Q1400 I recently found small ants by
our computer. The kids had left a small ice cream rapper beside it and
therewas approx. 20 ants they are no bigger then a poppy seed. I have no
camera at present time but if you could tell me where I could get some ant
species pictures on the web site so I may identify these little guys.
Thanx for your time. Devlen.
You may be able to identify them by comparing
with the ant pictures or by using the identification keys on our web page:
Ants |
Q1399 How long would you have to
maintain a temperature of 39 degrees centigrade to kill bedbugs? Linda.
Vancouver, BC.
There have been a number of studies
done using heat to kill bed bugs. The problem seems to be getting
sufficient heat to penetrate into locations where the bedbugs have laid
eggs. One study involved heating a room to 60 degrees centigrade for
3 hours to kill most of the adult bugs, larva and eggs. Lower
temperatures and shorter time periods did not provide enough control to
prevent a re-population.
We hope to have more information on
this subject after attending another bedbug seminar
later this week.
Updates will be published on these web pages:
Bed Bugs,
Getting rid of bedbugs |
Q1398 What are the ultrasonic sound
wave frequency range which causes irritation in pests and repel them?
please specify the name of the pest and its frequency limit..
Based on scientific evidence we have been
able to gather and the opinions of numerous entomologists and
rodentologists, we have concluded that electronic pest control devices
have very little or no effect on pests. Manufacturers of these
devices provide very little information and specifications.
Read more about electronic pest
control devices. |
Q1397 What is the most effective way
to kill rats and mice without harming my dog. I would love to poison
the rodents but am afraid my dogs will pick them up after they pass away
and become sick herself...PLEASE HELP. Brendon.
Northumberland.
Rodent poisonous bait should be placed in tamper
proof bait stations that are not accessible to other animals or children.
It is not likely your dog will find a dead rodent and if she does, she
will not likely eat the whole thing. She would have to eat the entire
carcass of many rats to be affected by the poison.
Follow the label directions carefully. |
Q1396 What do you have for spray
wands for spraying bees nests. Doug
We do not sell pest control supplies.
Contact one of the suppliers listed on these web pages:
Pest control supplies
for consumers
for
professionals |
Q1395 We have a terrible odor in our
garage that will not go away. Do you have the capability to know what the
odor is? Donna, Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Sorry Donna. We can't smell it from here. It
could be a dead rodent or other animal that died in the walls or ceiling,
decaying vegetable matter or a bag of garbage that got misplaced
accidentally. |
Q1394 We just came home from holidays
and are finding very small black oval shaped bugs all over the house. They
are the size of a poppy seed and have 6 legs and a long nose with antenaes
off the side of the nose. They are crawling all over, in the bathtub and
toilet, in the dogs water, on the floor but mostly on the walls. They are
also in the finished basement. What are they? Where are they coming from?
Can we exterminate? Why did they all of a sudden appear and in numbers? I
don't know if I am saying this right but somebody mentioned "Strawberry
root weasle" and said they are very hard to get rid of. Please help...
Terri. Thunder Bay, Ontario
It can be very
difficult to identify insects from a written or verbal description.
If you send a photo we will put it on this page for identification:
"What is this pest".
Have a look. You might find a photo of your bug has been posted by
someone else. Once identified, the
proper treatment can be determined. |
Q1393 Last night I heard what sounded
like Jacobs ladder coming from my kitchen in my small apartment. I peeked
around the corner and saw a huge bug flying around the light. It scared me
so I ran to the bathroom and shut the door. I soon heard the buzzing
outside the door. Yikes! I figured it was a locust or cicada. when i
peeked out the door again i saw it laying in the hallway about four feet
away. I threw a towel over it and a small rug for good measure. I didn't
hear anymore noises so I left it there for my boyfriend to come and take
it outside. A few hours later he uncovered the rug and the sucker flew
off. He went right into my recliner, and I think he is still there. My
friend gave me the recliner and it she's had it forever. I think that is
how he got in my apartment, because no windows are open and i didn't have
the door open so he could sneak in. Earlier that night i was messing with
the cushions because I had lost the remote to my tv. what shall i do to
get this creature out of my house. I don't want to be relaxing in the
chair and have a huge fright when he shoots out. thanks! Abbey.
Most flying insects that we
seen inside buildings got there by accident. In general, insects are
not predators of humans (except things like fleas, bedbugs and
mosquitoes). We seldom need to fear most insects indoors. The best
way to deal with one or two bugs is suck them up with the vacuum cleaner.
This will probably work well on your chair. |
Q1392 I did a lot of research on the
internet and have hired a pest control company to help me get rid of
bedbug. I had 3 treatments. There is a discrepancy from my research
and from the professionals I am using on how often do I vacuum my home
after treatment. Also--am I to start vacuuming 24 hours after treatment? I
am burnt out from the stress and losing some furniture. Please reply soon.
I found out that Vancouver's downtown core is getting a lot worse with
these bugs. Thanks. Cindy
Thank you for the question. The
bed bug problem is certainly one that has been growing quickly over
the past few years. I'm not surprised at the number of treatments you have
had. It is quite common for this problem to require repeat treatments
because bed bugs can go dormant for lengthy periods after they have fed.
Another reason is that very few chemicals kill the eggs.
You did not mention the type of treatment you had done,
so I will assume it was a chemical treatment. It is common to use a
variety of chemicals (in conjunction with other activities, such as
vacuuming, caulking, etc.) for this problem and a trained professional
would certainly be the best judge of what can & should be used where &
when. For example, there are not many pesticides registered for use on the
mattress; dusts may be used in some areas because its efficacy is long;
liquids or wettable powders may be used in areas where the bed bugs are
traveling or harbouring. Steam may be used as a non-chemical treatment
method however its effectiveness may be limited unless it comes within a
very short distance of the pest (depending on the pressure & temperature
of the steam.)
As for your vacuuming concerns, it varies on the type
of treatment here too. If a dust was used, then the vacuum would
suck up the chemical; if it was a liquid treatment, then it should be fine
to vacuum once the chemical is dry.
Frequent vacuuming is a very good control method, especially in the areas
where bed bugs are active or harbour.
I am pleased you are validating the information you read on the internet.
Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency is very
conservative when it comes to registering pesticides and as a result,
Canada has a much smaller assortment to work with making some pest
situations very difficult to control or eliminate. The internet does,
however, provide very good information on non chemical control measures
for bed bugs. I recommend
www.pestworld.org
which is the website for the National Pest Management Association or the
bug ID section of this web site.
The pest control professional you used should be a member of
the Structural Pest Management Association of BC (SPMABC), who is working
closely with the regional health departments and the Ministry of
Environment to ensure pest control technicians are trained and kept up to
date on this pest problem. To check if your company is a member of the
SPMABC, you can email me at
spambc@hotmail.com I hope
this information is of benefit to you.
SPMA-BC President, Wayne Page,
CANADIAN PEST
CONTROL LTD. |
Q1391 I just came back from Cuba and I'm
not sure whether or not we had bed bugs in one of our rooms. Do bed bugs
fly? At night, these beetle looking bugs would fly and then drop. They
were black and had a hard shell. Our luggage is in our garage and I took
out our clothes and immediately put them to wash but I'm fearful about
bringing them inside. Thank you in advance for your reply.
If the insects were flying, they were
not bedbugs. They do not develop wings large enough to enable flight.
Read more about bedbugs. |
Q1390 Does anyone know of a good home
remedy for fleas. My dog (a poodle terrier mix) has never been bothered
with fleas, however after a trip to California he came home infested. HELP
Frances
The real breakthrough in flea control
came when pest management professionals and veterinarians began using
IGR's (Insect Growth Regulators) along with an adulticide.
The IGR stops the eggs and larvae from developing into reproductive adult
fleas. (like birth control) Most home remedies will probably not be
successful and will result in a huge growth in population, much suffering
by your dog and frustration for you. Hiring a professional
will save you a lot of grief and probably some money. |
Q1389
I have wasps flying
in and out under my cedar roofs, I can just about to reach it from the
window, but I cannot see where they are going once they are under the
cedar shake. I was thinking of putting one of those electronic fly swapper
on there entrance, so that once they try to fly in or out they will be
zapped. Do you think this will work? Paul
At our cottage we had 2 wasp
nests, I sat , thought and finally put one of those house fly sticky
things that stretch out of a cardboard round small container. So what i
did was unravel one, used a long pole as the nest wason the underside of
the porch roof, wedged the pole and fly stick (which can be bought
anywhere cheap. So as the wasp came to enter the nest it had to wait in
line so it rested on the fly stick that it could not get off. It got
help from the other wasps trying to pull it off they tired and landed on
the sticky stuff to rest. Well in 1 hour all the wasps were stuck. I
lowered my boom and chucked it the next day. Cheap wasp catcher/ killer.
It only has to be near the place where the wasps go in. Voila. John |
Q1388 I have worked at a business now
for 8 1/2 years and during this time we have become infested with bats.
The droppings are so bad they are everywhere. The droppings are seeping
through the sides of the walls around the ceiling. I have no ventilation
in my upstairs office and once I get to work at 8:30 AM I do not leave the
office until I get off which is anywhere between 5:00PM to 6:30PM. I have
over the last couple of years been getting sicker and having some severe
health problems. When I get a cold it seems to always turn into pneumonia
and I have also recently been diagnosed with fibromyalga and have severe
back and leg pains and reoccurring headaches. Can any of my problems or
those of my coworkers be contributed to the bat infestation which we know
is severe. Deborah
You do have a serious problem at your place of work and it
could be a health risk. We do not try to analyze medical symptoms or
give medical advice on this web site but it is a fact that bat feces can
cause respiratory problems.
Histoplasmosis is an airborne disease caused
by a microscopic fungus that occurs in soil and in the nitrogen-rich
droppings of birds and bats. More
information on bats. |
Q1387 I live in a mobile home park
that provides a compost trailer for the residents to deposit garden
debris, from grass cuttings, dead plants, branches and possibly fruit or
vegetable discards. Since I live adjacent to this trailer I am extremely
concerned that the trailer could at some point attract rats. The trailer
is only moved and emptied once a week. It doesn't matter if it has rained
continuously or we have had a heat wave. Thus, an odor does develop (ripe)
after only a couple of days. Is this a concern. If so, who should I be
contacting in the Victoria area?
Thanks-- Ursula. Victoria, B.C.
Compost is a common cause of rat problems. If the
park management does not take remedial action when rodents are attracted,
you could call the Capital Regional Health Officer. |
Q1386 We have recently caught three
bats in our home. How do we determine where they are coming from (within
the home or how they are getting in)? Melanie. Kitchener, ON.
There is some good information on our
Bats web page.
Be careful. Sick bats are easier to catch than healthy
bats. They could be a health risk for you. |
Q1385 I need to know how to rid my
house of carpet beetles, and their larva, my house seems to be infested
and its getting out of control, as well as disgusting. Thank you.
Donna. Calgary, Alberta
Thorough vacuuming may eliminate most of the adult carpet
beetles but eliminating the eggs and larva will be more difficult.
The larva is what causes damage. They can infest your food, pet food
and clothing.
More
information on carpet beetles. |
Q1384 This summer I was infested with
Larder Beetles. Thanks to your website, I am absolutely certain that these
are Larder beetles. I have dogs, and would leave dishes of dog food out
for them for long periods of time. I have stopped doing that, and now keep
my dog food in sealed containers. I have used Raid and shampooed my
carpets. I also vacuum regularly because one of our dogs sheds a lot. I
seem to be making a lot of progress. I know that the Raid will kill the
beetles and the larva (when I say larva, I am referring to the worms), but
what about their eggs? Does raid kill the eggs? Also, can the eggs be
vacuumed up, or do they adhere to whatever they are laid on? Please help.
The bugs are bad enough, but the little maggot type creatures are just a
little more than I can handle. Every time I go a few weeks without seeing
any, and think I have it licked, I see another Larder beetle, and then
more of the little worms. I see that the lifecycle of a larder beetle can
be from 4 to 36 months. How long should I go without seeing any to know if
I have the problem licked? At what point should I call an exterminator
when I have done everything I should do (remove food source, vacuum, spray
Raid)? PS.... without going into anymore lengthy detail, I am 99.9%
certain that the dog food was the main food source for the Beetles. So, to
recap my questions: Does Raid kill the eggs as well as the bugs and Larva?
Do, the eggs adhere to whatever they are laid on? How long should you go
without seeing any beetles or larva to know you have the problem licked?
At what point should an exterminator be called in? Any help you can
give me will be greatly appreciated. Thank You, Robin.
It sounds like you have gone through most of the steps to
eliminate the problem. Thorough cleaning and elimination of food
sources are essential. Most insecticides available at retail stores
do not have sufficient residual effect to kill newly hatched larva
from the eggs that are hidden in cracks and crevices. You may have to call
a professional to do a crack and crevice spray with a good residual
product. You may also be re-infesting your home with items you bring
in from the grocery store. Check all dry foods carefully or change
stores for a while. NEVER bring wild bird seed into your home.
Read more about
stored food pests. |
Q1383 We have recently discovered
insects in a bag of bird seed (no corn). I believe from the pictures they
are a type of weevil with pincers out of their head. Very small and appear
to be able to fly. they seem to be everywhere even though we have removed
the source. They do not appear to have much energy and they appear dead
when touched. Will they just go away now that we have removed the bag of
bird seed and do they bite? What is the life cycle after you remove the
source Thank you. Ada, Halifax, N.S.
Check other foods in your home that these
pests may have migrated to. Bird seed is a common source of food
infesting pests because it is not treated for human consumption.
See the next question for more information.
|
Q1382 There are moths and their worms
in the cereal, pancake mix, dried beans and peas, ect. Please help. What
can I use to get rid of them? Thanks and I hope to hear from you soon,
like yesterday. Cindie, Simi Valley, CA USA
Sounds like Indian Meal Moths.
You will have to get rid of all the dry foods that may be infected, even
those in sealed packages. Thoroughly wash the cupboards, especially
the cracks around shelves. You will likely have to use a residual
insecticide to control any larva that hatch from eggs that were not washed
away. A pest professional may solve the problem and save you a
lot of money on groceries in the future. For detailed control
information see this web page:
Indian Meal Moths |
Q1381 I have squirrels eating every
bit of ripe produce out of my garden, including tomatoes which they
previously ignored. I would like to repel them without the use of poisons
and have tried black pepper with no effect. In fact, I left the can of
pepper outside and they ran off with it and tried to chew it open. I
cannot use mothballs as my very near neighbor objects to the smell. They
have gotten in through fencing and are digging holes under the plants. Any
suggestions? Mary. Scranton Pa
Animal repellants are usually only
effective for a short time if they work at all. The best solution for squirrel problems
is trapping and re-location. |
Q1380 I was bitten by rodent mites. I
was wondering if each bite is made by a separate mite or is it just a few
mites making all these bite marks? I was also wondering how long they stay
on a human since we are not their food source. And do they burrow, or just
bite and move on? Sorry for all the questions but I can't find the answers
anywhere. Thanks,
Michelle.
Rodent and bird mites may bite people when their
hosts die or abandon their nests. Three types of rodent mites readily bite
humans: the house mouse mite , spiny rat mite and tropical rat
mite. The house mouse mite prefers to suck the blood of mice, but also
will bite rats and people, often causing a rash around the bite. They
prefer warm places (e.g., around pipes and furnaces) where rodents live.
The spiny rat mite feeds on rats at night and hides by day in cracks and
crevices around rat nests and resting places. The tropical rat mite’s bite
is painful and causes skin irritation and itching. |
Q1379 What level of ozone and for
what duration would I need to kill bedbugs? Albert, Buffalo, NY
To the best of our knowledge, the use of
Ozone is not registered as a control method for pests. The following news
item may explain why.
A
department of the California Environmental Protection Agency has delivered
strong criticism of ozone-generating indoor air purifiers that purport to
clean the air in homes. In a two-page press release dated Jan. 20, the
California Air Resources Board recommended that “the public avoid using
these devices” due to “unrecognized danger” caused by their release of
unacceptably high levels of ozone. “These machines are insidious,” ARB’s
acting chairperson Barbara Riordan commented in the press release.
“Marketed as a strong defense against indoor air pollution, they emit
ozone, the same chemical that the ARB and the [U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency] have been trying to eliminate from our air for decades.
More chilling is that some people susceptible to the ill effects of ozone
will eagerly bring these Trojan horses home.”
There is no
EASY solution to controlling bed bugs. Read more on this web page:
Getting rid of bed bugs |
Q1378 I have discovered i have house
mice living in my home. There is absolutely no evidence other than the
fact i caught one in a humane trap. It is now in a cage whilst i discover
if there are anymore. I am having problems as my flat is over a 100 years
old and above a shop( there are 5 shops in a row). I caught this mouse
last night and now am having guilt about what to do with it. If i let it
go it may be a death sentence, i cant use snap traps as it would be too
awful, but i have no desire to keep them either. Lorraine. United Kingdom
We do not support live trapping rodents in
living quarters for a number of reasons: They are cannibals and
could eat each other if you catch more than one. They carry numerous
diseases and parasites that can spread throughout your home if they are
not remove quickly after being caught. The stress of being
trapped may result in their death after release. Releasing them
outside their normal territory could result in starvation. |
Q1377 A groundhog has made a home
under our deck, how can we get rid of it? Eve, Greely, Ontario
They are not too difficult to trap. A pest
professional in your area may be able to sell or rent you a trap, or
do the job for you.
Ontario pest professionals
directory. |
Q1376 What type of bug will eat a
small dime size hole through sheetrock in apartment homes? Tiffany.
Houston.
Mice? Carpenter ants? Wasps? Put a
glue trap near the hole and try to catch the critter. |
Q1375 what is the concoction that
gets rid of termites? I know it involves cat food and jelly. Curtis,
middletown,ohio usa.
We have heard about hundreds of home remedies that
may or may not work to control pests. If you are trying to save
money I suggest you consider the cost of repairing termite damage if your
home remedy does not work. Legal Pest control products for sale must
be approved by EPA in the U.S. and PMRA in Canada. The approval
process includes proof that the products are effective and they are safe
to use when the label directions are followed. If the potential damage
is serious, you should consider hiring a professional. Why gamble?
Your home is your greatest investment. |
Q1374 Today i was dividing and
repotting two rabbits foot ferns which have been out on the patio. when i
dumped the old pots, the soil inside was crawling with tiny, red ants.
both pots! really crawling, like they're living in there. should i
toss the ferns or is there something i can do to get rid of the little ant
monsters. i have three larger ferns nearby (different sorts) that I'll be
bringing in the house as the weather cools. i shudder to think they might
be ant cities as well. help! Stacey
Not all things that crawl are pests.
In fact some ants are considered beneficial because they prey on insects
that damage your garden and their tunneling provides aeration in the soil.
