How to Keep Pests Out of Your Attic

Although we don’t experience the cold winters many parts of the country do, winter pest problems are nonetheless a problem for homeowners in Las Vegas. Certain insects and pests often try to make their way indoors in the fall and winter to wait out the cooler months ahead. This can be a major nuisance for property owners, as no one wants to deal with an infestation this time of year. Thankfully, there are several things you can do to prevent these pests from getting inside in the first place. Keep reading for top tips from the team at Rentokil.

What Pests Are Common in the Winter?

With less drastic temperature changes, many pests are a year-round problem for homeowners in the Las Vegas area. That said, it’s important to know which ones may be looking to get inside your home this time of year. The most common culprits include:

  1. House mice: These mice prefer secluded areas and will look to nest in your attic using insulation and other stored items.
  2. Roof rats: Just as their name suggests, roof rats can squeeze their way indoors and up to the attic in your home.
  3. Spiders: House spiders are typically harmless, but black widows are known to get indoors this time of year.
  4. German cockroaches: As one of the most common roaches, they are known to be especially troublesome in the winter.

Preventing Winter Pest Problems

The key to avoiding overwintering pests is to deny them access inside in the first place. Trim overhanging tree branches, overgrown bushes, and vines away from your home to limit roof access to pests. In addition, secure your chimney with a chimney cap, and install wire mesh over any vents or roof openings. If you keep your garbage cans outdoors, make sure to keep them secure with tight-fitting lids. Lastly, keep everything organized in plastic bins in your attic. Look for gaps or openings and seal them with steel wool or caulk. A combination of these efforts should effectively keep all pests out of your attic and home through the winter months.

Attic Pests in Las Vegas

If you’re hearing odd noises in your attic, there’s a good chance you have unwelcome guests up there. Always call a professional pest control expert before investigating, as attic pest problems can be dangerous and hazardous to get rid of on your own. Contact the team at Rentokil today for more information!

2 Spiders to Look Out For This Fall

Spiders are a common pest problem here in the Las Vegas area throughout the entire year. However, they are more abundant in the late summer and fall months. Spiders usually hatch in the springtime. By the time August and September roll around, they can seem to be in full force! Most spiders get into homes to look for food, water, and shelter. Thankfully, most spiders in your home are typically harmless and will avoid you altogether. The same cannot be said for the black widow and brown recluse spiders, which are known to be more aggressive and can administer a nasty bite when threatened. For this reason alone, it’s important to learn how to identify these spiders.

Dangerous Spiders in Las Vegas

The black widow and brown recluse spiders are dangerous any time of year, but are often seeing in or around your home in the late summer/early fall. Due to the fact that these spiders can sting when threatened, it’s important to know how to identify them:

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

Keeping Spiders Out in the Fall

Spiders can get into your home any time. But because their populations are so large this time of year, you likely are noticing more of them in your home. Some of Western Exterminator’s best tips for preventing spiders include:

  • Trimming your lawn and bushes. Overgrown bushes, shrubs, piles of wood, and more can attract spiders to your property and eventually indoors.
  • Cleaning your home on a regular basis. Doing so can prevent insects that spiders like to prey on and eliminate hiding spots for pests.
  • Sealing any cracks and crevices. Inspect the inside and outside of your property for tiny spots that may be inviting spiders in, and seal properly.
  • Installing or repairing screens on doors and windows. Holes or crevices in screens will easily invite spiders (and other pests) inside.
  • Inspecting boxes and used furniture prior to bringing them inside. Adult spiders or egg sacs could be nestled in old unopened boxes.

What to Do About Fall Pest Infestations

If you have spiders or any other bugs inside your home this time of year, it can be hard to know how to get rid of them! A professional spider control company such as Rentokil can help control current infestations as well as prevent future ones.

How to Keep Pests Away From Your Patio

Outdoors, pests are a fact of life. Here in Las Vegas, we are used to the influx of insects in the summer and fall months. You’re likely looking to spend time outside in your backyard or on your patio with the summer winding down. You also likely don’t want to deal with any pests when you do so. While it can be difficult to avoid insects altogether in your yard, there are a few things you can do to make your property less attractive to pests.

The team at Western Exterminator of Las Vegas are here to share their top outdoor pest-proof tips.

What Pests Are In My Las Vegas Backyard?

