Services

1. PEST CONTROL AND FUMIGATION SERVICES. Call us on 0725932143.
2. ROOF TILE CLEANING AND UNCLOGGING.
3. LANDSCAPING AND ARCHITECTURE.
4. CLEANING SERVICES.
5. WASTE MANAGEMENT.
6. MOWING.
7. HEDGING.
8. CABROS AND INSTALLATION
9. PAVING SLABS AND INSTALLATION
10. DRAINING OF FLOODED WATER/FROM UNDER GROUND TANK

1.Pest control and fumigation services.

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Bedbugs

How to get rid of bed bugs in homes, hotels, schools, institutions and vehicles

Bed bugs are small insects that can be confused with small cockroaches on casual observation. To prevent infestation is easier than to get rid of bed bugs.  However, after infestation, insecticide spraying can be the only solution. In Kenya, the only method that works to get rid of bed bugs is appropriate insecticide treatment. Contact us on 0725 932 143 for advice and quick control.

An infestation of bed bugs can occur in clean houses and hotels. An infestation with bed bugs therefore does not mean that you are dirty. However, being untidy and keeping clutter will make the bedbugs thrive and multiply. It is also more difficult to get rid of bed bugs in a cluttered or disorganized house.

Gardenscape  has rescued many clients who were on the brink of throwing out all their furniture and bedding. Some had moved away from their beds and had been sleeping on the floor.  We have met people who have moved out of their houses or were seriously considering abandoning all their property and moving out. An infestation by bed bugs can therefore not be ignored for long. In our experience many do-it-yourself efforts to get rid of bed bugs achieve poor results.

To avoid infestation by bed bugs

New infestation by frequently comes from interacting with the infestation. These can be;

• By sleeping elsewhere apart from home such as infested hotels and homes
• Use of public transport like taxis and buses
• Visitors can bring bedbugs from various places that are infested such as their previous residences, educational institutions, hospitals, prisons and from public transport

After a road trip by, say to Kampala or Kigali or even within the country by bus or taxi, the following actions will keep you safe from bedbugs

• On arrival, unpack in the open or in the laundry room. Avoid unpacking in the bedroom, sitting room and any other rooms
• Change clothes and take them to the laundry room as soon as possible. If this is not practical for you, change clothes, bag them in a polythene bag and keep them away from other clothes,  beds, seats and other furniture.
• Wash the fabrics as soon as possible and dry them in the sun
  To treat infestation

Call Gardenscape Limited on +254725 932 143 to ensure the safety of children and other occupants of the home or facility is assured. As pest control professionals we understand the insect’s behavior and life cycle.  Usually, one treatment is enough if the infestation isn’t high but if the infestation is high two to three treatment are required to get rid of the bedbugs. We therefore advice that follow up treatment is done.

Fumigant gases containing phosphine should not be used to get rid of bedbugs in residences. This is because the gas destroys electrical items. A reaction occurs between copper and the products of the gas forming a compound. This in effect destroys copper conductors.

To reduce bedbug populations

•  Keep the houses and rooms well lit
•  Air the bedding, seat covers, cushions and other laundry in the sun
•  Keep items like beds, sideboards, bookshelves and clothes away from walls and off the ground
•  Regularly clean surfaces and laundry
• Treat new houses before occupying them especially if there were previous tenants or owners
• Treat all second hand furniture immediately after such as beds and sofas before taking them into your house
• Make it a practice to change clothes as soon as you reach home

If you call in a pest control professional to get rid of bed bugs in your home or work place, the following preparations will save time;

• Disassemble the beds and keep the mattress to the side of the room
• Remove all cushions and place them on the floor but not on the bed or carpet
• Open all windows
• Remove all curtains and lay them on the floor for easy application of the pesticide
• Have a contact person on hand
• Arrange to have children away for the period advised by the pest control professional

Bedbug control in schools, colleges and boarding institutions

Bedbug infestation is common in schools, colleges and other institutions, with boarding facilities. Bedbugs are  mainly found in bedding, beds and clothes.  Bedbugs can also be carried by anyone, since they  don’t discriminate on age or background.

Bedbug treatment is difficult and costly. However, the sooner the infestation is detected ,the easier to control the infestation. Appearance of bedbugs

Adult bedbugs are oval flattened ,brown and wingless insects, approximately ,five to nine millimeter long. After feeding ,bedbugs change their color from brown to purplish red

Common bedbugs biting places

Bedbugs feed, two –five minutes until full ,then move to hiding. The most common target spots on the body include;

• Head and neck
• bare arms
• hands and legs.

How to detect bed bugs

The best way is to check, where you sleep or rest. Bedbug hiding places, in students cubes are:

• On and around box springs,
• Mattresses and buttons of mattresses,
• bed frames

Bedbugs can also be found in furniture’s such as:desks and chairs Effects of bedbugs

Different people ,react differently to bedbug bites. Some are not affected by bedbug bites ,while others have severe allergic reactions. Some of the effects of bedbugs are:

• Rashes on skins and limbs ,depending on the student’s ,immune response.
• Visible marks and itchiness, which may make the student uncomfortable
• Sleepiness during class-time, due to bed bugs bites during rest.

