With the increasing food poisoning cases making headlines in Malaysia, more and more consumers are concern on the safety standards in food processing and its supply chain. As part of Rentokil Initial’s mission to protect people and enhance lives, they have joined forces with the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) to demonstrate their expertise on Pest Management and Total Hygiene Awareness at their 4-day International Food Safety Inspection Training.

Petaling Jaya, Selangor -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/16/2017 -- One of the main concerns in our everyday lives involves safe food for consumption. As much as consumers try to avoid contaminated food, there are limited means to assure that food is safe before consumption. In 2015 alone, there were 266,319 hospitalisations recorded in Malaysia where 15,346 were due to food related illnesses such as food poisoning, typhoid, cholera, dysentery etc.

Toxicity fears spread in Europe recently when supermarkets had to withdraw millions of eggs that were contaminated with insecticide. Food produced with eggs also had to be withdrawn from sale and farms were suspended or closed. Some non-EU countries were reported to have received the tainted eggs as well. Nearer to home, a prominent milk brand in Malaysia nearly sabotaged their strong brand presence when its milk products were recalled across the country due to bacterial contamination. Imagine the consequences that the milk producer had to bear if consumers were to consume any of those affected milk. As a result, this incident had negatively impacted the brand's reputation and it was an uphill climb to regain consumer confidence as the news and public sentiment were widely spread on social media.

Both food industry and regulators must evolve and innovate to meet new challenges and consumer demands for better food safety and quality. In a recent collaboration with the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) on a 4-day Food Safety Inspection training, Rentokil Initial Malaysia emphasised the importance of food safety management and the role of technology advancement and data transparency not only in food manufacturing, but also the entire supply chain. 40 participants comprising of key players from industries like food production, healthcare, education and MOH Food Safety Auditors gained insights from various topics that included pest behaviours, integrated pest management (IPM) and hygiene practices in creating a safer food production experience.

Ever-tightening policies and regulations call for companies handling food to take appropriate measures and proactive approach in early detection to control pests in food and food supplies. Juliana Soo, Regional Technical Director of Rentokil Initial said at the event: "Innovative technological systems and the Internet of Things (IoT) are able to deliver better data insights that enable businesses to identify trends and hotspot areas. It can also provide a quicker solution to help mitigate risk in the increasingly complex modern supply chains. It is a more proactive approach towards food safety that helps organisations throughout its supply chain pest risk management and food safety audit compliance."

Some of the innovations that were introduced are based on targeted needs and according to IPM using the ERDM (Exclusion, Restriction, Destruction, Monitoring) methodology designed by Rentokil to manage pest risks in a holistic manner. myRentokil, an online reporting portal that allows customers to stay on top of any potential pest risks at their site(s) was also introduced during the training. With myRentokil, all data are now easily available online at the click of a button compared to the conventional way where one needed to go through mountains of files and papers for service history and recommendations.

While business owners and auditors are committed to ensuring the supply chain end product is safe for consumption, Rentokil Initial shared that hygiene also plays a significant role in ensuring the safety of food preparation. The innovator in hygiene services also shared how most would take hygiene for granted as we might not be aware of the threats of cross-contamination and other risks from being exposed to different types of bacteria that could exist on our hands such as E. coli, Staphylococcus, Hepatitis A and more, if proper hygiene practices are neglected.

"We are always on the lookout to improve the quality in Malaysian food industry. With today's technology, it gives us better understanding of how these pests behave through biological research. And the hygiene awareness talk among the food auditors and food industry also greatly benefits the participants to bring back to their relevant industries," said a Ministry of Health Malaysia representative.

"The world population is going to reach 8.5 billion by year 2030, and due to globalised supply chain, food safety management has gotten more challenging than ever. Ensuring the supply of safe food products is extremely crucial to protect the public's health. This is why technology and data transparency are important to mitigate any potential food safety risks." said Carol Lam, the Managing Director of Rentokil Initial Malaysia.

In recent years, Internet of Things (IoT) has been the talk of the town on its potential to revolutionise the way businesses operate across the globe. Carol added, "IoT is also commonly used in food industry to track and trace the status of products through the entire supply chain. The other advantage of end-to-end food safety monitoring is, it enables various parties involved from farm to table to quickly identify points of origin if food contamination is discovered. Previously these investigations could have taken weeks or months to complete."

"At Rentokil Initial, this is something that our Innovations team has been working on over the years. With the right approach, this will ultimately help us ensure that our customers take a much more proactive approach in managing food safety risks across the supply chains. Predicting likely sources of contamination and food-borne disease outbreaks, detecting food safety threats as they happen and implementing control measures before threats can spread. This will improve efficiencies and reduce losses throughout the supply chain. Most importantly, raising standards in food safety and security for consumers."

About Rentokil Initial Malaysia
At Rentokil Initial, they believe that it is their people with shared values, mission and vision who make the company what it is today. Rentokil Initial live by their mission - Protecting People from the dangers of pest-borne disease, the risks of poor hygiene or from injury in the workplace and Enhancing Lives with services that protect the health and wellbeing of people, and the reputation of their customers.

For media enquiries, please e-mail louise.leong@rentokil-initial.com.

For more information on Rentokil Pest Control, please contact:
1300 885 911
http://www.rentokil.com.my/
15th Floor, Menara Yayasan Selangor No. 18A, Jalan Persiaran Barat 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The words dengue and Aedes are no stranger to fellow Malaysians. With the alarming figures rising on dengue cases across nations, could this be a wake up call for Malaysians to take proactive steps and fight against this deadly pest?

Petaling Jaya, Selangor -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/16/2017 -- World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported that Malaysia is in the top 10 list of countries with the highest dengue cases globally. As of September 2017, a total of 69,603 dengue cases has been recorded in Malaysia. As if that isn't worrying enough, Ministry of Health (MOH) also shared that 175 Malaysians have died from the deadly disease this year. Tropical countries like Malaysia are magnet to mosquitoes as they are attracted to warm, humid places with plenty of access to still water.

Despite knowing the risks of dengue, Malaysians have still not taken enough action to reduce mosquitoes population. Could this be attributed to the lackadaisical attitude that many Malaysians adopt? According to Health Director-General Datuk Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah, inspections conducted on 4,214,306 premises nationwide revealed that 84.7% of breeding sites were found indoors at homes. So, do Malaysians feel that mosquito control is solely the government's responsibility?

What's The Reason Behind Malaysians' Lethargic Attitude Towards Dengue?

A survey by Rentokil Malaysia on 1,000 Malaysians showed that 42% are not very concerned about dengue fever and Aedes mosquitoes. Others meanwhile, choose to remain ignorant about the perils of dengue because they have not fallen victim to it. Little did they know that there are at least 58% of Malaysians who have experienced or know someone who has been infected with dengue fever in the past 2 years.

Oftentimes, people tend to assume that thermal fogging, which the local council carry out regularly will eradicate mosquitoes, but this is a misconception. According to Dr Dhesi Raja, Medical Doctor at the Institute of Medical Research at the Ministry of Health, fogging treatment only kills the adult mosquitoes. Hence, it is important for Malaysians to realise that mosquitoes need to be eliminated at all stages of their life cycle for an effective control. This is because mosquitoes are able to successfully complete their life cycle, from an egg to an adult, in 6-10 days when the environment permits.

Joint Effort To Combat Mosquitoes

The alarming figures of the life threatening dengue are a warning that Malaysians' reactive approach is not going to improve the situation any further. Instead of solely relying on our government, the public must also take proactive actions with the authorities in order to combat the widespread of dengue infections. The goal to bring dengue cases down is only realistically attainable if it comes from the initiative of every individual. In doing so, they will set an example for others and soon, more people will follow suit.

Efforts in maintaining cleanliness and destroying Aedes breeding grounds must be a priority for all Malaysians. Minimising mosquito entry takes practical effort and residents can always start by practising simple do-it-yourself tips such as: installing mosquito nets, trimming plants regularly, keeping doors and windows closed, keeping the room cool and most importantly, getting rid of any stagnant water.

Rentokil Fights Against The Bite with COHEP and Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM)

As part of their mission in 'Protecting People and Enhancing Lives', the leader in pest control, Rentokil Malaysia believes that getting rid of mosquito breeding grounds should be cultivated from an early age for a sustainable future. Educational talks are carried out continually in schools nationwide to create awareness on dengue and the importance of maintaining a clean environment through their Community Oriented Health Education Programme (COHEP).

Rentokil is also constantly innovating to provide sustainable pest control solutions. The Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) programme involves a holistic approach in fighting mosquitoes at every stage of their life cycle, through the combination of larviciding, water-based thermal fogging and the use of suitable mosquito traps. However, at the end of the day, it still boils down to Malaysians' consistent collective effort in fighting against mosquitoes. It has to be at the top of everyone's mind if we want to achieve a successful and long term prevention.

