Rentokil's Press office on Bizcommunity

On 15 October we will be celebrating Global Hand Washing Day, which was started to promote hand washing with soap as a way to help prevent the spread of diseases. It is well worthwhile to take some time to consider hand hygiene practices at the workplace and how they can help to keep staff and customers healthy. 13 Oct 2011 Read more >>

As we transition from the colder winter months to warmer spring days, owners are likely to start finding unwanted pests in and around their homes. Spring is a good time to open the windows and doors to let the fresh air in and to start cleaning out the dust and dirt which might have collected during winter. Dust and dirt attracts bugs and bacteria and it is essential to target the following areas during your annual spring clean. 29 Sep 2011 Read more >>

Experts warn that what is food for your guests is also food for kitchen and pantry pests. Food preparation areas are natural places for pests to thrive as they provide both food and shelter. Pests make their way into the kitchen by hitching a ride on infested food products such as flour, dried fruits and spices, and from there they spread to other products on the shelf. 17 Aug 2011 Read more >>

An increasing number of South African companies are realising the benefits of using an online pest control management system and are signing up for Rentokil's exclusive PestNetOnline system. 21 Jul 2011 Read more >>

The general public's natural affection towards birds is the primary reason why the health risks and structural damage associated with pest birds are underestimated. Birds, when given free reign, can be a menace - jeopardizing health, defacing buildings, contaminating foodstuffs and providing a breeding ground in their nests for other pests and disease. 15 Apr 2011 Read more >>

There are many solutions and homemade remedies to get rid of pests, but many of these can be harmful to the environment, animals and humans if not applied correctly. DIY pest control is not advisable around pets, small children or the elderly and if you have any doubts it is always advisable to ask the advice of an expert in the field. For this reason Deena Govender - expert in the pest control industry and Quality Assurance Manager at Rentokil South Africa - has joined the expert panel on Women24. Now Women24 visitors can pose their questions on how to deal with pests, to a pest control specialist who can give practical and safe advice. 28 Feb 2011 Read more >>

The sweltering heat has not only sent us on a mission to find a place to cool off, it has sent ants marching indoors as well. Warmer temperatures are the main reason ants are found indoors on their quest to find food and shelter. 9 Feb 2011 Read more >>

Most of us find flies irritating nuisances; we consider them harmless in comparison to other biting insects, such as mosquitoes. Although the housefly doesn't bite, they are more nauseating than we think and they are known to spread disease. 30 Nov 2010 Read more >>

Online pest control has arrived in South Africa. PestNetOnline V3 software - which took two years to develop and has been successfully applied by Rentokil in the United Kingdom since 2008 - has recently been introduced to the South African market. 4 Oct 2010 Read more >>

Chlorpyrifos has been banned for use in the home, home garden and domestic professional pest control use in South Africa. The organophosphate is a well-known active ingredient in pesticides for home- and garden use. The use of chlorpyrifos is still allowed in the agricultural sector. 11 Aug 2010 Read more >>

Plug-in pest control systems seem to be popular because of clever marketing rather than performance. A newspaper advertisement in The Citizen of 5 June and accompanying text hailing a new Australian import as "the new pied piper in town" was greeted with doubtful smiles from the local pest controlling industry. 12 Jul 2010 Read more >>

Wait! Before you squeeze the trigger, check the label. That over-the-counter pesticide may be colourless, but some of the ingredients may be as harmful to growing and elderly people as they are to insects. Also at risk are pregnant and nursing women who can pass pesticides onto their unborn or nursing children. 25 Jun 2010 Read more >>

Hotels and guest houses across South Africa are on high alert as they wait to welcome the thousands of guests arriving in our beautiful country over the next few weeks. In the process, however, they may also be welcoming a few unwanted guests. 14 Jun 2010 Read more >>

Reports of an increase in bedbug activity pose major reasons for concern in the hospitality industry. 28 Apr 2010 Read more >>

South Africa's major cities, Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, have all fallen prey to increased rodent activity in the CBD areas. The expected increase in visitor numbers over June and July might further aggravate this problem. 16 Apr 2010 Read more >>

Pests are a year round problem, but during winter pest invasions tend to increase. During summer and autumn there is enough food for them outside, but as soon as the weather turns cooler, rats and mice often venture indoors, where they find themselves a winter wonderland of warm shelter and food sources. 15 Apr 2010 Read more >>

One of the risks of having pets, are the fact that they often become the vehicle for fleas to enter your home. We all love our pets, but there's nothing worse than having guests being bitten by fleas. 17 Mar 2010 Read more >>

With less than four months left to prepare for the single biggest event to hit the South African shores and more than 350 000 guests flocking to the country, most service providers in the hospitality industry are still unclear as to the expectations of their soon to arrive guests. 15 Feb 2010 Read more >>

Of all the pests cockroaches may be the most hazardous of all. They can spread up to 33 different kinds of bacteria, six kinds of parasitic worms and at least seven other kinds of human pathogens. 10 Feb 2010 Read more >>

What pesky insect is synonymous with summer and every South African's favourite outdoor event - braaiing? The mosquito. 9 Dec 2009 Read more >>

