Risks That Rodents Pose to Your Home in Puerto Rico

A rat in San Juan PR - Rentokil, formerly Oliver ExterminatingRodents are one of the most feared nuisance pest problems in San Juan PR. Not only are they nasty and unsettling to have on your property, they can also cause damage to your home and carry diseases and filth with them wherever they go.

There are many options out there for DIY vermin control, but none of these come with the guarantee of effectiveness that professional rodent removal experts can bring to the table. If you’re worried that you’ve heard vermin in your walls or found rodent droppings, you could be at risk of more serious problems. Read on to learn from the technicians at Rentokil, formerly Oliver Exterminating.

What Kinds of Rodents Live in San Juan PR?

The main types of rodents that cause us problems here in San Juan are rodents and mice. These are the species that we typically see:

Rats can be distinguished from mice most easily by their size. Mice also have longer tails in comparison to their bodies. Whichever you’re dealing with, you are liable for property damage, disease, and rapid reproduction and acceleration of your pest pressures.

How Do Rodents Affect Humans?

Having rodents in your home comes with several risks:

  1. Droppings and urine: These can stain and blemish the floors and carpets in your home, and worse, pass on diseases like Hantavirus when you try to clean them up.
  2. Bites and scratches: Trying to catch a mouse or rat on your own can result in bites and scratches. You have to be careful, because some rodents carry diseases like rabies.
  3. Property damage: Rodents love to chew through furniture, structural appliances, wiring, insulation, and more in order to build their nests.
  4. Fire hazards: When rodents chew through your electrical wiring, it can cause a fire hazard. Make sure to attend to any torn wires right away.

Vermin Control in San Juan PR

As you can see, trying to deal with rodents on your own is quite dangerous, and it can also be very difficult to try to get rid of them yourself. Your best option is to work with your local pest control company to get rid of rodents on your property. At Rentokil, formerly Oliver Exterminating, we use humane rodent removal techniques whenever possible, but in any case, we promise to deliver the most effective vermin removal service in San Juan. We will also teach you ways to prevent rodent infestations from ever happening on your property again. For a free quote, contact us today!

Do I Have Fungus Gnats?

Cockroaches in the kitchen in San Juan PR - Rentokil, formerly Oliver Exterminating

Gnats in your home can be a giant inconvenience and annoyance. It seems like they get there all at once, and even when you think you’ve found the source of the problem, it can be difficult to get rid of gnats quickly. Fortunately, our technicians at Rentokil, formerly Oliver Exterminating, are ready to help you out.

If you’re in the middle of a gnat infestation that just won’t quit, give us a call. We’ve seen it all, and we have developed the experience necessary to quickly identify the source of your infestation, get rid of all of the gnats in your house, and teach you how to prevent them from coming back!

Do I Have Gnats?

Fungus gnats are the most common kind of gnats that we deal with here in San Juan PR. It can be hard for the untrained eye to tell them apart from other flies, but here are some features that you can identify them by:

  • Adult fungus gnats have slender bodies that reach about 1/8” in length.
  • Their bodies are black on top with tannish-grey underbellies and legs.
  • Their larvae are tiny and white with little black heads. Fungus gnats often lay their eggs in potted plants and other moist areas.

Because fungus gnats look for moist areas to stake their breeding grounds, it is important to know how to eliminate excess moisture in your home and keep watch for gnats.

Getting rid of fungus gnats in plants in San Juan PR - Rentokil, formerly Oliver ExterminatingDIY Gnat Control

If you can’t figure out how to get rid of the gnats in your home, read on for our top tips. One if not all of these strategies should help you to reduce or entirely wipe out your population of fungus gnats:

  1. Locate the breeding site and apply an EPA-approved insecticide
  2. Use fly baits to attract the gnats. Sugar-coated baits lure in all sorts of small flies with promises of a food source.
  3. Try a light trap to draw the gnats to a location outside of your home.
  4. Cover the soil that your houseplants are potted in with a layer of sand or gravel.