There are many species of "tiny red ants". Have the ant identified by a
local pest professional or a good garden shop to determine whether it is
friend or foe. If you have to get rid of them try methods that do
not require pesticides. (e.g.: microwave the soil) |
Q1373
Hey Larry, Are there any critters that look like bed bugs, but
aren't? The one I collected looks like a bed bug, but it definitely
has red eyes. It has been dead since this morning, I just took a
look at it under the microscope this afternoon. I'll be looking for
more tonight! Thanks! Wes, Cold Lake, Alberta
There are several species of bed
bugs that people may encounter. The two most common are the bat bug (Cimex
adjunctus) and the human bed bug (Cimex lectularius). These two insects
are virtually indistinguishable with the naked eye. Their habits, and
consequently their control, vary, however, making identification
important. The mature bed bug is a flattened, brown, wingless insect
approximately ¼ to 3/8 inch long. After it has taken a blood meal, the
color changes from brown to purplish-red. I often think at first glance
they look like an apple seed. The size and shape also change,
making it appear like a different insect. Young bed bugs are nearly
colorless and smaller but resemble the adult in general shape.
There's a lot more information on
our bed bug web page. |
Q1372
Thank you for your clear information we are looking into having Orson get
rid of bed bugs for us. I am concerned about the ramifications of using a
pesticide but I was very happy about looking at your integrated
systems definition. This has been very challenging for us we have also
been told that if we don't sleep in the bed the pests will follow us
throughout the house. I am an artist and I would rather do art than clean
but for this I will have to put my energy into cleaning. Maybe by
following your suggestions I can target my efforts to areas that will be
most effective. Are there any natural organic controls something bed bugs
do not like? Thanks for the information. Mary N
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It is unlikely that non-chemical methods
alone will eradicate bed bugs. Some of the following will definitely help
reduce the problem: Vacuum, vacuum and vacuum some more. Wash
infested sheets and bedding in hot water. Infested furniture can be set
outside during cold weather to kill all stages of bed bugs. At 0° F, two
days is sufficient to kill bed bugs while four to five days is required
when the temperature is about 20° F.. Seal cracks and crevices where
bed bugs may hide. Repair or remove loose wallpaper. Remove pictures,
posters, or other objects that may act as hiding places. See:
Getting rid of bed bugs |
Q1371 I
recently stayed at a hotel in the Oakville area, but found small
beetle-looking insects that were similar-looking to lady bugs in my bed. I
crushed one and it turned into a blood spot. I assumed they may be bed
bugs, but the hotel faxed me a report that says they were not. Any ideas
on what they could be? Allyson. Oakville, Ontario.
It is unfortunate you
did not take one as a sample to be positively identified by an expert.
There are not many hotels that would willingly admit they have a bedbug
problem. Have a look at the pictures on
our bed bug web page. |
Q1370 We
live in a 10 storey apt building that has pharaoh ants. PCO has come in to
lay bait. (we had them about a year ago and after many weeks, they did
disappear) This time they are everywhere...in our clothes and
dressers...everywhere but our food. PCO has returned, and we understand
about how difficult it is to control, with neighbours likely spraying etc.
Our question is: if we move, how do we ensure we don't take them with us?
What can we do?
Katharine, London Ontario.
It is unlikely that any ants
you accidentally took with you would survive. Every colony must have
at least one queen. Although there are usually several queens in a Pharaoh
ant colony, they do not leave the nest to forage for food so you would not
transport them to your new home. More
information on ants. |
Q1369 MY DOG
RECENTLY GOT SPRAYED BY A SKUNK AND I WAS WONDERING SINCE I AM PREGNANT IF
IT IS HARMFUL TO THE UNBORN BABY AND ME? THANKS!!!!!!
Not likely, but we don't like to
give medical advice. Talk to your doctor. To get rid of the skunk
smell see the deodorizing recipe on our
SKUNK web page |
Q1368 I have
seen a skunk in my shed for the past two days. I left the door open so he
could get back out at night. I don't dare get near him or the shed. How do
I know if he's still in there? Joel
It will eventually have to come out
for food and water, likely at night. You could try attracting it out
with bait (eggs) and then closing the door, or you may find a professional
who will remove it and prevent a smelly problem.
SKUNK web page |
|
Q1367 Are Mosquito Dunks, Bacillus thuringiensis, illegal in Canada?
And if it is, why? thank you! Kathy Person.
BTI larvicides are legal to
use in Canada but they are only effective if applied at the right stages
of development of mosquito larva. Label directions must also be
followed and provincial regulations must be followed regarding the
locations they may be used. The links below provide comprehensive
information from the Canadian pesticide regulatory agency.
Using Pesticides to
Control Mosquitoes
|
Q1366 Is there a way to get rid of
carpenter ants in the house without killing them? Andrea.
Friday Harbour, WA.
It would be almost impossible. A typical nest
in the wall cavity of a home might have 3000+ carpenter ants. Very
few leave the nest to forage for food or to move larva from the original
nest where the queen(s) resides.
See: Getting rid
of Carpenter Ants |
Q1365 Could you please tell me about
the Green Cross Garden & Lawn Insecticide, Diazinon 5% granular? We have
placed it in the ground when planting our onions and radishes. It has
controlled the worms and now we are unable to buy it. Our garden center
says they do not make it. Yet we can special order it in bulk 80 lb.
quantities. Is it no longer safe or has the company changed it's
packaging? Thank you.
Diazinon has been removed from the Canadian
market. There may be some product still available in large
quantities for agricultural use, but it may not be legal for you to use.
A good garden supply pesticide dispenser should be able to advise you of
alternative methods or products to solve your problem.
|
Q1364 I have small black ants
everywhere on my property. They have now started to invade the basement.
What is the best product to use to get rid of these ants? We also have
animals around which makes me concerned about what I can use to kill the
ants. Thanks. Collette. Vancouver.
Not all ants are pests. Some of them
are beneficial, until they start entering our homes. Use the same
methods we suggest to discourage carpenter ants to reduce the number
entering. See:
Getting Rid of Carpenter Ants. It would not be
environmentally friendly to spray pesticides everywhere on your property.
|
Q1363
I live in Nova Scotia and moved two years
ago to a house by a lake. I have been finding a small insect that is
light brown with a dark brown stripe in across the middle. It seems to be
a beetle type thing. What might it be, how do I get rid of it? I hate
bugs at the best of times, but I really hate them in my indoor space. They
seem to be dead or they must play dead when you find them, on occasion if
they are moving they are easy to catch. Any suggestions?
Thank you, Carol
Without a photo it is difficult to identify
your pest. It could be a carpet or larder beetle. Have a look
at photos #371, 408 and 422 on this web page:
What is this pest?
|
Q1362 In the past few days we have
been invaded by very tiny red bugs. They are primarily around the windows
(mainly on the white vinyl) and floors next to the windows. When squashed,
they leave a greenish yellow mark. We had first noticed this spring when
painting the shed, they were all over the exterior of the shed and are now
in the house. Can you tell me what these bugs may be and how we might get
rid of them. Ray. Guelph, Ontario
See the answer to the next question. |
Q1361 My daughter found tiny (about
the size of a flee) red bugs in her stuffed animals. Can you please tell
me what they are and how to get rid of them? Susan. Atlanta,
Georgia.
A common small red insect is the spider mite.
You can read about them on this web site:
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2012.html .
To get rid of them put the stuffed animals in a plastic bag
in the freezer for a few days. |
|
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Classified
Employment Ads.
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and job seekers |
|
Q1360 Our attic bedroom is inundated
with wood lice. Despite having pest control out, we still have them. We
spray every day twice but still have them. Can anyone help? Sally.
Glasgow, Scotland
Sow bugs and pill bugs are often called wood lice.
They love moist conditions. See this web page for control
suggestions. Sow
bugs, Pill Bugs. |
Q1359 i have just caught a black
spider with white spots on it. It is about the size of a raisin, and it
looked like a big ant at first glance. It has 2 large "claws" in front of
its face that only moves when it needs to brush something off of it ad
under it is another 2 claw look alikes that look like fangs, but i may be
mistaken. I found it wandering around my living room curtain. I am
inquiring about this spider because i have never seen it around my house.
Ashley. Calgary, Alta.
You may recognize your spider from one of the photos on this web page:
What is this pest?
or in one of the links on our
Spider page |
Q1358 What can be done about
woodpeckers damaging wood siding. William, Cumberland, BC
See the answer to the next question. |
Q1357 WHAT ARE SOME DETERRENTS
I CAN USE TO GET RID OF A WOODPECKER.
I HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD ROOF AND HE HAD BORED HOLES IN IT JUST WITHIN THE LAST
WEEK -- ABOUT 6 HUGE HOLES!!!!!!! PLEASE HELP!!! Dianne
The wood peckers are likely trying to get at insects
in your roof. Have a pest professional do an inspection to determine
what is attracting them. |
Q1356 Hello, I don't have the ability
to get a picture of the pest(s) we have as they are too small. These
things are a little smaller than the ball in a ball point pen. They are
reddish-brown in color, do not fly, and move on tiny legs. When squished,
it looks brownish. We have a large number around the outside and inside of
doors and windows. Any idea what this could be? Thanks, Kevin S.,
Haymarket, VA
Your problem may be spider mites or clover mites.
Have a look at the photos and information on these web pages.
Clover mites and
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05507.html
|
Q1355 can I clean my bed with bleach
and hot water and set the beds out side to get rid of bedbugs so that I
don't have to throw away. Trinidy, Elmont, New York
Sanitation is very important in the process of controlling
bed bugs. Using a brush with hot water and bleach to scrub the
mattress seams and button tufts will certainly help. The bed frame,
headboard and spring should also be cleaned. If there are tears in the
mattress or holes where the handles attach, you may have to discard the
mattress. Unfortunately the bed bugs may also be hiding in a number
of other places. See our web page:
Get rid of bed bugs. |
Q1354 Should we use pesticides to
control pests? This is for my science class so i need a overall
answer. Tim Poole
The best way to control pests is to
follow an integrated pest management process. This may or may not require
the use of pesticides after other steps have been applied. Pest
professionals that are well trained and staying current with control
information now use I.P.M. More information about
Integrated
Pest Management
Pesticides can sometimes be
beneficial for protecting human health, just like prescription drugs.
They can also be a
health hazard if not used properly, just like prescription drugs. |
Q1353 Which is the better process for
ridding the house of termites: tenting or foam or neither? Marsha. Los
Alamitos
We can not comment on tenting because it is not a process
that is practiced in Canada. There is another option: baiting.
The best solution will depend on the extent of the infestation and access
to the infested areas. Consult 3 or 4 local professionals before
making a decision. Be sure to deal with a member of the National
Pest Management Association. |
Q1352 Sir: I'm in the pipe organ
service business. We have several clients (mostly churches) who have
ladybug infestations. For pipe organs, ladybugs are a pest because they
get inside large and small pipes, can't exit, die, and cause the pipe to
be silent. There is more to say, but the further details will not change
the essential need to reverse the trend. I have 2 clients who occasionally
call me with several low pitch reed pipes silent because of the ladybug
infestation. Sorry, they are not beneficial inside an organ. Does
anyone think they enter a building already on the stems of florist
arrangements, and hatch later? Or do none of them reproduce inside a
building? Is there a trap that will attract the ladybugs and which can be
emptied, like the jap beetle trap with pheromone attractant? Sealing all
the cracks in a church building may be impossible. Any other ideas?
Thanks, Morris Spearman
Ladybugs do not intentionally enter the interior of
buildings. They crawl into cavities in the fall to spend the winter. In
the spring they will all want to get outside. They do not lay eggs
or reproduce indoors. Flying insect light traps may have some effect but
probably not much in a large building with many cracks and crevices.
Spraying pesticides is not the answer. Perhaps one of our visitors
has a better solution for your unique problem.
|
Q1351 I have identified the type of
pests I have mostly in the basement of my house: centipedes (the
gray-yellowish long feet ones) ,pill bugs and lots of spiders . The scary
ones are the centipedes : I have small kids... Now, we will move in
another house in about two weeks. Is there any danger to bring all these
bugs with us in our new house. Do they lay eggs? I have packed some staff
and keep it in the basement. Is there any danger to have the bugs eggs
inside by now? If yes, What can I do ? Thank you so much. Cristina.
Toronto, Ontario.
Most likely any of these creatures that got into your
packed items will not survive. If they do, they will die if the
environment in your new home is dry. |
|
Q1350 We have had a huge
infestation of odorous ants, we had help of a professional pest
control business who took care of this, and have every summer an
maintenance spray applied around the house, this works very good, and we
have never seen any ants in the house. But the cost is getting to
much for us, when we had the big infestation we paid over $ 700.00 for
the spraying, and now the maintenance spray every year, just around the
walls of the house on the outside cost about $ 150,00.
We have a good sprayer and would like to
do it ourselves, but we have to find the right spray, and find out where
to buy it.
I would like to use the very same spray
the professionals use, can you help me with this ? I would be very happy
if you can tell me this. Thanks in advance, A. V., Penticton, BC
A well trained pest professional will always
inspect the areas to be treated before applying any pesticides. He
will often see symptoms of a problem that the average homeowner will not
notice. You are paying for this inspection, pest identification
and consultation as well as the perimeter spray. It is not likely
you will be able to purchase the same product used by the professional.
A good residual insecticide labeled for this purpose would likely cost
about $125 for the minimum quantity available, even though you would not
need this much. You would also need the appropriate safety gear
including a respirator with chemical filters. What is the value of your
home? $150 is not much of an investment to help preserve it's
value.
|
Q1349 I live in Halifax
and have recently (this is May) noticed several large bumble bees
in my yard...they are either dead on the ground or stunned. They are not
covered by anything, so I have not disturbed a nest. They are just in the
middle of the yard or the deck. what is killing these bees? Lisa.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
We are stumped. If you find out, please
let us know. |
Q1348
I have heard that corn meal when sprinkled on gardens is a good
alternative to using pesticides to rid the area of sow/pill bugs.
Will this work? Liz. Victoria, BC
We are not aware of any success using cornmeal. It
may actually attract some insects. Diatomaceous earth sprinkled
lightly around plants will help control many insects as well as sow bugs
and slugs. It is readily available in plain packaging at most garden
shops. |
Q1347 I saw
Rebecca's Garden HGTV program and she was visiting a personal garden and
the question was ask... What do you do about Raccoons eating your
flower bulbs and she said she used the old farmers remedy and that was to
put out Ex-Lax and she had no more problems. Besides the obvious... What
does Ex-Lax do to the Raccoon to get rid of it. No explanation was given
on the show. Janet. Virginia
I would like to meet the farmer who dreamed this one
up. Raccoons are scavengers and will eat almost anything, so perhaps the
chocolate flavored laxative is appealing. A veterinarian may have
the answer. Has anyone else tried this? |
Q1346
Our neighbour's have a skunk living under their step, but it keeps
coming in our yard and digging in our lawn, how can we stop it from
digging our lawn up?? Dorothy. Medicine Hat, Alberta
The best solution would be to have the skunk trapped
and taken away. Be careful, there may be babies. |
Q1345 Clothing damaged by
what appears to be a small worm. Is that what a weevil looks like? How can
I guard against clothing damage. Carol. Melville, NY.
The larva of clothes moths can be very destructive,
especially in woolen clothing.
Read more about
clothes moths |
Q1344
I have heard of a powder that can be tilled into the lawn to get rid of
moles. The powder is supposed to make it uncomfortable for slugs to
crawl, and the slugs leave, and then the moles will leave too. Does anyone
know what the powder is and where it can be purchased? Joletta
Slugs and moles have no relationship. An
insecticide powder could kill the moles food source forcing them to move. |
Q1343 We have house
ants that have invaded our kitchen. We have set bait traps and they
have been there for about 2 weeks. Although we've seen a decrease there
are still many surfacing around the sink, under the sink and in the
cupboards. Any suggestions, other than the bait traps, to help get rids of
these pests? Thanks in advance. Mona. Milton, Ontario
Take some ant samples to a professional for
identification. If they are carpenter ants, don't waste your time
and money using "ant bait traps" Some ants can be treated with a
good quality bait. Carpenter ants should be treated by a
professional.
Read more about ANTS |
Q1342
I think that I have those larder beetles in my home and I am
finding them all the time. I find them everywhere, even in my clothes. I
don't have any food laying around for them to feed on so how do I get rid
of them? Stephanie. Minnesota.
They may be carpet beetles, which produce larva that
will attack some clothing and carpets. Check these web pages for more
information:
Carpet beetles;
Grain Beetles |
Q1341 Thanks to your
website, I was able to recognize the carpet beetle pest that I
found in my home. I have thoroughly cleaned out my walk-in closet,
disposed of cardboard boxes in it, etc. In addition I had all my wool
clothes professionally cleaned. Should I keep these clothes stored in the
closet in the plastic bags they came in or not? Monda. Concord, CA.
It will do no harm to keep them in the plastic bags,
but hang the clothing outside to air out before storing. Dry cleaning
chemicals are not a good thing to be breathing. |
 |
Q1340
I just have a quick question about ants - well, my family & I live in a
condominium townhouse & every spring/summer, we get a large amount of
ants; (big & small), in our house! It's become quite a problem, and has
been going on around the same time every year; (for a number of years), &
it is a real nuisance. They stay usually for the whole summer & are on all
the floors of the house! And we've tried many different traps, etc in the
past - (which did work to some degree). But now we're concerned because we
recently adopted a cat, and we heard that using ant traps containing the
"traditional" poisons/bait, can harm pets. So, my question is - is there
an alternative that we could use to control/kill the ants, that WON'T harm
our cat? Thanks for your time, I hope you can help us... Peace, ~Rain L,
(Toronto, Ontario):).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You should capture a few of the ants and have them
identified by a professional. Different species of ants require
different control methods. If baits are used they should be placed
in areas not accessible to the cat. Some cats eat ants. If the ants
have been poisoned the cat could get sick. Properly applied
pesticides may be the best solution. If you have carpenter ants, you
will definitely need to deal with a pest management professional. See this
page for ant identification pictures. |
Q1339 Help, We live
in a NEW house near the Orchard, (in a very new subdivision) and have seen
(and trapped) 21 mice so far(all outside), thank goodness, we don't have
any in our house. Can you please tell me, (besides using traps, which is
time consuming and a very slow process) how we can RID the yard of MICE,
so that they DON'T get in the house. Savannah. Kelowna, B.C.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Try to eliminate any food sources that may be
attracting them to your yard. Bird feeders are the most common
attractant. If you are live trapping and releasing them they can easily
travel back more than half a mile. They have a keen sense of
direction. If you keep putting food out for them in traps, you will
keep attracting all the mice in the neighborhood. See our page on
MICE for more tips and control
information |
Q1338
I have a problem with Sow Bugs. They have entered the house from outside
and I will complete repairs to all entry points. I have removed outside
debris but they continue to be found inside and out. My question is "how
can I eliminate them from the yard beyond the maintenance I am
performing". Is there a chemical or natural plant/product to deter them
from nesting. I find auto gasoline splashed on a nest works great but
unpractical. Second, is there a spray chemical to kill the bugs
currently nesting in the basement walls? Thanks Mark. North
Vancouver.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This question has been submitted hundreds of times. The answer is
still the same: Sow bugs can only survive in a moist or high humidity
environment. Eliminate these conditions and they will stop entering your
home. We are not aware of any natural plants that will deter them.