"To date, more than 60% of Malaysians still do not practise checking their homes for mosquito breeding grounds. The agonising impact of dengue among Malaysians indicates that people are still taking mosquito-borne diseases lightly. There's only so much we can do to protect ourselves and loved ones when it's already too late. Therefore, we need to play our part in taking proactive steps to prevent the danger of mosquitoes. At Rentokil Initial, our belief in creating a better community drives us to innovate from time to time to provide the best integrated solutions possible." says Carol Lam, Managing Director of Rentokil Initial Malaysia.

For media enquiries, please e-mail louise.leong@rentokil-initial.com.

For more information on Rentokil Pest Control, please contact:
1300 885 911
http://www.rentokil.com.my/
15th Floor, Menara Yayasan Selangor No. 18A, Jalan Persiaran Barat 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Rentokil Initial Malaysia brought together over 200 key industry leaders nationwide, from F&B manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, hospitality, food handlers, and pharmaceutical sectors with one objective - to improve food safety in Malaysia. The event was also graced by Health Inspectors from the Ministry of Health (MOH), whose role is to ensure that the parties involved in food preparation for consumer consumption are well governed.

Petaling Jaya, Selangor -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/06/2017 -- Recently, international news portal were swamped with food recall reports on contaminated eggs in the European markets. Besides recalling the eggs, a long list of food products that contained eggs had to be withdrawn from shelves as well. Closer to home, in 2016 a popular milk brand in Malaysia had also recalled their product off the shelf when it was found to be contaminated with harmful bacteria.

Food and beverage product recalls can lead to far-reaching consequences, affecting business reputation and profit losses, however, one of the biggest impact in food contamination is how it affects consumers' health. In 2015 alone, 14,433 of food poisoning cases were reported in Malaysia. These illnesses can be fatal if not treated immediately. And unfortunately for Malaysians, food poisoning fatalities are more likely to happen in the country due to its hot weather. Scientific studies have shown that microbes such as bacteria, parasites or viruses multiply 10 times faster the moment food is exposed to heat.

Hence, it is crucial for key players in the food supply chain to understand how the employees' attitude, behaviour, pest management and sanitation practices, including the maintenance of their premises and equipment, can affect the safety of food and prevent exposure to foodborne diseases.

Which is why, the market leader in pest management, Rentokil is very committed on improving food trust in Malaysia. Through workshops and working in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH), Rentokil continues to educate key players in food processing, hotels and pharmaceutical industry on the strict compliance to the regulations and health standards to ensure food safety from farm to table. Food can be contaminated at any point of the production process, from harvesting of raw materials to processing, storage, distribution, transport and preparation to table.

Besides that, Rentokil also recognise the importance of science and technology integration with pest management. Scientific and biological research has been conducted to better understand the behavioural instinct of each pest to develop effective solutions and innovation to eliminate pest problems.

"The world population is going to reach 8.5 billion by year 2030, and due to globalised supply chain, food safety management has gotten more challenging than ever. Ensuring the supply of safe food products is extremely crucial to protect the public's health. This is why technology and data transparency are important to mitigate any potential food safety risk in the entire supply chain." said Carol Lam, the Managing Director of Rentokil Initial Malaysia.

Carol also added, "In recent years, Internet of Things (IoT) has been the talk of the town on its potential to revolutionise the way businesses operate across the globe. The IoT is currently used most commonly in food industry to track and trace the status of products through the entire supply chain. The other advantage of end-to-end food safety monitoring is, it enables various parties involved from farm to table to quickly identify points of origin if food contamination is discovered. Previously these investigations could have taken weeks or months to complete."

"At Rentokil Initial, this is something that our Innovations team has been working on over the years. With the right approach, this will ultimately help us ensure that our customers take a much more proactive approach in managing food safety risks across the supply chains. Predicting likely sources of contamination and food-borne disease outbreaks, detecting food safety threats as they happen and implementing control measures before threats can spread. This will improve efficiencies and reduce losses throughout the supply chain. Most importantly, raising standards in food safety and security for consumers."

Juliana Soo, Regional Technical Director of Rentokil Initial said at the event: "As devices become more connected to transmit and receive data, we hope that our sharing on the importance of data insights and Internet of Things (IoT) allow the key industry leaders to understand the importance of big data in an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for effective supply chain pest risk management."

She added, "These innovative technological systems are able to deliver new data insights that enable businesses to identify trends and hotspot areas. It can also provide a real solution to help mitigate risk in the increasingly complex modern supply chains. It is a more proactive approach towards food safety that helps organisations throughout its supply chain risk management."

"We are always on the lookout to improve the quality in Malaysian food industry. With the today's technology, it gives us better understanding of how these pests behave through biological research. Instead of always enforcing strict legislation to these decision makers, we are changing our approach and very excited to work with Rentokil in educating and create awareness amongst the auditors and food industry on the existing food safety compliances," said Jamilah Binti Salikin, Principal Assistant Director, Pre-Market Approval Branch, Food Safety and Quality Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia.

Themed "Innovating Supply Chain Risk Management Through Science And Technologies", experts from Rentokil Initial demonstrated to the participants on how innovations can help in food safety in Malaysia. The workshops were held at Spice Convention Centre in Penang, Double Tree by Hilton in JB, and Le Meridien in KL on the 21, 22, and 24 August respectively.

During the workshop, participants were also given the opportunity to experience first-hand on how PestConnect functions, it is an online connected system, which provides continuous 24/7 monitoring, with rapid response and protection against pest, for example rodents. These connected devices automatically detect pest activities and send the data directly to myRentokil, the online reporting system that allows customers to stay on top of any potential risks at their site(s). Tens of thousands of Rentokil's customers are now able to access their myRentokil accounts for analysis and audit support.

On top of that, Rentokil also unveiled its Lumnia, the Insect Light Trap (ILT) with improved LED technology, which is proven effective to attract flies up to 150m2 because its UV light can transmit 40% further with LED strips compared to standard tubes. Lumnia delivers an average of 61% in energy savings, when compared to similar products.

About Rentokil Pest Control Malaysia
Rentokil Pest Control, part of Rentokil Initial group is one of the largest business services companies in the world. As the market leading pest control company that never stop innovating, Rentokil's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme provides wide range of solutions for the various sector ranging from the food processing industries, pharmaceutical, service sectors, retail to industrial and manufacturing.

Rentokil IPM programmes is designed to be compliant with recognised standards or certifications, such as AIB International, BRC Global International Standards, YUM!, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and many more. Continuous pest monitoring, regular visitations and proactive recommendations are the standard supports delivered to ensure the effectiveness of the IPM programme.

To further complement Rentokil's IPM programme, an online reporting and analysis system has been deployed to help customers monitor pest activities at multiple locations effectively. It also provides recommendations management, better traceability and easy access to all key information and service delivery records needed for pest risk management and food audit requirement.

Research and Development is an intrinsic part of the business. We have Technical Research and Development Centres based in England and India, continuously create new innovations and more effective products in our fight against pests.

Press Contacts:
Ms. Louise Leong
Marketing Director, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and the Philippines
louise.leong@rentokil-initial.com
15th Floor, Menara Yayasan No. 18A, Jalan Persiaran Barat 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
1300885911
http://www.rentokil.com.my/

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Petaling Jaya, Selangor -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/25/2017 -- - Themed "Innovating Supply Chain Risk Management Through Science And Technologies", experts from Rentokil Initial demonstrate to the participants just how important innovations are in managing food safety.

- The workshops were held at Spice Convention Centre in Penang and Double Tree by Hilton in JB on the 21st and 22nd of August respectively.

- Kuala Lumpur sessions are held at Le Meridien in KL on the 24th of August, 2017.

- Rentokil Initial Malaysia also took the opportunity to launch PestConnect and LED flies control trap - Lumnia, during the event.

Rentokil Initial Malaysia brought together over 200 key industry leaders nationwide, from F&B manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, hospitality, food handlers, pharmaceutical sectors with one objective - to improve food safety in Malaysia. The event was also joined by Health Inspectors from the Ministry of Health.

As the market leader in pest control, Rentokil recognises the importance of science and technology integration with pest management.

"The world population is going to reach 8.5billion by year 2030, and due to globalised supply chain, food safety management has gotten more challenging than ever. Also with the rise of social media, it is so much easier for consumers to broadcast their sentiments publicly, which can ultimately affect any business's reputation. Hence technologies and data transparency are crucial to safeguard the credibility of the entire supply chain. As the trusted pest management partner, Rentokil is excited to share more innovations and come together in improving food trust, creating safer food and pharma supplies for all." said Ms Carol Lam, the Managing Director of Rentokil Initial Malaysia.

