Unwelcome visitors such as flies, fleas, cockroaches and rats can put your family’s health at risk and cause untold damage to the structure of your home and your belongings. Although getting rid of pests may seem simple in the pesticide isle of the supermarket, you really need a trained eye and expertise in pest behaviour to get to the root of the problem, say Rentokil, the experts in Pest Control.  

Not all of us are aware of the dangers and risks associated with a pest-infested home. And often we simply turn a blind eye towards at the sight of unwanted creepy-crawlies in the hope that they will go away by themselves. 

These days, it’s highly unlikely that any home is 100% pest-free, especially during winter. For example, flea activity is known to peak when humans head inside and turn on their heaters during the colder months. Thanks to cosy conditions created by pets and people staying indoors and offering a ready meal, fleas are given the perfect environment to thrive in during winter. Flea cocoons can lie dormant during summer when there are no animals or humans in the house to supply them with food, and can then spring to life once the weather changes and we start spending more time indoors. 

Fleas most often bite people around the legs and ankles, usually with 2 or 3 bites in a row. Flea bites are felt immediately and can be sore or irritable for as much as a week. Babies and children are at higher risk from being bitten by fleas particularly when playing on the floor. They also tend to be more sensitive than adults to flea bites. 

As far as removing fleas from your home is concerned, simply vacuuming will not combat the problem, as the fleas jump to avoid the vacuum-cleaner. However, good housekeeping does have a role to play in preventing their presence as flea-larvae feed on organic matter in carpets or bedding. Whilst DIY flea control products can be effective in getting rid of fleas, an established flea infestation would require professional treatment.

According to Mario Pluke, Technical Manager for Rentokil South Africa, rodents – especially rats and mice – also appear to be more prevalent in the colder months as they seek refuge indoors, looking for both shelter and food. Rodents are known to spread serious infections such as Salmonella, Weil's disease, E.coli, Tuberculosis and Hantavirus by leaving infected urine or faeces in places with which people are likely to have contact, such as kitchen counters, food preparation areas and storage areas and rubbish bins. They also gnaw continually to keep their permanently-growing incisors in check, and this can be extremely damaging to the structure and wiring of your home.

Rentokil believes that effective pest control is always a partnership between the client and the pest control operator. Good housekeeping is an essential component of effective pest control, as eliminating the sources of food and nesting materials is the first step in controlling pests. The DIY pesticide route is usually a short term measure, as effective pest control is a highly technical process which requires the expertise of professionals. 

Rentokil finds and treats the source of the problem, rather than just the symptoms. “We use an integrated approach, 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 their International Technical Director in the UK; hence bio-degradable and target specific, which means they are more effective and have minimal to no secondary effects,” says Pluke. Getting to the root of the problem is what their technicians are trained to do.  “Our approach is to always restore the balance in the environment and use the quickest, most effective method to eliminate pest infestations,” says Pluke.

Rentokil is now offering residential customers the opportunity to book and pay for residential pest control services directly through its Customer Care centre.  By calling 0800 77 77 88 you will be put in contact with a dedicated agent who will book, confirm and accept payment for your service immediately.  For a more information on residential pest control solutions from Rentokil  or to arrange a free pest control survey of your home, contact Rentokil Initial on 0800 326 459 or visit our website: http://www.rentokil.co.za/residential-customers/index.html

About Rentokil-Initial: The Rentokil Initial group specialise in pest control, hygiene services and interior landscaping for businesses across the globe. Using leading-edge, environmentally-friendly technology, their experts deliver a wide range of tailored services to businesses of all kinds. Rentokil Initial South Africa has operations in all major business centres across the country. 

Enquiries can be directed to

Nathalie Leblond
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
T: +27 (0)21 670 4704