Gasoline is not very safe or environmentally friendly. Insecticide sprays
will eliminate them for a short time but they will return.
Continually spraying pesticides is not practicing good pest management.
There's more information on these pages:
Sow bugs, pill
bugs, centipedes. |
Q1337 I have small
moths in my apt. which I kill about 10 to 20 a day. Marlene. Wasaga Beach
Ontario
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You may have
Indian meal moths They infest dry foods, or
clothes moths that may be in you clothing or carpets. Click
on the links for more information and pictures. |
Q1336
What is available to repel hornets, yellow jackets and wasps, during a
outdoor picnic? Last year, in the last week of August, we had my
granddaughters 3rd birthday. It was a outdoor bar-b-que, picnic at a State
park. So may children, got stung by yellow jackets, wasps and hornets. I
was very concerned, if one of the children, may have an allergic reaction.
We were lucky, all the children where fine, besides, many tears and the
terror to escape being stung the flying pests. We plan to have it at the
same place, this year, but hope to be more prepared. Why have the yellow
jackets, hornets and wasps been so heavily populated in the last 2-3
years? Mild winters? Susan Wilson, Anacortes, WA USA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The west coast has enjoyed consecutive mild winters and an early spring.
This has resulted in a bigger survival rate for wasp queens, and a long
reproductive season. More wasps later in the summer. Repelling
wasps is not very successful. Think more about "not attracting
them". Anything that smells good to us probably smells good to a
wasp; perfumes, hair shampoo with flowery fragrances, food and beverages.
A picnic in the park in August is just what the wasps are waiting for.
There's some good tips on our
wasp pages. |
Q1335 We have bees
coming down from the fireplace, into the front room. we can not get
behind the fire, what can we do?
hope you can help. Yvonne, Kent. united kingdom.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bees will sometimes nest in the gap between the
chimney bricks and the flu liner. This gap should be plugged at the top of
the chimney. Sometimes the mortar falls out. A hot fire would
probably drive them out. |
Q1334
I've been getting bug bits since last fall but they stopped over the
winter months. Now, they are recurring.
Last summer I moved to a new apartment and had no problem in one of the
rooms but when I switched rooms (w/in the same apartment) I started to get
small bites all over my legs and torso area. I haven't been able to
find/see any bugs and though I suspected bed bugs at first, I can't seem
to locate any or see any traces of blood or excrements. I currently have
about 10 bites on my body and I never see anything when I begin to feel
the itch. We have no pets though outside there are some squirrels and
pigeons which like to dock occasionally on the window sills. None of the
other apartment mates seem to have this problem (though one of them
started to get some bites last autumn but it also subsided when it got
colder). Please give me suggestions as how to identify what is biting me
and how to get rid of them. Thank You. Yili, Chicago
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are many creatures that could be biting.
Spiders can be a problem if they get trapped in your bed. Fleas and
bed bugs are more common. Even though you have no pets, you could
have a flea problem. They can survive for months in the pupae stage
and will multiply rapidly once there is a source of food (blood).
Some people seem to attract fleas more than others. For more
information see our Fleas page |
Q1333
Hope you don't mind me writing as I'm English. However I have noticed you
chaps seem to know all there is to know about Pharaoh ants. My question is
- are the little blighters making my skin itch?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some species of ants will bite but pharaoh ants a
too small to cause a problem. They will crawl into open wounds and
can be a serious problem in hospitals. See the answer to #1334
above. More information on
Pharaoh Ants. |
Q1332
My 6 year old son likes to find and keep pill bugs. How do we keep them
alive longer than a day? He gets a little upset when they die. Thanks for
the help! Kristen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Put them in a large jar or fish bowl with some moist
earth in the bottom. Add a few pieces of damp decaying wood and a
leaf of lettuce or over ripe fruit. Strawberries are good. Put
a lid on the jar to keep it moist. You may have to spray a little
water inside. Sow bugs and pill bugs can not survive in a dry
environment because they breath through gills. See:
Sow Bugs |
Q1331 We live next
to a seasonal creek and are approximately one kilometer from the ocean.
Recently we have had a very bad odor in our house and with further
investigation found it was coming from our crawl space under the house. In
checking the perimeter of the house I found a opening where an animal had
gained access. I had seen both raccoons and river otters around our house
and concluded it had to be one or the other. With several attempts to rid
our house of these visitors I thought I had solved the problem but was
afraid to close up the crawl space completely in fear I would be trapping
an animal inside. I was in the process of ventilating the crawl space with
fans when I seen an otter around the back of our house. By the time I got
outside the otter had gone in the crawl space again. How can I get this
animal out and also make sure there is none left inside before I seal up
all access points? Reg. Chemainus, British Columbia
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Otters are a protected fur bearing species in
British Columbia so you can't do anything to harm them. The odor
they cause can be so unbearable some people have to live elsewhere for a
while. If you can get in the crawl space with a powerful flashlight
try to find where it has made a nest. They often pull down
insulation to lay on. You will have to check often until you know
for sure it has gone out, then close up the entry point. Spraying
the area with ammonia may encourage it to leave. (Don't spray the
otter) Your regional district animal control officer may be able to help. |
Q1330
We had a large wooden swing set installed in our backyard about 4 years
ago. This spring we noticed several very deep holes bored into the wood
that ran length-wise along the beams. We saw bumblebees coming out of the
holes as if they had been nesting there, but don't think it possible that
they made the holes. What could make those kinds of holes. We have had
termites that have eaten fence posts, but these are very precise holes
that really don't look like "eating" but more like establishing a home.
Any ideas about what it could be? Thank you. Signe. Jessup, MD
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It sounds like carpenter bees. They are large,
resemble bumble bees and they make holes in wood. You will find more
information on our Virginia University resource links.
Insects |
Q1329 I live in
southwestern Wisconsin and I've been getting bitten by something in or
around my house. It starts out as just an itchy spot on my skin until I
scratch it, then it turns into what looks like a mosquito bite, but gets
worse and worse until it looks as though the skin around the bite is dying
off, (probably partly due to the fact that I can't stop itching them). My
gut instinct is telling me ants, but what kind of ants I can't seem to
figure out positively after days of searching and looking. We have
literally hundreds of tiny ant hills in our yard with tiny light brown
ants, and I've also found several slightly bigger, but still little,
reddish colored ants in my home. The ones in my home appear to be reddish,
with darker red, almost brown, heads and thoraxes. There does not appear
to be a trail of them, or a bunch of them in one place....I'll just see
one here or there as I'm walking around in my living room. I am to the
point that I constantly have the heebee geebees.....feeling like something
is crawling on me all the time, even when there's nothing there, so if you
could help me out, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks so much for your
time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ants can bite with their pincer-like jaws, although
most species rarely do. The velvety tree ant, however, is an aggressive
biter. A few ants sting, including native fire ants and harvester ants,
which are primarily outdoor species, and are the most common stinging ants
in California. An aggressive stinging ant, the red imported fire ant is
slowly moving through the southern states and northward. You should
also be aware of other insects that may be causing the problem including
spiders, fleas and bed bugs. |
Q1328
I saw a small black bee(?) crawling out of a round hole about 1/4" in
diameter in a wooden support post of our deck. Aaaak! I watched for
a while it flew in and out. I captured it and observed the hole for
a while. It seemed to be the only one using that hole. I observed another
using a sliding door guard as a nest. I was able to remove the guard and
see a small mass of yellow eggs which I destroyed. Any ideas on identity
and eradication. Any hope for my deck posts? Alison, Pender Harbour BC
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They are probably mason bees also know as orchard
bees. They are quite friendly, almost harmless and one of the best
pollinators you could have in your garden. Many fruit farmers and
gardeners attract them by building nests. See the photo and more
information on this web page:
Orchard/Mason Bees. |
Q1327 I have been
trying to find a web page for the actual ladybugs. I want to control my
aphid infestation every spring by these little but very fast spreading
pests. I still have some pesticide left, but I would prefer to use natural
means to control the aphids, only I have not been able to find where are
ladybugs sold for this purpose. Can you help ? Thanks,
Lou Botos, Westbank, BC.
compsci@okanagan.net
|
Q1326
how to rid squirrels from bird feeders without harming them-thank you. flo.
north carolina
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are a number of devices that you can buy or
make to restrict squirrels from accessing bird feeders. One additional
thought is to provide a separate feeder for these rodents. For
some good ideas check out this web page:
http://www.wildbirds.com/pests_squirrels.htm |
Q1325 Sow bugs have
invaded the cedar rails of my cedar board fence. Moisture is definitely
the problem, just as all the info on this site says. But the fence is in
New England and it rains here a lot. The rails are getting old and have
developed splits/cracks along the grain. The sow bugs have entered these
splits and set up housekeeping, thereby speeding decay of the rails. The
rails will be replaced in a couple of weeks. After that, what can I do to
prevent the same problem recurring as the new rails begin to age? (There
is NO mulch/organic matter along the bottom of the fence.) Candace,
Marblehead Massachusetts
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The sow bugs did not speed up the decay process.
To prevent decay which will attract sow bugs give your new fence a coat of
stain, or spray on a waterproofing solution. (Thompson's water seal) |
Q1324
There is a hole in our chimney and I have seen Raccoons go inside the
hole. We can hear them at night. It sounds like we have other people
living above us. They walk around the whole house. We used to think that
we had water damage on our ceiling, but now we are thinking that it might
be their urine or something. Could that be possible? If that is what it
is, could we be exposed to any diseases even if we don't come into direct
contact with them? (such as things we might be breathing in just by being
inside our house?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Raccoons can carry a number of diseases that could
be harmful to humans and pet dogs and cats. They are one of the most
common carriers of Rabies. Raccoon distemper is transmitted through
airborne droplets, direct contact with body fluids, saliva or raccoon
droppings. The dangerous bacterium Leptospira, is being detected by
veterinarians in a number of urban centers. This virus can spread from
raccoons to dogs and then to humans and can cause kidney disease in both.
Roundworms are common in raccoons and can be a very serious health hazard.
You should definitely get the raccoons out of your attic and clean up
their mess wearing a good quality respirator. Contact your local health
office for more information.
Leptospira Information:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/health/218107_pets30.html |
Q1323
We live in an apartment complex on the ground floor that is built on a
cement slab and understand that a lot of sand was put in to build on. We
have very small ants but now every evening are coming out in one corner of
the living room I think from around the baseboard rad. I guess they are
coming to the light that I have on in the corner to crochet. The flying
ones seem to be brown with yellow stripes around their abdomen. What can
we do about them. It does not seem to matter how many I kill they just
keep coming. What kind of ant are they, and how do we get rid of them? Bev,
Welland, Ontario.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It is difficult to tell what species of ant you have
without a better description or photo. The ants with wings are
reproductive males and females. They are emerging from nests to
mate. They fly to lights trying to find their way outside. You
should ask your landlord to call a pest professional to have the ants
identified and provide proper treatment. The pictures on this page
may help you identify them: ANTS |
Q1322
This time of the year, we always seem to get these little ants inside. We
live on the bottom floor of a 3 story condo. Other Condo units have
reported the same problem. I heard them described as "Sugar Ants". What
gives? M. Hoff. Renton Washington.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are many species of small ants that thrive on
carbohydrates, especially in the early spring. They are often referred to
as sugar ants. They can be controlled with a good quality ant bait, but it
may be wise to have your landlord call a professional to do a thorough
inspection of the building and eliminate all the nests. |
Q1321
I have a skunk(s) living under my outdoor shed by my house. Is
there anyone that will trap these critters for Free or for very little
that you know ? Thanks. Bernie. Stratford Ontario Canada.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Your chances of finding someone to get rid of skunks
free of charge are pretty slim. Only a an experienced trapper knows how to
deal with them without getting sprayed. Call a pest control service
and ask for references. |
Q1320
Last summer we had literally thousands and thousands of extremely tiny
bugs teeming at the foot of our eavestrough which sits level on the
ground. They don't jump or bite as far as we know but the eavestrough,
about 18" long, was totally covered in them. They look about the size of a
pinhead and are black, we think. They were also on the cement on the walls
outside and not so much on the wood, perhaps because it was higher up. We
sprayed with numerous bugsprays and that got rid of them. Any idea
what they are? We did have a very wet summer last year so not sure if that
means anything. Max. Musq. Harbour, NS
~~~~~~~~
It is impossible to identify an insect that is
described as a tiny black bug that does not jump or bite. |
Q1319
Our deck is approximately 10 yers old. This spring we have noticed that
something is eating away our deck posts. We don't know if it may be
termites, worms, or whatever. It's getting worse and we do not know
how to deal with it. Whatever it is it is very aggressive and by the way
they are moving, we may lose all the posts before summer. Please help.
Judie. Petersburg, MI
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Deck support posts are a natural target for
termites, especially if they are sitting close to the ground. There
are a number of other wood boring insects that could also be causing the
damage. Having a professional treat them now could save you many
dollars in the future. |
Q1318
We own a large cabin cruiser pleasure boat and dock it at the local
Marina. Unfortunately, over the past couple of years the marina has been
"plagued" with an infestation of spiders that make there way onto
the boat. Do you have any solutions or advice on how to gid rid of them so
we can enjoy our boat without these pests? Any/all help would be very much
appreciated. Michael. Haileybury, Ontario Canada
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Spiders eat insects. What could be attracting
them onto your boat? They also like dark damp places and boats
usually can provide that.
Try to determine why they are there, then
eliminate that food source. Use caution and read the label if you use an
insecticide. |
Q1317
What chemical can i use to spray around the outside of our barn and house
to kill or reduce the amount of cluster flies.
kindest regards. Bob.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Timing and proper application methods are more
import than the product used. You must use a residual insecticide
with flies on the label. Try to get the product into the wall and
soffit cracks and crevices. The best time to spray is in the fall
when the flies are trying to re-enter the buildings for the winter. |
Q1316
Can you please reassure me that the wasp traps you identify on your
website will not inadvertently trap a baby hummingbird? We have quite a
large number of both wasps and hummers both competing for the same feeders
and while I'd like to reduce the number of wasps, I would be devastated if
this trap inadvertently trapped a hummingbird - I've noticed several
generations of hummer families and am concerned about their babies. Thanks
for any info you can provide...v
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We have not heard of such a mishap. It would
be difficult for even a hummingbird to fly down through the funnel top.
Wasps usually peak in populations in the late summer. By then most
hummingbird feeders seem to be less active. |
Q1315
We found what looked like a giant wasp-striped brown and beige. It had a
3" what looked like a stinger on it's back-black and wings-scary and ugly.
Was it a Queen of some sort? or what? I can't find it on a wasp or bee
sight, but that's what it looked like. Thanks for your help.
Christie. Illinois.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It could be. ichneumon wasp. Compare it with photo
#202 on this web page: "What is this pest". |
Q1314
In our 12 yr old house we have larder beetles every year some years more
than others. This spring there are many more. We do not have any food
stuffs or pet food that the be able to get into. However a space under the
bathroom that seems to collect cluster flies might be the problem. Does
this sound correct and the cause for the beetles and if so what is a good
thing to use to solve the problem of the flies and or the larder beetles.
Peter. Salmo, BC.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Some species of dermestid beetles thrive on dead
insects as well as pantry foods. Getting rid of the cluster flies
would probably make a difference and that should be done by sealing up the
entry points they use in the fall. If this is not practical, a local
professional could spray the exterior with a residual pesticides in late
summer/early fall. |
Q1313
I have a rodent in my apartment that has eaten through a loaf of bread
(approx. 2-3 slices) and completely gnawed through some body creme I had
on the floor. Is this a mouse or a rat? Lynn. Georgia.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Somewhere in your house there could be a very fat
mouse with shiny fur, or more likely just another ugly rat. Mice
tend to nibble food from various sources, taking some of it away to hide
and eat later. Rats just eat and eat and eat. They also also leave
messages in their urine trails telling their friends to join them for
supper if the food source is plentiful. Read more
about rodents. |
Q1312
Hello, I work at an animal 'hotel' situated in a field and we have a
huge mice infestation. They live in the walls and leave droppings in bags
of food, on floors, even on my desk. There is a very unpleasant odor
associated with my job, and I know it is not only from the dogs and cats
staying with us temporarily ... mice are everywhere and no matter how hard
we try to exterminate them, they keep coming in from the field and
eventually get immune to the poison and start excreting green feces from
it!
We are trying to clean up as much as possible and I often get headaches,
sometimes feel nauseous and have trouble breathing. Is it
psycho- somatic or are these rodents playing a role on my feeling
uncomfortable at my job? Please give me your professional advice!
Thank you, Christine
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sorry, we do not give medical advice.
As long as there is an abundance of animal food that
the mice can get into, they will continue to be attracted to the "Hotel".
All food should be stored in containers with tight lids. Food should
not be left in feeding bowls after the animals have been fed, especially
at night. The green feces indicates there are probably a number of dead
mice in the building. They will almost always die after eating most
of the modern baits available. You should be cautious about cleaning up
where there is a heavy infestation of rodents. They do carry a
number of diseases, one of them is often fatal. (Hantavirus.) |
Q1311
I have found a baseball sized hole, rather a tunnel in my backyard, can
you tell me what type animal makes these tunnels. I also have golf sized
holes leading to under my deck, is that holes from mice. Maria.
Toronto. BC.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Holes this size are likely rat burrows. They can
burrow quite deep enabling them to get under the foundations of homes.
Read more about rodents. |
Q1310
i visited Memphis stayed in xxxxxxxx hotel usa last year i think bedbugs
have come back with me in luggage after reading yr pages i have bugs under
mattress and on bed base on mattress i on benefits and cant afford a
professional person they only in my bed can i treat them myself get rid
with flea spray at pet shop i don't have credit card can i buy from shop
in uk
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Getting rid of bed bugs
is a process that involves considerable inspection and cleaning labor.
Cleaning alone will not work. Pesticides alone will not work.
A combination of both plus a very thorough inspection is necessary. Have a
look at this web page: Get
Rid of Bedbugs |
Q1309
Is there a natural ingredient I can use to repel squirrels from my yard??
I would like to use something I could purchase myself vs having to buy
from pest control companies. Wayne. Regina, Sask.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't know where you
could purchase a reliable repellent other than from a pest control company
or supplier. They are the most knowledgeable people to deal with.
One of the best in Canada is "Wildlife Control Supplies of Canada".