Juliana Soo, Regional Technical Director of Rentokil Initial said at the event: "As devices become more connected to transmit and receive data, we hope that our sharing on the importance of data insights and Internet of Things (IoT) allow our customers to understand the importance of big data in an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for effective supply chain pest risk management."

She added, "These innovative technological systems are able to deliver new data insights that enable businesses to identify trends and hotspot areas. It can also provide a real solution to help mitigate risk in the increasingly complex modern supply chains. It is a more proactive approach towards food safety that helps organisations throughout its supply chain risk management"

The innovations that we brought for our customers are based on their needs and according to IPM using the ERDM (Exclusion, Restriction, Destruction, Monitoring) methodology designed by Rentokil to manage pest risks in a holistic manner.

During the workshop, the participants were also given the first-hand experience on PestConnect, an online connected system, which provides continuous 24/7 monitoring, rapid response and protection against pest, for example rodents. The connected devices automatically detect pest activities and send the data directly to myRentokil, the online reporting system that allows customers to stay on top of any potential risks at their site (s). Tens of thousands of Rentokil's customers are able to access their myRentokil accounts for analysis and audit support.

On top of that, Rentokil also unveiled its Lumnia, the Insect Light Trap (ILT) with improved LED technology, which is proven effective to attract flies up to 150m2 because UV light is transmitted 40% further with LED strips compared to standard tubes. Lumnia delivers an average of 61% in energy savings, when compared to similar products.

About Rentokil Pest Control Malaysia
Rentokil Pest Control, part of Rentokil Initial group is one of the largest business services companies in the world. As the market leading pest control company that never stop innovating, Rentokil's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme provides wide range of solutions for the various sector ranging from the food processing industries, pharmaceutical, service sectors, retail to industrial and manufacturing.

Rentokil IPM programmes is designed to be compliant with recognised standards or certifications, such as AIB International, BRC Global International Standards, YUM!, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and many more. Continuous pest monitoring, regular visitations and proactive recommendations are the standard supports delivered to ensure the effectiveness of the IPM programme.

To further complement Rentokil's IPM programme, an online reporting and analysis system has been deployed to help customers monitor pest activities at multiple locations effectively. It also provides recommendations management, better traceability and easy access to all key information and service delivery records needed for pest risk management and food audit requirement.

Research and Development is an intrinsic part of the business. We have Technical Research and Development Centres based in England and India, continuously create new innovations and more effective products in our fight against pests.

Press Contacts:
Ms. Louise Leong
Marketing Director, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and the Philippines
louise.leong@rentokil-initial.co
15th Floor, Menara Yayasan Selangor No. 18A, Jalan Persiaran Barat
46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
1300885911
http://www.rentokil.com.my/

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Termites are commonly found in Malaysia due to our tropical climate that is conducive to their growth. Besides that, could termites also strive due to our actions?

Petaling Jaya, Selangor -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/26/2017 -- Often known by the locals as "white ants" or "anai-anai" in Malaysia for their capability to cause exorbitant damages to your biggest investment. But besides causing structural damages, did you know that termites infestation can also lead to injuries and potentially, death?

In 2012, the New Straits Times reported that a school in Kuala Lumpur had to temporarily suspend its co-curricular lessons in its activity room because the termites infested roof was close to collapsing. Besides that, the canteen also suffered similar condition but students had to continue using it as there was no other place for them to take their meals. This is an extremely dangerous condition for the students as a collapsed roof could mean serious harm or even death.

Additionally, a 7-year-old student from Miri also injured her leg when it got stuck in the infested floorboard at her school. These are just some examples of termite issues that have plagued our country. It is estimated that termite infestations have cost Malaysians RM40 million in property damages every year. Moreover, it is disconcerting that most home insurance plans do not cover the cost to repair the damages caused by termites.

Termites thrive in tropical climates and moist conditions. Therefore, they are very commonly found in Malaysia, especially among the property development in coastal and former plantation areas. Based on a survey done by Rentokil Initial Malaysia, 83% of Malaysians have personally or knew someone who have experienced termite infestation? at home.

What Makes Your Home A Termite Magnet?

As termites are attracted to a very specific condition; warm and moist with supply of cellulose, some of the things that homeowners do could be attracting termites to their home. Having a garden in the house sounds like a joy but some gardening practices can make it look like you have a red carpet rolled out for termites. For example, having cardboard boxes, plants or garden beds up against your house make it easier for termites to get in from the ground. Besides that, dead trees in the garden are also desirable to termites, almost as enticing as your house. Consequently, tree stumps in the garden can serve as a launch pad before continuing their feast on the house.

Treating Termite Infestations Effectively

Termite infestations can also dramatically reduce the value of a property. Most of the time, homeowners do not discover termite infestations until it's too late and this often results in thousands of ringgit being spent on repair costs. Based on a survey done by Rentokil Pest Control, 32% of homeowners spent between RM3,000 and RM5,000 on treating termite infestation alone and it does not include other expenses such as furniture replacements and other repair costs.

Even though there are many precautions that homeowners can take to prevent termite infestations, but the best way to minimise termite infestation is to get your property regularly inspected by an expert. While termite infestations are prevalent in Malaysia, a local survey by Rentokil further revealed that only 29% of the people checked their homes for termite infestations on a regular basis. This is because, many Malaysians are unaware that having periodic termite inspections are imperative, as it provides early detection of termite activity, saving homeowners from serious damages.

"Termites are ghastly pests that can go as far as tearing our house down and posing a threat to our safety. More often than not, termite infestation can go unnoticed until extensive damages are already done, therefore proactive measures like periodic inspection is extremely important to minimise the damages." said Ms Carol Lam, Managing Director of Rentokil Initial Malaysia.

About Rentokil Pest Control Malaysia
Rentokil Pest Control is part of Rentokil Initial group, one of the largest business services companies in the world. As the leading market leader in pest control industry, Rentokil's Termite Home Protection Plan provides homeowners with a wide range of termite control solutions that are specifically designed for different needs and preferences.

Rentokil's extensive knowledge and experience in this industry has allowed them to provide a range of innovative and effective termite solutions in Malaysia since 1967. To ensure homeowners receive a complete peace of mind from their pest problems, Rentokil ensures that their pest experts are always on the ball with their knowledge of pest control.

In celebration of Termite Awareness Week and Rentokil Initial Malaysia's 50th anniversary, they are giving away a shopping voucher worth RM50 with every termite control treatment.

For media enquiries, please e-mail louise.leong@rentokil-initial.com.

For more information on Rentokil Pest Control, please contact:
1300 885 911
http://www.rentokil.com.my/
15th Floor, Menara Yayasan Selangor No. 18A, Jalan Persiaran Barat 46000
Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Rentokil Initial shares insights on their innovations as the company celebrates its 50th anniversary in Malaysia.

Petaling Jaya, Selangor -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/25/2017 -- Rentokil Initial celebrates its 50th anniversary in Malaysia, as the industry leader for pest control and hygiene services. Here is a brief history on its founding in this multicultural country:

1903 - The origins of Initial brand traced back to 1903, when Mr A P Bigelow introduced towel rental service to the business establishments of London

1925 - Rentokil was founded by Harold Maxwell Lefroy in London

1967 - Rentokil began Pest Control operations in Malaysia

1982 - Sanitact Healthcare was introduced

1987 - Acquired Thomas Cowan and Co (M) Sdn Bhd

1991 - Washroom Hygiene business was established with the global acquisition of Calmic Hygiene services

1997 - Renamed to Rentokil Initial (M) Sdn Bhd

2001 to 2016 - Major acquisition of companies related to pest control and hygiene services, including CWS and Abadi Hygiene Services.

Today Rentokil Initial Malaysia has more than 1,200 employees who share the same objective in delivering quality services to more than 35,500 businesses and homes throughout the country by doing the Right Things in the Right Way.

Leading the market with innovations

Continuous introduction of new innovations reflects the company's ongoing commitment to deliver innovative solutions for pest control and hygiene services in today's urban world.

Rapid globalisation has led to many challenges from increasing pressure from pest and infectious diseases, hence the rise of international standards in food safety and hygiene regulatory changes. Rentokil Initial and BRC Global Standards have formed a strategic partnership to enable food safety risks mitigation through creation and adoption of new technology, solutions, industry best practice and standards.

With more emphasis on touchless designs, aesthetics and multisensory experience even in the washroom, Initial has Signature colour range and Premium Scenting solutions that are specifically designed to address these business needs. Besides the No-Touch technology which includes auto hand soap dispensers, hand sanitisers and feminine hygiene units (sanitary bins), Initial is also looking into new advanced sensing system in washrooms, designed to raise hand hygiene compliance.

Pest control is also not short of innovations like drones and sensing technology. Additionally, as part of the company's initiative to go green whilst improving customer experiences, they have launched applications including ServiceTrak, myInitial and myRentokil to improve service transparency and maximise efficiency.

