How to attract rats

If, for some reason, you’re desperate to have some rats running around in your attic or walls, here are some good tips to attract them to your property:

• Leave food outside.

Keep that grill nice and grimy, leave trash bags outside, don’t clean up after your pets and leave any fallen fruit or berries on the ground. An easy food source is just what the rats are looking for.

• Cultivate piles of junk

Any stack of garden waste in your yard or general trash left outside can attract rats who are after things to build nests with or looking for a sheltered spot to hide.

• Don’t block up holes or trim overhanging branches.

If you really want to roll out the red carpet for your rodent friends, make sure you leave any cracks, holes or gaps in your exterior walls exactly as they are. Also, overhanging branches from nearby trees can make a handy bridge for rats to get across to your roof so be sure to leave those alone if you want to make it easy for the rats to pay you a visit.

Why rats in your home is not a good thing

All joking aside, having wild rodents in your home, and rats in particular, is not something to be desired. Rats can make a real mess of your home in places you can’t even see, chewing through wood, wiring, insulation and pipes. People and pets living in the property can also be exposed to rat urine and feces and rats can carry and spread a wide variety of diseases from salmonella to hantavirus.

If you see a rat or hear rodents in your walls, give a reliable and professional rat control company like H2 Pest Control a call. We are a family-owned business located in and servicing all of Utah County and Salt Lake County.

You might feel ashamed to have rats in your house but rest assured that H2 Pest Control’s technicians have seen it all and won’t judge you on what they find inside. Rats can make their way into practically any home and our main priority is to get you living a pest-free life. Take a look at our comprehensive rodent removal service for more information on how we can improve your quality of life.

So you’ve seen a little gray mouse darting through your yard. What’s the big deal, it’s only one mouse, right? Well, sorry to break it to you but where there’s one mouse, there’s likely more. And mice reproduce at an alarming rate so there might be many more in quite a short space of time.

While mice themselves are small and not particularly dangerous, the damage they can cause to your home and the diseases they can potentially spread make them pretty formidable pests. Over 20 million homes are infested by mice every year in the US and they can squeeze in through the smallest of gaps which is where the preventive services of H2 Pest Control come in.

H2 Pest Control has tackled many a mouse in our time so here’s the low-down on the cheese-loving little critters:

Everything you ever wanted to know about mice

• Do mice really like cheese?

Sure, mice will eat a nice bit of cheese if you leave it out but they actually prefer other food such as grains, fruit, peanut butter and even a nice chunk of chocolate, so that’s something to bear in mind if you’re trying to lure a small rodent into a trap.

• Can mice see in the dark?

Not very well, apparently. Mice are nocturnal but don’t have good vision during the day or at night. They do have excellent hearing and a great sense of smell, though, so that can help them keep one step ahead.

• Do mice teeth ever stop growing?

No! If mice, or any rodent for that matter, don’t constantly grind their teeth down, they have some that would grow into their brains! The best way to keep their teeth short and sharp is, of course, to chew and gnaw on things, like the exterior and interior of your house.

• Is it really possible to catch a horrible disease from a mouse?

Unfortunately, yes it is. OK, it’s not that likely, but it happens. Mice are generally afraid of humans so you probably won’t get bitten by one but you can catch things by coming into contact with their urine or droppings or other things they have contaminated without you knowing.

The CDC lists 11 diseases that can be directly transmitted from rodents to humans, including rat-bite fever, hantavirus and plague. There is also a list of 15 diseases indirectly transmitted by rodents, for example Lyme disease or murine typhus which humans can catch from infected ticks or fleas. Either way, there’s a risk of catching something nasty if you have mice in or around your home so for the sake of everyone living there, get a professional pest control company in to solve your problem. If you’re in the Utah County or Salt Lake County areas, give H2 Pest Control a call and our fully licensed technicians will come to your aid with our comprehensive mouse control service.

Herriman pest control issues

Every city has different issues when it comes to pest control. Herriman, UT is in the foothills of the Oquirrh mountain range meaning there’s plenty of wildlife, bugs and pests to be found. It’s also especially dry in the summer, leading to many things like ants, mice and wasps being on the lookout for extra sources of water. These can be anything from a leaky faucet in your backyard to a standing puddle in the parking lot of your commercial property. Once the pests have found a food or water source, they may often move on to the next stage and infest your property! Herriman City is part of H2 Pest Control’s service area so get in touch for an appointment with your local pest control experts. H2 Pest Control can come out any time of the year to help get rid of a rodent infestation in or on your property and we highly recommend regular services to keep the pests away.

What else makes H2 the best pest control company in Herriman?