Their contact information and some product information is available on
this web page:
Wildlife
Control Supplies of Canada |
Q1308
These bugs are too small to take a picture of but I found a patch of small
brown wormlike things on a Tshirt. I had to look very closely to see that
they were indeed worms and that they were wiggling, The looked like coffee
grounds or dirt that someone had thrown on the shirt. There were two
patches on the shirt and they were very tiny critters. I live in Florida.
Thanks!
~~~~~~~~~~~ |
Q1307
Recently we began finding small (about 1/2 cm - 1cm) golden moths flying
around our house. The source was located to be in my teenage brother's
bedroom, where they'd bred in the wet towels he'd left on the floor. We
moved the furniture around in his room and found they'd eaten half the
carpet. They spread to the bathroom and every time we shook a towel loads
would come flying out. We've tried mothballs and yet they're still here,
although less so. They still like the damp towels in the bathroom. They
are gold all over and we have never found any larvae. Please help.
Vanessa, London
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Adult clothes moths do
not eat fabric. It is the tiny larva that does the damage. For more
information and control tips see this web page:
..\INSECTS\Stored food and fabric pests\clothes_moths.htm |
Q1306
I have a problem with a flea infestation in my basement. We've tried
vacuuming on a regular basis, IGR spray about 5 cans, Raid fumigator and
our cat does not live in the house. Is it possible to bring flea eggs into
the house on our wood we use in our wood-burning furnace? We brought the
wood into our basement in August but we did not notice any fleas until
December... Also our cat was an indoor cat but it did make it outside once
after it was found on our kitchen table: (We have not called in a
pest control professional due to it being a very small place and everyone
knowing everyone else's business.. PLEASE HELP!!! Nicole, Ontario
~~~~~~~~~~
The 5 cans of IGR plus
raid should have solved your problem if they were applied properly.
Sometimes a second treatment is required, but as you know the cost of the
products to use may be more than having a professional do it properly.
There should be no shame in have a pest professional come to your home.
It is better than ignoring the pests, or using pesticides in a way that
may be harmful to your family. |
Q1305
I've read about remedies for flea infestations and was wondering if Borax
is available to buy in Ontario, my problem seems to be getting worse after
everything else we have tried... Thanks
~~~~~~~~~~~
Borax is available
almost anywhere but it is not the right solution for fleas. First you
should have your pets treated by a veterinarian.
Your home should be treated with an adulticide mixed with an insect growth
regulator. You can purchase a few spray bottles from a vet (most
homes will need 4 or 5 bottles) but is will probably cost less to have a
professional do the treatment properly. |
Q1304
We have flies in our house They come out in the sunny windows in the day
time. We have all new windows and doors so screens are tight They seem to
be coming from inside the house somewhere. Bob. Mid northern
Ontario.
~~~~~~~~~~~
When cluster flies
emerge from their winter hibernation they fly toward light. (windows)
These flies probably spent the winter in your attic or other cavities.
They did not likely enter around your new windows. See the
answer to Q1296 for more information. |
Q1303
Small numbers of black ants keep appearing on both the first and second
floors of our house. We use the poisonous spray and they appear moving
very slowly on both floors. I have a pet bird and need something that will
not be harmful to him. Please HELP!! Sue Chapman, Valley Stream, NY.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Spraying any kind of
pesticide in your home could be fatal for your bird. Birds have
very sensitive respiratory systems. (remember why they took canaries
into the mines) You should have the ant species identified by a
professional. Some ants can be easily controlled using quality ant
bait. If they are carpenter ants, the nests must be found and
treated. Bait probably wont work. |
Q1302
What is the best way to control sow bugs if you cannot control moisture?
Pesticides? Thanks in advance. Janell, Castro Valley, California.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sow bugs are just a
symptom of the more serious problem: MOISTURE. High moisture conditions
will do more harm to your home than sow bugs. If you can't control
moisture, there is something wrong with or where your home. is
constructed. Using pesticides may get rid of the
bugs temporarily but it does not solve the problem. |
Q1302
I have in every room the ultrasonic pest repellers because after 2 months
of moving in to apt. i had a water bug! very frightened of them i was told
these pest repellers are fantastic for water bugs, roaches, spiders, etc.
etc. but I've gotten spiders and now an ant in my daughters room now do
these things work? i spent a lot of money on these things i have like 6-7
of them because i don't want another water bug I'm scared in my own home!
Diane, Bronx, N.Y.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately you are another victim of a
scam product that is an embarrassment to professionals in the pest
management industry.
These devices are a total waste of money. They do not control
insects. The ultrasonic models are not an effective solution for
controlling rodents. If they worked, professionals would be selling
them. Everyone wants an easy way to do things. |
Q1301
I have Grain Weevils in my pantry. However they've become adults and are
flying around. How do I get rid of them? Thought we got rid of them when
we discarded all of the contaminated food, but now those little almost
black bugs are being seen in other rooms. HELP! Kim. Niagara Falls.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
True grain beetles do
not fly. Collect some samples of the adults and compare them to the
pictures on this web page:
Grain Beetles |
| Q1300 How do you get
rid of voles?? Karen. Shelby, MI. |
| See the answer to Q1299 below. |
| Q1299
The snow has just melted in our yard and the lawn (which we watered with
nematodes in the fall to deal with crane fly) is criss-crossed with tracks
that are about 2 to 3" wide. These tracks aren't hilled (as if something
was burrowing under) but as if something was eating its way through. The
tracks are basically bare soil with lots of dead grass. Is this a vole?
What should I do to repair? The neighbours have two large dogs that have
been let out in their yard daily. Their grass, though in pretty bad shape
due to the dogs doesn't seem to have any of these tracks. The neighbours
to the other side have some but not as many as we do. Help! Wendy.
Oakville, Ont. |
| You very likely have
voles or other small rodents running back and forth in tunnels under the
snow. They can stay quite warm and use the lawn as a food supply.
There is some very good information about these critters on this web site:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7439.html |
| Q1298 How do I get
rid of woodpeckers damaging my wood home. Sharon, Pocatello, ID |
| If you eliminate the reason they are
there, you will eliminate most pests. The woodpeckers are likely
pecking holes in the side of your home to get at some insects they can
hear. It could be a number of wood boring insects including
carpenter ants, termites or beetles. |
| Q1297
It is said that Bed Bugs can stay without food (blood) for 2 to 3 days .
Does this mean that they will all perish if a household is on holiday
outside the house for a week or more ? JAYANTH. MUMBAI |
| No. Bed bugs can
live many months without a blood meal. They have been known to
survive
up to a year with no food source (blood) available. For more information see our new web page:
Get Rid of Bedbugs. |
| Q1296
We have HOUSE FLIES coming out the light box in the overhead light fixure
(2nd floor in a 2 story home). There is an average of 5 per day and it has
been happening for over 1 month now. Can you advise on how to handle this
situation? It is mid March right not & I'm concerned that it will get
worse with the warming weather coming. THANK YOU. MaryAnne. Toronto |
| You likely have cluster
flies. They commonly spend the winter in attics and other warm
cavities. They leave in spring, breed outside all summer and return in the
fall. Bob Cameron, known as Dr. Bug, is an expert on the subject and does
considerable cluster fly control in southern Ontario. Read more
about cluster flies on his web page:
Urban Pest Control
|
| Q1295
I think my dog may of had some rat poison what are the side effects.
Mick. Birmingham. UK. |
| We do not give medical
advice, but we can say, symptoms of rat poisoning are difficult to detect
in the early stage. Difficulty in breathing is common. Please
consult a veterinarian. |
| Q1294
Anticipating the recurrence of small black ants, spring and summer, slow
moving, appear only on window sills discarding carcasses, 1st year on one
window sill upstairs, 2nd year on two window sills upstairs, 3rd year
downstairs, do not appear to forage in the house, just use the window
sills for dead. Caulked seams and they still managed to make it thru tiny
cracks or holes. Will get pix for photo page, just hoping to eradicate
before then. Thank you for your kind help. PJ |
| Reproductive ants (with
wings) will fly to windows trying to get outside. They often die and fall
onto window sills. Sometimes ants will build nests in window frames because
there is often moisture between the window casings and the wood framing.
There is also always a gap and entrance from the outside is not difficult.
Take a sample to a local pest professional for identification and advice.
|
| Q1293
Once in a while I notice little Reddish Black egg looking things on my
bed. I thought maybe it could be stuff I was bringing from outside when I
got into bed. No matter how well I clean them up and wash my sheets once
in a while they seem to be scattered onto my bed. Finally I realized they
are coming from my wall. I found 3 clusters of what seems to be an egg
nest. They are very tiny like maybe 4 mm in diameter, if that. Sometimes
it is covered in those egg like things, and then it seems to shed itself
of them and then they fall off. But then they form again. It is a flat
cluster of those eggs never to many, I'd say 30 to 50 eggs, they're more
like seeds, hard ones. When I rolled a pen on them they just crush like
sand. Can you Help me Please? I haven't seen them turn to bugs , they just
stay like that.
Mary. Southern California. |
| |
| Q1292
I have a number of roof rats decaying in my attic after eating poison
bait. The pest company doesn't do anything but place the bait. How do I
find a company to hire to go up in the attic, find the critters and remove
them and perhaps treat the area with an odor killer? HELP! Kit. |
| Some pest control
services offer this service along with odor control. Others do not.
You will have to phone some of them in your area. Be prepared to pay
for a professional technician to do the work. |
| Q1291
I have sow beetles in my basement and need ANY tips to control them. I
have read everything in your site about sow beetles and understand that
they love moisture so I have fixed everything suggested to minimize
moisture. There is no vegetation near my house and I cannot caulk holes in
the walls as they are finished. I have minimized what I can for moisture
so what I really need now are tips for controlling. I will try the outside
spray- what else can I try? What interior chemicals/sprays/powder may
work? Old wives remedies? Anything? I can't change anything else in the
house so any ideas are desperately welcome. Thank you. Sandy.
Edmonton, Alberta. |
Chemical sprays are not
recommended to control sow bugs indoors. If there are numerous sow
bugs crawling around inside, and not dying, the humidity is far too high.
When the weather warms up you may wish to hire a professional to do an
exterior perimeter spray. This will reduce the population
immediately, but they will return if the moisture problem is not
corrected. To get a better understanding of moisture and humidity problems
and how to correct them in homes, visit the Central Mortgage and Housing
Corporation web page:
http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/burema/gesein/Momo/moaipr/moaipr_009.cfm
More information on Sow Bugs |
| Did you know:
Well trained modern pest professionals use an integrated approach in pest
management. This often results in less reliance on the use of
pesticides. Before you use pesticides, consult a local professional in
the directory. |
| Q1290 Fleas have
found their way into my car. I have thoroughly sprayed the interior
several times with Zodiac carpet and upholstery spray but there are still
some fleas in the car. I've tried calling exterminating companies but they
say they don't service vehicles. One reputable company suggested that I
set off a fogger in the car but I'm concerned as to whether that is safe
or not and whether it could harm the car's electrical system. Is there any
advice you can give me? Lisa. Los Angeles, CA. |
| Don't use a fogger!!! Vacuum every
square inch of the interior of your car thoroughly. The product you used
to spray contains an insect growth regulator (IGR) called Methoprene.
An IGR kills larvae and prevents flea eggs from hatching up to 7 months.
It should have solved your problem but perhaps you did not give it enough
time to work. The Pupae stage of fleas is not effected by pesticides
but when the adults hatch they usually die quickly from the residual
effect of the pesticide used. |
| Q1289
I have a woodpecker making a home in the wood side of my house. How do I
get rid of him without killing him? He was apparently there before...we
bought the house last year & patched a hole right where he is at this
year. Thanks! Barbara. Oakboro North Carolina USA |
| Your woodpecker may be
searching for insects that it hears inside your wall. This could be
a much more serious problem. You would be wise to have a pest
professional do an inspection. |
Q1288 What have
experts done to help get rid of the Red fire ant. Besides telling people
how to get rid of them themselves.
What hands on things have they done. Elissa. Belvidere |
| Fire ants are not a pest problem in Canada
so we are not well informed about how to deal with them. In the US,
the pest management industry has done intense research on this growing
pest problem. Manufactures have developed new pest control products that
must be approved by the Environmental Protection Agency before they can be
used. There are now some good ones available to pest professionals.
The National Pest Management Association has been studying this problem
and has published information on their web site:
http://www.pestworld.org/homeowners/spotlight/fire_ants.asp |
| Q1287
I have trapped two field mice (very small, long tail - we live beside a
park) in my attic recently and earlier this week, I heard the familiar
scratching of another "visitor". The challenge with my place is the attic
is stuffed two feet high all over with blown insulation, and the place
where I'm hearing the mice and the place where I can gain access to the
attic is on the other side of the house. I have placed a board on top of
the insulation where I can access the attic, and baited glue and other
traps on the board - will this eventually attract them? It seems to have
worked thus far but I've read that mice do not venture far from their
nest. How in the world could I ever attempt to find them otherwise? Thanks
for your help. Dave. Sudbury, Ontario. |
| Mice must eat to survive
and there should be no source of food available in your attic. They often
follow plumbing to and from the attic and will look for food at a lower
level, usually in the kitchen, basement or crawlspace. The best
place to trap or poison them is in tan unfinished basement or crawl space.
Read more on this web page:
Mice |
| Q1286 My landlord is
having the building tented for termite control, what precautions should be
taken regarding food and clothing in the apartment. Jose. Los
Angeles. |
| Tenting for termites is not practiced in
Canada. The pest control company performing the servie should give
you written information about the procedure and any precautions you need
to take. |
| Q1285
We have removed a dead rat from behind some paneling and have found
maggots. We have removed the rat but there are still some maggots. What is
the best way to kill and remove them. Christi. Surrey, B.C.
|
| Spray the area with a
bleach and water mixture. This will disinfect and kill the maggot. |
| Q1284 We recently
purchased a vehicle and discovered a bad smell in it. Unfortunately, we
found that there was a rat's nest in the duct work. It took many attempts
to remove all of the nesting a rat turds from the duct work. We believe we
got it all. The trouble is we still have the smell. We have tried
disinfectant and other things, but still have the smell when we use the
heater. What do you suggest to remove the smell? Will it ever go away? (It
has only been a weak). Thank you. Shirley. Lakota, North Dakota. |
| There is probably considerable dried urine
in the duct. Try to clean it out with bleach and water, then turn
the heater on full and leave it running for a while with the windows open.
|
| Q1283
The sow/ pill bug has taken over my basement. There are a lot of trees on
the side of our house, preventing the sun from drying that area out in the
spring and summer. We have tried to seal off the window sills from where
we believe they are coming in, which is on the same side where the trees
are. But it didn't seem to work. What can I do to eliminate them or at
lease minimize them in my home?? Help me please!! Amy, Port Hawkesbury,
Nova Scotia |
| The answer never
changes. Eliminate moisture and you will eliminate sow and pill
bugs. A professional perimeter spray may reduce the populations for a few
weeks, but they will return. See:
sow bugs, pill bugs
& centipedes. |
| Q1282 Is a ICHNEUMON
wasp dangerous? Sarah, New Zealand |
| There are more than 100 species of
ichneumon wasps in New Zealand. Many of them are predators other insects
including caterpillars so they are considered a beneficial insect..
Here is a web site with some good information:
http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biosecurity/stowaways/solit.asp
|
| Q1281
We've recently found these tiny little black bugs by our kitchen sink and
on the counter. I have no idea where they came from but they are in my
cereal, flour, but mainly it seems on the counter. I thought they were
dead because they are so little and move so slow. Please identify these if
possible and tell how to get rid of them. Please. Mone't. Shelbyville, KY |
| There are thousands of
species of "little black bugs". More information would help. If you can
send us a macro photo (close-up) we will post it for identification on our
"What is this pest"
web page . You may be able to compare your bugs with the food infesting
beetle pictures on this web page:
Pantry Pests. You will also find
some control information here. |
Q1280
There are 2 holes in my room that ants are coming out of. One is in my
room, and the other is the bathroom beneath my toilet.
I bought ant colony killers and left them there for over a week so the
colony would die then proceeded to insecticide on the remaining ones that
would emerge. Eventually, they all started coming back from the same
holes. I left the ant colony killer for the recommended 7 days, and
even a couple more and the ant colonies still seem to be alive, Am i doing
something wrong? Jon. Richmond Hill, Ontario |
| The label on the ant
colony killer probably says :"they will take it back to the nest and
kill the queen". If they are carpenter ants, it is very unlikely
there is a queen in your home! Over the counter ant baits (poison)
have no effect on most species of carpenter ants. Spraying an insecticide
may cause the hidden nest to re-locate. Killing ants out of the nest
is like putting a band aid on a tumor. It does not get to the
problem. Read more about
carpenter ants and you will understand why your best solution is
to call a professional. |
| Q1279
I read the question and answer on Maple Bugs posted on the web
site. Unfortunately we also are infested with them. My question is when is
the best time to remove the infested tree? Right now the bugs are
infesting our home and they are extremely annoying. Is it best to cut the
tree down now or in the Spring when they go back outside? I am also
wondering that once the tree is removed will the remaining insects that
are in the house die off or should we call in an exterminator? Thank
You. Susan. Windsor, Ontario |
| Use your vacuum cleaner
to suck up the bugs that enter your living space. Box Elder Bugs
(Maple Bugs) will leave your home in the spring and return to the tree.
Wait until they they are back in the tree before you remove it. There is
very little a pest professional could do for you at this time of year
(March). Read more about
Box Elder Bugs. |
| Q1278
How do get rid of a skunk and the smell of a skunk without having to buy
things for it? Keena. Copalis Crossing. |
| A mixture of hydrogen
peroxide and baking soda will neutralize the skink odor. You may
wish to hire a professional to trap and remove the skunk. Doing it
yourself could produce stinky results. |
| Q1277
I've got a pill bug problem. I'm living right now in a vacation
rental I have, I'm afraid it's been unheated for most of the winter.
Several nights now I've come home and find the floor covered with pill
bugs, expecting to see a lot more the next morning, it never happens. I do
have a cement slab under the carpet, I read something about that being a
problem but I really haven't found any obvious moisture. So when I see
them I go vacuum them up. then I don't see any for awhile, until one night
there's 30 of them on the floor. If I keep this place heated and clean the
bugs out when I see them, will I get rid of them? Thanks James. Sitka
Alaska. |
Many homes build on a
cement slab do not have a vapor barrier under the slab. The cement
is constantly absorbing moisture from the earth beneath it. Most
homes on a slab are so close to the ground that the soil level and
vegetation around the perimeter is touching or very close to the wooden
walls. This creates the ideal moist conditions that sow bugs and pill bugs
need to survive.
See this web page:
Sow bugs, pill bugs. |
| Q1276
We have a problem in our house with Sowbugs. Is there any way
to chemically eliminate them? What is the best way to remove or eliminate
this bug from our house? Dan. Edmonton, Alberta |
| Almost any pesticide in
a spray can will kill the sow bugs and pill bugs you see but this is not a
long term solution. They will return as long as there is a moist
environment to attract them. THEY CAN NOT SURVIVE IN A DRY ENVIRONMENT.