Measures to control bedbugs

1. In student belongings

• Providing plastic bags  or bins to store their belongings.
• Isolation of belongings ,so as to prevent those infested from transferring of bedbugs to others.
• Reduce the number of items transported from home to school  and vice versa by a students.
• Regular self and authorities inspection of common problem areas for bedbugs.
• Avoid accumulation of students belongings in one place.

2.in school

Educating members of school communities,on bedbug control procedures.  This can be done by ,provision of materials to staff and parents.

Ensure all school facilities are clean and uncluttered. This will facilitate easy identification of bedbugs, before the infestation gets established. This can be achieved by: regular cleaning of lost and found items, sleeping areas such as dormitories, wall mounted items such as watches and pictures Where possible, storing items such as bedding and clothing ,in clear plastic containers will also help achieve this bedbug control.

Significant methods in the control of bed bugs

The most significant action in the control of bed bugs, is the seeking of assistance from a professional  pest control company. Depending on level of infestation, it may involve moving and dis-assembly of furniture and specialist equipment. For effectiveness, it requires careful inspection, in conjunction with an appropriate action plan. Choices range from chemical to non chemical solutions. The non chemical controls include: heat treatments, vacuuming and steam treatments. In addition to that there is insecticide treatment which is a chemical method

• Heat treatment

This is done by use of specialized equipments, in the infested areas. The equipments raise temperature to about 48 degrees Celsius. This controls bedbugs effectively at all stages when properly done. In some minor cases, using of sun light may be helpful in destroying eggs.

• Insecticides

Use of insecticides, is another significant method in the control of bedbugs. However, most of the over the counter insecticides are not effective, in controlling bed bugs. It’s therefore advisable to seek the assistance of a professional pest controller. However if need be to do it by yourself, one should carefully read and understand the label before using and follow all the label instructions Other methods include vacuuming of bedbug infested areas and laundering in hot water

There’s nothing as annoying as biting insects. From mosquitos to bedbugs, we all can’t wait to get rid of them quick. For today, let’s talk about pest control of bedbugs and how you can actually keep them out of your home/ office.

How they spread and thrive?

Bedbugs hiding under a matresss

Bedbugs have a tendency for the dark corners especially within furniture, storage, clothes and drapes. The most Common Avenue through which they may end up at your place include;

-from public places (buses, trains, lodgings even market places)

-from your kids coming in from boarding school (they may hide in beddings and clothes)

-from neighbors through clothes on lines

-storing damp laundry

-Second hand furniture may harbor some (maybe that’s why the owners ‘disposed’ it in the first place)

In controlling bedbugs, you should be sure to get rid of their eggs too so you don’t have future problem. If ever you have a problem, U.V. light (sunlight) can help get rid of them. Airing out clothes, carpets and drapery can help keep bedbugs at bay. For worst case scenarios;

-call exterminators for chemical fumigation

-though not popular in Kenya yet, steam treatment for bedbugs is applied elsewhere globally

So don’t suffer with bedbugs in silence, now you know!!! 

Cockroaches

How to get rid of cockroaches

Cockroaches are stubborn pests that cause various health and habitation problems to human. In this article, we explain how to get rid of cockroaches in homes, commercial facilities and other facilities.

To understand how to get rid of cockroaches, it is important to understand the following;

• What are cockroaches
• The biology of cockroaches
• The behavior of cockroaches
• The various types of cockroaches
• Cockroach habitats
• The general human environment

With this understanding one can develop an effective plan to get rid or cockroaches.

What are cockroaches

The term cockroach refers to an insect of the order blattodea or blatattaria. Several species exist in this order. The common pest species are the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, the German cockroach, Blattella germanica,  the Oriental cockroach, Blatta orientalis and the Asian cockroach, Blattella asahinai.

These species vary in size with the American cockroach being about 3 cm long; the German cockroach and the Asian cockroach being about 1½ cm while the  Oriental cockroach isabout 2½ cm.

As far as Kenya is concerned, the large cockroach is the American cockroach and the small cockroach is the German cockroach. It is generally difficult to get rid of the the German cockroach than it is to get rid of the American cockroach.

Scientific classification of cockroaches

Kingdom:       Animalia
Phylum  :       Arthropoda
Class :            Insecta
Subclass:       Pterygota
Infraclass:     Neoptera
Superorder:  Dictyoptera
Order:            Blattodea

Morphology of cockroaches

Cockroaches have an oval body shape and are dorso-ventrally flattened. The flat shape enables them to crawl through very tiny crevices, an adaptation that is very important for their survival. They have shiny bodies and are brown to black in colour. As insects, their body is divided into head, thorax and abdomen. Cockroaches have long legs and feelers and have exposed mouth parts

Feeding

Cockroaches are omnivorous. This means that they eat food that is vegetable or animal in nature. Some are known to eat wood. The ones that eat wood have a symbiotic relationship with a protozoa that enables it to digest cellulose in the wood.