Professional Help with Gnats in San Juan PR

If none of these strategies work to get rid of gnats in your home, you might be dealing with a severe gnat infestation. In this case, contact your local pest control company. At Rentokil, formerly Oliver Exterminating, we train our gnat and fly experts to use safe and effective strategies to wipe out gnat infestations with great efficiency. Don’t wait to get rid of gnats in your home—contact us today for a free quote!

Are Roaches Nocturnal?

Cockroaches are active at night in Puerto Rico - Rentokil formerly Oliver ExterminatingAs much as you may hate the thought of cockroaches crawling around while you’re asleep, this is likely the case when you have an infestation. That’s because cockroaches are, for the most part, nocturnal creatures. Roaches dislike daylight and will avoid being in the light whatsoever, even inside a building. During the day, cockroaches prefer to hide, often in the dark, damp areas of a property. At night, they will become more active as they hunt for food and water.

If you think you have cockroaches scurrying around your home or business overnight, read more to learn about their habits with the experts at Rentokil Formerly Oliver Exterminating!

Do Cockroaches Ever Sleep?

Like other animals and insects, cockroaches indeed have a specific circadian rhythm that includes a resting period. In one study done, it was found that roaches have three states of activity: a period of locomotion, a period of limb or antennae movement but no locomotion, and a period of immobility. Under normal light conditions (light by day and dark by night), cockroaches were only active at night, typically during the period right before midnight. There was little activity during the early morning hours, and roaches were found to rest during the daylight.

Cockroaches During the Daytime

If you see cockroaches in your home or business during the daytime, this could be a bad sign you have a serious infestation underway. Some of the reasons why you may be seeing cockroaches during the day include:

  • There is already a big infestation of roaches in your property.
  • Cockroaches have been forced out of their typical hiding places due to a lack of resources.
  • Artificial light can sometimes disorient roaches, encouraging them to come out in the daytime.

Where Are Cockroaches Hiding?

With their disdain for light, cockroaches are known to hide in the darkest, dampest places inside your home. This typically includes bathrooms, basements, crawl spaces, and more. When you have a serious infestation, these pests can hide just about anywhere: under the appliances in your kitchen, underneath sinks, inside light switches, or amongst boxes in your attic or garage. If you stumble upon them during the day by moving an object, they will typically run away upon being seen.

Seeing Roaches in Your Home?

If you spot even a roach or two in your home or business, it’s important to contact your local cockroach exterminators at Rentokil right away. Our experts can thoroughly inspect your home to look for any signs of roaches hiding. From there, we’ll work to get rid of the pests for good. Contact us today to get started!

Dangers of Termites and Why You Shouldn’t Delay Their Termination

Subterranean termites in San Juan PR - Rentokil, formerly Oliver ExterminatingTermites are one of the most feared pests in our region, not for their ability to bite, sting, or cause harm to us, but for their habits of wreaking havoc on our homes. The National Pest Management Association estimates that termites cause over $5 billion in damage in the United States every year! What’s more, they do so stealthily, often building up colonies in peoples’ homes that last for years without being discovered. If you are worried about a possible termite infestation in your home, this advice from our termite experts will reinforce that you should have that checked out sooner rather than later.

What Do Termites Do?

Termites are infamous for chewing through the wooden structures of homes. Out in the wild, this is a huge benefit to their ecosystems, as the deterioration of old trees allows for a redistribution of nutrients in the surrounding soil. Many people think that because termites prefer to eat wood cellulose, their primarily brick or alternate material homes are safe. However, this is not the case.

Termites are able to find and chew through any kind of wood in our homes, including:

  • Baseboards, moulding, and siding
  • Tables and chairs
  • Cabinets, dressers, and closets
  • Hardwood floors, and more

Termites can even damage window plaster and siding made out of metal. Of course, homes with more wood are more liable for termite damage, but it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to termites.