The fact that you are seeing them in your home is a sure sign that you
have a moisture or high humidity problem. See this web page:
Sow bugs, pill
bugs. |
| Q1275
How do I get rid of bedbugs? Cathy. New York. |
| The simple answer is
call a pest management professional. These pests can be difficult to
locate because they can survive for months without feeding. Just spraying
pesticides is not the solution. A very thorough inspection, cleaning
process and the use of high temperature steam are some of the techniques
used by professionals. Read more on this web page:
BED BUGS |
| Q1274
What is the most effective humane method of removing large numbers of
rabbits? Rob. Vancouver |
| Live trapping is
probably the most humane method but that presents a problem of what to do
with them. Releasing them in a park or rural are may just relocate
an environmental problem. You may get some help from the city or
regional animal control office. |
| Q1273
My mom has hundreds of ladybugs in her home and can't seem to get
rid of them. Why does she have the ladybugs when I live near her and I
don't have any? Debbie. Jonesborough, TN |
| The ladybugs entered
cracks and crevices in the home last fall, looking for a warm place to
spend the winter. By accident some of them emerge to the interior of
the home, thinking it is spring and time to start a new cycle. Your
home may not have as many easy entry points as your mother's home. A
vacuum cleaner is the best tool to get rid of them indoors. Caulking
the exterior entry points will prevent their entry next fall. Read
more on this page: Ladybugs |
|
|
| Q1272
Help! I have voles in my yard and I can't get rid of them. I've
tried poison packs and high-frequency noises and neither have worked. Now
that the snow is melting, you can really see the damage they are causing.
What can I do to get rid of them before we start landscaping this spring?
Christina. Calgary. |
Are you sure they are
voles and not Moles? See this web page for photos and
identification:
voles and moles
Health Canada has some good tips on this web page for
controlling voles and moles |
Q1271
We found worms in a carpet that we brought home from Peru almost 3 years
ago. The carpet us supposedly made of Alpaca wool. The worms are white
with a black little point at the "head" and are about 1/2 cm long. They
look like inch worms. There were not many when we shook out the carpet. We
also found a few holes in the carpet. What are they and how do we
get rid of them?!
Thanks. Julie. Halifax, Nova Scotia. |
| Carpet beetles.
Have a look at the answer to the next question (Q1270) |
Q1270 I
found one carpet bug on a mattress that i was sleeping on in San Francisco
two days ago.. I wasn't sure what it was - but a friend assured me it
wasn't a bed bug.. now that i have returned home i have found another one
on a wool skirt (I just removed it from my suitcase last night.. ) I'm
worried that i might cause an infestation here at home.. how do i avoid
this from happening? Can i just take the contents of my suitcase and
wash/dry the whole thing? what about the suitcase itself? should i leave
it outside?
Lauren. Ontario. |
| You should first get a
positive identification of the bug just in case it is a bed bug. (more
difficult to deal with than carpet beetles) Laundering or dry
cleaning your clothing should kill carpet beetles and their larva.
You should inspect all the cracks and crevices in the suitcase for small
larva and spray that are with a small amount of residual insecticide. For
more information see these pages:
carpet beetles and bed bugs. |
| Q1269
Someone please help! We are buried in snow (March 4.)and still I see these
small (1/2-3/4 inch) black bugs crawling on the snow and some getting in
my house!!! They have a narrow, elongated body, 6 legs, no wings, antennae
from the head and a protruding, forked tail end. What in the world lives
in the snow this time of year? Michele. Buffalo, NY |
| Snow fleas! No kidding.
Have a look at the picture and description #327 on our
"what is this pest" page. |
| Q1268
I am trying to find out where I could purchase some micro-encapsulated
diazinon (Knox Out?) to deal with a wasp problem. Any ideas? Thanks!
Tammy. Victoria, BC. |
| All Diazinon products
have been phased out of the market in Canada. There may be some
still available but not for long. There should be no reason to deal
with wasps at this time of year (March). The queens that survived over the
winter may be emerging on very warm days but they will not go back to any
old nests. When you see them building a new nest they are easy to
get rid of mechanically, without pesticides. |
| Q1267
I hope you can help me. I was sitting on my couch a few weeks ago, and
across my arm came this really big bug. I thought it was some sort of
cockroach but looking at different roach pictures I don't think it was.
It was approximately 2/1 inches long, about 1 inch wide, (yes it was that
big) the front end of the bug was brownish red and it gradiated towards
the back into more of a yellow brown. It was not segmented, but looked
like it had ridges possibly? I've looked at beetle pictures at quite a few
different sites and I can't seem to find anything. I spoke to a pest
control person for our apartment complex and he said it was a wood roach.
Well I looked up a wood roach and this was NOTHING like what I saw. Any
suggestions being as I don't have an illustration? |
| Keep your camera handy
and if it shows up again send us a picture to put on our
"what is this pest" page.
You may want to check in case there is something similar already posted on
this page. |
Q1266
Hello there, I would appreciate it greatly if you could refer me to
a company in Toronto that has good feedback and success in getting rid of
carpenter ants. I've tried the home solution way to no avail and need a
professional to help with the problem.
Thank you. Stephen. |
| It is natural for most
people to try to control pests in their home but many find out the hard
way, carpenter ant control should be done by someone with experience and
the right tools for the job. Killing carpenter ants outside their nests is
merely getting rid of the symptoms, not the real problem. The so
called "ant traps" and little bottles of borax ant poison are a total
waste of time and money. Spraying an insecticide may result in the
nests moving to a new location. The businesses listed in our
directory of
pest professionals in Toronto have good reputations earned through
years of experience. Read more about
Carpenter ants. |
| Q1265
Why are ants with wings moving into my house in February. I can't
see where they are getting in outside. In fact there are no ants to
be seen anywhere outside. They look like the pictures you have on
your carpenter ant web page. Sarah. Victoria, B.C. |
The ants you see are not
coming in from outside. They have emerged from a nest or nests in
your home. Carpenter ants outside will not start leaving their nests
in the logs and stumps until the temperature at night is much warmer.
Ants with wings are reproductive males and females from a nest that is at
least 3 to 5 years old. Because the inside of your house is warm, they
think it is spring and time to mate. Only a few ants are reproductive with
wings. They represent just a small percentage of the ant population.
The tip of the iceberg.
You should phone a professional to have a look at the problem, suggest
solutions and give you an estimate. Consider it an investment in the
maintenance of your most valuable asset, your home. Read more about
Carpenter ants. |
|
Directory of
pest management professionals in Victoria |
| Q1264 What is the
best chemical to use to control pill bugs? Valance. Woodstock, NL |
| Spraying chemicals to control pill bugs
and sow bugs is only a temporary solution. Except for sensitive areas we
recommend changing the environment to discourage them. This includes
eliminating moisture problems and high humidity. They can not
survive in dry conditions because they breath through gills.
See the sow bug and pill bug web
pages. |
| Q1263
does the pest offence work on fish. my mum wont let me get any because of
it. it says anything smaller than a rabbit and i was wonderin about fish.
|
| Electronic pest devices
will have no effect on fish. In fact they have very little or no
effect on any creature. |
| Q1262 Is there a way
to kill ants without spraying chemaical due to the fact that we have a
pond with koi? Rich. Ventura, CA |
| You definitely don't want to spray any
chemicals near the fish pond. There are ant baits available that are quite
effective on some species of ants. Try to have the ants identified
and talk to a professional about baits available in your area. |
| Q1261
I think I have a mink problem I raise chicken and Pheasants and last night
I came home and the pheasants were dead in there pen their head were
bitten off there was a small hole about the size of a coffee cup in the
floor. of the coop haven't had this problem before I patched up the hole
but how can I keep what ever it is away and to stay away before my
chickens are killed.? Adam. Ayr, Ontario |
| Mink for sure.
They seem to enjoy killing their prey just for blood. One mink will wipe
out a flock of chickens in one visit to the hen house. Your only solution
is to make sure they can't get in. Trapping mink can be very
difficult for the inexperienced.
Read more about mink on this page. |
| Q1260 Rats or
weasels?? We have recently bought a home and I have always wanted a little
farmette for my children.. We have ducks, chickens and rabbits. We also
have something unwanted. We thought either rats or moles. The holes we are
seeing though seem big. I was told rats don't tunnels holes, but then the
holes look too big for moles. So perhaps weasels? Our poultry are laying
eggs both chicken and ducks. I am not sure if it is after the eggs or
feed. I worry that my birds will be harmed or this unwanted pest will move
towards the house. First could you tell me possibly what the critter could
be and a way to eliminate it. Thank You Karena. Great web sight! |
| Rats are the most common rodent found
around livestock buildings because there is usually an abundance of food.
Rats often burrow into the ground and find their way under building
foundations. Try to block them out of the buildings or pen area. Store
livestock food in secure metal containers. Avoid food spillage.
Use hanging self feeders. Keep pens clean.
Read more about rats.
Weasels |
| Q1259
Will wood chips from pine and oak trees draw termites and carpenter ants.
Due to 4 bad hurricanes last summer there are all kinds of wood chips that
we can have free for are gardens etc. Could you please send me an E-mail
with the answer. Thanks. CARL |
| Most people use wood
chips in garden areas around homes to hold moisture. Most insects,
especially termites and carpenter ants love warm moist places. Wood chips
and bark mulch ground cover result in much work for pest professionals.
Sorry we can not send personal replies to the numerous questions
submitted.
|
| Q1258 i keep
getting bugs in my boxed food> I think someone once told me they are after
the glue on the boxes, but I am not sure what they are called or how to
get rid of them. Erica. Pennsylvania |
| The bugs in your dry food are there just
for that: the food, not glue. Store your cereals, flour,
grains, crackers etc in containers with air tight lids.
Read more about food infesting insects. |
| Q1257
I recently bought a stove that sat unused in an empty house for at least
one year. after turning on the oven, i noticed a FOUL smell eliminating
from it. after taking apart the stove i noticed that the inner insulation
had been infested with field mice, and when i turned on the oven i was
smelling their feces, and urine. is there ANY way of eliminating the odor
completely, short of replacing all of the insulation? Ty.
Pittsburg |
| It may be impossible to
get all the old insulation out so you could try leaving the oven on (on a
cold day) and turn on your fan. It will take some time but the odor should
go away eventually. |
Q1256 I have an old
falling apart chair that is either filled with horsehair or straw.
Recently I noticed lots of small (4mm -7mm) larvae type caterpillar bugs
on it. They are dark, i think with stripes, and appear to have hair, they
only seem to come out when it is dark. I put a sisal cat scratcher next to
this chair and they have infested that. Does anyone know what are they?
Can they harm my cats?
thanks. Helen. Brooklyn. NY. |
It sounds like you have carpet beetle
larva. They may have also migrated into other places in your home.
You should probably get rid of the chair and cat scratcher then vacuum
thoroughly in that room. If they are still around in a week, call a
pest professional.
Read more about carpet beetles |
| Q1255
What would be the most effective treatment for demodedic mange in canines?
I am currently using a dip and was hoping for maybe a spray on treatment
that would be less trouble to apply but yet still be as effective and
certainly of no harm to my pet. Debbie. Eatonton, Georgia. |
| Sorry. We do not
give medical advice, even for dogs. Talk to a veterinarian. |
| Q1254 I still have a
woodpecker AFTER having pest control spray the house and attic. There is
an owl decoy hanging from the eaves. He (she) pecks on the north facing
wall just under the eave/soffit. What next? Tom. Hermiston, Or. |
| You likely have carpenter ants or some
other insects in the wall. Have a professional give you an estimate
to inspect and eliminate the problem in the entire house. In the spring
woodpeckers will peck on anything that makes lots of noise, like a metal
chimney or hollow tree. This is a mating call.
More about carpenter ants. |
|
Q1253 In the last 2 days i have caught 2 mice using simple
spring traps... if i continue to lay spring traps is that enough to
control the problem or do i need to have my landlord contact a pest
control company? (i have a feeling that may be a challenge) Davic.
London, Ontario. |
Try to determine how the
mice are getting into your apartment. They are likely following
plumbing from the basement or other areas in the building. Block off
the entry points in your apartment with steel wool and have the landlord
take care of the problem elsewhere.
More about mice. |
| Q1252 i know i live
out of your area but please help me!!!..we had to take our car to the
garage to be fixed and after it being there for about a week when we got
it back i noticed the next morning something was living in it, it was
tearing the insulation out of the dash and it dug a hole in the back seat.
it has been about a month and we have set mouse traps that get sprung and
the bait ate off, we then set sticky traps but the cold weather makes them
useless, so then we got a rat trap and it wont touch it, we also have rat
poisoning in there and it eats the bowl but doesn't touch to poison!!! it
is wrecking my car, PLEASE HELP ME!!, the poop looks like mouse poop but
alot bigger, about 1/2 of an inch to 3/4 of an inch long. do you think it
is a rat and what can we do to get rid of it??? Kris. Ohio |
| It is likely a rat that may not be able to
get out. You should try different rat bait, or call a
professional in your area to place traps in effective locations. If
the rat is able to get out of the vehicle, you could use secure outdoor
bait stations where you park the car. Be prepared to do a thorough
search if it dies and starts to smell up the car. Maybe a professional is
the right solution. |
| Q1251
What can be done to prevent rodents from chewing on car wires and hoses?
Stan. El Cajon, CA |
| If the rat population is
small, proper trap placement near all the wheels may be effective.
If it is a large population call a professional to place secure outdoor
bait stations. |
| Q1250 I have a mole
(about 4" long) under a cushion on my couch. Please tell me how to get rid
of these things - they come up from the cellar where I keep lots of decon.
Presque Isle, Maine. |
It is not common for moles to enter homes
because there is not abundance of the food they prefer. Are you sure
you don't have rats?
See the Rodent page. |
| Q1249
there is a problem of some insect that comes when a rat dies and it is a
insect that bites human being what is that insect? Nikhil. Mumbai |
| Rats can carry a number
of parasites including lice, ticks and fleas. When they die and the
body cools these insects leave and search for a new source of food.
Humans may be their next victims. That is how the great plague
spread killing a large percentage of Europe's population. |
| Q1248 I have
recently noticed a lot of little (they are QUITE tiny - the largest ones
I've seen are about 2 mm long) black bugs around the base of my toilet.
They die rather easily and leave a purple-ish residue on the tissue I use
to kill them. We recently had our house rewired (it's an OLD house) and I
don't know if this may have stirred something up. PLEASE HELP - I've found
them even sort of boring into the toilet paper rolls that we have piled in
a basket near the toilet. It's creeping me out! THANKS!!!! Deanna,
Toronto, Ontario |
| There are many, many species of "tiny
black bugs" that could be living in your house. If you can send a
close up picture we will put it on our
"What is this pest" photo
page for identification. If you can't get a photo, take a sample to a
local pest professional for identification and control information.
Toronto
pest professionals |
| Q1247
I have varied carpet beetles in my kitchen. I have caulked and scrubbed
and moved the fridge and stove. They seem to be living in my walls and
just APPEAR on the floor and counters out of nowhere. If I can't find the
host, how do I control these things? They are not feeding on any of my
food in my cabinets. Marie. Pittsburgh |
| The host could be dead
rodents in your walls but more likely you will find larva in some organic
material such as carpets or stored dry food. More information on this
page:
Carpet Beetles |
| Q1246 Recently we
have moved to a different apartment and from end of November i found blood
sucking insects. these come out during night around 12 to 2 o clock on to
the bed and sucks blood. when i removed the mattress and checked for them
i found few of them in the mattress box and i killed them and vacuumed the
bed and bought a mattress insects powder and put on the box but later last
week i found more insects on the bed in the night sucking blood then i
opened the bed and unscrewed the joints and i found lot of these bugs. i
kills all of them and destroyed the eggs and washed the wooden pieces and
put the powder again. but again i found these during night disturbing
sleep. can you pl let me know what to be done and what to be used as my
wife is pregnant and she is due march 1st week and i want to get rid of
these bugs immediately. Raghu. Etobicoke |
| The apartment may have had bed bugs
before you moved in. They can survive for months without a blood
meal. Getting rid of them can be very difficult. Even a well trained
and experienced pest professional may have to do 2 or 3 inspections and
treatment. The bed bugs may also be in adjoining apartments,
migrating into yours. Your landlord should probably take
responsibility for control. There are some tips and links to more
information on this web page:
BED BUGS |
Q1245
I'm expected at an out-of-town family function this spring. I'll probably
have to stay in a hotel. The place looks very nice, as far as hotels go,
but I'm very, very worried about bedbug bites. If the hotel should have
bedbugs, is there any way to avoid them--repellant, choosing a cot
over the room bed, using a sleeping bag, rising before dawn, wearing long
sleeves, et cetera?
Thanks so much, C.K., Boston, MA |
| You have good reason to
be concerned about bed bugs. In the past few years bed bugs have spread
into some of the finest hotels and even cruise ships. At a recent
pest conference in a fine hotel many of the pest management professionals
inspected their rooms thoroughly before going to bed. (Yes there was a
problem in one room). This is not an easy task for someone that is
not trained in what to look for and where to look. With so many hotels
experiencing bed bug problems it may be wise to ask the hotel management
if they have had a problem with bed bugs in the past and if they have had
pest professionals do an inspection. There are some tips and links
to more information on this web page:
BED BUGS |
| Q1244 There are a
lot of these little bugs living in little burro-like holes they look like
ant mounds) in my backyard, close to my porch. At first I thought they
might have been termites, but upon closer examination, it seems to be some
type of bee. I picked it up with some tweezers and put it in a baggy. It's
got wings, It's got a black body with a black head but has yellow hairs
(the hairs look like they're only it's head and back), it's got a black
butt with little redish-yellowish stripes on it, it's got big black eyes,
it has antennas, and is about one centimeter long. Please help! I hate
bugs and they're all over the backyard! Emily. |
| You may have wild bees and they are
considered a very beneficial insect. They are great pollinators. Some
"bugs" are predators of insects that are undesirable in our backyards and
homes. Read more about WILD BEES. |
| Q1243
We just built a new home. Now several months after being here our Ash wood
cabinets have an infestation of Powder Post Beetles . What can be done. Is
there anything to do to the builder since he hired the cabinet maker.
Kathy, Hico,Tx |
| The beetle larva was
probably in the wood before the cabinets were constructed. When adult
beetles emerge they will not lay eggs on wood that has a
finished surface so they will not re-infest the cabinet.
