Uninvited guests this festive season?

Prevention is better than cure when it comes to pests this festive season. Unwelcome guests such as flies, ants, cockroaches and rats can put your family´s health at risk over the holiday period. Getting rid of pests may seem simple, but one needs a trained eye and expert knowledge in pest behaviour to get to the root of the problem.

Prevention:

The first line of defence against pests such as rodents, cockroaches and flies is adequate proofing of one’s home. Prevent pests from gaining easy access by sealing cracks and holes around utility pipes that enter the premises.
Rats have been known to fit through holes of less than 1cm diameter, so it is important to seal even the smallest holes. Seal entry points around windows and doors using sealant or caulking to plug the holes and fit bristle strips around doors.

Pests come indoors in search of food and harbourage. So, it’s important not to attract them with easily accessible food sources or with nesting materials like old newspapers and boxes. Make sure you recycle all the Christmas wrapping paper and gift boxes as soon as possible.

Clean your kitchen:

Keep your kitchen clean, and always cover all food, especially in the run-up to a big Christmas meal. Make sure that there are no spills or debris in the kitchen that might attract pests. No-one wants ants marching over the Christmas pudding, or flies landing on the gammon.

Keep rubbish (food waste and packaging) in sealed bins, making sure that lids fit tightly and are kept closed. Dispose of rubbish regularly and wash out rubbish bins after collection to prevent flies from breeding at the bottom.
Fly eggs usually hatch into maggots within 12 – 24 hours, but this cycle is faster in summer.

Avoid standing water in gardens such as in watering cans and water features as this attracts mosquitoes and flies. Ensure that drains are kept clear and running and that gutters and drainage pipes are not blocked.

Cure:

Whilst prevention is always better than cure, there may be occasions when one has to resort to pesticides.There are many D-I-Y pest control products available to get rid of pests in low-risk areas. It is, however, essential to follow the instructions carefully for safe and effective use.

Whilst D-I-Y pest control products can deal with smaller pest problems, a professional pest control service will be required for larger or multiple infestations. Rentokil pest control technicians are trained in a wide variety of pest control methods and their expert knowledge means more efficiently targeted pest control. They will help you get rid of pests this festive season.

Renkotil’s Intergrated Approach:

Rentokil uses an integrated approach to pest control, based on the biology of the specific pest. The use of pesticides is restricted and only used when absolutely necessary. The pesticides used by Rentokil are all approved by the local Department of Agriculture and our International Technical Director in the UK. They are bio-degradable and target specific, which means they are more effective and have minimal to no secondary effects.

A pest free festive season:

For a safe and pest-free Christmas holiday, residential customers are able to book residential pest control services directly through Rentokil’s Customer Care Centre. A dedicated agent will book and confirm services immediately.

For a more information on residential pest control solutions from Rentokil or to arrange a free pest control survey, contact Rentokil Initial on 0800 77 77 88 or visit our website: http://www.rentokil.co.za/residential-customers/index.html