Signs of Termites in Your Home

Unfortunately for us, termites like to move in secret. It can be difficult to detect a termite infestation in your home before they cause a serious amount of damage. What’s more, some species of termites do most of their work underground—subterranean termites are the most common and the most destructive species of termites in San Juan PR. Although it might be too late to avoid expensive repairs once you’ve seen these, here are some signs that termites are active in your home:

  • Swollen-looking floors or ceilings
  • Buckling wood
  • Blemishes that look like water damage
  • Mazes of layers in walls or furniture

Need Professional Termite Control in San Juan PR?

If you’re looking for an expert termite exterminator in San Juan PR, look no further. Our technicians at Rentokil, formerly Oliver Exterminating, are trained to not only remove active infestations but prevent future ones. With decades of experience and the most effective termite control products available at our disposal, we are proud to be the most reliable termite exterminators in the area. For a free quote or to learn more about our termite control treatments, contact us today!

How Ant Infestations Start in Your Home

An ant infestation in San Juan PR - Rentokil formerly Oliver's Exterminating It’s easier than you might imagine for ants to find what they need in your home. Ants are simple creatures—they’re on the lookout for food and water and will stop at nothing to acquire enough. If you leave ants with a supply of resources and an open path to get there, you will find a trail of them marching through your house in no time.

So, how does this usually happen, and what can we do to prevent it from happening? Read on for Rentokil formerly Oliver Exterminating’s perspective on the ways that ant infestations usually start and what we can do to stop them.

How Do Ant Infestations Start?

Ant infestations usually start when a lone ant finds a source of food in your house. They emit a pheromone that signals to the rest of their colony to follow them to the food, and a trail starts to form. Some foods that ants commonly seek out are:

  • Fruits
  • Meats
  • Bread
  • Spilled sodas and anything else that’s full of sugar

If you’re thinking, “I clean up all of my messes and store my food away, why are there still ants in my house?” the reason for your infestation might be less obvious than others’. It could be a problem with your house. Ants will also take open opportunities for warmth and shelter in your house, entering through:

  • Gaps in wood paneling or brickwork
  • Holes in foundation
  • Ventilation systems
  • Cracked plumbing fixtures, and more

How ants get into your home in San Juan PR - Rentokil formerly Oliver Exterminating

What Can I Do to Keep Ants Out?

The first step to keeping ants out is keeping your kitchen and bathroom clean. All food products should be sealed and stored when not in use, and any spills should be cleaned up promptly. For extra ant protection, clean up spills with a vinegar-based or lemon-scented solution. Excess moisture from your shower or sinks often leads to ant infestations, too.

If you’re still dealing with ant intrusions in a clean home, check around the exterior of your house for easy points of entry. Seal any gaps or openings that you find around the outside of your house or inside along your baseboards. Also, be on the lookout for cracks in your plumbing fixtures. Additionally, take your trash out regularly and keep your bins far away from your house.

Need Professional Ant Control in San Juan?

Sometimes you just can’t find the source of your ant infestation. If you feel that you’re out of luck, you can count on your local pest control company to help you get rid of your ant problem. The expert ant exterminators at Rentokil formerly Oliver Exterminating have years of experience eliminating ant infestations in San Juan and are equipped to do the same for you! Contact us today for a free estimate on ant control.

Do Wasps Die After Stinging?

What paper wasps look like in San Juan PR - Rentokil, formerly Oliver ExterminatingThere is no other insect that works quite like the bee does. On top of their intricate patterns of communication and their deep environmental importance, another interesting fact about the bee is that they can only sting once, and they die shortly after. This leads people to wonder: do wasps die after they sting, too?

Wasps can actually sting many times in a row, and certain types of wasps can produce much more painful stings than bees. Keep reading to find out more about how wasp stings work and the differences between bees vs wasps in San Juan PR.

Wasp Stings vs Bee Stings

One lone wasp sting from a paper wasp can feel about the same as a bee sting. However, wasps are considered much more dangerous than bees because they can sting many times as necessary. When a bee stings you, it ejects its barbed stinger into your skin. Then the bee pulls away, ripping the stinger, along with part of its digestive tract, out of its own body. This causes them to die shortly after stinging.

