Afraid of Rodents and Bugs? 2021 May Not Be Your Year

Entomologists from Western Exterminator Provide their Pest Predictions for 2021

READING, Penn. (Jan. 4, 2021) — As if 2020 didn’t present enough challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 could be a banner year for pests around the country.

To help residents prepare for 2021, entomologists from Western Exterminator used field knowledge and data to provide their predictions for pests in the upcoming year.

1. Rodents, Rodents Everywhere:

With shutdowns across the country, it’s no surprise that rodents are on the rise nationwide. Empty buildings, the scarcity of food and warmer winters have combined to create a rodent apocalypse.

“We’re seeing more rats in urban, suburban and rural settings because of the shutdowns,” said Marc Potzler, Board Certified Entomologist with Western Exterminator. “Food sources are cut off, and rats are having to travel to scavenge for food. We’ve seen rats out in public during the day, which is highly unusual.”

Warmer winters have also allowed for mice populations to boom in residential areas as it allows for a longer breeding season and there is a lower population loss due to hard freezes.

“Right now is the perfect time to rodent-proof your home,” said Potzler. “Make sure to repair any gaps on the exterior of your home, such as around garage doors, windows or pipes.”

2. Mosquitoes on the Move:

Mosquitoes populations have been increasing over the last few years. Aedes species, which are disease-carrying mosquitoes, are also moving to new areas. These mosquitoes can carry West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and Zika virus, among other diseases.

“There is an increase of mosquitoes across the country, but notably on the West Coast, and they are adapting each year,” said Eric Sebring, Associate Certified Entomologist with Western Exterminator. “We have seen evidence of behavior adaptation, where mosquitoes lay their eggs strategically to hatch throughout the season.”

Protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes by removing any standing water on your property. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as one teaspoon of water. Also, wear EPA-approved insect repellent while spending time outside.

3. Bed Bugs:

The chatter about bed bugs was quiet in 2020, but that’s not because they have gone away.

“As people begin to travel again, we will start to hear about bed bug infestations,” said Sebring. “Bed bugs can be dormant for several months at a time, so they can emerge when a food source, humans, become available.”

Bed bugs are considered hitchhikers, traveling from place to place on people, luggage, clothing and other personal belongings. Homeowners and businesses such as hotels, colleges, hospitals, senior living facilities, retail stores, and libraries have experienced problems with bed bugs.

If traveling, inspect the bed by pulling back the sheets to examine the mattress. Check your luggage before packing and unpacking, and look for signs of living or dead bugs the size of an apple seed or black fecal smears.

4. More Time Outdoors = More Pests.

From hiking to gardening to dining al fresco, there is no doubt that the pandemic has forced people to spend more time outdoors.

In 2021, we will see the outdoor pest pressures continue:

Ticks: Ticks are responsible for transmitting several diseases, including Lyme disease, to humans and animals. These small insects are found in grassy areas and in the woods, so it is important to inspect yourself and your pets after spending time outdoors. Cover as much skin as possible while outdoors, wear long pants, long sleeves, closed-toed shoes, and tuck pant legs into socks. Light-colored clothing will also help any ticks you pick up stand out.

Ants: “As soon as the weather starts to warm up, we will see an increase in ant populations,” said Tom Dobrinska, Board Certified Entomologist. “Most of the ants we are dealing with are odorous house ants. When spending time outside, make sure to clean up any food, water or sugary substances and ensure that your home is free of any holes or cracks for them to enter.”

Stinging Insects: Stinging insects, such as wasps and yellow jackets, emerge at the first sign of warm weather, and as warm weather seasons are getting longer, stinging insects have more time to create issues. Make sure you check for nests early in the spring as they are smaller and get early nest treatment. Make sure to keep windows and doors shut, and secure outside bins so stinging insects are not attracted to the contents.

5. Termites Aren’t Going Anywhere

Termites are a pesky problem, and unfortunately, are not going anywhere. Termites can cause extensive damage to structures, especially homes. As people are moving out of cities during the pandemic to more suburban areas, education about termite protection is key.

“We received more calls for termites this past year than we have in many years,” said Potzler. “It’s important to raise awareness for homeowners now to have proactive protection to keep from costly repairs in the future.”

6. Pests in the News:

There are a few pests that will continue to steal the limelight in 2021.

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is an invasive pest that has been making its way across the country since it was first introduced from Asia in 2001. Besides its pungent odor, this stink bug has become a nuisance for homeowners as it gathers in large numbers on the sides of houses and buildings and enters through small cracks in the home. “The brown marmorated stink bug is here to stay,” said Dobrinska. “We will continue to see this species emerge in late spring in large numbers.”

The Spotted Lanternfly will continue to wreak havoc across the Northeast and beyond. The invasive pest, first found in Pennsylvania in 2014, is spreading across the Northeast, with New York reporting its first sighting this year. The pest can significantly damage trees and plants.

“The Spotted Lanternfly is becoming a big problem in the Northeast, and it will continue to spread,” said Potzler. “It can be devastating for agriculture and is a nuisance for homeowners.”

