Winter 2008

"You Dirty Rat"

Throughout history, rodents have been among the most significant pest on earth. In our cities, towns and rural areas, rodents have taken advantage of our food and shelter! They multiply rapidly, and inhabit our homes, businesses, schools, and warehouses, all the while spoiling food, damaging property and spreading disease.

The cost of controlling rodents on a global scale is estimated to be in the billions of dollars, and the damage they do amounts to even greater economic loss.

This time of year we begin seeing the rodent populations growing because there is an abundance of overgrown vegetation, and over ripe fruits and vegetables.

Rodents are well adapted to living with, or in close proximity to humans. As the weather turns colder and wetter, they begin to seek shelter in homes and businesses. Rodents are primarily nocturnal, and most of their activity occurs at night. They can be very cautious, and they are suspicious of anything that has been newly introduced into their environment or habitat.

There are three different types of rodents most commonly associated with urban areas: roof rats, Norway rats, and field mice. For this article we will be primarily discussing the roof rat, as this the rodent we encounter most frequently.

Roof rats prefer to nest in the upper parts of a structure, hence the name. They will often take up housekeeping in trees and even signs. But their nesting places are not limited to elevated areas. They may be found in the substructure and/or basement of a dwelling. Sewers and garages can also provide a haven. Occasionally, "roof rats" can be found in a burrow-in or under vegetation around a structure. Keep in mind that rats only require an opening the size of a quarter for entry, while with a mouse it is only the size of a dime!

SIGNS TO LOOK FOR:

- Noises in the attic, especially at night or early morning.
- Gnaw marks (the word rodent means to gnaw).
- Droppings.
- Tracks and footprints.
- Rub marks, or greasy markings on vertical and horizontal surfaces.
- Damaged food goods, such as dog food, cereals and vegetables in garages and storage areas.
- Leave only enough food for your pets for one meal at a time. Your pet can become accustomed to the rodents and let them feed from their bowl.
- Snails are common food for rodents, so try to keep their numbers down.
- Keep trees and vegetation pruned away from structures to limit access.
- Keep openings around structures closed. This is one of the most important "rodent insurance measures" you can use.

Call Killroy Pest Control & Sensitive Solutions for an inspection at
408-378-0441 or toll-free 1-888-KILLROY (545-5769). Or, submit an online service request.

Termite Talk
With Mike Ledesma

You may have noticed subterranean termites flying around your yard lately. Because of the recent rains, they are coming out of the soil. Subterranean termites are black with long transparent wings, and resemble flying ants. They are not strong flyers so the wind blows them around quite easily. They could end up anywhere. If you only notice them in your yard, there is no reason for concern. However, if you have spotted them inside your home or office, you may have a problem. If you are concerned about this activity, please give us a call.

There are a couple of options we can offer you. If you would like us to inspect a certain area of concern, we call that a "limited" inspection. For this service there is no charge for our regular customers. For a complete inspection of the entire home there is a $200.00 charge, (this is based on a standard size home up to 2,000 sq ft.). A complete inspection not only includes termites, but also identification of fungus damage, moisture problems, plumbing leaks, etc. An inspection can be an inexpensive way to put your mind at ease.

We recommend a complete inspection every 3 or 4 years.

Give us a call, and we look forward to being of service to you, our valued customer!

 Sensitive Solutions News

Sensitive Solution's goal is to offer our customers the least toxic, eco friendly approaches to pest control, while still providing effective results. One of our mainstay material product lines comes from the company EcoSmart® Technologies. EcoSmart's patented technology is based on the natural defenses that plants and trees use for their self protection against insects and pathogens - essential oils. Unlike other botanical pesticides, EcoSmart's active ingredients are based on combinations of different plant essential oils that significantly enhance the activity of the oils against insects. EcoSmart combines plant oils with a common molecular structure that target and block a key neurotransmitter site called octopamine. This transmitter site is only found in invertebrates (insects), not mammals. Because octopamine regulates an insects heart rate, movement, behavior, and metabolism this unique mode-of-action results in a total breakdown of the insects nervous system, while having no effects on mammals.

The plant oils used are regarded as "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS) and have been approved for food and beverage consumption by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. They are also USDA National Organic Program compliant.

Sensitive Solutions will be happy to answer any other questions you may have regarding their products and services, just give us a call. And as always, every service starts with an inspection!

President’s Message

In the 32 years I have been in the pest control industry, I have seen a lot of "gimmicks" come and go. Everyone tries to make a fortune at the expense of the consumer, offering one black box after another. The latest in this trend is "Orange Oil."

Aggressively marketed as a replacement for fumigation, this product is oversold as a termite cure-all. While it is effective when injected into active termite galleries, it does not eliminate colonies inside wall voids and other inaccessible areas (and also leaves a strong odor!). We prefer to use Premise Foam®, a relatively odorless product for localized treatments. The pressurized aerosol contains the active ingredient Imidacloprid, an ingredient also found in several termite control products and Front Line® pet flea control products.

What the consumer needs to know is no localized treatment will likely prevent the eventual need to fumigate the house. It should be considered a "Band-Aid" versus a full house fumigation, which eliminates all the active colonies at once. A good inspection of all accessible areas is essential to give you the information you need to make an informed decision.

Consumers need to be fully informed of what a service does and does not accomplish. We at Killroy try to explain all the customer's options, and recommend what we would feel is the best solution to fit the customer's needs. As always, thank you for your trust and your business.

Dennis Merrill,
President, Killroy Pest Control, Inc.

Regular Killroy Customers!!

Receive $25.00
Discount On
Complete Termite Inspection
(for Home Up To 2,000 sq. ft)
Contact Us and mention the discount.