Unfortunately it would be very difficult to kill the larva that is not
visible in the wood. Putting valuable wood items in a deep freeze or
pressurized chamber with an insecticide has been beneficial but may not be
practical for your situation. |
| Q1242 We recently
discovered that we have (what we believe to be) mice in the walls. Last
year we had a lone mouse get into our suite through an open window, and up
until now we hadn't a single issue since. The space they're living in
doesn't give them access to our suite, but I can hear them moving about
behind just one wall corner. Nice that they don't have access, not so nice
that my cat is going to great lengths and (very) high dangers to get
closer to that noise. Is there anything I can do from this side of the
wall to get the mice to find a new, less kitty-endangering home? Tanya,
New Westminster, BC |
| The mice are likely following plumbing
pipes, up from a lower level (basement) in the building. Ask your landlord
to take control measures or call a professional to eliminate the problem
where the plumbing is visible below. Mice in wall cavities can cause
fires if they chew electrical wiring. |
| Q1241
Can the extreme foul odor of a dead mouse in my classroom have any harmful
affects on my students? Helen. Trenton, Ontario. |
| Rodents can carry a
number of parasites and diseases. When they die, the parasites leave
the body and migrate searching for a new warm blooded host. Dead animals
always attract flies and other undesirable insects that could spread
disease. The odor may be unpleasant but that is the least of the potential
health hazards. |
| Q1240 I know that I
have mice in my attic, we have often heard scurrying noises late at night
so I threw some poison up there. Just now I have noticed some little pink
things in my kitchen cupboards, they look just like mouse droppings yet
aren't black, but pink! We have lived here for over a year and never seen
anything like it, do you think its poisoned mouse droppings? |
| Yes. After eating poison mice can travel
their usual routes and leave droppings before they die. If the poison used
was pink, you know is was effective. |
Q1239
How do you keep skunks away without doing harm to them? Is there some kind
of repellant or scent that they do not like?
Sharon. The Dalles, Oregon. |
| The smell of ammonia
will deter many animals from entering spaces that are partially closed.
There are many good tips on skunk control on this web page:
http://www.urbanwildliferescue.org/humane/skunks.htm |
Q1238 We have skunks
spraying in our yard, or near by every second or third day. We have a
septic system and look out onto a large green belt from our back yard. Our
neighbour has a large compost. How do I get rid of the skunks in a safe
way? Please help me (soon).
Juliet. Richmond, BC. |
| Skunks spray as a defense mechanism when
threatened. If a skunk has been threatened in your back yard by a
dog or other animal it would not likely keep returning to that location.
Are you sure your septic system is not the source of the odor.
Recent record rainfall has saturated many septic fields on the west coast.
If it is a skunk, perhaps your neighbour's compost is attracting it.
A pest professional specializing in wild animal control could trap and
remove it for you. |
|
Directory of pest management
professionals in Richmond, BC |
Q1237
We have had an exterminator at our building on multiple occasions, he has
tried poison and even a gas , unfortunately there are still rats coming
in.......how do i go about locating the entrance point to stop them and
approximately what can be the cost of repairs...
thanks Kim. Montreal |
See the three R's of
rodent control on on the RODENT page.
Eliminate the Reason. Eliminate the Route,
then eliminate the Rodent.
One common entry point is around pipes that go through exterior walls.
|
| Q1236 There are
thousands insects in my area on top of the snow in my yard, down the sides
of my street and in my neighbors yard. I am wondering what they are. They
are black, about 2mm long, they crawl and hop, there will be dozens inside
footprints in the snow, they seem to go away when we got a bit of rain, or
maybe just deeper in the snow. It seems weird to see so many insects on
the snow in February. What are they and where do they come from? Lisa.
Kazabazua, Quebec |
| You may be seeing "snow fleas". They are
not actually fleas but belong to a very primitive group of insects
named Collembola, commonly called springtails. Snow fleas are active
adults from November to March. They are most apparent when the snow pack
starts to thaw in late winter. Their black color allows them to absorb
heat from the sun. They congregate in great numbers on sunny days to feed
on microscopic algae, bacteria, and fungi on the surface of the snow and
to complete mating. They are not harmful to people or pets and they won't
get in the house and contaminate foodstuff. |
| Q1235
My question is regarding dampwood termites. Do all termite nests have
winged reproductives? Or can you tell the age of a nest? That is, does it
take several years before termite 'swarmers' are produced as with
Carpenter ants? Or specifically, can termites invade a damp stump and
produce winged reproductives and swarm the same year or year after?
Chris. Vancouver. |
| |
| Q1234
Will 'Prozap Moth Guard' control/kill clothes moths as well as the Indian
meal moth?? or is there a better solution? does simply sunning and
brushing work for infested clothing?? thanks. elizabeth
|
Some time ago
California's Department of Pesticide Regulation attempted to cancel
the registration of pest strips containing the pesticide dichlorvos, also
called DDVP. The action was taken after a DPR risk assessment found an
inadequate margin of safety for children in residences and other indoor
areas where pest strips might be used. DDVP is used to control household,
agricultural, and stored product insects, and is available in liquid form
as well as the pest strips. It is also contained in some pet flea collars
(which are not considered a problem because of limited exposure to
humans). Overexposure in humans can result in neurotoxic symptoms.
Risk assessment is a process designed to answer questions about how toxic
a pesticide is, what exposure results from its various uses, what is the
probability that use will cause harm, and how any unacceptable risk of
harm can be mitigated. Material safety data sheet for these
products: Prozap Pest Strip, Prozap Insect Guard Jr., Prozap Insect Guard,
Prozap Moth Guard, is available on this web site:
http://www.indfumco.com/new/data/ProZap Insect Guard Jr MSDS 6.15.04.pdf
We do not know if these products are still available
in all states. Laundering or dry cleaning the suspected
clothing effected will kill the eggs and larva. You may be
wise to have a pest professional treat the storage areas. For more
information visit the
Clothes Moth web page. |
Q1233
There are large brown spiders in my house i caught one then it died
because i put it in my hot chocolate container. I am not sure if these
spiders are poisonous, I have a 17 month old and he is constantly lifting
things, and they are scurrying out. They are about the size of my thumb
nail and they are basic and brown, they run across my floor. there are
creepy please tell me if they are toxic.
Leslee, Guelph, Ontario. |
| Most spiders inject a
venom into their prey (insects) to paralyze them. Very few spiders
have fangs strong enough to pierce human skin but they may pierce the
tender skin of a baby. You should try to vacuum all areas where spiders
can hide to get rid of their eggs, webs and insects that are a food
source. Few spiders in Canada are a health risk but you may want to
have them identified by a professional. Have a look at our
spider page for more information.
|
| Q1232
When I purchased my villa I discovered a rat problem in the insulation
bats in the roof (10 years ago). Over the years baits have been placed in
the roof and I thought everything was under control. I have brown stains
on some parts of the ceiling which I believe to be rat urine which has
seeped through. I am about to have the inside of my villa painted so I was
in the roof yesterday and the areas where the brown marks are on the
ceiling are where rats have been destroying the insulation bats and
defecated the most. My question is: Is there really any way of getting rid
of the rats? By removing the destroyed insulation bats would that solve
part of the problem or do I really need to have all the insulation bats
completely removed, vacuum the droppings out of the roof, fill up any
holes and new insulation bats installed (I am the only villa which has
this problem). Thank you, Jann. Bowral, NSW, Australia |
Bats can pose certain
health risks, so take proper precautions when working around bats. Bats
(like any other mammal) can contract rabies, their roosts may harbor
ectoparasites, and bat guano may contain fungal spores which cause
histoplasmosis, a lung infection. You can catch and remove individual bats
while wearing heavy leather working gloves. However, do not handle bats
with unprotected hands. Workers removing guano and urine should wear
safety equipment, such as respirators and protective clothing.
Effective bat management programs incorporate inspection, exclusion or
capture, and cleanup of guano. To identify the access points, such as
chimneys and roof vents, that the bats use to gain entry into the
building, observe bats at dusk as they leave their roost. Then, install
check valves, excluders and screening as needed. Bats may persistently
seek to re-enter a roost. Thus, follow-up inspections may be necessary to
ensure that the bats cannot re-enter the building through missed access
points. If the bats belong to a nursery colony, delay exclusion until the
young can fly. See our Bats web
page. |
| Q1231
I found ONE American (I think) cockroach crawling under my sofa in the
living room. I live in a single family home. I've never had cockroach
problem. Should I be concern that I might have a infestation problem?
Thanks. Taylor. Colorado |
| For most people, one
cockroach is far too many. For some, 100 would be acceptable.
If it is a cockroach there are likely more, unless just one was delivered
with your pizza or Chinese food. If you find another one have it properly
identified by a pest professional. |
| Q1230
Is use of the product "maxiforce" safe for babies and pets ? Is it
necessary to vacate dwelling during the process ? Are there any effects of
inhalation? How soon can we place items make in cupboards ?
Angelita. Toronto, Ontario |
| MAX-FORCE has a number
of products. They are all pesticides that contain a toxic substance.
When used according to the label directions and all conditions are
complied with, there should be no risk to human or pet health. Toxic
baits should never be placed where children or pets can easily come in
contact with them. |
| Q1229
How long can a mouse live without water, providing that their food source
DOES NOT contain moisture? Carlee, Dothan, Alabama. |
| Mice can survive without
water to drink if there is enough moisture in the food they eat.
Survival without any moisture would depend on environmental conditions
including temperature and humidity. Read more
about mice. |
Q1228
I moved from a ranch in Alberta last September to the town of Maple Creek
Sask, bringing with me some beautiful old barnwood that a friend of mine
had no use for. I thought it would make a great rustic wall in my
living-room, and have stored it all winter in a little shed in my
back-yard. Now what I want to know is, where I lived on the prairie there
was a wood-tick problem. By bringing the wood to my yard here before the
hot weather was over I came across two on my property. I lived in maple
creek about 5 years in the early 90's and never ever saw a wood-tick here,
although I know they exist, what I want to know is if they were in the
barnwood I transported here, have they laid dormant through the cold and
can I expect them to start coming out of the woodwork ( no pun intended)
when our temperatures warm up. Is there some way I can treat the wood to
ensure I will not have a woodtick population, as I wish to install these
boards into my home this spring? Thank you for helpling me with this, as I
don't wish to disguard the wood if I don't have to.
P.S. I lived on a ranch in the countryside in alberta and I live in town
in maple creek, which I'm sure helps make a difference in their sightings.
Rhonda |
| Wood ticks do not
normally invade homes but Brown dog ticks can be an indoor problem. Wood
ticks survive over the winter, emerging in the spring to look for blood
meals. They attach themselves to mice, rats, gophers, rabbits, dogs, cats,
cattle and sometimes humans. Once they have a meal, they mate, the female
lays thousands of eggs and then dies. Stored wood is not a likely place
for them to lay eggs. If there are ticks in your stored barn wood, you
could vacuum or sweep each board then have a professional spray it with an
approved insecticide. |
| Q1227
my question is, i need to know any chemical product that i can used to
control reptiles around a power generating plant. Faustina. Ghana in
Africa. |
| I don't think there are
many pest professionals in Canada that can help you with this problem.
Perhaps someone with reptile experience can send a reply. Please. |
| Q1226
We have squirrels in our soffits. We've heard that an underarm deodorant
will repel these critters. do you know which brand works. And how to apply
it? Otherwise do you have any other home remedies? Thanks. Cyndy.
Richmond |
| There are many home
remedies to repel animal pests including black pepper, moth balls,
cinnamon and bleach. Some may work for a short time on some animals
but in most cases, the animals get accustomed to the smell and remain in
unwanted places. The best solution for squirrel control is block off
the entry points with screen. |
| Q1225
How long does it take to get rid of the foul smell from a dead Rat in the
walls of house, and why does it come and go like waves of foul Air? Please
advise. Fran. Palm Dessert, Ca. |
It really depends on how
fast the carcass can dry out. If conditions are moist with no
ventilation it could take a long time. The air in our homes is always
moving in or out depending on the relative inside and outside
temperatures. Exhaust fans, central vacuum cleaners and clothes
dryers create a vacuum in the home which allows air from cavities where
the dead rat may be, to enter along with the odor.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A great way to get rid of the smell of dead mice or rats is to mop the
home with ammonia diluted in water. It works great and the smell is gone
in a few minutes. Jaci. |
| Q1224
i have a very bad pigeon problem ,they are sitting on the roof of the
house and covering the roof with bird droppings all year round ,any
solutions thanks. Mike. Georgetown, PEI. |
| You may be able to
install bird repelling devices such as spike strips along the roof peak.
Ask some professionals in your area if they can supply bird control
products you can install yourself, or have them install them.
Directory of pest
professionals on P.E.I. |
| Q1223
I have yellow jackets flying through my fireplace in the dead of winter
and they drop from the roof onto my driveway when the weather is 60 one
day and 25 degrees the next. I see many yellow jackets laying in the snow
under my deck but I do not see any hives - I have a professional spray for
wasps every two weeks from April through October. It is obvious we have an
infestation somewhere - please advise - thanks. Cindi. West
Chicago |
| There is obviously a
nest somewhere under your deck. Any surviving queens will leave the
nest in the spring and not return to it. They may build a new nest
in the same area. Spraying pesticides randomly is not a good
practice. Once a nest has been located it should be treated. |
| Q1222
How do i get rid of Rollie-Pollies in my finished basement? It is not a
damp area. It is the dead of winter 15 to 30 degrese outside. I am
catching or killing about 10 per day! Rod. Lansing, MI |
| Have a look at our
Sow Bugs page for information on these
pests. |
| Q1221
I would like to know the best way to knock out silverfish. I live in an
apartment and it may be a hassle to get the strata corporation or my
neighbors to do anything. Even if it was to just keep them out of my place
I would be happy. I work nights so it's easy to surprise them (usually in
dining room) and kill a few. There isn't really any moisture and the place
is clean. They seem to come from one wall, but I have also noticed a
couple over the period of a few months in my bedroom on the other side of
my place. Any suggestions on how to kill them and keep them out?
Mike. Surrey, BC. |
|
They prefer
dark, damp locations and only a small percentage of the population may be
seen in daylight. Fortunately they do not breed rapidly but they can be
difficult to control. You may have to ask your landlord to get the other
tenants to cooperate and have the building or at least a portion of it
treated by a professional. New laws in BC strongly regulate the use
of pesticides in multiple residence buildings. There is more
information on the
Silverfish web page. |
| Q1220
Hi, We are having trouble with slugs. Mostly in our garage, which is where
the washer and dryer are. But, my son also finds them in his room. I
cannot find info on indoor slug problems. We have a dog and a cat, so I
don't want to place anything around the house that would harm them.
Can you help me? Thanks, Beth. Florida |
| Slugs and snails are
mollusks, belonging to the large animal phylum Mollosca along with
oysters, clams and other shellfish. A slug is merely a snail without a
shell . Without the protection of a shell, they need damp places to hide.
Reducing the moisture or humidity in your home would help. The best
preventive method is to look for any cracks in foundations, air spaces
between windows and frames, poorly-fitting doors, moisture from leaks,
etc., and correct such situations. Outside, remove unnecessary
refuse where slugs may hide. Your could also try trapping them
around the perimeter of your home. As a bait, use beer or molasses
in water 3/4 inch deep in a steep-sided dish or tray. |
| Q1219
I have carpenter ants in my home. I have been seeing a few each day for
the past two months. We sprayed our roof after seeing ants when it was
being fixed and now it appears they went inside to find a place to live. I
can't seem to find out where they are coming from as I usually give up
trying to follow them after a couple of hours; although I am assuming they
are coming in somewhere from a mudroom into our kitchen. There is no wood
around so I am assuming they are inside our walls somewhere. My question
is, should we spray an insecticide in any cracks we have in our walls? The
original pest controller we used for the roof suggested spraying a poison
made from a chrysanthemum flower that apparently isn't toxic; however, I
am not convinced it isn't dangerous. I have 2 small children with weak
respiratory systems and don't want to endanger them. Do you have any
suggestions on how to get rid of them? Should I try and find the nest(s)
or simply spray the cracks? Thank you in advance for answering my
question. PS. I have tried the green and yellow poison I got from a pest
control company without success as they don't bother with it.
Evelyn. Toronto. |
Carpenter ants usually
enter homes at ground level. They establish satellite nests in floor
systems and walls, working their way sideways and up until they eventually
end up in the attic or roof. The professional you hired probably
eliminated those in the roof but the nests below were not effected.
Spraying carpenter ants outside their nests will have no effect on the
colony because less than 10% leave the nest. Spraying may split up the
satellite nests into new locations. You would also be putting your
children at risk. Ant bait (poison) has no effect on carpenter ants. The
insecticides made from chrysanthemum plants are called pyrethrins.
They are a contact insecticide that cause nerve damage. Like all
pesticides they can be a human health risk if not used according to label
directions. Humans can absorb pyrethrum quickly through the lungs during
respiration. Because they have no residual effect
they are used only for flushing out carpenter ants by some professionals.
If you value your home and your children's health, hiring a professional
would be a good investment. Be sure they are experienced and will
inspect the entire house and treat all the nests.
Professionals can use many methods to eliminate these pests with minimum
risk to your family.
Be sure to read our feature pages on
Getting Rid of Carpenter
Ants. |
|
Directory of
Pest Professionals in Ontario |
| Q1218
We have been doing some house renovations and we started to see the odd
small black ant. After a few weeks we saw many more of them. They seem to
be concentrated in one area so I have been spraying Wilsons ant,roach and
crawling insect killer and liquid ant begone. The ants are about 5/8 of an
inch long at the most. Are these carpenter ants or just nuisance ants? Is
there anything else we can do to rid the house of them? Thank you for your
time. Gordon. Ottawa, Ontario |
5/8 of an inch is
certainly large enough to be carpenter ants. Your spraying killed the ones
you saw but would have no effect on those that escaped or have nests in
areas you have not exposed. Most entomologists will tell you how to get
rid of carpenter ants, but they will all say if you can't find all the
nests, call a professional. An experienced professional could save
you a lot of time and grief. Read the answers to the above question
and information on these web pages.
Identification
& Life cycle of Carpenter Ants,
Ant Nest Photos,
Digital microscope carpenter
ant photos. Getting rid of Carpenter ants
,
Common Questions and answers about carpenter
ants. |
| Q1217
I would like to know what i have in my house. They look like ants. They
are small and they DO NOT go near food they are on my bathroom, kitchen,
and bedroom they climb on my dog and bite him. They look like baby ants. I
have a lot of dead and live ones on my window ledge. they come out at
night and in the daytime they hide but i do not know where. I know they
bite because i got bite by one. Can you please let me know what they are
and how to get read of them. My house is an old one and some of the wood
is rotten but i do not think it is done by ants because i do not think
they could do that and i was told the carpenter ants or termite do not
live in Canada. Thank you. Please let me know because it is hard to deal
with when you do not know what you are dealing with. I think they are
living in my crawl space. I am renting this house. Vicki,
Collingwood, Ontario |
| Read the answers to the
above 2 questions then have your landlord read them. |
| Q1216
How can i attack my bed bug infestation without using heavy duty
pesticides ie are there any "natural" methods of killing bed bugs.