Reproduction

Cockroaches reproduce by sexual reproduction. The males fertilize the females. These females lay eggs that eventually hatch beginning a new life cycle. The females can be seen carrying eggs on their bodies. They carry these eggs and deposit them in hidden areas from which the eggs hatch. When looking for cockroach eggs  in a house, you are likely to find them at corners of shelves and drawers.

Habitats

Cockroaches will be found in very diverse climates. However, they thrive in warm and humid conditions and large numbers of cockroaches are found in tropical climates. In homes, cockroaches hide in dark, warm and humid areas. They can therefore be found in manholes, septic tanks and drain holes. Cockroaches are likely to be seen in kitchens where they hide under refrigerators, in the refrigerators, in microwaves, in drawers and many other dark places with food. Do not be surprised to find cockroaches in bedrooms. They lay eggs under mattresses and eat food debris dropped in bedrooms.

Behaviour

Many species of cockroaches avoid sudden light and will be seen scampering back to their hideouts. They therefore exhibit nocturnal behaviour. In a lit environment, cockroaches will come out to forage for food and will be seen crawling on surfaces. While cockroaches will mostly be seen crawling, cockroaches can fly for long distances.

Studies have shown that cockroaches exhibit group behaviour of collaboration and competition. One key trait that is relevant on how to get rid of cockroaches is that of leaving chemical trails in faeces. By using these chemical trails, cockroaches can find where other members are hiding and can trace the source of food.

The general human environment

The human environment contains all the factors required for cockroaches to thrive and multiply. The presence of food, appropriate temperature and moisture encourages cockroaches to inhabit human settlements. Urbanization is an important contributor of cockroach and other pest problems. Urbanization leads to increased human to human interaction and household to household interactions. In urban areas, utilities like sewerage, transport and other infrastructure are shared. This provides a perfect opportunity for cockroaches to inhabit new areas and to multiply.

How to get rid of cockroaches: Integrated approaches

We now understand cockroaches, their biology, behaviour and the general human environment. With this knowledge, we can formulate a plan to get rid of cockroaches.

Prevention is always better than cure. The first thing is to control the environment so as to make it less appealing to the roaches. This involves cleaning, fixing leaks, eliminating clutter and proper lighting of all areas in a room. These measures will prevent cockroach infestation as well as reducing their population.

We have understood the following;

• Cockroaches are insects
• Cockroaches are dorso-ventrally flattened allowing them to crawl into very tiny crevices
• Cockroaches have a shiny body. This is the cuticle that protects the cockroaches body. Wetting the body of a cockroach is difficult
• Cockroaches are omnivorous
• Cockroaches reproduce sexually. The first stage in the life cycle is eggs and the last stage is a male or female adult.
• Cockroaches can occur anywhere in the world
• Cockroaches exhibit group behaviour and
• Cockroaches coexist with mankind

With this understanding, it will be clear why many efforts to get rid of cockroaches fail. The knowledge also highlights the possible intervention measures that can be used to get rid of cockroaches.

To get rid of cockroaches, insecticides must be used. These must be applied so as to have a controlling effect. Since it is generally difficult to wet a cockroach because of its cuticle, the product must have a residual effect to be fatal. The product must reach the cockroaches at their hideouts if you have to get rid of cockroaches. This means, that the delivery method must be effective. Since cockroaches are omnivorous, effective stomach poisons have been formulated to get rid of cockroaches.

As far as the life cycle is concerned, to get rid of cockroaches, you need to target the most susceptible stage in the life cycle. In general, the adults stage is most vulnerable. The adult stage is not as protected as the other stages and the adults are more active.

To get rid of cockroaches, products have been formulated to take advantage of their group behaviour. This encourages the cockroaches to transfer an insecticide to the entire colony eliminating it.

In summary, to get rid of cockroaches, use an integrated approach that involves use of an effective contact poison and a stomach poison. Manufacturers have developed products that act as contact and stomach poisons. The insecticidal gels and powders are ingested by a single member and are transfered to the other members in the hideouts. This effectively gets rids of cockroaches in that hideout. Contact exterminators for advice on the best products and approaches to get rid of cockroaches. Once the numbers are high, external intervention will be required.

Fleas

If you own pets you are probably already familiar with fleas. They are common parasites that feed off of blood and their favorite hosts are usually our furry friends like cats and dogs. They can also end up on your property by hitching rides on rabbits, foxes, birds, rats, mice or any other long-haired animal.

Fleas are wingless insects that are extremely agile and outstanding jumpers. In fact, fleas are one of the longest jumpers in relation to their size in the entire animal kingdom. This jumping ability allows them to transfer from one host to another rather easily, including from pets to their humans. This is why flea control is necessary around homes.