Conversely, wasp stingers remain intact after stinging. This is because their stinger is designed differently—it is shaped like a needle and quickly pokes in and out of the skin, injecting venom. Their venom paralyzes small prey and causes enough pain to ward off large would-be predators.

Why Do Wasps Sting People?

Wasps sting when they feel threatened, and unfortunately, they are more easily provoked than bees. They also emit a pheromone that alerts other wasps in the area that they need help. This is why you’ll hear many reports of people being stung by multiple or even an entire swarm of wasps. Compounding wasp stings can cause:

  • Painful bumps
  • Hives, welts, and rashes
  • Nausea, headache, and fever
  • Swelling and joint pain
  • In extreme cases, death

Professional Wasp Nest Removal in San Juan PR

Wasp nests look like layered formations of gray paper. They are built out of wood that the wasps chew up and built anywhere that they can hang from. If you believe that wasps are building a nest around your home, reach out to your local wasp nest removal experts. Our technicians at Rentokil, formerly Oliver Exterminating, can come out to your property to identify the stinging insect you’re dealing with and remove them quickly and safely. For a free quote, contact us today!

Mosquito and Tick-Borne Diseases: 4 Ways to Keep Your Family Safe

An American dog tick found in San Juan PR - Rentokil, formerly Oliver ExterminatingWhen you think of pests that pass on diseases to humans, mosquitoes and ticks are the two that come to mind first. Unfortunately, we end up dealing with both of them every summer here in the San Juan PR area. In tropical and subtropical climates like ours, bites from ticks and mosquitoes are more likely to result in serious illnesses than in other regions.

It’s important to stay educated on the ways that you can avoid vector-borne diseases every summer. Read on for the top tips on mosquito and tick control from our team of pest control experts at Rentokil, formerly Oliver Exterminating.

What Diseases Do Mosquitoes and Ticks Transmit?

Ticks and mosquitoes have been documented to pass on a long list of diseases to humans that they bite. Some of the most formidable include:

  • Malaria
  • Lyme disease
  • Zika virus
  • Spotted fever
  • Tularemia
  • Dengue
  • Yellow fever

Most of these diseases will subside on their own almost every time, but some, like malaria and Lyme disease, can potentially be deadly if untreated in severe cases. If you are experiencing a fever, rash, lightheadedness, or nausea that you think might be related to a mosquito or tick bite, talk to your doctor.

How to Stay Safe from Mosquitoes and Ticks

There are a variety of strategies that you can use to protect yourself from mosquitoes and ticks. Here are four ways to stay safe this summer:

  1. Bug spray: An EPA-approved insect repellent will discourage ticks and mosquitoes from biting you. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions before using.
  2. Long-sleeved clothing: Exposed skin is an open invitation for blood-sucking pests to have a free meal. Although it can be inconvenient in the summer, wearing long sleeves will help keep you safe from bites.
  3. Stay safe inside: When spending time indoors, keep your doors and windows closed or install screens. After a prolonged period outdoors, make sure to check yourself, your family members, and your pets for ticks.
  4. Professional pest control: If you’re experiencing a high volume of ticks or mosquitoes on your property, a technician can come out to assess the source of your issue and develop a plan to help you avoid pests going forward.

Mosquito and Tick Control in San Juan PR

For help dealing with either mosquitoes or ticks, you can rely on your local pest control company. At Rentokil, formerly Oliver Exterminating, we train our technicians to use mosquito barrier treatments, efficient exclusion efforts, and holistic inspection techniques to eliminate any pest outbreak that comes your way. Reach out today for a free quote!

How to Keep the Mosquitoes and Ticks Away

What mosquitoes look like in San Juan PR - Rentokil, formerly Oliver ExterminatingMosquitoes and ticks are common pests that San Juan PR residents deal with in the summer. Any time you’re outdoors during the warmer months, you’re at risk of a bite. With mosquitoes taking to the air and hanging by the water and ticks inhabiting the more densely vegetated areas, it seems like we can’t get away from blood-sucking pests.

