The house mouse (Mus Musculus) is a common indoor pest found especially in old buildings, restaurants and warehouses. The house mouse is about 7–10 cm long (excluding the tail), with large ears and a short, thick coat that is typically grey to brown. The first signs of mice are often their droppings, which are around 5mm x 2mm in size and resemble small black sprinkles.

Prevention Tips:

Prevention is a more effective and less costly way to stay in control and not having to deal with a massive infestation. Mice can breed at an exceptionally fast rate. They become sexually mature within just a few weeks after they are born. One female mouse can have five to ten litters each year, and each litter consists of three to fourteen mice. Breeding occurs throughout the year and a mouse requires only about nineteen days per gestation period.

We recommend taking the following steps to prevent mice from getting and spreading:

• Seal all small gaps and openings in and around your property.
• Always store food in sealed containers.
• Keep spaces clean and tidy to eliminate food remnants and nesting opportunities.

And remember, having mice doesn’t necessarily mean your premises are dirty: it just means they found a way in.

Common Risks:

• Diseases transmitted by viruses, parasites, and bacteria such as Hantavirus, Leptospirosis (bacterial infection), Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (viral infection), Plague (bacterial infection), Typhus (bacterial infection).
• Contamination of raw materials through droppings, urine, and hair.
• Damage from gnawing on cables and other goods.
• Smell and general discomfort from their presence.
• Reputation damage for businesses.
• Fines and other enforcement measures related to government control.

If you saw a mouse, you almost certainly have more than one. Reach out to iRotec to take immediate steps to remove them as soon as possible.

In the Netherlands, two types of rats are found, with the Brown Rat (Rattus Norvegicus) being the most common. The Black Rat (Rattus Rattus) is also present, particularly in the southern provinces and port areas. The Brown Rat is typically found in lower-lying areas and is recognized by its larger, stockier build and relatively short tail. The Black Rat, with its darker colour, is often found in barns, attics, and other elevated areas, and is identified by its smaller, slimmer build and relatively long tail.

Prevention Tips:

Prevention is a more effective and less costly way to stay in control and not having to deal with a massive infestation. Rats are very fertile and can breed quickly and often. They become sexually mature at 5-8 weeks of age and can have up to 20 babies in a single litter. Female rats can reproduce again 24 hours after giving birth. Which can bring up to 1000 offspring per year.

We recommend taking the following steps to prevent mice from getting and spreading:

• Seal all small gaps and openings in and around your property.
• Always store food in sealed containers.
• Keep spaces clean and tidy to eliminate food remnants and nesting opportunities.

Remember, having rats doesn’t necessarily mean your premises are dirty: it just means they found a way in.

Common Risks:

• Disease transmission through viruses, parasites, and bacteria,  such as Hantavirus, Leptospirosis (bacterial infection), Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (viral infection), Salmonellosis, Rat-bite fever (bacterial infection).
• Contamination of raw materials through droppings, urine, and hair.
• Damage from gnawing on cables and other goods.
• Smell and general discomfort from their presence.
• Reputation damage for businesses.
• Fines and other enforcement measures related to government control.

If you saw a rat, you almost certainly have more than one. Reach out to iRotec to urgently take necessary steps to remove them from your premises as soon as possible.

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) bite people and animals at night while they sleep, feeding on their blood. They are flat, reddish-brown in colour, wingless, and range from 1mm to 7mm in size. They can live several months without a blood meal. Although they don’t carry diseases, their bites can lead to itching, irritation, and even allergic responses.

Prevention Tips:

Detecting and eliminating bed bugs early can help make infestations more manageable. Travellers can benefit from checking sleeping areas for signs of bed bugs, such as shed skins or live insects in mattress seams and bedding folds.

Common Risks:

Bed bugs are not known to spread diseases to people. However, they cause irritation, itching, and loss of sleep.
When bed bugs bite, they release fluids (an anaesthetic and an anticoagulant) that keep the person from feeling the bite immediately. Most people don’t notice bite marks until they show up one to several days after being bitten.
The bites resemble those of mosquitoes or fleas, appearing as small, swollen red spots that may itch and cause irritation. Bite marks may be scattered or form a straight line.
Additional symptoms of bed bug bites include anxiety, and skin issues resulting from excessive scratching.

Reach out to iRotec to tackle bedbugs issue as soon as possible to prevent it from spreading.

Birds can become pests when they nest or gather in large numbers around buildings. Species like pigeons, starlings, and sparrows can cause structural damage with their droppings, clog gutters, and create health risks by spreading bacteria, fungi, and parasites that affect humans. Bird droppings can also make surfaces slippery, posing slip hazards.