Are fleas dangerous?

As parasites, the greatest concern about the presence of fleas in your home or business comes from their bites. Although these are not painful, they can result in an uncomfortable itch or rash. Your pets could also develop allergies to flea

Signs of a Flea infestation

Scratching & Biting (Pets)

If your dog is constantly scratching and/or biting himself, he may have fleas. Don’t just assume it’s season allergies or an itch! Always check to be sure

Presence of Flea Dirt on Pets

Dogs that are allergic to fleas or if they been scratching and biting a lot can develop red, infected skin. If you start seeing red, irritated or even bald skin, check for fleas.

Red, Infected Skin

Dogs that are allergic to fleas or if they been scratching and biting a lot can develop red, infected skin. If you start seeing red, irritated or even bald skin, check for fleas.

Flea Larvae

Much harder to see than the actual fleas, the larvae are a dirty white in color and measure 3 to 5.2mm in length

Small bite marks on humans

Do you find yourself scratching at what appears to be nothing? Look closer. If you have small red bumps on you it may be flea bites. If you’re getting bitten, chances are you have fleas in your bed.

Types of Fleas

The most common species of fleas are:

• Cat flea – small, flat and brownish and prefer feline hosts, but can be found on some other hosts, as well. They cannot live entirely on human blood, so will often drop off of human hosts fairly quickly.
• Dog flea – tiny insects, also with flat bodies, and are black in color. They have bristles that allow them to hang on to dog fur even when grooming is occurring.
• Bird flea – also known as a hen flea. These prefer chickens and can infest an entire hen house very quickly.

Can you eliminate fleas on your own?

That’s why you need a fumigation company with experience and the correct combination of effective pesticides to get rid of the flea problem for good.

However, if you need to use pesticides without seeking the help of a licensed fumigation company

Spiders

Though some spiders are known as being quite fatal, they too have some benefits. For example, spiders help in the control of insects in our homes by feeding on them. This does not mean spiders should be wholly tolerated. Many people tend to mistake spiders with insects, which is not correct, several things distinguishes them.First,spiders have eight legs whereas insects have six,spiders also are segmented into two body parts whereas insects are segmented into three among other slight differences.

Several methods can be undertaken for control of spiders.                

                     I  through barring entry of spiders

It’s always said prevention is better than cure. Therefore prevention of spiders from getting into your home is key in control of  spiders.This can be achieved through sealing all the cracks and crevices through which the spiders can enter your house. Doors and windows should be regularly inspected so as to ensure there are no holes or openings for entry of spiders. Gaps below the doors and windows should also be checked and sealed

                    II.            Through observing sanitation

Spiders are prone of taking shelter in stuff that are rarely moved in homes. So as to get away with such haborages, one should remove any trash, unused cottons and all other unused items.Regular sweeping and dusting should also be frequently done, not forgetting removal of cob webs.                             

               III.       the use of non-chemical method

This can be done through the manual removal of spider eggs. To achieve this one should use either gloves or a piece of cloth then pick the spider web and its eggs and discard it. A vacuum cleaner can also be used to destroy the web and egg. Use of sticky insect traps  also is employed where they should be placed in corners and along baseboards so as to get hold of moving spiders                        

                 iv.            Use of chemical control

Chemical spider control can be achieved through the use of residual insecticides. The insecticides should be sprayed on corners and in places where the spiders spin their webs and lay eggs.          

              V.            Control of spiders outdoors

This is done through the removal of spiders that have their harborage on buildings by use of water under very high pressure.

Besides that, there are other general preventive techniques that can be employed:

• Tree branches that lead into and touch your home should be trimmed. This will help in the elimination of the pathway of pests like spiders’ into your home
• Regular inspection should be carried out on your doors and windows to check whether there is the existence of cracks or holes. If they are there they should be repaired.
• Also, its important to keep your compound free of litter, standing water or weeds that may form harborage for pests. People should also ensure that litter bins have tight fitting lids. Regular sweeping should also be done around the dust bins and all the spills and debris removed. This will deny the spiders a source of food.
• Fourth all the cracks and gaps inside your house should be sealed as they can form a pathway for spiders.
• Lastly people should always keep their homestead clean, since the cleaner the home is, the lesser will the pests be attracted.

Flies and houseflies

Flies are one of the insects that are a totally a nuisance to many people. Flies are carriers of deadly diseases and are fond of facilitating the spread of disease. Flies are very restless thus they hover between food and dirt thereby spreading diseases e.g meat and other food items. Flies live in habitats that provide a suitable environment.

a fly

a fly on a surface

Contamination

Flies are always attracted to food by their strong sense of smell. It’s surprising that flies feed on solid food directly. However, when a fly gets onto a solid food; it vomits on the food thereby creating a solution. The fly  then sucks the food. This is how it contaminates the food.