The warm weather invites all types of pests and insects. Whether you have an outdoor living set or a play set for your kids, it’s important to know what pests you might encounter right in your backyard. These are the pests you’re likely to see or have problems with:

Pest-Free Outdoor Living Tips and Tricks

If you are planning to have family barbecues or gardening sessions outdoors, you don’t want to deal with pests. It’s important to know how to make your yard less attractive to insects. Some of our top tips include:

  • Get rid of standing water. Stagnant water is one of the biggest attractants for mosquitoes.
  • Keep your lawn and shrubs trimmed. Ticks and mosquitoes will shelter in overgrown vegetation or tall grass.
  • Know how to identify nests or ant hills. Even a tiny mound can contain thousands of ants inside.
  • Inspect all wood structures. Wood-destroying pests (carpenter ants and termites) will damage your wooden decks or porches.
  • Apply an insect repellent. Most store-bought repellent containing DEET will help repel mosquitoes and ticks.
  • Clean your patio or space regularly. Spills or leftover food will surely bring ants around.

Long-Term Pest Prevention For Your Yard

Keeping pests away from your property can be difficult. If you’ve done all you can to prevent pests in your outdoor living space and still find yourself with scorpions or a wasp nest, contact the residential exterminators at Western Exterminator today. We are committed to keeping our customers safe from pests both inside and outside the home.

2020 Pest Season – 6 Pest Predictions

There are 6 pest problems to look for in 2020 - Western Exterminator of Las Vegas provides tips on preventing them in your Henderson NV home.Hindsight may be 20/20, but when it comes to pests this year, Rentokil is looking into its crystal ball to help homeowners proactively defend their homes against pest infestation.

The experts at Rentokil used their field experiences and examined trends and company data to determine the following six pest predictions.  Along with the predictions, we are offering some quick tips for homeowners to help keep their homes pest-free in the new year.

Mosquitoes

Populations of disease-spreading mosquitoes, such as the yellow fever mosquito and the Asian tiger mosquito, have surged in recent years in some Western states. These mosquitoes, along with the already well-established common house mosquito, can spread diseases such as West Nile virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), and Zika virus, as well as the parasite that causes heartworm in pets.

Homeowner Tips: To protect yourself and your family, dispose of standing water from your property.  It only takes a tablespoon of water for mosquitoes to breed. When spending time outdoors, protect yourself and your family by always wearing an EPA-approved insect repellent.

Rats

In recent years, in major metropolitan areas across the country,  rat populations have surged. Expect to see that trend continue and watch for rat activity to increase in suburban areas, as well. Warmer winters, a booming construction pipeline, lack of sanitation control, and an affordable housing crisis are all issues that have contributed to the swell of recent rat activity.

Homeowner Tips:  To deter rats, take the following steps: Eliminate excess vegetation, especially dense low-vegetation that serves as hiding places for rats. Keep trees cut back from the roofline. Seal any exterior openings larger than a nickel with rodent-proof material such as hardware cloth or flashing. Finally, ensure that all trash is sealed in bags and placed into garbage cans with well-fitting lids to prevent an infestation.

Termites

Termites are the most destructive pests in North America, causing $6 billion in property damage each year. These wood-destroying pests are a continual problem for homeowners in the Western U.S., and this year could bring heavier pressure than usual. Rentokil experts have seen an increase in activity from subterranean and dampwood termites in many areas this year.

Homeowner Tips:  To deter termites, eliminate soil to wood contact and avoid moisture accumulation near your home or structures’ foundation. Remove excess wood (stumps, lumber, etc.) from your yard. Unfortunately, termites can be present for years before homeowners ever seen signs of their activity, causing extensive and costly damage. To avoid this, have a termite protection plan in place. Speak to your pest control provider about risk and protection options for your home.

Cockroaches

Cockroach populations have boomed over the past several years, due in large part to wetter springs and winters. Cockroaches carry diseases, infest stored food, and spread these diseases through their excrement. Cockroach removal is vital as infestations can be serious if not taken care of in a timely manner.

Homeowner Tips: The biggest attractant for cockroaches is food. Keep a clean kitchen, mopping or sweeping up any spills. Cockroach-proof your home by sealing small cracks and crevices around windows and door frames with a silicone-based caulk. Ensure that door seals, including the one on your garage, are in place and intact. If you’re experiencing cockroach problems, speak with your pest control professional to determine the best solution for your home.