Barb. Ottawa, Ontario |
Some
professionals have tried using steam to control bed bugs but the results
were not 100%. A combination of methods including minimal use of
pesticides seems to be the best solution. Thorough cleaning an
persistence are most important.
For mor information see this page:
Bed Bugs |
Q1215
I own a Green Anole, who eats crickets and mealworms to live. What seems
to be happening, is she is not eating them quickly enough and they are
escaping some how. We have tried a lot of things to keep them in the cage,
and will continue to, but the problem is, we have an infestation of
mealworms and beetles (the kind mealworms turn into). How can we get rid
of these? Are there traps or something available? We do have a dog, and
that is a mild concern if we must use Poison. Thanks, Courtenay and the
bug-ridden family
Calgary. Alberta |
| |
Q1214
I want to know if I put my pillows, quilts and teddy bears outside where
it is freezing temperature, will it kill any mites?
thank you. Myrt. BC, Canada |
| Put them in plastic bags
and leave them out for a few days. If it is well below freezing it
will likely kill them. |
| Q1213
I have a bird or a bat in my ceiling upstairs bathroom of my 4 level split
home how do i get rid of it. Will it leave on its own or die in the wall
or work its way down to the basement. What should i do how do you get rid
of somethin in your ceiling or wall. Lennon. Sarnia, Ont. |
| If it is a bat it should
find it's way out, but it may be hibernating there for the winter. In the
spring, after it has left close up any entry points. More information on
this page: Bats |
| Q1212
Many tiny moths flying around inside the house in Dec. Never had this
before...is it common and how do you get rid of them? Dave, London,
Ontario |
| Read the answer to the
question below then have a look at the pictures and description on this
page:
Indian Meal Moths |
| Q1211
I have been having tiny lightly colored mothlike flying insects coming
from my kitchen cupboards. I have found them in my dry products, like
rice, cornmeal, dry mixes(flour based). It's been horrible, I don't know
how to get rid of them. I throw things away and they still seem to come
back or stay??Believe me, everything is clean and tidy! And new, it's not
old foods. Help to identify and any suggestions to get rid of them would
be helpful. Becky. Cumberland, Maryland |
| You likely have Indian
Meal Moths. You may have imported them with some bulk foods, or
packaged food that was infested at the grocery store. Wild bird seed
is a common place to find them. For more information see :
Indian
Meal Moths |
| Q1210
I have rodents in my attic. I heard of a product which causes the rodents
to thirst and run to water, then eventually die. Can you tell me the name
of this product? Can you tell me where I can purchase the product? Thank
you. Lisa. San Antonio, Texas |
| There is no such
product. This is just an old wives tale. Most modern rodenticides
are an anti-coagulant resulting in some dehydration before the rodent
dies. Sometimes dead rodents are worse than live ones so proper
placement of the right product or trap is important. Read more on this
page: Rodents |
| Q1209
There are black ants in my bathroom and i have no idea where they are
coming from. I have a window next to my bathroom which might where they
are coming from but i don't know where their home is. ALso i would kill
them when tons of them are in my tub but than a hour later there are more
black ants swarming in my bathroom. Than all of a sudden there are black
ants in my closet and near my bed. I'm not sure where they are coming from
but maybe from the bathroom or vent. I don't know why they come in because
i don't have any food in my room. I have carpet in my room and wood for my
furniture. How can i kill these ants without ruining my carpet and
furniture? Mary-Ann. San Jose. |
| You should have the ants
properly identified by a professional so the proper control method can be
applied. High quality ant bait works well for some species. |
| Q1208
Our dryer vent fell off on outside of building. Now a beehives nest has
formed on the inside of outer wall between the drywall of inner house.
Bees continually go in the opening to get to hive. We have tried hornet
spray but bees continue to come. How can we get rid of hive inside of
wall? Gloria. Fort Meyers, Florida |
| Many professionals
inject an insecticide dust using compressed air for this type of wasp or
bee nest. Care must be taken to ensure no dust is able to enter the
interior of the home. Also, no dust should be present in the dryer
vent hose. It could be blown out when the dryer is used. Perhaps you
should call a local professional. |
| Q1207
Can bed bugs live in a vacant room? if so, how long before all of them
would die? Gill. Banff, Alberta |
| Yes. Bed bugs can
survive for many months without food, making control difficult. For more
information see the Bed Bugs
page. |
| Q1206
Starlings are absolutely ruining my backyard birding experience. I offer
sunflower seed and homemade suet which is really what they are after. They
empty the log suet feeder in less than 4 hours. The other birds that I
want to see will not come in with these pests. What should I do? Thank you
Heather. Denver, Pennsylvania. |
Unfortunately most bird
control techniques and devices are non selective for species. If you put
out bird feed most birds will be attracted and eat it, along with the mice
and rats you will attract. A true environmentalist does not
feed the birds. If we are trying to be kind to God's creatures we can not
be too selective. This web site has information on the food preferences of
various bird species.
http://www.birdsforever.com/chart.html |
|
|
| Q1205
how to eliminate fruit flies throughout the household. There seems to be
no fruit of food laying about to attract them. Theresa, Ontario |
| If they are fruit flies,
there must be a food source and it does not have to be fruit. Indoor
garbage cans, compost containers, spilled drinks, bags of potatoes, onions
or other produce are all good reproductive sites. If you can't find
it yourself, a professional should be able to help you. |
| Q1204
In my Apartment we have a major mouse problem, we found a dead mouse in
our couch, and there are mouse droppings in the cupboards and in my baby's
room. Is mouse droppings bad for the baby? Latoya. Saint John N.B. |
| The presence of mice in
living quarters can be a serious health hazard, especially for babies.
Mice leave micro-droplets of urine wherever they travel along with their
feces. Click on this link for more information on
mice and health hazards. |
| Q1203
hi, i recently discovered under my deck in front of my house, a bunch of
tunnels, piles of ground (about 4 shovels fulls) and above ground well
traveled paths. im not sure what they are, haven't seen them ,try to trap
with peanut butter no luck, I think there in my insulation in the floor.
oh and they seem to like to get in my garbage bags and make a mess
outside. they actually were dragging garbage down the tunnels for nests i
persume.help!!! Jamie, Nilton, Nova Scotia |
| Your problem is Norway
rats. They have no reason to go into a trap for food when you are
supplying them garbage to eat. Get rid of the reason they are present,
block the routes they are taking to enter your home, then use traps or
bait to control them. See the rodent
information page for more tips. |
| Q1202
Is it true that putting up an old wasp or hornet nest or a fake nest will
deter them? I saw a product for sale that was a large fake wasp nest that
you hang at your campsite or patio to keep them away. Do you think this
would work? Mike. Surrey, BC. |
People hang paper bags
to discourage wasps. The theory is wasp and hornet colonies are
territorial and will not build nests close to an existing one. The paper
bag is supposed to look like a nest. A more realistic looking nest might
work better but will have no effect if it is hung where a colony is
already well established. Wasps and hornets will also build new
nests close to an old nest (one that survived the wind and rain or snow
over winter) The old nest will never be inhabited again and the new colony
can detect this lack of activity. The fake nest probably won't work so
save your money.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mike, Happen to see your question, I have personal experience using this
method!! It does work, actually have used it for 3 summers. I have
developed a product that's brand new actually, sounds the same as what you
have mentioned? Where did you find this product?
Ours will soon to be at a store near you. thx. Vikki |
| Q1201
We are desperate! Our cat brought a live rat into the house four weeks ago
and we still have it. We have tried live and snap traps. It stayed under
the fridge for a couple of days. We have since discovered it had set up
home in the top drawer of a chest of drawers that is in the spare room.
It also got behind the bedside cabinet. It came up through the drain hole
of the hot water tank and we could hear it chewing during the night. We
found out that it was trying to get through the door into the kitchen and
had chewed the bottom corner of the door and the door frame. It also came
up through the plumbing in the cupboard under the kitchen sink. We have
put wire wool around the water tank drainage hole and under the kitchen
sink and plugged up a small hole in the trim of the kitchen counter, where
it went after being in the bedroom. It doesn't seem to be able to get into
the house now, but is still alive and keeps us awake at night with
scratching and chewing. We don't know what to do, as if we put poison down
it might be dangerous for our cat and dog. Also, if it dies back there
between the wall and the kitchen cabinets, it will smell and we will have
to get somebody to come and dismantle the whole thing, which will be a
huge job. Is there anything you can suggest that we do. My Husband even
went into the crawl space to leave some food and water to try attracting
it to go down there, but it hasn't touched anything. How long can this
creature live without food and water? Please let me know if there is
anything else we can do. Thank you. Pat. Victoria, B.C. |
| Are you sure the cat
brought the rat into the house or did it catch it inside? If rats
are following plumbing pipes, they are usually found in basements or crawl
spaces. Where there is one rat there are usually more. You can try rat
traps in the cupboard under the kitchen sink and anywhere there is
plumbing entering your living space. There are a few tricks to trap
placement and of course you must place them where other animals will not
be harmed. A pest professional could probably solve your problem quickly
but if you wish to do it yourself, read the
rodent information page. |
|
Directory of
pest professionals in Victoria |
| Q1200
I have been experiencing house fly problems in my home for several months
now and am becoming increasingly worried about the risk to mine and my
family's health. These flies are small, brownish red flies that will not
disappear, there are hundreds of them in my home and myself and my family
have suffered from sickness and diarrhea and i think these pests are the
cause of this. we have tried using fly killer spray but this is no use. i
think they are breeding in the kitchen, there are hundreds near the window
and sink. Please help! What should I do? Jeremiah, United kingdom |
| The fly description and
symptoms are a strong indication you have Phorid flies. These flies can be
spread serious health problems. You should consider calling a pest
professional. Read more about
Phorid flies. |
| Q1199
Can a landlord hold me to the lease when having rodent problems in the
apartment complex or odor of dead rat's in the inside of the walls of my
apartment. |
| Sorry we don't offer
legal advice. Your local health department can likely be of
assistance. |
| Q1198
It is December and we have had 4 moles wander around our living space. How
do we find out where they are coming from? How do we get rid of them (I'm
not a fan of little critters in my house). I also have 4 children are they
harmful? Nita. Sauquoit New York |
| The basic diet for moles
is worms which they find by excavating tunnels just below the surface.
There is no food source for them in a home so it would be rare for them to
enter. Are you sure they are not VOLES? See these pages:
Moles
Voles |
| Q1197 I
have an earwig problem in my home. Is there a type of pesticide that will
not harm my family or pets thanks. Sean. Deer Lake, Nf., Canada |
| Earwigs will enter a
home when conditions become too dry in their normal outside environment
close to the house. This usually happens during a hot dry summer.
If you eliminate the moist environment where they breed, like bark mulch
close to the house you will not need to use pesticides. |
| Q1196
I read in the past about some insulation (it came in bats) that was rodent
resistant or rodent repellent and could be used in ceilings or under
floors. All our new insulation has been completely destroyed by mice and
squirrels that come into our very old house through the walls that we are
unable to close off due to the construction of the several buildings that
are side by side. We are looking for some way to keep the rodent from
nesting in the insulation that we want to replace and close off. Thanks
for your help. Lori. |
| We are not aware of such
a product in Canada but it is quite likely to exist. Check with your
local building supply outlet. You may have to ask an experienced building
contractor for advice on closing off the entry points. |
| Q1195
How has the fire ant affected the Long Island environment. Ann Marie.
Cental Islip N.Y. |
| Sorry Ann Marie, we
Canadians don't have a lot of experience with fire ants. I'm sure a
pest professional in your area would be glad to help you with this
homework question. |
| Q1194
Recently we have discovered a infestation of rice weevils in our packaged
rice. we have seen these weevils around the house not knowing what they
were. we have now gotten rid of the rice in the pantry. my ? is are these
weevils a health problem and if so what kind of illness's can they cause
if consumed. thank you. Thomas. Florida |
| A few dead weevils
should not cause any health risk if the rice or grain is cooked but they
will probably add an unpleasant flavor. It would be wise to inspect all
your dried food and throw out any that is contaminated. Read more
about
grain beetles and weevils. |
| Q1193
We keep catching mice in our house. I have been around the perimeter of
the house several times and plugged any possible entry ports. I have
soaked the perimeter with bleach in the hopes of de-scenting their trail.
I cannot find where they could possibly be getting in. Is there any method
or means of trying to tackle where they may be entering the house? I would
be grateful for any suggestions. Thanks, Allan, Edmonton , Alberta
|
| Sometimes the entry
points are impossible to find, but an experienced pest professional will
likely spot evidence that you may not recognize or though of. To keep them
out of your living space start by stuffing steel wool around all the
plumbing pipes. |
|
Edmonton pest
professionals directory |
| Q1192
I am renovating a house and it stinks of rodent urine what is the best
method to get it out? i pulled up a floor and found that they were
burrowing in the insulation if they are throughout the house will i have
to remove all insulation to get out smell? any suggestions would be
appreciated. yours truly jay., Oshawa, Ontario |
| Remove as much
insulation as you can. Be Careful.
Wear a hepa filter respirator, gloves and take the precautions suggested
on our
Hanta Virus page. Do not vacuum.
You may have to use some odor absorbing products and
keep the house well ventilated during the renovations. |
|
Read more about
rodents on these pages: Rodents:
know your enemy
Mice facts and control tips |
| Q1191
Do ultrasonic pest repellers really work? I have purchased many of them
and noticed a change for about three weeks and now i have mice like crazy!
HELP ME PLEASE. Jennifer. Elizabeth City |
| NO!
Read comments about them on this web page: Electronic pest device questions |
| Q1190
We had a mouse problem. There is a basement room with an otherwise "like
new" mattress and box spring in it. It has had two blankets and a spread
on it, and I found droppings on the top of the spread. If it doesn't
appear mice ate into the mattress is there a way I can effectively clean
the mattress enough to use or should I just throw it out? (Would one or
more plastic, zip, mattress covers effectively eliminate potential health
hazards?) Thanks Margaret. Saugus, MA, USA |
| If the mattress was
covered that well, it should be OK. If you are still concerned spray
it lightly with a weak solution of bleach and water. |
| Q1189
What's the purpose of doing pest control in open area property? If
hotel property like Rajvilas, Jaipur, India which is open area, what's the
best things that we can do to make the guest feel comfortable?
Jaipur, Rajashtan State, India |
| Well trained pest
management professionals will use IPM (integrated pest management)
techniques to prevent, control and eliminate pest problems. The process
will depend on what type of pests are common in your area. |
| Q1188
What is the best type of poison to use for mice in the house? We have put
out Warfarin (corn meal preparation) for two years. I have it in numerous
locations and in good supply. The mice are definitely fewer, but the
poison it keeps getting eaten and the mice keep coming. Blair.
Vancouver, B.C. |
There are newer mouse
baits that require just one feeding to be lethal. Warfarin must be
eaten for 2 or 3 days to have effect.
Have a look at the
Integrated Pest Supplies web page to see some examples of products you
should be able to buy at from a pest professional in Vancouver. |
| Q1187
My daughter has reserves about letting her one year old crawling baby come
to our house. We have recently had the house sprayed/treated with Suspend
SC and Pre-cor for fleas by a licensed pest control company, who tell us
that it is safe. Could you answer the question, is it safe? Carol.
Sedalia, MO, USA |
| If the professional
followed the label directions there should be no risk to humans once the
product has dried. Some professionals suggest there should be no
skin contact with the treated surface for 24 hours. |
| Q1186
I have a house mouse in my basement apt. I want to kill the mouse because
it is cutting carpet and other things. I know there is a rodent killer
product available in the market when eaten by a mouse it will make him
feel thirsty and will die of thirst in the open. Can you tell me where I
can get this product asap? Thank you. Rashid. Mississauga, ON |
| Just a wives tale. Most
modern rodenticides are an anti coagulant. Mice may be partly
dehydrated when they die but they often go to a sheltered place. |
| Q1185
What is the poison substance in domestic fire ant killer? If ingested in
large amounts, what is the effect to the skin and major organs...other
than poly neuropathy to the nerves? Rhonda. Boerne, Texas |
Most commonly available
ant baits contain boric acid which, according to the Material Safety Data
Sheets, is almost non toxic to humans when used properly. You can read the
MSDS for a typical product here:
http://www.bugspray.com/private/msds/dmm.pdf
A popular bait used by professionals in the U.S. is Maxforce ant bait
granules, in which the active ingredient is Hydramethylnon.
Hydramethylnon is a trifluoromethyl aminohydrazone insecticide used in
baits to control fire ants, leafcutter ants, and cockroaches in both
indoor and outdoor applications. It is available in a ready-to-use bait
formulation. Hydramethylnon is a slightly toxic compound in EPA toxicity
class III. Products containing hydramethylnon must bear the Signal Word
CAUTION. It is a General Use Pesticide (GUP) [1].
There is more detailed information on this web page:
http://extoxnet.orst.edu/pips/hydramet.htm
According to the Material safety data sheet, Untoward effects resulting
from over exposure to hydramethylnon are not anticipated to occur. No
known health conditions are aggravated by exposure to this product. See
the material safety data sheet:
http://www.pctonline.com/msds/msds/maxforce/MaxGranInsctBait10Msds.pdf
|
| Q1184
I want to know if there is a fumigation product available in
Ontario/Quebec which is non toxic to humans but is effective in getting
rid of cluster flies. Thanks. Shanti. Gatineau, Quebec |
| We are not aware of any
fumigation pesticide that is available to non professionals in Canada.
In fact fumigation of residences in Canada will only occur in rare
circumstances. (eg: heritage home) If you have cluster flies in non
living space such as an attic you should consider having a professional
fog it with a non residual insecticide. If done properly according to the
label directions there would be no toxic effects to humans in the home. Be
sure to call someone who has experience with cluster flies. |
|
Directory of Canadian
Pest Professionals |
Q1182
We bought an 1850 farmhouse. The basement has five or six openings that
some sort of rodent is coming through. They are black, approximately 3"
long, seem to have poor eyesight, short tails. They don't seem to be
moles, as their legs are not flipper-like. They can scurry away, but not
nearly as quickly as mice. What are they and what can we do about them?
We are going to seal the entry holes, but are concerned about further
infestation. Thank you. Diane. Blue Point, NY (Long Island) |
| |
| Q1182
I have little flies that seen to be hatching on a semi-daily basis in my
house. I keep it clean and all food is put away and dirty dishes go right
into the dishwasher. Sometimes when I'm lazy and leave the dishes in the
sink, the next day there are a # of them in it. I vacuum dozens up every
day. They are hard to get with a swatter, but this works best. I know they
are hatching somewhere, because very small ones occur every couple days.