Protecting People, Enhancing Lives

As a service organisation, they believe that it is their people with shared values, mission and vision who make the company what it is today. Rentokil Initial live by their mission - Protecting People from the dangers of pest-borne disease, the risks of poor hygiene or from injury in the workplace and Enhancing Lives with services that protect the health and wellbeing of people, and the reputation of their customers.

'Everyone Goes Home Safe' - number one responsibility

Rentokil Initial also strongly emphasise on the importance of good management of safety, health and environment in the business to deliver operational excellence and outstanding customer service.

They ensure their employees have the training and tools to enable them to do their job safely, while meeting environmental commitment; adopting best practice in all work procedures by understanding and evaluating all health and safety risks as well as environment impact.

"Rentokil Initial Malaysia is gratified to be an internationally recognised brand that is part of a global network. For 50 years as a dynamic organisation, we inculcate strong company values that shape the way we work, namely Service, Relationships, and Teamwork. We believe in working together, not just amongst ourselves, but also with our customers as a long-term partner whom they can trust to take care of their pest control and hygiene needs." Said Ms. Carol Lam, the Managing Director of Rentokil Initial Malaysia.

About Rentokil Initial Malaysia
At Rentokil Initial Malaysia, there are 2 brands that are focused on providing the best services with nationwide coverage, fast response and expert technical knowledge: Rentokil Pest Control and Initial Hygiene.

Visit http://www.rentokil-initial.com.my to find out how services by Rentokil Initial Malaysia can add value to different business sectors.

For media enquiries, please email louise.leong@rentokil-initial.com.
1300 885 911
15th Floor, Menara Yayasan Selangor No. 18A, Jalan Persiaran Barat 46000
Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Petaling Jaya, Selangor -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/27/2016 -- ACTING as Aedes Fighters, dedicated volunteers from Rentokil Initial Malaysia have worked together on a mission to eradicate mosquito breeding grounds, reducing the mosquito population, and to create healthier and safer environments for our communities. This nationwide initiative is part of the organisation's annual corporate social responsibility programme; Community Oriented Health Education Programme (COHEP), which aims to galvanise the communities in Malaysia into taking actions to preserve a clean and hygienic environment in and out of their residency to keep mosquitoes at bay.

Today, volunteers of the organisation in their respective states; Ipoh, Kuantan and Klang Valley have completed their mission with great efforts and achieved the objectives of this programme. The team in Ipoh has contributed to Salvation Army Ipoh Children's Home, the Kuantan volunteers has helped to clean up Rapha Children's Home while the Klang Valley team has certainly created a healthier and safer environment for the old folks here in Pusat Jagaan Warga Emas Mitchell, Petaling Jaya, as well as the neighbourhood. The general agenda of the programme includes an opening speech, a cleaning session, and also complimentary pest control services such as general pest spraying, bed bug and termite inspection for the home, and water-based fogging around the neighbouring areas.

The united efforts of all volunteers have resulted in cleaner and safer environments which include the successful removal of stagnant waters to avert the development of mosquito larvae, trimmed trees and plants in the garden to avoid attracting mosquitoes, and cleaned up indoor spaces. These accomplishments have indeed achieved the objectives of the programme, to breaking mosquito life cycle through proper sanitation and collective efforts.

Committed to educating and empowering every individual to take actions in fighting mosquitoes, Rentokil Initial has been driving this programme since 2014 to address this pressing public health concern. The organisation strongly advocates the vitality of sustainable sanitation, concerted effort, and an Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) approach in protecting Malaysians from vector-borne diseases such as dengue in the long run. Proper sanitation at home is the simplest yet most significant action we can all practise to prevent mosquito breeding grounds from being developed in the first place, followed by corrective treatments targeted at different stages of the mosquito life cycle to reduce its population.

'Living our mission in 'Protecting People and Enhancing Lives' and as part of our continuous efforts to create healthier and safer environments, we are always educating and advocating the importance of collective efforts to maintain a safe, healthy and happy environment in our communities.' said Carol Lam, the Managing Director of Rentokil Initial Malaysia. The volunteers from all other states in Malaysia will be conducting this meaningful programme throughout 2017.

Dengue in Malaysia

Dengue is the fastest-growing vector-borne infection in the world and Southeast Asia is the epicenter of dengue mosquito breeding due to its tropical climate. In Malaysia, a total of 97,052 dengue fever cases with 229 deaths have been recorded as of 13 December 2016.

About Rentokil Initial Malaysia
Established in Malaysia for 50 years, Rentokil Initial is a pest control and hygiene services market leader in the country. For more information on our services, please contact:

You may also follow Rentokil Pest Control Malaysia Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/rentokil.malaysia/ and Initial Hygiene Malaysia Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/initial.malaysia/ for more updated news on their continuous efforts in protecting people and enhancing lives.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

A hygienic workplace should be a mandatory practice to keep the workforce happy, both employers and employees alike. Spending longer hours at work makes it all the more crucial to implement proper workplace hygiene.

Petaling Jaya, Selangor -- (ReleaseWire) -- 12/22/2016 -- The majority of our time is spent at our workplaces, where the conditions of the environment may have either a positive or hazardous impact on our health and well-being. Having a well organised, safe, and healthy environment are conducive to our professional and social development, as dangerous exposures can have adverse consequences to our health.

There are viruses and germs all over our workspace due to various factors such as unhygienic dirty work areas, sick colleagues, and cross contamination from other germ hotspots. This applies to all areas of the work environment, from the washroom to pantry areas, work and common spaces, as well as storage areas. This increases the risk of catching illnesses more frequently, causing loss of time and productivity for employees as well as employers.

The Negative Impact of Poor Hygiene

Falling ill frequently can greatly interrupt our work performance, from causing missed deadlines, to incomplete tasks, unsatisfactory work quality, decreased productivity and so on.

The danger that lies behind an unhygienic environment can lead to the spread of common illnesses such as flu, cold, stomach issues, and headaches. Besides direct contamination, illnesses can be spread through cross contamination resulting in severe epidemic or even pandemic outbreaks including Hepatitis A and E, Influenza and typhoid fever that could be fatal. Even non-fatal illnesses such as a fungal infection might lead to irritation and discomfort that will affect our concentration at work.

Identifying Germ Hotspots in the Office Premises Enables Employers to Select the Right Hygiene Solutions for a Healthier Workplace

So where are germs commonly found? They are places where we tend to hold or touch, specifically doorknobs, handles, taps, sink, and more. Therefore, it is very important to clean and sanitise these areas properly and frequently. According to the World Health Organisation, hand hygiene is "the most important measure to avoid transmission of harmful germs."

A study has shown that because of our touch, germs are able to travel all the way from washrooms to working cubicles and eventually, back home with us. Identifying these high risk areas is the first step to:

1. Minimise cross contamination, thus reduced illnesses
2. Increase motivation and morale
3. Improve focus and productivity
4. A safer, healthier and more enjoyable place to work

Hygiene Detective Advocates Global Hand Washing and World Toilet Day

Initial, the experts in Hygiene, is spreading awareness on good hygiene habits with Hygiene Detective, a nationwide initiative launched in conjunction with the annual Global Handwashing Day and World Toilet Day that focuses on the importance of good hygiene. Historically, the primary target of these events has been children in developing countries. Recent reports are now increasingly highlighting hygiene shortcomings in adults and developed nations too.

This campaign highlights the germ hotspots and poor hygiene behaviours in office environments that can put the workforce at risk; with the aim of promoting good hygiene habits and creating a hygienic workplace via on-ground activation including interactive activities and videos.

Hygiene Habits result in Cleanliness

Cleanliness is said to be a dirt free state, and yet, it is impossible to get rid of germs entirely, as there are millions of germs circulating in the environment.

However, a clean workspace can also be referred to as a place where there is an all-round protection from germs. It should not only look clean but, actually be hygienic for the employer, employees and the visitors.

In an independent research conducted by Initial Hygiene UK, it was discovered that 57% of employees are more motivated and have higher morale when the workplace is clean and equipped with proper hygiene solutions. As a result, employees tend to prolong their employment duration as it shows that their wellbeing is taken into consideration.

A study suggests 64% of Malaysian office workers also believe the state of their office washrooms affects their productivity. A dirty place and clean mind cannot work together, hence good office hygiene can help improve employees' productivity and in turn result in better business performance and revenue. With improved staff morale and loyalty, there is lower absenteeism and recruitment cost can also be reduced.

"A clean and organised office environment will not just be beneficial for the staff but can also attract customers. Hygiene takes habit, and with ample of practices, it is easy and simple to create a clean working environment for all." said Carol Lam, the Managing Director of Rentokil Initial Malaysia.