Flies

If you have noticed more flies in your area, you aren’t alone. Filth flies – house flies, bottle flies, flesh flies – are more abundant than we’ve seen in previous years.  You can thank increasing population density, waste management practices that haven’t kept pace with growth, and a general trend toward a warming climate for the fly pressure.

Homeowner Tips: Fly activity can be difficult to control, but there are preventative steps homeowners can take to keep them at bay. Screen all windows and doors. Keep trash stored away from your home and ensure that all trash cans have tight-fitting lids. If flies are bothering you when sitting outside, use a box or oscillating fan to keep them away. When air is moving, flies have a hard time landing.

Spiders

Last year, spiders arrived early and more people reported seeing spiders in their homes. Spiders eat other insects, therefore, heavy rain and record-breaking temperatures over the last few years have created the perfect conditions for the smaller insects that spiders love to eat. With a steady food source, spider populations are increasing. Although beneficial for our ecosystem, most people prefer spiders to stay outside where they belong.

Homeowner Tips: Fortunately, most species of spiders can not survive indoors as their systems are built for outdoor weather. If the thought of spiders lurking around freaks you out, try changing your white outdoor light bulbs to yellow light bulbs, which attract fewer insects that can serve as food for the spiders. There are a few species of spiders that can live indoors and need to be controlled by spider removal experts.

The experts at Rentokil agree that a proactive approach is the first step any homeowner can take to prevent pest issues. With these 2020 pest predictions in mind, take time to evaluate your current pest control plan and ensure that you have the protection you need to protect yourself and your family from pests this year.

5 Ways to Prevent Winter Pests

Rodents infest Las Vegas NV homes to escape dropping temperatures in the winter - Western Exterminator of Las VegasLas Vegas may not have the extreme temperatures during the winter that some parts of the country do, but that doesn’t mean we don’t deal with winter pest problems all the same! Changes in the weather cause rodents, insects, and other pests to squeeze their way inside your homes in search of shelter and warmth.

For this reason, it’s important to learn how to protect your home from pests in the wintertime. The experts at Rentokil have compiled their top tips on how to prevent winter pests in your Las Vegas home!

What are the most common winter bugs?

During the wintertime, there are many bugs and pests that look to enter homes. Some of the pest problems you may face during this time of year include infestations from:

  • Argentine ants. These fast breeding ants start to produce eggs in the late winter, which is why it’s important to prevent them.
  • Rats & mice. House mice and Norway rats in particular are known to squeeze their way indoors during the cold months.
  • Spiders. House spiders are typically harmless, but black widows are known to get indoors this time of year.
  • German cockroaches. One of the most popular cockroach species, they are known to be especially troublesome in the winter.

Prevent Winter Pests in 5 Steps

Keeping pests out of your home in the winter months requires many of the same efforts of preventing pests year-round. Five ways you can prevent winter pests include:

  1. Seal cracks and crevices outside your property to keep pests from making their way inside.
  2. Place screens over vents and chimneys to eliminate entry points inside the property.
  3. Store firewood away from the home and eliminate clutter in your yard to discourage nesting.
  4. Eliminate sources of excess moisture by promptly fixing leaking pipes and clogged drains.
  5. Promptly clean up spills, dispose of garbage regularly, and avoid excess clutter.

Professional Winter Pest Control

To avoid the frustration of a pest infestation during the winter, you need to learn how to protect your property against pests. Rodents, cockroaches, and spiders are common pest infestations in Las Vegas winters, which is why it’s so important to implement winter pest control into your home maintenance routine. If you need help or want to learn more about how to prevent winter pests, give the experts at Rentokil a call today!

How to Prevent Common Christmas Tree Pests

Inspect your Christmas tree for pests and insects before bringing it into your Las Vegas or Henderson NV home - Western Exterminator of Las Vegas‘Tis the season for picking out a Christmas tree for your home! In addition to looking and smelling great, Christmas trees are quintessential decorations for the holiday season for many families. Unfortunately, a single Christmas tree can be harboring more than 20,000 insects! For as much festive cheer a tree can bring into your home, it can also bring unwanted pest infestations. To prevent an infestation from ruining your holiday spirit, read on to learn Rentokil’s top tips on how to prevent Christmas tree pests.