It is surprising to think an office keyboard can pose a greater health risk than a toilet seat, but unfortunately it is true. Health and hygiene protocols in office environments very seldom include strict rules when it comes to food and work stations. More recently the awareness of overall hygiene, including the office environment, has come to the fore with the global swine flu epidemic. “It is without a doubt unhygienic for personnel to frequently eat at their desks as the combination of food morsels, hair and skin build up in a keyboard. This promotes bacteria and viruses to produce and spread,” says technical director of Rentokil SA, Terry Ivison. 7 Dec 2009 Read more >>

A message from Rentokil's General Manager, Gavin Curtis. 4 Dec 2009 Read more >>

Numbers of people globally are affected by food-borne diseases as a direct result of negligence and lack of information regarding food safety regulations. As the food industry needs to gear itself for the huge demands 2010 will bring, the pest control industry needs to be factored into these demands. In light of this, the EThekwini Municipality's Health Department in KZN hosted the first of a series of Food Advisory Day seminars, which started on 28 October 2009, for the formal food sector in the eThekwini area. The seminar addressed measures that seek to improve the level of food safety in the City and to ensure that the formal food sector complies with the regulations and the requirement related to food safety. The seminars have been extended to Cape Town and Johannesburg as well. 27 Nov 2009 Read more >>

When the weather starts getting warmer it is a sure sign that flies will be following soon, as they prepare to leave their pupal casing which served as protection against the harsh winter weather. 16 Oct 2009 Read more >>

A number of factors are contributing to the global and local increase of pests - with no discrimination to area, income group or type of premises. One of the biggest catalysts for attracting unwanted visitors such as flies, cockroaches, rats and mice, is food. This problem, combined with the increase of pest infestations, motivated Rentokil Pest Control to develop a service offer especially for the bar and restaurant industry. This offer will protect the industry in much needed areas such as food preparation, serving or dining, storage and waste. 28 Aug 2009 Read more >>

There is a heightened awareness around responsible pest control due to the world's drastic climate changes and increased tourism activities. The role of the Pest Control Operator (PCO) isn't often discussed as a career option as the unglamorous side often overrides the importance thereof. Lack of awareness has caused a real need for PCOs in South Africa. The hospitality, tourism and domestic markets are realizing the need for professional help more and more as unwanted or unknown bugs and pests are tough to deal with. “We place huge emphasis on training and development. The more training our PCOs undergo, the better they're equipped to assist customers effectively and stay abreast of health and safety regulations,” says Gavin Curtis, Divisional Manager of Rentokil Pest Control SA. 6 Jul 2009 Read more >>

Recent media reports have highlighted the potential health risk posed by dreaded bed bugs throughout South Africa. This came after Professor of Entomology, Michael Potter from the University of Kentucky stated that there's no reason to believe SA doesn't have a bed bug problem. “As seen with current swine flu reports, increased travel activities are the major cause of viruses and unwanted pests such as bed bugs. With responsible tourism and education in mind, Rentokil Pest Control SA has developed a Bed Bug Hospitality Offer, specifically designed to deal with this problem,” says Pamela Mudley, Marketing Manager for Rentokil SA. 4 May 2009 Read more >>

“There is no reason that South Africa shouldn't have a bedbug problem,” commented Professor of Entomology, Michael Potter, of the University of Kentucky at a bedbug seminar held in Cape Town. 3 Apr 2009 Read more >>

Bedbugs are increasing in numbers at an alarming rate, and with most people unaware of the dangers associated with the bug: the problem now threatens to become an epidemic. 20 Mar 2009 Read more >>

The whole of South Africa, in particular the hospitality sector, is gearing up for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Where visitors stay, is where they will be in direct contact with the essence of South Africa, therefore it is good to know that the FIFA inspection team described the hospitality sector in South Africa as “first-rate". 27 Feb 2009 Read more >>

It is a well-known fact that the hospitality industry is dependent on a high occupancy rate as it drives revenue, profits and increases the overall value of the brand. The key contributors to an increased occupancy rate are, amongst others, reputation management, service delivery, value for money, health and safety, and environmental regulations. 20 Feb 2009 Read more >>

Pests are never welcome in any home or working environment; not only are they unsightly, but they carry diseases as well. The summer season creates the perfect environment for an influx of insects such as flies. 13 Jan 2009 Read more >>

Not all of us are aware of the dangers and risks associated with pest-infested or unhygienic work and home environments. And often a blind eye is turned at the sight of unwanted crawling visitors in the hope that it will go away by itself. 9 Jan 2009 Read more >>

The summer season is upon us which means opening up your humble abode to family members and friends. Nobody wants the long-awaited ambiance of cheerful entertainment spoiled by unsightly and irritating pests. 2 Dec 2008 Read more >>

With organic living becoming a preference for health conscious individuals, ‘going green' and living closer to nature has received increased focus. 17 Nov 2008 Read more >>

With fly season on our doorstep, Rentokil Pest Control has recently launched a unique four-step programme to control flies. 31 Oct 2008 Read more >>

One of South Africa's most reputable brands in the pest control industry, Rentokil, has revamped its image for the first time since its establishment in 1927. 14 Oct 2008 Read more >>

The company synonymous and best known for its role in pest control and hygiene within South Africa, Rentokil, has given their website a fresh and friendly redesign. Established more than four decades ago, Rentokil has become known as the leader in the industry and has expanded its influence to the local industry. 3 Dec 2007 Read more >>