About Initial Hygiene Malaysia
Initial Hygiene Malaysia has over 45 years of experience in the hygiene sector. Our services are backed by innovative research and development with a genuine understanding of a diverse range of business priorities. Besides Premium Scenting, we also provide a wide range of washroom hygiene services such as, hand hygiene, feminine hygiene and floor care.

http://www.initial.com.my/

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Initial Hygiene Malaysia’s 2016 Hygiene Detective campaign is driving a mini contest and professional hygiene survey to create awareness on workplace hygiene. Through this campaign, we strive to cultivate good hygiene practices among people to promote a safer work environment.

Petaling Jaya, Selangor -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/07/2016 -- Initial, the Experts in Hygiene services is bringing back its Hygiene Detective Campaign. It aims to highlight the differences between clean and hygienic as well as to educate the public on cross-contamination, especially at workplace.

Many may not realise how unhygienic our workplace can be and would assume that a clean office would mean that it is hygienic as well. However, this is often not the case as we are unable to see germs on surfaces with our naked eyes. Hence, employees risk the possibility of catching common cold and other prevalent office illnesses that could just be engendered from an unhygienic office environment. A survey conducted by Initial found that 64% of Malaysian office workers also believe the state of their office washrooms affects their productivity.

- Simply by watching the video to answer one (1) given question and proposing a catchy slogan, the first 50 contestants stand a chance of winning a pair of movie tickets and one (1) grand prize winner to take home the RM 500 shopping voucher.

- Simultaneously, Initial Hygiene Professional Hygiene Survey would encourage managers to get their office hygiene level assessed for FREE.

"Come join the contest and learn about good hygiene practices through our fun activities! We aim to cultivate a good hygiene habit among the community via this campaign, providing fun facts and insights through quiz and video. With these, everyone can be a Hygiene Detective at their workplace and help others to minimise cross contaminations that affects our wellbeing" said Carol Lam, the Managing Director of Rentokil Initial Malaysia.

Initial Malaysia strives to cultivate good hygiene practices in workplaces by running a mini contest to further enlighten the public on how easily germs transfer and how they can practice good hygiene habits to minimise cross contamination risk. This campaign shall commence from the inaugural date of this campaign, 1 November 2016 and ends on 31 December 2016.

Visit www.hygienedetective.com for more information.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Besides high number of dengue cases in Malaysia, Zika infections have also started to emerge locally. Learn what could be the main contributory factors and what can be done to curb this.

Petaling Jaya, Selangor -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/05/2016 -- In recent decades, global dengue and Zika outbreaks have grown exponentially. World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that about 50% of the world's population are at risk for dengue and as many as four million people could be infected by Zika towards year end. As of August 2016, up to 67,437 dengue cases were reported in Malaysia with 153 deaths. The concerns on mosquito-borne diseases in the nation are now further exacerbated with the presence of Zika virus resulting in a total of 6 confirmed Zika cases so far.

According to Dr. Rose Nani Mudin, the Head of Vector Borne Disease Sector at the Ministry of Health Malaysia, climate change with alternating rainy and scorching weather is one of the main causes in the high density of mosquitoes. Furthermore, the hot and dry weather in Malaysia also made it easier for Aedes to breed compared to countries with a temperate climate. She further added that littering and inappropriate solid waste disposal have also resulted in high mosquito breeding index.

Dr Ashok Zachariah Philip, President of the Malaysian Medical Association, revealed that many Malaysians only dengue-proof their houses, but not the entire neighbourhood and this is insufficient to fight the outbreak. The community should in fact work towards a more sustainable protection by ensuring cleanliness and hygiene not only in their houses but around the neighbourhood.

Dr Philip also emphasised that mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and Zika virus infection can lead to devastating effects on infected individuals and their families. Therefore, he urges communities to clean up their neighbourhood and request for local councils to inspect potential breeding grounds, especially when there are construction sites nearby.

How Mosquito Borne Disease like Dengue is Inflicting Pain in Life

Often mistaken for the flu or normal fever, some people contracted dengue without realising it until the symptoms have worsened. Take Ruby as an example, a college student who suffered from symptoms of joint pains and migraines, and dismissed them as stress-related. She only visited the doctor when the pain became unbearable and was tested positive for the virus. Ruby then went through a spell of depression, worrying about her well-being and exams. Since her ordeal, she also shares her arduous experience with family and friends hoping that they will take preventive measures to protect themselves.

Besides causing a lot of pain and discomfort to the victims, dengue also greatly impacts the family members who care for the patient. Clementine from Petaling Jaya was terribly distressed when her mother contracted the virus and her work productivity was tremendously affected as a result of the many days off that she had to take to nurse her ailing mother. Once her mother recovered, Clementine has started to look into solutions for her home to be completely protected from mosquitoes.

Although dengue fever could ultimately result in death, the patient could be cured if given appropriate treatment at the right time. But is it different from Zika which will eventually lead to severe disabilities, especially to children (Microcephaly). A new research at The Rockefeller University and La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology suggests that certain adult brain cells may be vulnerable to infection as well. If the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes continues to remain uncontrolled, many of us in Malaysia would be at risk of contracting the virus.

Making the shift

Unfortunately, despite the alarming dengue cases, most Malaysians still maintain a reactive approach towards this epidemic. They only respond and take preventive measures when someone they know has contracted the virus. Many underestimate the perilous and interrelated burden of such mosquito-borne diseases and therefore, take little effort in controlling the vector. This reactive approach is indeed the biggest challenge in achieving a successful and sustainable effort of mosquito control. As part of a holistic solution to combat this mosquito-borne disease, Malaysians must adopt a proactive approach instead and the first step is ensuring zero stagnant water around their neighbourhood while maintaining cleanliness and hygiene.

We should also do our part by constantly keeping alert on potential breeding sites and continuously engage the entire neighbourhood in taking action. This is because all dengue hotspots are also considered hotspots for Zika since the virus is being spread by the same vector, which is the Aedes mosquito. Consistent information to raise awareness within the community can help to educate and empower each individual to protect themselves from the virus. Everyone is equally susceptible to the virus as Aedes mosquitoes do not choose their victims.

Combating Mosquito effectively

Every mosquito species go through four distinct stages in its life cycle – egg, larva, pupa and adult. A teaspoon of clean stagnant water, which is easily found anywhere, is all it takes for an Aedes aegypti mosquito to lay a batch of eggs. Hence, for a winning battle, we should fight our enemy at every stage of its life cycle.

As part of their continuous effort to protect Malaysians from mosquitoes, leading pest company like Rentokil has designed an Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) programme, which has proven to be an effective approach to mosquito control in the long run. The IMM programme encourages the public to practise holistic approach in fighting mosquitoes at every stage of their life cycle, through the combination of removing potential mosquito breeding grounds, larviciding, water-based fogging and the use of adult mosquito traps. However, as mosquito species continue to evolve, it is equally crucial to have consistent community action and continuous information sharing to achieve a successful and long-term prevention.

"People often take the impact of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue for granted, but when we or our loved ones are affected, this impacts our life greatly. Hence, we need to be proactive in combating mosquitoes from the get-go. This is why at Rentokil Initial, we are committed to protecting people from the dangers of pest-borne diseases while enhancing their lives with integrated solutions that safeguard both their health and wellbeing." says Carol Lam, Managing Director of Rentokil Initial Malaysia.

About Rentokil Pest Control Malaysia
Rentokil Pest Control is part of Rentokil Initial group, one of the largest business services companies in the world. At Rentokil Initial Malaysia, we have 2 brands that are focused on providing the best services with nationwide coverage, fast response and expert technical knowledge: Rentokil Pest Control and Initial Hygiene.

Visit http://www.rentokil-initial.com.my to find out how Rentokil Initial (M) Sdn Bhd services can add value to different business sectors.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Bed bug infestation is one of the key contributors that can ruin a guest's experience in a hotel. Learn what hotel owners and housekeeping staffs can do to reduce the risk of potential bed bug breakout.

Petaling Jaya, Selangor -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/10/2016 -- Bed bug infestation is nothing new in the hospitality sector, in fact, with the rapid hike in the Malaysian tourism industry, it is extremely important for hoteliers to ensure that their hotels have established an integrated pest control program in case of infestations. A recent survey performed at the University of Kentucky proved that nothing drives guests away faster than bed bug problems. 91% of the guests even mentioned that they would not return to the same hotel if they have had a bad experience during their first visit.

According to a report by The Telegraph, a British tourist had an unpleasant experience during her birthday celebration in Langkawi, Malaysia when the 3-star hotel that she checked into was plagued with bed bugs. Incidents like these not only give hotels a bad reputation and discourage return visits, it can also cause severe repercussions, leading to serious financial impacts such as lawsuits.

What should hoteliers do in case of bed bug infestation?

Bed bugs live in the cracks and crevices of walls, bed frames, headboards, bedside tables and draperies. An infestation in a hotel will most likely spread throughout the whole facility by crawling as adult bed bugs and these creepy crawlers can move up to five feet in about a minute. Besides that, they may also hitchhike their way into hotel rooms through vacuum cleaners, laundry, luggage and even housekeeping trolleys.

