Be on the Lookout for Creepy Pests This Halloween

ATLANTA, Oct. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As Halloween nears, kids dressed up as vampires, ghosts and goblins aren't the only creepy creatures people can expect to lurk around their homes. Atlanta-based pest control leader Orkin notes that cooler temperatures mean cockroaches, spiders, centipedes and rodents might seek refuge in your house. And, according to Orkin's recent Omnibus survey, Americans fear some of these pests the most.

"Seasonal changes can drive many pests indoors for food, water and shelter," said Orkin entomologist and technical director Ron Harrison, Ph.D. "While rubber replicas of cockroaches, spiders and rodents are typically a part of Halloween home decor, no one wants to find the real version feasting on treats and other goodies in or around their home, especially when people are afraid of them."

More than a third (39 percent) of survey respondents dislike pests because "they are creepy," while 100 percent named cockroaches and centipedes the most creepy pests in this category. Additionally, the top reason (43 percent) people dislike pests is because they fear being bitten, stung or attacked by insects like bed bugs (63 percent) and spiders (73 percent).

With Halloween fast approaching, Harrison notes that homeowners should understand the risks posed by these critters and offers the following tips to help reduce pest activity around the home:

• Hairy, hungry rodents will find leftover holiday treats the perfect evening snack. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rodents can carry dozens of diseases that can spread through their urine, feces or bites. Clean up crumbs after Halloween festivities to ensure rodents aren't lured inside your house.
• Dirty cockroaches creep around your home and spread bacteria that can cause allergies and even asthma. Keep these nocturnal nuisances outside by sealing cracks and crevices and inspecting cardboard boxes and grocery bags where they can easily hide.  
• Creepy, crawly centipedes scour your home for water. Trim back vegetation and clean up moist areas like bathrooms to discourage them from entering your home. While not deadly to humans, bites from these multi-legged pests can cause swelling and aggravate the skin of people who are allergic.
• Blood-sucking bed bugs settle within a five-foot radius of their food source – you. Inspect your mattress for signs of bed bugs – rust-colored stains on tags and seams. Don't sleep too tight because these vampires can leave itchy, bloody welts on your skin.
• Spooky spiders lurk in dark corners of the home, setting up webs to catch their prey—moths, flies and cockroaches. Sweep, dust and remove clutter from areas where spiders might nest and contact a licensed pest management professional to first control the insects that attract spiders to your home.

Russell Research conducted Orkin's survey from July 22-24, 2011 among 1,048 adults (ages 18 and over) living in private households across the continental U.S. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

About Orkin, LLC

Founded in 1901, Atlanta-based Orkin is an industry leader in essential pest control services and protection against termite damage, rodents and insects in the United States, Canada, Europe, Central America, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Asia, the Mediterranean and Africa. With more than 400 locations, Orkin's almost 8,000 employees serve approximately 1.7 million customers. The company serves homeowners and numerous industries, including food and beverage processing, foodservice, hospitality, healthcare, retail, warehousing, property/facilities management, schools and institutions. Orkin is proud to be recognized by the National Pest Management Association as a QualityPro and GreenPro-certified company, addressing not only our customer's pest control needs, but also their concern for protecting the environment. Learn more about Orkin at http://orkin.com. Orkin is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rollins Inc. (NYSE: ROL).

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Addy Apesos
Orkin
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For Orkin
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SOURCE Orkin