H2 Pest Control is a family run company and as such, we are dedicated to providing a pest-free home for your family anywhere in Herriman and surrounding areas. We know the anxiety and fear that can come with sharing your home with bugs and rodents, especially if you also have children in the house. Make one call to us and get your pest problems sorted in no time. Still not convinced? Here are some more reasons to choose H2 for your Herriman pest control problems:

• Local knowledge is worth its weight in gold. With many years of local knowledge and experience of the Herriman area, our technicians are experts in finding the bugs in places other pest control companies might miss.
• We have a thorough and comprehensive inspection plan, making sure no spot is left unchecked or untreated.
• Our pesticides are fast and effective on the bugs but so safe for humans that you can stay in your house while the treatments are being carried out.
• We offer a free re-service guarantee if you’re not 100% happy with the initial service and you can’t say fairer than that.

After using a service from H2 Pest Control, we think you’ll agree that we offer the best pest control service in Herriman!

So when isn’t it rodent season?

Good question! You can find rats, mice, gophers and voles around Utah properties any time of year and, due to breeding cycles, their populations are at their highest towards the end of the summer months. You may be more likely to see them inside your home later in the year as temperatures drop and they look for safe places to store food and keep warm. If you haven’t actually seen a mouse or rat but think they’ve got into your home, there are some telltale signs to look out for:

• Droppings: If you spot small brown droppings in your home, especially in your kitchen, you’ve got rodents. These droppings can carry diseases and it’s important not to sweep or vacuum them up as this could cause particles from them to be inhaled. Wearing gloves and a mask, soak the droppings in a solution of bleach and water, let it sit for a few minutes, soak up the droppings with a paper towel and put them in the trash.
• Chewed or gnawed things. Rats or mice may chew walls to make their entry points bigger or just to create new ones. You may also see chewed food packaging or things that they use for nesting materials such as paper or fabrics.
• Sounds and smells. If you hear scratching or scurrying in the walls or ceiling, or can smell stale odors but can’t pinpoint the source, contact H2 Pest Control, your local Utah rodent control company.

H2 Pest Control can come out any time of the year to help get rid of a rodent infestation in or on your property and we highly recommend regular services to keep the pests away.

Is it dangerous to have mice in the house?

While you may think a few mice are harmless and even quite cute, it’s not a good idea to let them have the run of the place. Mice are fast and prolific breeders, meaning that your one or two mice could soon become many, many more. Check out our previous blog post on mice where we cover the fact that mice can also carry a wide variety of diseases as well as cause damage to your home.

Ways of keeping rats and mice away

You can give yourself a head start in preventing rodents from entering your property. Here are a few easy tips that anyone can follow as a first line of defence against rats and mice.

• Check the exterior of your building for gaps or holes. Even if they’re tiny, you’d be surprised how small a space a mouse can squeeze through. Seal them up to stop rodents from getting in in the first place.
• Keep your outdoor space clean. Rodents and vermin are attracted to food that we may leave behind. Pet food, crumbs and unsecured trash bags or cans will draw rats and mice to your property. Even things like leaking outdoor faucets and puddles need to be eliminated as rodents use these as water sources. Try to avoid plants getting overgrown near doors and windows and trim back any tree branches that might overhang your home. Voles are attracted to yards with lots of good hiding places so get rid of leaf piles and garden waste to try and keep them from attacking your lawn.
• If mice or rats have already found their way in, it’s important to keep your home as clutter-free as possible to stop them from making an easy nest. Keep the kitchen especially tidy, making sure food is safely stored away and crumbs and spills are promptly dealt with. You don’t want to make it easy for these critters to find a food source! The next step is giving H2 Pest Control a call.

If all else fails or you spot things like mouse droppings in your home, give the professionals at H2 Pest Control a call. Our trained technicians will efficiently eliminate your rodent issue, getting rid of these unwanted visitors for good.

Is pest control worth the price?

It depends on how much you’re willing to pay for peace of mind and a pest-free home. Luckily, H2 Pest Control is a quality service at an affordable cost to all our customers in Utah County, Salt Lake County and all surrounding areas.  Give us a call so we can investigate your pest or rodent issue and give you a free quote. After our visit, we also offer a free re-service guarantee if you’re not 100% satisfied, meaning that pest control is now more affordable than ever. And it isn’t just your home you’re protecting. Many pests, especially mice and rats carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Using a professional pest control service will eliminate these risks to your family’s health and you can’t put a price on that.

Can’t I just use DIY pest control methods?

Of course! There’s nothing stopping you from using traditional methods to get rid of ants or spiders but usually there comes a point where essential oils or chestnuts in the corner just won’t cut it anymore. The bottom line is, to guarantee the removal or prevention of pests and rodents from your home, you need a professional pest control company. H2 Pest Control is a Utah-based and family run company with many years of local knowledge and experience, dedicated to providing a pest-free home for every client. If you’re worried about the cost of pest control in Utah, get in touch with H2 Pest Control today. We can guarantee you’ll be surprised by how affordable quality pest control can be.