In case of a bed bug infestation breakout, it is recommended for hoteliers to:

- Assist guests to seek medical assistance for bites if necessary and relocate guests adjacent, side, above and below of the room infested.

- Document identified areas of bed bug infestations, either through staff, guest complaint and pictures; this will help with the elimination process for the pest control operator.

- Assist guest to launder their clothing and hotel to replace all linens. Ensure all items are wrapped in plastic bags during room relocation so that bed bugs do not spread during transportation of these items to the laundry or new room.

- Minimize furniture movements in the infested room to prevent bed bugs from spreading further to other rooms. This restricted movement also applies to the occupant's belongings, if possible, until the arrival of pest control operator.

Besides reactive actions, preventive measures and early detection are also essential because they are one of the keys in reducing the risk of a full-blown infestation. This can be achieved by carrying out periodic inspections by experienced service technicians.

Why pest education is necessary in minimizing potential bed bug infestation?

Housekeepers and hotel staffs are highly encouraged to equip themselves with fundamental bed bug knowledge. Which is why the Bed Bug Awareness Week was initiated and organized annually to provide hoteliers and housekeepers continuous awareness on bed bug issues. Leading pest control company like Rentokil provides educational pest trainings to their customers in the commercial sectors. These trainings are beneficial to the hoteliers as it enables them to understand basic bed bug biology and help them identify the signs of an infestation before it spreads like a wildfire.

The pest control expert also aims to provide hoteliers with complete peace of mind by introducing their 10-day Bed Bug Treatment Program. Rentokil's bed bug elimination program starts off with extensive treatments and it follows with periodic checks to ensure that all bed bugs are eliminated.

"With the growth of online review sites and social media platforms, it has become very easy for consumers to share their bad experiences online. Therefore, hotel owners need to be extra vigilant when it comes to managing bed bug infestations in the hotel facilities because all it takes is one bad review to impact the business negatively." said Carol Lam, the Managing Director of Rentokil Initial Malaysia.

About Rentokil Pest Control Malaysia
Rentokil Pest Control is part of Rentokil Initial group, one of the largest business services companies in the world.

At Rentokil Initial Malaysia, we have 2 brands that are focused on providing the best services with nationwide coverage, fast response and expert technical knowledge: Rentokil Pest Control and Initial Hygiene.

Visit http://www.rentokil-initial.com.my to find out how Rentokil Initial (M) Sdn Bhd services can add value to different business sectors.

For media inquiries please e-mail louise.leong@rentokil-initial.com.

For more information on Rentokil Pest Control, please contact:
1300 885 911
http://www.rentokil.com.my/
15th Floor, Menara Yayasan Selangor
No. 18A, Jalan Persiaran Barat
46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Termite infestations have always been a horrible nightmare to homeowners around the globe. Seeing this desperate situation as a business opportunity, do-it-yourself (DIY) termite solutions are now widely marketed as a cheaper options to the homeowners. But the big question is, are these DIY treatments effective, or do they cause more damage than good?

Petaling Jaya, Selangor -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/16/2016 -- Termites infestation is one of the most agonising problems in Malaysia due to our tropical environment and high humidity. Often, termites can go undetected in your homes until extensive damages and costs have incurred by then. Reports have shown that termite infestations can cost up to RM40 million damages in Malaysia annually. To make matters worse, these expenses are not covered by most insurance policies.

Termites are considered as destructive pests due to their wood consuming behaviour. Termite workers could feed on wood 24 hours a day and will continue to forage for food until they find new food source, be it a tree stump or your home. An infestation can also occur when alates (the winged reproductive termites) land on your home during their mating flight.

Nowadays, wide range of DIY termite baiting solutions and termiticide are easily available in the market. Although it is true that DIY termite treatment is considerably cheaper, there could be risks and disadvantages that homeowners need to take into account before purchasing one:

· Health Risk – Some off-the-shelf termiticides may be toxic to humans and incorrect application can be harmful to you and your family's health. Therefore, it is very important that the chemical applications are done by experienced technicians with Pesticide Application License (PAL) or Assistant Pesticide Applicator License (APAL).

· Extra Cost Incurred – As you may not know the full extent of the problem, DIY might not treat the source of infestation or drive existing termites to forage to the other areas of your home and prolonged infestation may result in further damages and costlier repairs.

· Ineffective – Different termite species require different type treatment,treatment a DIY solution might not work in getting rid of the termite infestation, hence incurring additional treatment and damage repairs.

Termite control is an ongoing process and even with modern chemical formulations and technologies, it is still necessary to work with termite experts to keep your home protected against these silent destroyers for the long term.

"Home is usually one of the largest investments a person will make in their lives. Therefore, homeowners must exercise prudence in making decisions to ensure that the treatments you chose are carried out in a safe and effective manner to keep your home and family safe from unwanted surprises." said Carol Lam, the Managing Director of Rentokil Initial Malaysia.

For a successful termite management programme, it is critical to correctly identify the termite species and root cause of infestation before determining the required treatment. A professional comprehensive termite inspection will check on the areas that are being infested, severity of infestation, conditions of the property, and its surrounding that may be conducive to the survival of termites in your home.

On top of that, termite experts with extensive knowledge and experience on termite behaviours are also able provide homeowners with recommendations and proactive tips to minimise the risk of termite infestations. It is also essential to have regular termite inspections so that early detection of any termite activities can be made to lessen your risk of costly damages.

About Rentokil Pest Control Malaysia
Rentokil Pest Control is part of Rentokil Initial group, one of the largest business services companies in the world. As the leading market leader in pest control industry, Rentokil's Termite Home Protection Plan provides property owners with a wide range of termite control solutions that are specifically designed for different needs and preferences.

At Rentokil Initial Malaysia, three brands are focused on providing the best services with nationwide coverage, fast response and expert technical knowledge: Rentokil Pest Control and Initial Hygiene.

Visit http://www.rentokil-initial.com.my to find out how Rentokil Initial (M) Sdn Bhd services can add value to different business sectors.

Press Contact:
May Chang
Assistant Digital Marketing Manager
0192864905
Kellie Yong
Senior Marketing Manager
0192428339
15th Floor, Menara Yayasan Selangor
No. 18A, Jalan Persiaran Barat
46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
1300885911
http://www.rentokil.com.my/

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Initial, the Experts in Hygiene is spreading awareness on good hygiene habits with Hygiene Detective. The nationwide initiative is launched in conjunction with Global Hand Washing and World Toilet Day, which both are also dedicated to highlight sanitation issues and the importance of good hygiene.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/20/2015 -- Initial, the Experts in Hygiene services has launched its Hygiene Detective Campaign in conjunction with the annual World Toilet Day (19th November), which strives to highlight awareness towards sanitation crisis and vitality of good hygiene practices.

Hygiene Detective campaign supports the organisation's efforts to instill good hygiene habits among the general public. It is also crucial for the public to know that as hygiene negligence grows, infectious diseases will proliferate concurrently. Even in this modern age where information are easily acquired at the touch of a fingertip, many still take basic hygiene habits for granted and are unaware that germs can be found and easily transmitted. The risk that lies behind poor hygiene goes beyond minor illnesses such as flu, cold, stomach upsets, and headache, it often leads to cross contamination and severe epidemic or even pandemic outbreaks like typhoid fever, influenza, hepatitis A&E and etc, that could be fatal.

Now you too can become a Hygiene Detective!

Initial Hygiene Malaysia has two interactive online activities as an educational medium for its Hygiene Detective Campaign. Apart from the grand prizes, movie tickets will also be given out to the first 25 participants respectively.

- 'Escape from Germ Monsters' (19 November to 18 December 2015) - simply escape from horrendous germs and reach the safety zone at the fastest time to stand a chance to win the grand prize of an iPad Mini.

- 'Germometer' (1 January - 31 January 2016) - hand hygiene gets exciting with a germ meter to beat. Look out for it as another iPad Mini is up for grabs.

"Come join the games and learn about good hygiene practices through our fun activities. We aim to cultivate good hygiene habits among the community via this campaign, providing interesting facts and insights through interactive games and videos. With these, everyone can be a Hygiene Detective!" said Carol Lam, the Managing Director of Rentokil Initial Malaysia.

Visit www.hygienedetective.com for more information.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Stored product insects (SPI) can infiltrate the food supply chain through multiple entry points and experts from Rentokil Initial Malaysia are sharing how SPI impact the food losses in Asia.

Petaling Jaya, Selangor -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/22/2015 -- According to a study done by the International Food Policy Research Institute, pest destroyed an estimated RM184.9 billion worth of crops production annually in Asia and stored product insects (SPI) have been identified as one of the pests that contributed to the losses.