Diseases

Flies cause diseases like, typhoid, diarrhoea, dysentery, tuberculosis and cholera among many other diseases.

Preventive measures to undertake in the control of flies

As it’s always put, prevention is better than cure, hence it’s better to undertake preventive measures before infestation has taken place. This can be done by:

• Food should always be well covered since it can be contaminated by the flies upon coming into contact with it. This way stops the spread various kinds of diseases by flies since they will lack something to feed on.
• All food and liquid materials should always be cleaned upon spillage. This is because flies are known to have a good sense of smell for food.Hence, if left uncleaned; they shall become visitors into your home.
• All food debris under kitchen appliances should also be properly cleaned. Contrary to which flies will infest your home.
• People should also ensure that all their litter bins have properly lids that can be closed tightly. This will prevent the flies from establishing their breeding sites in the litter bins.
• The compost pit should always be covered and enclosed. This is because if they are left that way the flies will establish their breeding sites in them.
• One should always be cleaning up pets refuse; this is because faeces are not only good breeding places for flies but also a place where flies might land before getting onto your food

Control of house flies

In order to effectively control house flies one need to do various things:

• One should first find their breeding sources. Their most common breeding sources are food, animal and human waste dump areas, dump sites, garbage and compost heaps. Their sources may not be that close since others might be located up to five hundred meters away
• Once you have noticed their breeding places around you, take the objective of cleaning up the places. In addition the walls and floor should be properly cleaned using soap and water to remove the fly specks.

Other methods that can be employed include:

• Use of insect repellents like herbs of aromatic plants, smoke and fry repellent oil like eucalyptus oil.
• Second is the use of traps, for instance the human made fly trap made up of a jar, cone paper and sugar solution and the artificial fry trap that is sticky and poisonous. This traps the flies killing them.
• Third is the use of electrical methods for instance, the use of a handheld electrical fly swatter. This resembles a bad Minton bat. It’s usually charged to very high voltages and it has the capability of killing flies mid air upon turning it on.
• Use of chemical sprays like doom can also be employed. It’s very effective since it instantly kills the flies; however it has effect to the environment.
• Natural method includes the planting of insectivorous plants near your home for instance the Venus fly trap, or pitcher plant. This is a very environment friendly method.

Mosquitoes

Mosquito Control

Mosquitoes belong to the same group as the true flies, dipteral. As such, they have a single pair of wings. They typically have long, thin legs and head featuring a prominent proboscis. Mosquito bodies and wings most often are covered in tiny scales. Adult sizes may range from 3 to 9 mm.

Behavior, Diet & Habits

Mosquitoes are best known for habits of the adult females which often feed on blood to help generate their eggs. The lesser-known side is that mosquito adults, males and females, also feed on nectar from flowers. Their immature stages usually are located in standing, preferably stagnant water.

The larvae feed on variety of materials, depending on species. Most consume organic flotsam and tiny aquatic organisms. However, some species are predatory and will consume other mosquitoes. Adult mosquitoes prefer to be most active from dusk until dawn but can become active with sufficient cloud cover or in dark shady areas. They do not prefer to be active in the sunshine since they may desiccate and die.

Heard high-pitched buzzing of mosquitoes?

We have all had to deal with mosquitoes. The high pitched buzz, caused by the rapid beating of their wings, tell us that we have mosquitoes nearby, and that we should beware, since mosquito bites might not be far behind. Mosquitoes can chase us indoors during the best time of the year. Is there anything short of staying indoors that you can do to take back your outdoor living space around your home? Pestline services can help.

Mosquitoes can be confused with flies. Mosquitoes have long legs and a long proboscis or “nose” that female mosquitoes use to “bite” people and pests to draw blood, needed to lay eggs. Most flies do not bite and even long-legged flies are usually much smaller than mosquitoes are pesky pests and can spread disease such us west Nile virus, dengue and malaria. More commonly, though, mosquitoes threaten family events more than health.

Reproductive males have feathery antennae they use to locate females. After mating females typically seek blood meal to aid in egg production. She often lays them in standing pools of water, but manmade sources can include bird baths, buckets and even mud puddles.egg numbers vary from species to species but can be as much as over 100 eggs in a single laying. Wormlike larvae, called wigglers because of their wiggling swimming motion, hatch. They feed until ready to molt into pupae. The pupae are called tumblers, again due to their tumbling motion in the water. Adults emerge from the pupae onto the water surface where their exoskeleton hardens.

Signs of a Mosquito Infestation

Annoying signs of mosquito activity include the buzzing of the females and their bites. People have differing reaction to bites, ranging from mild irritation o intense inflammation and swelling. Signs of the immature are their presence in standing water, which also can include watering dishes of containerized house plants.

More Information

Female mosquitoes have piercing mouthparts through which they extract the blood of a host. The protein from gathered blood is used in e.g production. Male mosquitoes do not have the ability to extract blood from the host. While not particularly painful, the bite of a mosquito can prove dangerous to humans through disease transmission. When a mosquito inserts her proboscis trough the skin, her saliva creates a small, red bump.