Prevention Tips:

• Regularly clean and maintain areas where birds may gather.
• Secure trash and food sources that may attract birds.

Common Risks:

• Health hazards from bacteria and parasites in droppings.
• Property damage to roofs, ventilation systems, and building exteriors.
• Slip-and-fall risks from droppings on walkways and ledges.

When seeking effective bird deterrents, it’s crucial to recognize that birds rely heavily on their keen sense of sight. With their sharp colour perception, birds navigate their environments, locate food, and avoid predators.

Reach out to iRotec for more information: based on your situation, we will offer the most suitable and animal-friendly solution.

Wasps can be a serious pest problem, particularly during late summer when they become more aggressive in search of food. Common wasps and hornets pose risks to people and pets with their painful stings, which can lead to severe allergic reactions in some individuals. Wasps can also build nests in walls and other structures, potentially causing damage and increasing the risk of stings near homes or workplaces

Prevention Tips:

• Regularly inspect for and remove small nests early in the season.
• Seal gaps and openings in walls, eaves, and roofs where wasps might nest.
• Avoid leaving food and sugary drinks outdoors, which attract wasps.
• Use wasp traps and repellents to deter them from gathering around outdoor spaces.

Common Risks:

• Painful stings that may trigger allergic reactions
• Aggressive behaviour, especially when nests are disturbed.
• Structural damage from nesting in buildings.

If you’re experiencing wasp activity or you notice a nest around your home, it’s best to contact iRotec: a trained professional will find the best way to tackle the issue.

Flies are common pests that can pose serious health risks, particularly in hotels, restaurants, shops, medical and warehouse facilities, factories and outdoor spaces. House flies, fruit flies, and blowflies can carry and spread pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and parasites, contaminating food surfaces and contributing to foodborne illnesses. Their fast reproduction also makes infestations challenging to control once they start. Flies reproduce rapidly, with the entire life cycle taking as little as seven to 10 days12. Female flies can lay up to 150 eggs in a batch, and they can produce 6 batches of eggs in just a few days.

Prevention Tips:

• Keep food stored in sealed containers and dispose of waste regularly.
• Ensure doors and windows are fitted with screens to prevent entry..
• Maintain cleanliness by promptly cleaning up spills and food residue.

Common Risks:

• Spread of diseases through contamination of food and surfaces.
• Health hazards due to bacteria and parasites they carry.
• Compromised comfort and cleanliness.
• Reputational damage.

Reach out to iRotec: we will recommend a combination of pest control services suitable for your specific case to ensure your home or business are well-protected. Additionally, we will suggest future preventive measures based on your situation.

Cockroaches are resilient pests that can quickly infest businesses, especially in warm, humid environments. They pose significant health risks by spreading bacteria, viruses, and allergens through contaminated surfaces and food. Cockroach droppings, saliva, and shed skins can also trigger asthma and allergies, particularly in children. Cockroaches reproduce at rapid speeds. A female cockroach can produce anywhere from 10 to 40 eggs at a time and can lay up to 500 eggs in her lifetime. Even newborn babies become capable of mating and reproducing within weeks of being born.

Prevention Tips:

• Keep areas clean and free of food crumbs or spills.
• Store food in tightly sealed containers and dispose of waste regularly.
• Seal cracks, crevices, and gaps around doors and windows to block entry points.
• Fix leaks and reduce humidity, as cockroaches are attracted to moisture.

Remember, having cockroaches doesn’t necessarily mean your premises are dirty: it just means they found a way in.

Common Risks:

• Spread of pathogens that cause foodborne illnesses.
• Contamination of food, utensils, and surfaces.
• Allergens that may trigger asthma and allergic reactions.
• Reputational damage.

If you saw a cockroach, you almost certainly have more than one. Exactly how many there is nearly impossible to determine, but you’ll want to take steps to remove them immediately. Get in touch with iRotec to tackle the problem as soon as possible.

Ants are common household pests that can contaminate food and invade indoor spaces, especially in search of water and food sources. Certain species, like carpenter ants, can even cause
structural damage by burrowing into wood. Ants may carry bacteria from unsanitary areas, posing a risk of contaminating food and surfaces.

Prevention Tips:

• Store food in sealed containers and promptly clean up crumbs or spills.
• Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and foundations to block entry.
• Keep areas dry, fixing leaks and reducing excess moisture.

Common Risks:

• Food contamination and potential spread of bacteria.
• Structural damage from wood-boring ants like carpenter ants.
• Persistent infestations that are challenging to control.

Get in touch with iRotec to tackle to problem as soon as possible.