SPI that are commonly found in Malaysia include the cigarette beetle, rice weevil, sawtoothed grain beetle, and flour beetle. They are normally grouped into two categories, for example rice weevil and lesser grain borer are known as 'internal feeders' as they feed within the kernel. Whereas, sawtoothed grain beetle and flat grain beetle described as the 'external feeders' because they feed on grain dust and debris without entering the kernel.

SPI can pose a huge threat in the entire supply chain especially in food processing facilities and warehouses because they usually spread and grow their colony in the food commodities. In fact, the most devastating damage that SPI can cause is commodities losses due to SPI contaminations. And due to their minuscule size, SPI infestations can be difficult to detect in the initial stages. As a result, SPI may be ground together with the raw materials, packed and sold to the consumers.

Commercial buyers may refuse to accept delivery of infested grain, or pay a reduced price as SPI also encourage the growth of mould, including fungi that are responsible for the production of mycotoxins that can be toxic, allergenic and unfit for human consumptions. Therefore, regardless of the size or severity of its infestation, the presence of SPI is not a situation to be taken lightly because it will consequently lead to costly downtime, food recalls and in the worst case scenario, business closure.

Common signs of SPI infestation are traces of adult insects, larvae, pupae or silken webbing in the raw materials and food storage bins. Researchers in the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences found that 75% of SPI infestation usually occurs at the folds and corners of a box, which explains how they commonly enter a facility during logistics. A newly hatched larva can penetrate cracks as small 0.12 mm. SPI can also pierce through sealed packages when they chew through the corrugated paperboard. Lastly, birds also pose risk to the supply chain as they can carry and spread insects and mites into the food processing facility.

How does IPM help in controlling SPI infestation?

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a dynamic combination of multiple pest control practices designed and implemented using a variety of techniques. As a proactive approach to pest management, IPM places a heavy emphasis on constant pest monitoring, pest exclusion and sanitation to ensure that high standards of hygiene practices are maintained.

Here are some examples of IPM practices for SPI control:

- Clean up all spillages and dust accumulation in the premises, machinery, equipment, storage and transport vehicles regularly.
- All stock and food material should be stored off the floor and away from walls to facilitate cleaning and inspections.
- Keep raw materials in robust packaging to prevent SPI infiltration.

'Although food contamination can occur at any point from farm to table, pest infestation along with unsanitary conditions in the food manufacturing sectors can lead to severe business consequences. Regardless to the size of business operations, pest management should be placed as utmost priority because the impact from a pest infestation can be devastating', say Ms. Carol Lam, the Managing Director of Rentokil Initial Malaysia.

About Rentokil Initial Malaysia
Rentokil Pest Control is part of Rentokil Initial group, one of the largest business services companies in the world. As the leading market leader in pest control industry, Rentokil's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme provides comprehensive pest control services for the commercial sectors ranging from the food processing industries, pharmaceutical to industrial and manufacturing.

The programme is designed to be compliant with recognised standards or certification such as AIB International, BRC Global International Standards, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). Continuous pest monitoring, regular visitation and proactive recommendations are the standard supports delivered to ensure the effectiveness of the IPM programme; giving you peace of mind.

To further complement Rentokil's IPM programme, an online reporting and analysis system has been developed to help customers monitor pest activities at multiple locations effectively. It also provides better traceability and easy access to all key information and service delivery records needed for pest risk management and food audit requirement.

At Rentokil Initial Malaysia, two brands are focused on providing the best services with nationwide coverage, fast response and expert technical knowledge: Rentokil Pest Control and Initial Hygiene.

Visit http://www.rentokil-initial.com.my to find out how Rentokil Initial (M) Sdn Bhd services can add value to different business sectors.

Press Contacts:
May Chang
Assistant Digital Marketing Manager
0192864905

Kellie Yong
Senior Marketing Manager
0192428339

15th Floor, Menara Yayasan Selangor
No. 18A, Jalan Persiaran Barat
46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
1300885911
http://www.rentokil.com.my/

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

15th June marks the ASEAN Dengue Day; an annual campaign to raise awareness on the dangers of dengue and Aedes mosquitoes. Experts share useful insights on global innovations and factors that contributed to the significant spike in dengue cases in Malaysia.

Petaling Jaya, Selangor -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/18/2015 -- Launched in 2011, the objective of this annual event is to raise awareness of dengue and strengthen the regional collaboration in prevention and control. While dengue is most prevalent in ASEAN region, the disease is spreading rapidly with a 30-fold increase in cases worldwide. Today, there are approximately 2.5 billion people at risk in over 100 countries.

Besides resulting in poor health and excess mortality, dengue has also affected the tourism sector and the socioeconomic development due to loss of work and productivity. The economic losses resulting from this disease made it even more compelling to accelerate the prevention and control efforts around the world.

Scientists in Brazil, Australia and the United Kingdom are currently conducting experiments with genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes to help control the emergence of dengue cases. Once the experiments and field trials are completed, the scientists believe that the GM mosquitoes will dramatically reduce the population of Aedes mosquitoes.

Other than that, the continuous spread and intensity of dengue cases have driven the interest and investment in dengue vaccine development. Hence, some of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies are working hard to create a vaccine that is safe, effective and affordable. One of these vaccines has successfully advanced to phase-3 clinical trial with an efficacy of 60% and it is expected to be licensed sometime this year.

Meanwhile, the key to dengue control is to tackle the root of this problem by denying Aedes mosquitoes any chance to breed. An integrated mosquito management from Rentokil Initial Malaysia aims to control the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes by attacking each stage of the mosquito's life cycle with different solutions from larviciding to fogging. At the same time, customers are provided with sanitation advices and informative dengue knowledge through educational materials that can help to reduce their risk of being infected in the long run.

In Malaysia, dengue remains as a serious public health problem. As of 30th May this year, our Ministry of Health has reported a total of 141 deaths. The accumulated cases are now up to 47,112. The hardest hit states include Selangor (27,282), Perak (5,018), Johor (2,986) and Kuala Lumpur (2,938). In 2014, there was a 151% increase in dengue cases compared to 2013—with 108,698 cases and 215 deaths.

There are many factors that contributed to this alarming growth of dengue cases. Firstly, the switch of serotypes dengue virus from DAN2 to DAN1 also added to the surge in dengue cases. Although both serotypes are similar, as they share approximately 65% of their genomes, there is a vast difference in how each one interacts with our antibodies. As a result, people who were previously not exposed to the DAN1 virus are now vulnerable. Besides that, our monsoon season also played a major role in creating pockets of stagnant water that serve as Aedes breeding sites.

Other than that, we are fighting a losing battle due to lack of dengue awareness among Malaysians. As the public continues to litter, dump garbage illegally and practice poor environmental cleanliness that will ultimately lead to the increasing mosquito breeding sites.

As Aedes mosquitoes prefer to breed in stagnant water, by implementing good environmental hygiene practices and sanitation measures may help to minimise the disease. Here are a few simple and proactive tips to keep dengue at bay:

- Turn over empty pails and containers, so that they do not collect water. If the containers cannot be emptied, remember to keep it covered when not in use.

- Remove leaves, empty bottles and cans to avoid water collection.

- Clean and discard stagnant water collected in empty flower pots and add larvicide at least once a month to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

- Clean and clear drains around the house on weekly basis to prevent it from clogging.

- Clean and discard any dried leaves that may clog the roof gutters once a week to prevent water stagnation.

- Use aerosol spray or conduct fogging activities at home to kill and repel Aedes mosquitoes.

- Install window screens to prevent mosquitoes entering your home.

"According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), mosquito bites have resulted in hundreds of thousands human fatalities every year, making them the deadliest creature in the world. Like any other pests, mosquitoes can also develop resistance towards pesticide, hence, it is extremely important that proactive measures are taken along with eradication of breeding sites and adult mosquitoes in order to minimise the growing numbers of dengue cases." say Ms. Carol Lam, the Managing Director of Rentokil Initial Malaysia.

About Rentokil Pest Control Malaysia
Rentokil Pest Control is part of Rentokil Initial group, one of the largest business services companies in the world. As the market leader in pest control industry, Rentokil's Mosquito Control services provide home and business owners with effective mosquito control solutions that are specifically designed for different needs and preferences.

As one of Malaysia's leading pest control experts, Rentokil continues to be at the forefront in the battle against dengue. Rentokil provides both the public and commercial organisations with various training and education programmes such as the Community Oriented Health Education Programme (COHEP) and Total Hygiene Awareness Talk (THAT).

At Rentokil Initial Malaysia, three brands are focused on providing the best services with nationwide coverage, fast response and expert technical knowledge: Rentokil Pest Control, Initial Hygiene and Ambius Interiors. Visit http://www.rentokil-initial.com.my to find out how Rentokil Initial (M) Sdn Bhd services can add value to different business sectors.