The Boxelder bug

With the scientific name Boisea trivittatus, Boxelder bugs grow to about half an inch long and are found all over North America. They are not dangerous to humans, but if large numbers of them are infesting your yard or even your home, they are a serious nuisance. Huge numbers of these bugs can form swarms and land on buildings during the early fall. As the temperatures start to drop, they try and force their way in through gaps and cracks, looking for a safe, warm place to spend the winter. During warmer winter days or in the spring, they will wake up and potentially large numbers will re-emerge inside the building.

Getting rid of Boxelder bugs

If you’re facing a large number of these pests in your home, don’t try and squash them. They are related to stink bugs so will release a bad smell when squished! They can also stain surfaces and fabrics if they’re crushed so a vacuum cleaner or dustpan and brush might be the way to go. The best way to get rid of the Boxelder or maple bug is to stop it from entering your property in the first place. Here are a few tips to keep the pests at bay:

• Seal up cracks and holes. Make any repairs to the exterior of your home before the end of August to prevent the swarms from finding a way in.
• Use pesticide between the end of summer and the beginning of fall right when the bugs are at their maximum levels. Using a professional Utah pest control like H2 Pest Control will ensure the most effective protection against Boxelder bugs.
• If you have boxelder, ash or maple trees in your yard, you could think about removing them to cut down on Boxelder beetle numbers. They are great fliers, though, and can easily travel at least two miles from a tree to find a resting spot so you might find they come back anyway.

To prevent Boxelder bugs from infesting your yard or home anywhere in Salt Lake or Utah County, contact H2 Pest Control. Our fully licensed technicians can remove bugs and implement protective barriers to keep these pests away from your home.

Put Food Away

One of the key ways to keep ants outside of your kitchen is to cover food. If you have food scraps out on your counter, ants will be attracted to them (especially if they contain sugar). Place larger leftovers in storage containers and keep them in your refrigerator. Wipe down surfaces regularly to ensure that there aren’t any small crumbs left on them.

Keep Your Home Dry

Ants are always on the lookout for fresh water, and standing water is especially attractive to them in dry climates or in hot weather. Make sure that you don’t leave cups of water out and about, and don’t soak your dishes for more than an hour or two. Properly dispose of used paper towels and wipes, and wring out washcloths. Hang washcloths somewhere where they can dry as soon as possible. If you’re following these tips and you still have an ant problem, check for any appliances or pipes that are leaking water. Even a small leak could attract many ants!

Check Your Doors And Windows

Make sure that your doors and windows shut properly and that their seals are intact. Also check for any ripped screen or broken glass.Any defects in a door or window provide a space through which ants can enter your home. Cutting off their point of contact is the easiest way to keep them out of the house.

Call Us For More Ant Help

Now that you know how to keep ants outside of your home / kitchen, you should be able to prevent unwanted little visitors from invading your home. If you are already dealing with an ant situation, call us at H2 Pest Control. We’ll help you get your ant problem under control with our ant treatment.

If you’re dealing with an infestation of rodents, ants, wasps, or any other kind of pest, you’re probably asking yourself, “what is the best pest control near me”?

Look no further: H2 Pest Control is here to help!

From protective sprays to pest traps to eco-friendly insecticides, we offer effective and comprehensive pest control services in Utah.

What Makes H2 Pest Control the Best Pest Control Near Me?

Not all pest control services are created equal. It’s important that exterminators take the health, safety, and comfort of their customers into account when they treat a home for pests.

At H2 Pest Control, we take pride in our safe practices and eco-friendly sprays. We’ll have you back into your home in no time, and you won’t have to worry about any lingering chemicals or other dangers.

Here are some of the qualities that make us the best pest control near you:

1. Fast Response Time

When you find pests in your home, you don’t want to wait around for your exterminator to showup. We offer fast service so that we can take care of your problem quickly.

2. Local Roots

When you search for “the best pest control near me,” we know that you want a company that understands your community and your needs. We are committed to serving Utah County and happy to help our neighbors in Eagle Mountain, Lehi, Saratoga Springs, and the surrounding areas.

3. Diverse Offerings

We can take care of all pests, from rodents to ants. Our offerings include extermination of mice, mosquitoes, spiders, voles, wasps, black widows, scorpions, cockroaches, silverfish, mice, and more.

That means that no matter where your problem is, we can help. From the backyard to the
bathroom to the basement, we have the tools and the expertise to exterminate any pests.