The egg masses look like a smear of mud on trees and outside of homes. It’s important to scrape the egg mass off, put it in a bag with rubbing alcohol and throw it away, and then call the state department of agriculture.

The infamous “Murder Hornet,” also known as the Asian giant hornet, grabbed many headlines, causing homeowners to panic trying to decipher the difference between stinging insects in their yards and this aggressive species. The Asian giant hornet is the largest hornet species in the world, growing up to 3 inches in length. Currently, the Asian giant hornet has only been found in the Pacific Northwest.

“We know that there was one colony found and eliminated in Washington State,” said Sebring. “Unfortunately, if there is one, there will be more.”

While your chances of being stung by an Asian giant hornet are fairly low, the sting can be dangerous as the venom volume is higher, causing more pain. The hives are primarily built underground or in hollows in trees. If you suspect it is an Asian giant hornet or any stinging pests, call your pest management provider to assess the situation as soon as you spot activity.

Fact or Fiction: Bed Bug Myths

Myths about bed bugs in Henderson NV area - Western Exterminator of Las VegasBed bugs were once a pest of the past, but had a resurgence in the 90s. Since then, there has been a lot of false information spread about these pests in due part of the fear people hold for them. In order to better prepare yourself for a bed bug problem, it’s important to learn the facts and to stop believing the bed bug myths. Bed Bug Awareness Week is here, and the team at Rentokil Las Vegas is here to dispel common misconceptions about these bloodsucking pests. Read on to learn more!

Bed Bug Facts and Myths

If you’ve had a bed bug problem before, you know how distressing an infestation can be. We receive a lot of questions about bed bugs and want to clear the air on the false information:

  1. Are bed bugs only active at night?
    • No! Bed bugs are active when their hosts are at rest. This usually means overnight, but they can adjust their schedule to fit yours.
  2. Do bed bugs only infest beds and bedrooms?
    • Bed bugs can infest anywhere–including chairs, sofas, cracks in the wall, and even power outlets. They prefer to congregate near where their hosts rest, making bedrooms the main target.
  3. Can you see bed bugs with the naked eye?
    • Although nymphs are nearly impossible to see, adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed and can absolutely be seen with your own eyes.
  4. Should you throw away infested furniture and mattresses?
    • No! In fact, you shouldn’t move infested furniture in the midst of an infestation. Doing so can contribute to bed bugs spreading into other areas.
  5. Are bed bugs attracted to messy homes?
    • This is one of the most common myths about bed bugs. No matter how clean or messy your property is, anyone can get bed bugs.
  6. Can bed bugs fly or jump?
    • No! Unlike fleas and ticks, bed bugs have underdeveloped wings and are only capable of crawling.
  7. Do bed bugs transmit disease with their bites?
    • Thankfully, no. Bed bug bites can leave you with red, itchy marks on your skin but they do not transmit diseases like mosquitoes can.
  8. Are bed bugs capable of living for months without feeding?
    • Yes, but it’s unlikely for them to live for a year unless they are in the most optimal conditions. Young bed bugs in particular must feed on a regular basis in order to survive.

What to Do About Bed Bugs in Las Vegas

Getting rid of bed bugs is no job for an amateur. If you have them, you’re almost certainly going to need the help of a professional to get rid of them. With so many people traveling to and from Las Vegas, it’s important to stay vigilant about preventing them. Contact our team today for more information.

How to Prevent Bed Bugs During the Holidays

Inspect the bed sheets in your hotel to look for bed bugs. Western Exterminator of Las VegasBed bugs aren’t a common pest problem in the Las Vegas area, but infestations may start when residents bring them home after a vacation. Especially during the holiday season, bed bug problems can start when you stay in hotels or stay with out-of-state family members only to bring home bed bugs. To protect your home from bed bugs this Thanksgiving or Christmas, keep reading to learn how to prevent bed bugs.

Prevent Bed Bugs While Traveling

Bed bug infestations are often linked to instances when traveling was involved. Bed bugs are more common than you may want to believe in hotels, and can be spread by hitchhiking on suitcases.

When you’re packing for a trip, it’s important to pack smart to avoid bed bugs. Always pack your clothing in sealed plastic bags and use a hard-case suitcase as opposed to a soft-cover one. When you return from a trip, steam-clean your suitcase before bringing it indoors, if possible. It’s also important to wash all clothing in hot water.

Bed Bugs in Hotels

Bed bug problems in hotels are more common than you may want to believe. To avoid picking up bed bugs in the next hotel you stay in, there are several things to do:

  • Do your research before booking a hotel room by reading through reviews for mentions of bed bug problems.
  • Before settling into a hotel room, pull back the sheets to inspect the bed for live bugs or signs of bed bug activity.
  • Always place your suitcase on luggage racks, on top of furniture, or inside of a bathtub inside hotel rooms.

Professional Bed Bug Removal

If you find yourself with bed bugs even after implementing preventative measures, it’s important to call the exterminators at Rentokil. Bed bugs are resilient pests and always need to be dealt with by a bed bug exterminator. Our team can provide bed bug removal and help you learn how to prevent bed bug problems in the future.