
• Spiders may gain entry to property via tree branches. Be sure to trim your garden, and keep walls and roofs clear from overhanging limbs.
• In order to get rid of spider eggs, you’ll need to carefully vacuum your property. Don’t forget to vacuum the dark, neglected corners of your property.
• Use plastic containers for clothes and shoes. If any items aren’t used frequently, they may become a nest for spiders!

Professional Pest Control

While DIY prevention and action will help you control many infestations, there will be times when you simply have to call in pest control experts. They have the equipment, knowledge and skills required to deal with your problem.

If you have a pest problem, contact Rentokil for a FREE survey.

The post Six Common Winter Pests in Ireland appeared first on deBugged.