Types of Christmas Tree Insects

Even though most of the insects inside of Christmas trees are minuscule and not dangerous, no one wants their home invaded by bugs! A few of the most common types of Christmas tree pests include:

  • Aphids: These tiny sap-sicking insects are often located on the lower branches of evergreen, balsam fir, spruce, Fraser firs, and white fir trees.
  • Mites: Mites are known to cause needle loss in Douglas fir, white pine, spruce trees, or Fraser firs.
  • Spiders: In addition to adult spiders, spider egg sacs hidden within Christmas trees may cause an infestation.
  • Beetles: These wood-boring insects are about the size of a grain of rice. Holes in the branches or trunk of a tree are the biggest indicator of bark beetles.
  • Praying mantises: Adult praying mantises are green and can grow to be quite large. Egg sacs, which can contain up to 400 eggs, can also be found on trees.

Tips to Prevent Christmas Tree Pests

In order to keep the aforementioned insects out your property this holiday season, there are several ways you can prevent Christmas tree pests. The most important thing you can do is to thoroughly inspect the Christmas tree before purchasing it. Look for signs of pests or damage. From there, request that they vigorously shake out the Christmas tree before bringing it home. Prior to carrying it indoors, leave your tree in the garage for a couple of days. Lastly, use a vacuum to clean up fallen needles and stray bugs you notice.

Controlling Christmas Tree Insects

Nothing ruins the joy of the holiday season like a pest infestation. If you’ve bought an infested Christmas tree, it is recommended to return to the lot from which you bought it for an exchange. If you’re still dealing with pests after removing the infested tree, call the exterminators at Rentokil for more tips on how to prevent Christmas tree pests!

Identifying a Brown Recluse Spider versus a Desert Brown Spider

The media hype surrounding the Brown Recluse Spider, along with the often mis-identification of spider bites has led to a large amount of unwarranted hysteria surrounding this particular spider. Here at Western Exterminator we often get asked questions regarding this infamous spider and how to identify it, and in particular how to tell it apart from its close relative, the Desert Brown Spider.

It is also notable that Brown Recluse Spiders are not nearly as prevalent in Southern Nevada, Las Vegas and Henderson as the Desert Brown Spider.

Identifying Characteristics of the Brown Recluse Spider

The Brown Recluse – Violin Markingdesert brown spider pest Western Exterminator of Las Vegas las vegas henderson nv brown recluse spider

Many people misidentify the Brown Recluse Spider just based upon the Violin, often referred to as Fiddle markings on the spider’s body, technically referred to as a cephalothorax. The spiders legs, eyes, and mouth fangs are attached to the cephalothorax.  The color of this Violin shape will be dark brown in color. Other identifying characterizes of the Brown Recluse Spider are listed below:

  • Color of spider will be uniform, light tan to dark brown
  • Long thin legs
  • Oval abdomen, with no markings
  • 3 sets of eyes
  • Spiders abdomen will be uniform in color, with fine hairs
  • The spiders legs are smooth, with no spines
  • Spiders legs will be uniformly colored
  • Spiders body will measure no more than 1/2 of an inch in length
  • And, of course there will be a dark brown Violin shape on the spiders cephalothorax

Identifying Characteristics of the Desert Brown Spider

The desert brown spider may or may not have a violin marking.
The desert brown spider may or may not have a violin marking.

Closely related to the Brown Recluse Spider is the Desert Brown Spider, they’re from the same Genus: Loxosceles. Just like Brown Recluse Spiders, the Desert Brown Spider can (not always) have a Violin shaped marking on its cephalothorax, but often it is much lighter in color when compared to the dark brown markings on a Brown Recluse. As both are from the same family and genus of spiders, many of the characteristics are the same.
Desert Brown Spiders are typically yellowish-brown to tan in color, and measure the same size as a Brown Recluse at up to ½ an inch in length.

Bites from these spiders

Desert Brown Spiders are much more prevalent in the Las Vegas area, when compared to the Brown Recluse. In either event, both spiders are dangerous as their bites are necrotic. Bites from this family of spiders can cause severe tissue damage, which can result in a large open sore called a necrotic lesion.

Desert Brown Spider & Brown Recluse Extermination

The dangers associated with having these types of spiders in your home warrants asking for professional help for many home owners. Enlisting the help of a professional pest control company can help home owners identify areas of concern, and treatment options to keep these unwanted visitors out of your home.