Well, it was fun while it lasted. After two glorious weekends of Clemson and South Carolina victories, the streak ended Saturday as the Tigers remained undefeated and the Gamecocks fell to 2-3 on the season.

South Carolina took to the road in search of their third straight victory, squaring off against defending national champion LSU. After falling behind 7-0, the Gamecocks evened the score midway through the first. Unfortunately, this was as close as they would get in this matchup, as LSU reeled off 24-unanswered points before the Gamecocks could find the end zone again. South Carolina added two touchdowns in the second half, but eventually lost by the final score of 52-24. Sophomore running back, Kevin Harris, continued his strong start to the season against LSU, finishing with 100-plus yards on the ground and two touchdowns, earning him Terminix Pest Player of the Game recognition.

Over in Death Valley, Clemson played host to the 1-4 Syracuse Orange, a team that has given the Tigers several tough battles over the past few years. The Tigers rushed out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter, but the Orange were determined to keep the game close. Syracuse would eventually pull within six points early in the third quarter before Clemson sealed the victory with a defensive touchdown and cruised to a 47-21 victory. The player responsible for that pivotal third-quarter defensive touchdown, cornerback Andrew Booth, Jr., took home the honor of Terminix Pest Player of the Game.

Hear the calls for the Terminix Pest Players from Week 8 action in the tweets below.

Just kidding! Did you fall for our pumpkin spice prank? We don’t blame you—autumn is in the air and we’re all feeling festive these days!

But seriously, in all the excitement, it’s easy to forget that fall pests are out to play. In fact, our beloved pumpkins can actually attract creepy crawlers to our homes! Terminix Technical Director Kevin Hathorne warns everyone to be mindful of just how quickly pumpkins can attract pests to your home. And until the weather cools down, pests will still be very active.

Check out these tips to keep pests away from your Halloween decor this year:

  • Once you carve the pumpkin it starts rotting within about a week, so wait to carve your spooky Jack-O-Lantern as close to Halloween as possible.
  • Because it begins rotting immediately, discard it immediately after Halloween to avoid attracting rodents and other pests.

Think you’d rather bring in the pros to protect your pumpkins? Request your free inspection today.

Back-to-back weekends with two wins. Considering that Clemson and South Carolina don’t play each other this season, this is a trend we think everyone can embrace across the Palmetto State. ?

Following their first win of the season on the road last weekend, South Carolina was back in the friendly confines of Williams Brice Stadium, playing host to the 15th-ranked Auburn Tigers. After a slow start which found the Gamecocks down 9-0 after the first quarter, South Carolina roared back to take the lead midway through the third quarter and held off Auburn for a 30-22 victory. Although there were several players on both sides of the ball worthy of Terminix Pest Player of the Game honors, it was defensive back, Jaycee Horn, earning the honor with two interceptions on the afternoon.

The top-ranked Clemson Tigers traveled to Atlanta to square off against Atlantic Coast Conference cross-division rivals Georgia Tech. The two teams traded touchdowns to start the game before Clemson pulled away and didn’t look back. The Tigers would go on to score the final 59 points in the game, cruising to a 73-7 rout of the Yellow Jackets. With two turnovers on the afternoon, Tigers senior safety, Nolan Turner, received recognition as the Terminix Pest Player of the Game.

Hear the calls for the Terminix Pest Players from Week 7 action in the tweets below.

While the cooler temperatures of fall and winter typically increase the number of rodent infestations, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and lack of primary food sources are also impacting the behavior of rodent populations. With the potential for greater than normal rodent activity during fall and winter months, Terminix Service, Inc. is joining the National Pest Management Association to help educate consumers on the dangers associated with a rodent infestation.

“Rodents not only wreak havoc on your home, chewing through cables and destroying insulation, but these pests are known to spread a variety of dangerous diseases,” said Kevin Hathorne, technical director, Terminix Service, Inc. “It’s important for homeowners to know how to spot a rodent infestation within their homes and to take the necessary steps to avoid these unwanted visitors.” 

Common signs of a rodent infestation include:

  • Droppings & Urine Staining: Fecal pellets are often left behind in places where their food is stored, such as attics, soffits, window dormers, as well as wall cavities and on top of wall beams. Dark colored stains may appear on walls and leak between tongue & groove ceilings. 
  • Gnaw Marks: Rodents will chew through air vents, exterior walls, roofs, and fascia boards along the gutterline. Once inside, they are known to bite through walls, wood and wires. The damage to wiring within walls can increase the risk for a house fire.
  • Nests: Rodents prefer to nest in dark, secluded areas where there is little chance of disturbance. Be on the lookout for shredded insulation, leaves and woody debris inside attics and void spaces.  Debris hanging out of an air vent is a dead giveaway you have a problem.
  • Rub Marks: Rodents tend to leave dark grease or dirt marks — from their oily fur — around entry point holes and on posts or columns as they follow a trail in and out of the home between their nest and food.
  • Strange Noises: Scurrying in the walls or in the attic could mean a rodent family is present. Gray squirrels are most active at dawn and dusk whereas flying squirrels are active only at night.

When rodents come inside during this time of year they tend to set up shop and stay,” continued Hathorne. “ They’ll create nests, breed, and forage for food.  They will eventually be noticed by the homeowner, or at least signs will show up such as droppings, chewed food items, and the sounds of pitter patter as they run around at night.”