These bumps produce mild to severe itching. Some people may become less sensitive to mosquito saliva through repeated exposure, while others may develop allergic reactions. Symptoms of an allergy include blistering and inflammation, as well as asthma like reactions. Mosquitoes also carry diseases such as yellow and dengue fevers, malaria and encephalitis and are capable of passing them from host to host.

Mosquito, Disease & Treatment: Video

The use of insect repellents is recommended by the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC).repellents should not come into contact with the eyes and mouth, and special care should be taken when applying repellent to small children. After receiving a mosquito bite, a cold compress can be applied to the affected area in order to reduce swelling. Mild antihistamines and anti-itching compounds relieve itching.

Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen can also be used. A paste made from baking soda and water may prove effective, as will certain lotions. Contact your physician before taking any new medications. If you experience more severe symptoms following a mosquito bite, contact a medical professional immediately.

Rodents(rats, moles and mice)

Rats and mice are a common problem in all parts of the world.

Identifying rat and mice problem

You will identify rodent problems by their activity and by seeing them. Rodents will chew on items such as clothes,electrical cables and shoes. You will also hear noises on your roof, ceiling and attic. On close examination ,most often you will see their stool.

Control

There are various methods of controlling rats and mice. These include;

•  Chemical
•  Mechanical
•  Biological and
•  A combination of two or all of them.

Chemical control

The most effective way of controlling rodents is the use of anticoagulant baits. BASF, Bayer, Syngenta and other companies that manufacture pest control products have these types of baits. These can be put in bait stations to protect the baits themselves from the elements of weather and to protect pests. Keeping them out of reach of children is extremely important.

As much as possible, avoid knockdown chemicals such as Zinc Phosphine commonly referred as rat and rat. They do not work as well because rodents soon learn to avoid them. Similarly, they leave the area smelly and are dangerous poisons.

All rodent control products must be used with great caution. Consult licensed pest control professionals for proper assessment and treatment.

For the roof attic and difficult to reach areas, the bait blocks can be thrown in these areas. In general however, proper control of rodents in the compound will eliminate the ones on the roof too because rodents do move around.

Mechanical control

Two types of mechanical control of rodents can be used

1.   a) Entry proofing

By blocking rodent pathways and entry ways rodents can be controlled effectively. Consider this method for drains, ducts, doors, windows and any other entrances that can be used by the rodents. Use of wire nets and ensuring that all windows and doors have no gaps is a good measure. Start by preventing them from entering the compound first if possible and follow up with blocking entrances to stores. For grain stores, poultry houses and other elevated areas, rodent deflectors made of simple sheet metal placed on the supporting posts will effectively prevent rodents from entering.

2.      b)Trapping

Many types of traps exist. The most common are trigger traps, cages and glue traps

Trigger traps

 The trigger traps trip when a rodent walks on them and the quick tripping action hits and traps the rodent. Large rodents have been known to drag these traps to their hideouts.

Cages

The cages work by luring the rodents into the enclosure that has a trap door. This means that once the rodent is inside, it cannot be able to leave the cage. The rodent is then allowed to die or starvation or killed by any other means.

Glue traps

Glue traps are place on rodent pathways. They are most effective against mice due to their small size. A rodent bait can be placed on the glue to encourage the rats or mice to walk on the glue. Once trapped, the glue plate has to be discarded. Glue traps can be bought or can be made by smearing rodent glue on cardboard pieces

For all mechanical traps, it is important to inspect the traps regularly to remove the trapped rodents, to replenish the bait, to clean the trap and to reset the trap.

Biological control

For proper biological control, one needs to understand the rodent ecosystem. Rodents are part of a food chain that involves their food and their predators. They also flourish in certain environments. Some of the natural predators to rodents include cats, birds of prey and snakes. If they are absent in the ecosystem, rodent populations can explode. This is common in urban centres. Rodents thrive in environments where they can hide, breed and where there is plenty of food. Eliminating these factors minimizes problems associated with rats, mice and other rodents that are of public health concern.

Termites

Termite control

Classification

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Class	Insecta
Subclass	Pterygota
Infraclass	Neoptera
Super-order	Dictyoptera
Order	Blattodea
Infraorder	Isoptera

Termites are eusocial insects (insects with a high level of social organization and order). They therefore exist in colonies with division of labour, overlapping adult generations and collective caring of the young ones and each other.

Termites are important because of several reasons

• As detrivores contributing to decomposition and the nutrient cycles
• As pests that can cause considerable losses in grains, timber structures, agriculture, forestry and many other materials destruction of an economic nature

The idea of termite control should therefore not be seen as a means of eliminating them from the ecosystem but rather the protection of materials and economic destruction.