Both of these pests are also difficult to keep away. There isn’t one step that takes care of both completely. In fact, lasting mosquito and tick prevention takes adherence to routines and mindfulness. Read on for our experts’ best advice on preventing mosquitoes and ticks this summer.

Best Ways to Prevent Mosquitoes

There are many methods of mosquito prevention that work, but using one without the others won’t result in much change. True mosquito prevention takes multiple forms – you should try:

  • Getting rid of standing water: Cover pools and spas when not in use, and clear standing water from gutters, planters, playsets, buckets, or anywhere else it has collected in your yard.
  • Using insect repellent: EPA-approved bug sprays and citronella candles can both work to keep mosquitoes from biting you.
  • Installing mosquito prevention equipment: Mosquito nets and fans can both be used to physically block mosquitoes from coming close to your home.
  • Getting a barrier treatment: Sometimes DIY mosquito control is not enough. Your local pest control company will be able to prevent mosquitoes with long-lasting spray treatments.

How to Avoid Ticks in San Juan PR

Ticks can be a bit trickier to take preventative measures against. Like with mosquitoes, keeping your yard organized and clear of any clutter or overgrown foliage can eliminate places that they can take shelter.

Ticks can latch on to us and go undetected for many hours due to the anesthetic properties of the saliva that they inject into us. This makes it important to check for ticks on yourself or your pets after spending extended periods of time outdoors. Especially when walking your dogs in areas with tall grass or lots of trees, be sure to perform a tick check afterward. If you do find one, make sure to remove it safely.

Professional Pest Control for Mosquitoes and Ticks

If you have been working to avoid ticks and mosquitoes to no avail, it might be time to contact your local extermination company. The experts at Rentokil, formerly Oliver Exterminating, can take care of your specific pest outbreak with unique and exhaustive treatments tailored to your needs. For a free estimate, contact us today!

The Safest Way to Remove Ticks

Tick found in San Juan PR - Rentokil formerly Oliver ExterminatingAs we gear up for another hot summer in Puerto Rico, we have to prepare for an influx of ticks as well. Our warm climate creates a perfect environment for ticks with its comfortable conditions and abundance of animals to feed on. Ticks are known transmitters of lots of serious diseases, including the notorious Lyme disease. Keep reading to learn how to remove ticks as safely as possible and lessen your chances of contracting a vector-borne illness this summer.

Species of Ticks Living in San Juan PR

Fortunately for us, Lyme disease can only be contracted through a deer tick bite, and this kind of tick doesn’t live in Puerto Rico. However, there are two common tick species in our area that are able to spread disease to humans:

  • Lone star tick: These ticks are pale brown in color with round, flat bodies. Female lone star ticks have a white spot on their back and particularly long mouthparts. They like to live in areas with dense vegetation.
  • American dog tick: These are very similar looking to the lone star tick. Both the male and female have white markings along the back, and their color is more of a reddish-brown than a pale brown. Both kinds of ticks measure about 5mm in length.

How to Remove a Tick Safely

If you notice a tick lodged in your skin, it’s best to remove it as soon as you can to lessen the odds of contracting a disease. The CDC has published their advice for safe tick removal – here are their four steps for safely dislodging and disposing of a tick:

  1. Use a thin pair of tweezers to grab the tick, pinching it as close as possible to the skin’s surface.
  2. Pull the tick out of the skin slowly and gently. If the tweezers twist as you pull away, the tick’s mouthparts could break off in your skin. Simply remove the mouthparts from the skin using your tweezers if this happens.
  3. Clean the bite with soap and water or rubbing alcohol after you’ve taken the tick out.
  4. Get rid of the tick by flushing it down the toilet or tossing it in a sealable trash can. Never squish a tick with your fingers.

If you have developed a rash or a fever that you believe to be related to a recent tick bite, consult a medical professional right away.

Professional Tick Control Services

If you’re ready to take the next step towards a tick-free summer, talk to your local pest control company. Here at Rentokil, formerly Oliver Exterminating, our exterminators are well versed in the particular tick issues that plague Puerto Ricans year after year. For a free estimate, contact us today!