To help protect against these threats, the NPMA recommends the following tips:

  • Insert door sweeps and repair damaged screens
  • Screen vents and openings to chimneys
  • Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home
  • Replace loose mortar and weather stripping
  • Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly
  • Keep attics, basements and crawl spaces well-ventilated and dry
  • Repair leaking pipes and clogged drains
  • Inspect all packaging for damage before bringing into the home
  • Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the home

If a rodent infestation is suspected, it’s best to contact an experienced pest control professional to assess the situation. Visit our rodent control page for more information on signs of rodents and prevention tips.

There should be happier football fans across the Palmetto State this week following a successful weekend of college football action for both Clemson and South Carolina.

It was a Top 10 showdown in Death Valley, as the top-ranked Clemson Tigers hosted to the seventh-ranked Miami Hurricanes. The Tigers controlled both sides of the ball for most of the game, cruising to a 42-17 victory against the previously undefeated Hurricanes. Helping Clemson maintain its undefeated record was junior cornerback Derion Kendrick who had one of the three interceptions on the day for the Tigers and was rewarded with the Terminix Pest Player of the Game.

Following two tough losses to kick off the 2020 campaign, South Carolina traveled to Nashville to face Vanderbilt seeking their first win. The Gamecocks battled through a persistent rain to put together a convincing victory by the final score of 41-7. While there were a number of players who stood out on offense and defense for the Gamecocks, linebacker Ernest Jones received Terminix Pest Player honors with 13 tackles and a sack.

Hear the calls for the Terminix Pest Players from Week 6 action in the tweets below.

The first weekend of October saw the arrival of cool, fall weather, making the perfect Saturday for college football.

Clemson was back in action after last week’s bye. Welcoming Virginia to Memorial Stadium, the top-ranked Tigers rolled to a 41-23 victory to continue their perfect start to the 2020 season. Making an early case for the catch of the year, Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth, Jr. exterminated a Cavalier’s scoring drive with a one-handed interception in the end zone and was rewarded with this week’s Terminix Pest Player recognition.

South Carolina traveled south to Gainesville to battle the highly ranked Florida Gators. Despite coming up short in this contest by a final score of 38-24, Gamecocks’ WR Shi Smith continued his strong start to this season, earning his way to back-to-back Terminix Pest Player of the Game honors.

Hear the calls for this weeks Terminix Pest Players in the tweets below.

Kevin Hathorne, technical director and board certified entomologist for Terminix Service, Inc., the tenth-largest pest control company in the U.S., answers the questions that bug you the most.

Q: What is the most effective way to get rid of “stinkbugs” and ladybugs?

A: Stinkbugs and ladybugs can become pests this time of year when they begin migrating indoors to find a place to spend the winter.  When temperatures warm back up in the spring, they try to find their way back outdoors to complete their life cycles.  Once inside, they do not cause any damage, nor do they feed on anything or mate.  They simply go into a resting phase.  Of course, this is frustrating for home owners as the insects wander around inside looking for a resting spot.

The trick is to try and prevent them from coming inside this time of year. This is done mainly through exclusion efforts. Make sure screens on doors, windows, and vents are tight-fitting and in good shape. Damaged areas around the roof line especially around gutters is a popular place for them to get inside, along with eave vents, gable vents, and ridge vent.  Any efforts to make sure damaged areas are fixed and all vents are screened will help prevent them from coming inside. 

Once they get inside, the most effective way to rid them is through the use of a vacuum. Anytime you see them, suck them up with a vacuum and then empty the contents outside. Using pesticides on the inside doesn’t provide much relief, simply because they are coming from multiple areas that are hard to identify and the pesticides will not affect them if they do not contact it. Treating the potential entryways on the outside of the home with pesticides may temporarily prevent the pests from coming indoors through those areas.  This can be done as part of the regular pest service.  However, a more long term solution is exclusion. Terminix Service does offer a full house exclusion service. This is mainly for wildlife, but also helps with those overwintering pests. If you are interested, contact your local branch for an inspection and estimate.

Have a question that keeps bugging you? Click the button below to connect with our experts. You just might see your question in a future “Ask the Entomologist” feature.

All eyes were on Williams Brice Stadium Saturday evening, as the South Carolina Gamecocks welcomed the Tennessee Volunteers to kick off their 2020 season. In a hard-fought game, which saw the Gamecock’s rally from a 14-point deficit to the tie the game in the second half, South Carolina ended up falling short by a final score of 31-27.

Find out which Gamecock was awarded with the Trust Terminix Pest Player of the Game in the tweet below from Gamecock Athletics.

Welcome to Best That Pest! Watch as two pest-besting pros face off to see who’s above the rest. Go ahead, put your knowledge to the test!

When it comes to pest control, don’t leave anything to chance. With more than 70 years of knowledge and expertise, Terminix knows how to best any pest. 

Like many across the Palmetto State, we at Terminix couldn’t be happier about the return of college football. As weekends bring together family and friends to cheer on the Gamecocks or Tigers, the return to the gridiron also brings back the Terminix Pest Player of the Game – a weekly honor that recognizes a key performer from each team’s game. Terminix is proud to continue its long-standing support of Clemson University and the University of South Carolina athletics, and we look forward to sharing weekly Terminix Pest Player updates on our blog. #SPURSUP #ALLIN

Click on the tweets below to hear about the Terminix Pest Player from Clemson’s victory over The Citadel, along with preseason selections from USC.