How to recognize termites in your home or facility

• Check for mud tubes especially around the house skirting or on timber
• Heck for hollowness on timber. Knocking slightly or using a sharp tool can reveal termite damage
• Differences between termites and ants

Ants	Termites
The antennae are bent at an angle of ninety degrees	The antennae are straight and parallel to the body
The front wings are longer than the hind wings	The wings are roughly equal in length

How to prevent termites from establishing colonies in your home or facility

• Over all openings and cracks on the foundation or house slab
• Attend to leaks in time
• Avoid growing flowers, trees and other plants too close to buildings
• Avoid storing timber and wood next to the house for too long
• Avoid rain water from falling too close to the house
• All construction should be preceded by termite treatment

Treatment control measures

Termites can be controlled by physical, chemical and biological means. The most common methods of control are chemical methods

Ants

Sugar ants are also the ‘pharaoh’ or ‘pavement ants’,. This name is due to their liking for sweet foods. Just like any other ant, sugar ants are known to live in colonies.
Sugar ants are known for construction of very small nests.sugar ants prefer habitats that are warm and dark, for instance, between wall and under floorboards. sugar ants are a health hazard. This is because they can move from unclean places like bathrooms to kitchen cabinets where they can spread diseases. Moreover sugar ants even construct their nests inside food.

Prevention of sugar ants

As it’s always put, prevention is always better than cure. So to effectively control sugar ants one should first prevent them from infesting your home. Cleanliness is the most effective weapon for sugar ant control. This can be done in the following ways:

• First, one should always make sure that kitchen is clean each and every night. Before going to  bed rest ensure that the sinks and counter tops are effectively cleaned. This can be done by use of vim or bleach One should make sure that all dishes are cleaned after meals since they are an attraction to sugar ants.
• Floors should also be sweep food spills after meals so as to starve  sugar ants from any food source.
• Daily moping of your dining area and kitchen will also keep them at bay since this eliminates their pheromone trail that attracts other ants.
• If your dining room is carpeted, vacuuming should always be carried out after each and every meal so as to get read of any food crumbs that may attract the sugar ants.
• Lastly one should always empty the trash at least daily so as to eliminate what might become the food source for the sugar ants.

Through proper following of the above simple techniques, sugar ants will be kept in check.

WAYS TO GET RID OF SUGAR ANTS

• Elimination of sugar ants is quite easy.boric Use of ant baits is the most effective method. Sweet bait are recommended in such instances. The baits contains boric acid which is non toxic to humans, but then if ingested it might pose some danger. Its therefore not very effective especially in cases where you have small kids and pets. The boric acid contains some chemicals that lure the sugar ants to consume it. After consumption it takes with it part of it to the other members of the colony. This way the whole colony of sugar ants  gets killed.

Natural methods can also be employed as this method will be safe for both small kids and pets:

• One is the use of vinegar to clean surfaces like sinks and counter tops. Vinegar contains a very strong odor that repels the sugar ants hence this will keep them at bay from your kitchen. Vinegar contains acetic acid that works just like bleaching agents hence no need for them.
• Another natural method is the use of cloves. It contains a pungent smell that usually confuses the sense of sugar ants hence it deters them. The cloves can be placed along windows and under baseboards.
• Lastly is the use of boiled water. One should trace the pheromone trail of the sugar ants so as to locate their nests. One you have established their nest location; pour the h sugar ants on a pear

sugar ant

ot water into the nest.this way all the sugar ants will get killed.

Snakes

Snakes are pests. In general people have great fears for snakes and there are many beliefs around snakes. Snakes can be difficult to see in the environment and can go undetected for long periods.

Many methods exist in prevention of snake infestation. These include;

• Control of rodents
• Clearing of bushes and grass
• Covering gaps and holes to prevent entry in houses
• Keeping predator pets like cats, ducks and other poultry

In Kenya, Chemical control of snakes is available too. This includes the use of a snake bait that is Nicotine based, Going by the name snake fix, the product is excellent for professional pest control.

It is not suitable for use at home or by non-professionals because as a bait, it can attract snakes to you if not kept properly or if gloves are not used.

Bees

Classification of honey bee

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Class	Insecta
Order	Hymenoptera
Family	Apidae
Genus	Apis
Species	Apis Mellifera

Bees are closely relatives to ants and wasp. They play a very important role in the sustenance of life on earth. However, they can also be pests.

Importance of bees

·         The most notable contribution of bees is pollination. Without bees, life would not exist as it is today. Pollination leads to seed production

• ·         Increasing bio-diversity because of cross pollination
• ·         As producers of honey
• ·         As cultural, mythical examples of hard work, diligence and organization  

Bees as pests

Bees can only be considered pests when they endanger the lives of humans, livestock and wildlife. This is only relevant to stinging bees and when they swarm around humans. In general, bees will not sting until disturbed

Life threatening allergies (anaphylaxis)

To some people, bee stings can cause life threatening allergies known as anaphylaxis. This occurs in some people in a population. Again, the reaction could differ depending on the bee species. It is therefore extremely important to eliminate bees from human residences especially if there are young children. This is because the reactions to bee stings may not be known.