Press Contact:
May Chang
Assistant Digital Marketing Manager
0192864905

Kellie Yong
Senior Marketing Manager
0192428339

15th Floor, Menara Yayasan Selangor
No. 18A, Jalan Persiaran Barat
46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
1300885911
http://www.rentokil.com.my/

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Termites may be tiny but this silent destroyer has been proven to be one of the most feared pests by most homeowners around the globe.

Petaling Jaya, Selangor -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/26/2015 -- A single termite may not look threatening, but a whole colony can compromise the structural integrity to properties in a short period of time. According to the entomologist at University Sains Malaysia, termites cause an estimated RM40million of structural damages in Malaysia every year.

Many property owners in Malaysia worry about fire or flood, but termite damage is actually much more common because our tropical environment and high humidity encourage the growth of termite population. The worse bite would be to the value of your assets as most building insurance policies do not cover termite damage.

Termites randomly and continuously forage in search of their food - cellulose. Even if your property is built primarily of brick or stone, it is still at risk because the structural supports and other building components are constructed of wood and other cellulose containing materials.

A threat to your living space

There are an estimated 4,000 termite species worldwide and Subterranean termite (Coptotermes spp.) is commonly found in homes. Subterranean termites have been known to forage up to 300 feet from their colony, thus if your neighbours have termites, then it is very likely they could have gone into your home as well.

Termites are intelligent social insects that live in colonies with a strict caste system, where they are organised into different social classes based on their roles and responsibilities.

Here are the different castes and roles within a termite colony:

-King and queen - mate and produce eggs

-Alates (or swarmers) - reproductives that leave the nest in large swarms to look for mates and nest locations to form new colonies

-Worker - undertakes the labour of food searching and feeds the colony

-Soldier - provides strength and armour against attacks or invasions

Most termite colonies are originated from a single pair of primary reproductive. A Subterranean termite queen can produce up to 1,000 eggs a day and grow the colony up to hundreds and millions of termites in a short period. With that copious number of occupants that are buried deep underground for moisture. It won't be surprising if there are multiple colonies inhabiting the same piece of land you call home.

The workers produce a variety of chemicals known as the pheromones that influence their behaviour. As these workers are blind, they rely on pheromones to help them send messages to other termites in the colony. When a food source is located, the odour trail is intensified to recruit other termites to the feeding site.

As termites devour their way through wood from the inside, this can make it difficult to detect a termite infestation but there are some tell-tale signs that can indicate their presence.

-Mud shelter tubes on wall
Subterranean termites build elaborate shelter tubes made of mud, dirt and debris in order to travel to and fro the food source without being seen, These tubes are about an inch in diameter and are usually found on exterior and interior walls leading up to the entry points of the building.

-Sightings of flying alates or discarded alates wings on window sills and floors
Generally, the first sign of infestation noticed by homeowners is the presence of swarming reproductives on window sill or near indoor light. Another indication is the presence of wings, discarded by the alates as a normal part of their behaviour,

-Damaged/ infested wood - consumed wood from within but with the outer layers intact
Wood damage is a definite sign of termite infestations. Wood that yields a dull, thudding sound when struck with a screwdriver or hammer should be examined

When homeowners found evidence of termite infestation at home, it is important that a thorough inspection is done before deciding the type of treatment. Termite control is most effective if it is carried out by experienced and professionally trained technicians who understand the biology and living/feeding habits of termites, on top of thorough observation of the building's construction, soil characteristics and favourable conditions for infestation.

Effective termite treatments

1) Baiting - a holistic method to eliminate termite colonies by placing unobtrusive bait stations in your property. The highly palatable bait contains an active ingredient that inhibits termite growth. When the bait is shared and spread, it will gradually affect the colony until it can no longer support itself and the queen, and collapses.

2) Termiticide - one of the many soil treatments that create a treated zone around the perimeter and sub-floor by injecting termiticide through drilled holes. Affected termites will spread the termiticide to others through physical contact, eventually reducing the population of the colony.

"Discovering that there is termite infestation in your home can be devastating, especially when severe damages had incurred. By recognising the early signs of termite presence can help homeowners reduce costly repairs and further damages that will affect the value of your property." said Ms. Carol Lam, the Managing Director of Rentokil Initial Malaysia.

About Rentokil Pest Control Malaysia
Rentokil Pest Control is part of Rentokil Initial group, one of the largest business services companies in the world. As the leading market leader in pest control industry, Rentokil's Termite Home Protection Plan provides property owners with a wide range of termite control solutions that are specifically designed for different needs and preferences.

At Rentokil Initial Malaysia, three brands are focused on providing the best services with nationwide coverage, fast response and expert technical knowledge: Rentokil Pest Control, Initial Hygiene and Ambius Interiors. Visit www.rentokil-initial.com.my to find out how Rentokil Initial (M) Sdn Bhd services can add value to different business sectors.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The exposure to pleasant scents can significantly enhance employees’ performance. Learn more about the benefits of scenting to enhance your office environment.

Petaling Jaya, Malaysia -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/03/2014 -- Our nose is extremely powerful as it acts directly on the limbic system, which controls our emotions and memory. 75% of the emotions that we experienced daily are generated by our sense of smell, which make scent an influential element that triggers our behaviour and mood while creating unique memories. Studies have shown and proven the effectiveness of scent marketing in influencing customer's behaviour. Besides establishing a stronger and longer-lasting emotional connection with the consumers, corporate organisations can leverage on scenting to boost their brand recognition, enhance the image of their offices and optimise employees' job performance.

Create warm welcoming ambience with scenting

Over the years, business owners have been incorporating interior layout, colours, lightings, furniture and specific scents like refreshing lavender to create a warm welcoming office environment for the visitors and employees. Scenting induces a positive first impression and it complements the image the company, beyond the products or services that they offer.

Increase employees' morale and productivity

Experiments have shown that exposure to pleasant fragrances significantly enhance employees' task performance. Fragrance such as peppermint helps in increasing mental focus and stimulating clear thinking. Results from researches shown that clerical staffs made 54% fewer errors when they are exposed to lemon fragrance compared to those working in an unscented workplace whereas calming scent of green tea helps to sooth tensions and reduces stress. When employees are provided with calming working environment, they are more likely to feel less fatigued and have more motivation to produce greater results.

Odour remediation

Malodour developed in offices is caused from variety of factors, for example, musty smell may indicate the presence of moisture, mold or mildew due to food and beverage spillages. These bad odours get embedded in the carpet and the usual cleaning of the office is often not enough to remove the malodours. Surveys found that unpleasant odour is one of the major factors that contributes to indoor air quality problems which adversely affect work performance and it will leave your visitors with negative impression of your company. Scenting not only helps to eliminate bad smells but also improves air quality making it fresher and uplifting.

According to Ms. Carol Lam, the Managing Director of Rentokil Initial Malaysia, "The subtle use of scent can transform and enhance the human experience of a space particularly when artfully combined with visual elements and ambience scenting is about creating an emotional appeal to your properties, something that's distinctive and will be remembered in a positive way."

Premium Scenting by Initial Hygiene

Sensory branding has slowly transformed into an important role to drive business revenue. This is because scent marketing is able to speak for your brand, turning branding opportunity to loyalty and best yet, to distinguish your brand from others. Premium Scenting is flexible and can be used to scent spaces of any size, from a small room to a whole building. Because the diffusion of the scenting micro-droplets are controlled, the scenting of the space is 100% uniform and last longer in the air.

About Initial Hygiene Malaysia
Initial Hygiene is part of Rentokil Initial group, one of the largest business services companies in the world. After years of comprehensive researches, Initial Hygiene has developed a new range of Signature hygiene solutions. The Signature range is designed with clean and graceful curves, technologically enhanced with antibacterial surface to reduce the spread of germs, offering services that deliver consistently high standards of hygiene. Initial Hygiene solution includes Air Fresheners, Feminine Hygiene Services, Hand Hygiene and Toilet Sanitiser.

The company has over 60,000 employees providing a range of support services in over 60 countries where our brands have come to represent consistent quality of service. Rentokil Initial being the Experts in the Essentials will focus on taking care of the fundamental necessities in office sectors, leaving customers to focus on their core businesses.

At Rentokil Initial Malaysia, three brands are focused on providing the best services with nationwide coverage, fast response and expert technical knowledge: Rentokil Pest Control, Initial Hygiene and Ambius Interiors. Visit www.rentokil-initial.com.my to find out how Rentokil Initial (M) Sdn Bhd can add value to different business sectors.

Press Contact:

May Chang
Assistant Marketing Communications Manager
0192864905

Kellie Yong
Marketing Manager
0192428339

15th Floor, Menara Yayasan Selangor
No. 18A, Jalan Persiaran Barat
46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
1300885911
http://www.initial.com.my/

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm