Roof rats can carry a variety of pathogens and parasites, including salmonellosis (food contamination), leptospirosis, trichinosis, rat-bite fever, murine typhus, plague, and toxoplasmosis. Diseases can be spread via urine, droppings, or saliva. To prevent transmission, it’s essential to promptly address a roof rat infestation and avoid direct contact with the animals where possible.
Natural methods such as spraying orange oil, spreading diatomaceous earth, or spreading boric acid can help prevent termites from entering your home or damaging your garden. Place these solutions near termite entry points to deter them. Termites also dislike the smell of cedarwood, geranium, and tea tree oil, which can all be used to keep termites away.
While the spotted lanternfly’s favorite place to stay is the trees and plants they gorge on, they can occasionally congregate in large numbers on buildings and other structures. This may be for height, warmth, or other unknown reasons. However, rest assured that the insects do not do any structural damage to the buildings, and will likely move on within a few weeks or perish with the colder weather.
The main things to consider when hiring an exterminator is your infestation size and budget. The price range for roach extermination varies widely depending on the circumstances. If it’s a localized infestation that only requires a few treatments from an exterminator, it will probably only cost hundreds of dollars at most. But if you have a large house and a widespread infestation, be prepared to pay thousands of dollars for fumigation and tenting.
To help protect local ecosystems, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service urges citizens to educate themselves on how to identify and kill spotted lanternflies, including adults, immatures, and their eggs. It’s also crucial to check vehicles and belongings for the insects before traveling to avoid spreading them to new areas. Lastly, become familiar with your state’s reporting tools, take pictures if possible, and include the location where the picture was taken.
The Reading, VT homeowners’ guide to pest control services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
What is diatomaceous earth (DE)? If you're on the hunt for safer pesticides, DE is a popular option. Learn how to apply it and what safety measures to take.
Bugs, mice, birds, and other vermin can wreak havoc in homes if left unchecked. Follow this pest control inspection checklist to keep your home pest-free.