4. Preventative Treatments

As a Utah-based company, we understand the seasonal fluctuations in pest control needs. For example, in the fall we suggest protective sprays to keep spiders away. With our years of experience, we’re always prepared for pest problems, expected and unexpected.

Contact Us Today

Don’t waste any more time researching “best pest control near me.” H2 Pest Control is the solution to your problems. We check all the boxes for a high-quality pest control company: fast service, broad offerings, and local expertise.

Call us today to find out why we’re a favorite for homeowners in Utah County!

Best Pest Control for Ants

Most ants aren’t particularly dangerous, but they can cause property damage and are a general nuisance. Ants spread germs and sometimes give off a bad smell, and certain ant varieties bore through wood and have painful stings.

For these reasons, it’s best to eliminate ants as soon as you notice them in your home. Successful pest eradication comes from a combination of personal preparation and professional treatment.

When you notice an infestation, call your local pest professionals to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the bigger your unwanted ant population will become!

Once you’ve scheduled a professional treatment, take steps to mitigate the issue. You can clean your house and make sure to throw away food items like sugar and leftover crumbs. Check doors and windows for any cracks that might let bugs inside.

If you wish, you can use store-bought ant traps or spread DIY solutions like vinegar or cayenne pepper on areas of concern. But these methods should only be used to tide you over until the professionals arrive.

Ants are hard to eliminate and they lay eggs very quickly, so only a professional will be able to completely solve the problem.

Why You Should Get Professional Ant Treatment

Professional ant treatment is the only way to guarantee the complete extermination of ants. When you opt for DIY solutions, you might see immediate results. But they won’t be long-lasting, and they won’t treat the root of the problem.

Pest control professionals treat the whole colony of ants, not just a few ants at a time. With our EPA-approved treatment solution, H2 Pest professionals safely kill ants to keep your house clean and damage-free.

We also work with homeowners to identify the cause of the pest infestation. Once we understand how the ants entered your home, we can take the necessary steps to prevent a recurring problem.

The Best Ant and Pest Control Company in Utah

For all your ant control needs, call H2 Pest Control. We service homes in Lehi, Eagle Mountain, and surrounding parts of Utah County. Our professional ant treatment features pet and kid-friendly treatment solutions, same-day service, and free re-services as necessary.

Problem 1: You have many spider-friendly locations in your house.

Spiders usually reside in quiet, damp areas where they have access to water and food. The more cluttered an area, the easier it is for a spider to find a hiding spot and make a web. In colder months, they are also drawn to warm areas. For this reason, spiders are usually found in basements, attics, bathrooms, garages, cluttered closets, and other storage spaces.

A Solution

Regularly dusting and cleaning out storage spaces and quiet corners of your home will help you with spider control in those areas. You might also want to use a vacuum to clean hard-to-reach spaces like the undersides of furniture.

Also check your home for houseplants, firewood, grocery bags, or other outside items that might have carried spiders inside. Keep windows and doors shut and check for any cracks or holes in your screens.

Problem 2: Spiders have found a food source in your home.

Spiders feed on insects. For most spider species in Utah, mosquitoes, moths, fleas, ants, and flies are all staple foods. You can tell if a spider is living in your home when you see spiderwebs in areas where it is attempting to catch food. If a spider is unsuccessful in one spot, it will move on to another, leaving its old web to become a cobweb.

A Solution

Dirty dishes, open trash cans, and food waste can all cause pest control issues. And if you have a pest problem in your home, spider control will be more difficult. For this reason, it’s a good idea to keep your home tidy and regularly clean surfaces that might attract insects.

Be conscious of leftover food in your kitchen that might lead to a pest control problem.

Problem 3: Moisture in your home is attracting spiders.

In dry climates like Utah, water is a precious resource. Spiders that are unable to find adequate food and water outdoors might be drawn to the more hospitable conditions inside your home.

Spiders often hunt for food near moist areas where insects are found. This is why regular cleaning and general pest control are important parts of effective spider control.

A Solution

Be aware of any leaky faucets or standing water in your home and keep your bathroom and kitchen dry and clean. Check for leaky pipes, hoses, or other potential water sources.

Keeping Your Home Spider-free

All spiders are a nuisance, but some species can be dangerous. The black widow, which is found in Utah, is venomous. The woodlouse spider, while not as dangerous as the black widow, still has a painful bite.

If you’re struggling with a spider infestation, contact H2 Pest Control about spider treatment options today. The suggestions outlined above can help manage a spider infestation, but long-term solutions are needed for effective and permanent spider control.

H2 Pest Control offers environmentally friendly sprays. We’ll inspect your home for potential spider entry points, and if your spider problem isn’t completely eradicated, we’ll reservice your home (for free!) until it is. Contact us today for a comfortable and spider-free home!