Treatment of bee stings

• Remove the stinger as soon as possible
• Apply a weak base/alkali such as tooth paste or soap. Bee sting is highly acidic containing melittin
•   A tetanus injection may be required
•   For serious reaction, get to a health facility as soon as possible where the doctor may prescribe epinephrine injection

Control of bees

• Fumigation or spraying with an appropriate insecticide will often control bees. Pest control professionals will prescribe control and preventive measures to discourage re-colonization.
•   Prevent entry and colonization by entry proofing. Bees will mostly be found in ceilings, chimneys and between panels in a building
•   Where, pesticides are used, all the honey and honey combs must be disposed of well by the pest control professionals. No trace should be left at the sit
• Usually, the control of bees is done in the evening and uses smokers. Appropriate PPE must be worn during the activity.

Bats

Over 40 bat species exist in the United States alone, and nearly 1,000 different species live around the world. They have a bad reputation and are often thought of as flying rats. Although bats are capable of spreading disease, much like rats, their existence is beneficial to humans and the environment in a way rats are not.

You’ll rest easy. Bats won’t!

While some bat species feed on nectar, other small mammals, fish, or, like the notorious vampire bats of South America, blood, the vast majority of bat species are insectivores and maintain a diet of night-flying insects like mosquitoes, beetles, and moths. As these insects are often pests themselves, controlled populations of bats around homes can be considered favorable.

Signs & symptoms of a Bat infestation

• Bat droppings {guano} – a bat’s droppings can carry a fungus known to cause Histoplasmosis and Cryptocacaous. It’s therefore advisable advisable to avoid inhaling the air around the guano.
• Bat Stains – bats can leave visible grease marks around the area they are inhabiting.
• Bat odor – bat urine emits a very strong and offensive odor, which could linger inside your home or business.
• Bat bugs – a bat roost can harbor other parasites such as the bat bug. Bat bugs can move into other living quarters of a home, and they can easily be confused with bed bugs since they also bite.
• Injured bats – they have a likelihood to bite house occupants if you get close to them.

Appearance

Bats have furry bodies that range in color to include shades of tan, red, brown, and grey. To compensate for their poor eyesight, bats typically have large ears designed for echolocation. As the only mammals capable of flight, they are very light and have wings. The bone structure of the wing resembles that of a human hand, as there are flaps of skin between the bones.

At their tiniest, bats grow between 2.5 to 3.5 inches (6 to 9 cm) in length and have a wingspan of about 8 inches (20 cm). Larger species range from 7 to 8 inches (18 to 20 cm) in length and have a wingspan between 21 and 23 inches (53 and 58 cm)

Habitat

Highly adaptable, bats set up roosts in a variety of environments like deserts, woodlands, suburbs, and urban areas. They are found around the world and only avoid extreme climate zones like the polar regions or especially harsh deserts. While bats prefer warm temperatures, they survive in temperate environments by hibernating come winter months. Bats will use barns, attics, caves, tree cavities, and the undersides of bridges to roost and/or overwinter.

Control and safety

Since bat populations can prove beneficial, some homeowners construct what are known as bat houses close to gardens and around homes in order to keep bats from roosting where they are unwanted. Since bats will likely still target any available structure, homes remain susceptible unless individuals take the time to seal off potential points of entry. In addition to sealing cracks and openings, illuminating attic spaces and eaves during nighttime hours helps deter bats from roosting, as does placing fans in attics to lower the temperature.

Damage

Do bats harm people or property?

While bats are beneficial creatures overall, they do pose certain health threats. Diseases like rabies and histoplasmosis are often associated with bats. Though 99 percent of rabies-related deaths are caused by rabid dogs, bats are still carriers of the disease. Thankfully, even rabid bats refrain from biting humans unless they feel threatened in some way.

While the fungus that causes histoplasmosis is not carried by bats, it lives in warm, humid soil. Bat droppings act as a catalyst for the development of the fungus, and human infection occurs when people inhale the spores.

Bats also host ectoparasites, like fleas, flies, ticks, and mites, that endanger the health of humans and pets. Finally, bat urine can cause a pervasive and unpleasant smell, while bat droppings stain ceilings and building visages.

Wasps

Wasps are considered pests for the painful stings they can inflict. There are over 100 types of wasps in Kenya. Wasp control is warranted in circumstances when a wasps nest is established in a area in close proximity to people and pets.

Paper wasps and bald-faced hornets  are particularly aggressive and their stings can lead to fatal anaphylactic shock in rare instances. Imagine Care provides residential and commercial customers with effective wasp nest removal services.

Wasps Identification
Wasps vary tremendously depending on species. Most have two pair of wings and a pinched waist. They range in colors from black to metallic greens and blues and vary in size from almost microscopic to several centimeters long.