I've been doing this for 2 weeks---they are not house flies, but much
smaller--very similar (if not exact) to fruit flies. I think a # of weeks
ago this all started with rotting fruit. Can I buy a fly strip or
something--I've really been diligent with garbage, etc., but they just
keep reappearing. Thanks. Dean. Calgary, Alberta |
| There are glue board
traps available specifically for fruit flies. They have a banana
scent and are made by Catchmaster. Trapping fruit flies will only
reduce the symptoms. Keep looking for the food source which is where
they will lay their eggs and multiply rapidly. Don't forget to check
bags of vegetables like onions, carrots and potatoes. One decaying
piece can be a problem. |
| Q1181
It appears that I have a weasel living in the trailer that I rent and I am
wondering what you would do to get rid of it? If you have any ideas at all
I would love to hear them. Thanks. Patricia. Rimbey, Alberta Canada |
| Weasels are long and
slender and max at 14" in length. Therefore, small traps are needed to
trap them. The ordinary rat trap can be used. Fresh and bloody bait is the
key to catching the weasel. Fastening common rat traps 5 inches off the
ground to a tree and baiting will also catch weasels. Note: weasels
will kill other rodents in the same area. |
|
Top of page |
Q1180
Is it legal for anyone to put out moth balls on public land ,to prevent
animals from coming onto a parking lot in the city.
Thank-You. Madeline, Toronto. |
| It would not be legal on
any public property in Toronto. Moth balls are a pesticide that
could be a health risk for children and pets if left exposed. |
| Q1181
We have a hornet nest in our old house. It has been there for two years.
Do Japanese hornets live in the same place year after year or do they find
a new place. |
| No. Hornets use a
nest only one season. They build a new one every year, often close
to the old one. |
| Q1180
i know that i have pharoah ants all over my house someone has already come
out and looked. but they havent been back since and they seem to be
increasing. my house has 4 bedrooms and in every room, kitchen, bathroom
etc u will see these ants, i guess theyve built colonies all over now from
where they have been disturbed before. any other options i could use.its
winter here at the moment and i live in a residential type area.
Nadine. London, England. |
| See the answer to the
next question |
| Q1179
Can you give me advice on how to get rid of pharrow ants. We have had xxx
come to our apartment at least 10 times with no success. They laid traps
with cat food in them but this did not help We are at a loss as to what to
do. Should the whole building be fumigated? They are driving us buggy.
Thanks. Larry . Toronto |
| Pharaoh ants can be very
difficult to eliminate in an apartment building, especially if anyone has
sprayed pesticides. It is likely the entire building should be
inspected and treated accordingly. This could take a few months.
See the pharaoh ant page. |
| Q1178
I am getting tiny little black crawling bugs on my stove and counter top.
a few here a few there. they look like coffee granuoles. they still to
stop moving when I go to get them up. What are they and more importantly
what can I do to eliminate them. Would those round ant traps work? |
| There are hundreds of
species of "tiny black bugs" Without more information we can not
offer much help. Take a few samples in a pill bottle to a local pest
professional for identification. |
| Q1177
Is it illegal to exterminate ladybugs? Cameron. Charlotte, NC |
| We are not aware of any
such law but there could be one in a state, county or municipality.
Exterminating ladybugs at this time of year (December) would be difficult
because they are in wall cavities. Any that enter your living space
can easily be sucked up with a vacuum cleaner. After they have left
in the spring you should caulk the entry points to prevent a re-occurrence
next fall. |
| Q1176
I have been trying to catch a rat for a while now, and i finally killed it
by putting out rat bait, the bait worked, but it is now dead inside my
walls, my mother is pregnant and is worried that the smell may affect the
health of the baby, can you help me, i've looked everywhere for the answer
and I just can't find it. Megan. Birmingham |
| Dead animals in our
living space can certainly pose a health risk for humans. They
provide a breeding place for flies that can spread disease throughout a
home. The rat is likely in a wall or floor cavity where there is plumbing.
If you can determine where the drain lines and vents stacks are located
you may be able to narrow down the location of the dead animal. If there
is no access to the cavity then a hole will have to be cut in the wall,
floor or ceiling to remove it. |
| Q1175
I have squirrels in my attic space and cannot find their entry point(s)
they jump from trees and come in on power wires. I have no access to the
attic, only entry to eaves where i have storage. Had pest control on
previous occasions, when I had rats, they only place poison in areas I can
do myself (now a cat in the house which i suppose the rats don't like)-
they had none to investigate the home to see entry points. Squirrels now
eating through gyproc into my bedroom ::((( Nam.
Vancouver, BC. |
| You must find the entry
points. If you can not do this yourself, then you will need to call
a professional again. A professional will not use poison to control
squirrels. Exclusion work and traps are the normal control methods. The
rats you had previously probably followed the plumbing to get into the
attic. |
|
Directory of
pest professionals in Vancouver |
| Q1174
For the last 2 years, I have had major infestations of the Asian Ladybug.
Are there any home remedies available? |
|
Prevention is the most effective step in managing lady beetles. Check the
outside of your home for spaces and cracks that may allow insects easy
entry. Make any necessary repairs by the end of September. For more
suggestions see our Ladybug page |
| Q1173
My husband and I are finding small ant like bugs in our cars. We have
clean cars w/ no food, but are finding these tiny insets that look even
smaller than ants crawling inside our cars. Any idea of what this is? When
he put on the defroster today several crawled out of that area?
Karen. Huston, Texas. |
| It is quite possible for
ants to invade cars, especially if you park the vehicles close to an ant
nest. Take a specimen to a pest professional to have it identified.
There are different treatments for different species of ants. Carefully
inspect all the tires for a trail and try to follow them to a possible
nest, probably in the ground close to the driveway. It might also be wise
to shampoo the carpets in the cars. A few drops of spilled soda pop
cold be attracting them. |
| Q1172
Do moth balls help to keep mice away? I heard it somewhere and wonder if i
should try it. thanks! Sonja |
| For humans, excessive
naphthalene exposure can cause symptoms such as headache, nausea,
vomiting, abdominal pain, malaise, confusion, anemia, jaundice, and renal
disease. There have been no scientific studies done to determine the
effect of moth balls on rats and mice. Dr. Bobby Corrigan, in his
excellent Rodent Control book in 2001, discussed repellents for our
domestic rodents. He states that actual research on the effectiveness of
moth crystals or moth balls is lacking, and that other repellents for
these rodents that are effective are still to be developed. Moth balls are
not labeled to control rodents, therefore it would be unlawful for a pest
professional to use them for that purpose. |
| Q1171
I have a flea infestation: I vacuum every other day, I have used 8 cans of
Permethrin based flea spray, I have shampooed my dog with flea shampoo,
given him an ovi collar and I've washed all bedding etc.....my flea
problem persists and I have many flea bites. I can still feel them in my
house. What should I do? Emily. Montreal, Quebec. |
| Proper flea control must
include treatment for the egg and larva stages as well as the adults.
Animal flea treatment by veterinarians using insect growth regulators has
drastically reduced flea problems in homes. Flea shampoos have been
around for years and have had very little effect on the overall flea
population in homes. Any pesticide sprays should contain an
adulticide and an insect growth regulator such as Precor and should be
applied to the majority of the floor area in homes, especially in cracks
and crevices. This can be costly if you are purchasing retail size
containers. In the end it will probably cost less to follow the
advice of a pest professional and let him do the spraying. |
|
Directory of
pest professionals in Montreal |
| Q1170
I found some "Leather Beetle" larvae in dried fish maw, please comment the
worm if it is a risk to health. Thanks~ Raymond, Toronto. |
There could be a health
risk because you do not know where the larvae came from before it
contaminated your food. Hide and larder beetles infest a wide variety of
substances, especially those of animal origin. Both adults and larvae feed
on cured meats, dried fish, cheeses, raw skins, hides, furs, feathers,
hair, fish meal, dry dog and cat food, stored tobacco, stuffed animals,
dead insects in wall voids, museum specimens, abandoned bird nests,
dead rodents in wall partitions or chimneys, dead beehives, and even
rat or mouse poison baits. Infestations are often hard to locate because
beetles and larvae can migrate far from the original food source.
Mature larvae of hide beetles have the habit of boring into various hard
surfaces to pupate, usually preferring softwoods. Some may climb and bore
into posts, studs and rafters seriously weakening and "honeycombing" these
structures. Larvae are especially troublesome in poultry houses, damaging
yellow pine, foam insulation, styrofoam air baffle boards and even PCP (Penta
Ready) chemically treated wood in some cases. Larvae often appear
scattered throughout a building far from the original food source. They
may be in a wall void or attic where dead insects (flies) or rodents
provide a food source. |
| Q1169
I live in an apartment building and someone brought in cockroaches as a
gift because in their culture it brings good luck, but where i come from
they are pests and not goodluck. I have been reading up on these roaches,
and I am appalled completely! Since I live in an apartment building will
these roaches be here forever? Also, someone told me that roaches live in
homes that are dirty and only visit clean homes, is this true!? Ashley.
Hamilton, Ontario |
| Cockroaches are usually
more predominant in "dirty" homes but as the population grows they can
spread throughout an apartment building, even into the "clean" units.
Your landlord may not welcome these good luck creatures. They can be
eliminated but it can be difficult. Call a pest professional.
|
|
Directory of pest professionals in Hamilton |
| Q1168
I have moles entering the house - my cats have killed 4 in the past few
weeks- my cats do not go outside. From all descriptions of size and
characteristics, I am certain they are moles and not voles. I live in a
house with a fieldstone foundation with crawl space that has a dirt floor.
What can I do to prevent these critters from entering the house. Deb.
Waltham, ma. |
| It is likely you have
voles, not moles. Moles live underground and are seldom seen. There
is no food source for them in a home.
See this page for more information and
photos. |
| Q1167
Some kind of rodent is chewing a plastic section beneath my dishwasher. I
am unable to use my dishwasher as the rodent keeps rechewing the replaced
part. I have layed out mice traps and DECON, but the rodent doesn't seem
interested. I have even used peanut butter. What type of rodent is this??
And why is it so hard to catch? I do hear it inside the walls at night. I
have layed the traps and poisen near the entry under the dishwasher but no
results yet. Any info appreciated. David. Pittsfield Maine USA |
| Rats cause millions of
dollars in flood damage by chewing through plastic plumbing pipes. They
also cause many fires chewing insulation off electrical wires. You
may not be placing the traps in the right locations. Older rats are very
smart and can be difficult to catch. An experienced professional will know
how and where to use bait or traps, and may be able to determine what food
source is attracting them. |
| Q1166
Re the Powderpost beetle-I found it in Mexican furniture I just bought,
weeks ago-I assume it originated from somewhere, eg Mexico, before I
bought it, and not my home-am I correct? Thank you. Colin.
London, Ontario. |
| If you have powder post
beetles in your home, they would not move into new furniture and be
obvious this quickly. The beetles were included with your furniture
purchase. |
| Q1165
There is a horse that keeps eating my ornamental garden plants. i have put
fences up around my garden, but he just knocks them down. Is there any
kind of horse repellents out there or something that might scare a horse
away from eating my plants? Of do you know what kinds of plants taste bad
and are unappealing to horses? Any help would be much appreciated. Thank
You. Vickie. Monroe, Washington |
| It should be the
responsibility of the horse owner to keep it well fenced. Someone who
raises horses may be able to suggest a repellant but there would not be
much of a market for such a commercial product. Talk to the owner.
|
| Q1164
I found a spider on the kitchen that looks like a crab. It's about 1/2 to
3/4 inch with legs out. I saw a picture on an Ohio site and it looks very
similar. Are they normally found here or dangerous? Robert. Chilliwack,
B.C. |
There are many species
of crab spiders throughout North America. It is quite possible this
is what you found. They are not likely to be dangerous to humans.
The University of Nebraska has good information and photos of Crab
spiders.
http://entomology.unl.edu/images/spiders/spiders3.htm |
| Q1163
I feel very anxious and hope that you will help. I will be getting a 7-8
week old puppy around Christmas time. Today, I found many mouse droppings
in my pantry and a small food cache. We no longer give leptospirosis
immunization to pups. Will the organism (if present) die spontaneously if
the area is now kept clean? Is the only solution to throw out all uncanned
food/paper and thoroughly wash the area with a chlorox solution? My
veterinarian has no answer to my problem. Regina. Colts Neck, NJ
|
We do not like giving
advice on medical problems. Your veterinarian should be a better
source of information. Cleaning all areas with bleach and water
where you suspect the mice may have traveled, should kill the virus. Mice
leave tiny droplets of urine everywhere they travel. The urine will spread
the disease if the mice are infected. Leptospirosis, an
infectious disease that affects humans and animals, is considered the most
common zoonosis in the world. Leptospirosis often is referred to as
swineherd's disease, swamp fever, or mud fever. The organism enters the
body when mucous membranes or abraded skin comes in contact with
contaminated environmental sources. The infection causes a systemic
illness that often leads to renal and hepatic dysfunction. For detailed
information see these web sites.
http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic856.htm &
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/canineleptospirosis.html |
| Q1162 A
little over a month ago we had a mouse problem (house is 2 years new and
built on sheep land). We trapped 12 mice and then no more after that. It's
now 8:30pm and there is a loud scratching noise in the ceiling of my
kitchen (2-storey home w/ finished basement). When it stops scratching I
can hear it running around but barely. The scratching is extremely
loud, almost scary, thought someone was in the house upstairs in our
bedroom. What in the world could this critter be and how can we get it out
of there? It has to be bigger than a mouse to make that much scratching
noise - right? Rachel. Whitby,. Ontario |
| It could be rats or
mice. They can both be quite noisy when chewing wood to gain access
to a cavity. Try to find the entry points to the home and seal them. Put
traps in lower areas of the house where you may see droppings (basement
furnace room, laundry area, hot water tank) Read about rodent
control on our rodent page. You may have to call a pest
professional. |
|
Ontario pest professionals
directory. |
| Q1161
What is the cheapest and more efficient way to control bed bugs? Please
note we have a child ( 2yrs old ) If we use any chemical to kill bed bugs,
we want to know the side effect for our baby and my pregnant wife?
Alan. Scarborough, Ontario |
| Extremely thorough
vacuuming in infested rooms including the mattresses and box springs can
reduce bed bug populations considerably but probably not totally.
Some professionals have been using steam treatments but the results are
not encouraging. The best control at this time is careful and
targeted application of a pesticide only on suspected infested areas.
Read more about bed bugs. |
| Q1160
I have guests staying with me over Christmas and they currently have
bedbugs and can't rid of them in their apartment building. How do I make
sure they don't bring them into my house when they are staying with me?
Thank you, Angie. Vancouver |
| The resurgence of bed
bugs as a serious pest is suspected to be a result of the increased amount
of travel between continents. Bed bugs will hitch a ride in packed
clothing and suitcases. They can survive for many weeks without food (a
blood meal). They are definitely a growing problem in the Vancouver area.
You should ask them to thoroughly check all clothing and suitcases before
packing. Bed bug eggs are very small and difficult to see.
Your guests should have their apartment inspected and treated by an
experienced pest professional if they suspect there is a problem in their
unit. Read more about bed bugs. |
| Q1159
I think our cat has swallowed some Drano. What should we do other than go
to the nearest vet. Lawrence. Hamilton |
| By now, whatever was
going to happen to your cat, has happened. I hope you took it to the vet.
We do not offer medical advice but think it would be very unusual for any
animal to eat Drano. It would not have a smell or taste that would
appeal to cats. |
| Q1158
Is there a law that states...a pest control company can not treat for
"honey bees" in california? Is it true you must call a beekeeper out
instead? Sarah. Chico, CA. |
People and companies who
control bees in structures will have to hold a Branch 2 license issued by
the Structural Pest Control Board in California. People who control
bees in non structural areas would have to hold a Qualified Applicators
License or Certificate (QAL and QAC) in the categories of Landscape
Maintenance, and Right of Way, issued by Cal-EPA, Department of Pesticide
Regulation (DPR).
For more information contact the Pest Control Operators of California.
Web site:
http://www.pcoc.org/consumer/ahb/forhire.cfm |
| Q1157
We have pack rats in our outdoor shed. we have caught 13 but want to use a
rodenticide if poss...they seem to come back? even if we take them away.
please advise what we could use and where to purchase it around here ...tks.
Vb Kelowna, BC. |
| Primarily nocturnal and
vegetarian, Woodrats survive on a diet of bark, berries, nuts, seeds
and any available green vegetation. They rely on succulent plants for
their water, since they do not have the refined metabolic and water
conservation capabilities of other rodents. Toxicants should not be
the only choice of control methods. Woodrats generally pack poison bait
back to their den, but may not consume it for some time. This presents the
hazard that some other animal might eat the bait. Anticoagulant paraffin
bait blocks have been used successfully for woodrat control. They can be
wired in place inside a rat baiting station to prevent the woodrat from
packing it away. Most woodrat problems inside of structures can be solved
using traps. The standard rat-sized snap trap has been used to catch
woodrats. Its best to tie or glue the bait to the trigger. Baits include
nut meats, bacon rind or dried fruit. Pre-baiting will improve trapping
success. Put bait on the traps without setting the trap, feeding the
woodrats for several days, then set the trap. |
| Q1156
What is the most effective way to get rid of moles in my yard ?
Manny, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina |
| Bell Labs has recently
introduced a new poison bait that apparently is quite effective if placed
properly by a trained pest professional. Trapping can
also be effective but few people know how to do it properly. Either
way, you should call a local pest professional. |
| Q1155
I have recently found some kind of bug around the boxspring of my bed. The
first time I found them was about 2 weeks ago. I vacuumed everything then
I got rid of the bag. Today (Nov.13) I have found another one. The bug is
oval in shape and it is small and is light brown color. It has many little
legs and you can see where it's head is because it is a little smaller and
round. At the other end it has two very small rounded rectangles, the bug
also seems like it's covered in a fine hair. It is not a fast mover but it
does move steady. PLEASE HELP ME find out what this is?? thanks,
Shilo . Surrey, B.C. |
|
You may have bed bugs. They are becoming a
serious problem again in North America. Bed bug adults are brown,
wingless, 5.5 to 7.0 mm (l/4 and 3/8 inches) long with abdomens about 3.0
mm wide. The body is flat when not engorged with blood. When engorged, the
body becomes elongated and swollen, and its color changes from brown to
dull red. Vacuuming thoroughly certainly helps get rid of the adults but
the eggs may be difficult to find. Read more about bed bugs on the
Virginia State University web site.
If this is not your problem, take a specimen to a local pest professional
for identification or send us a picture. |
|
Directory of pest professionals in Surrey |
| Q1154
We have small black beetles invading the kitchen. They are shiny black,
almost round, about 2 cm in length. They get into cereal, crackers, flour,
sugar, baked goods. They fall out of the microwave and cabinets. I don't
know how to send a photo. This has been going on for about 2 years. I have
thrown out everything open in the cupboards 3 times, and try to keep
things spotless. All foodstuffs are kept in airtight containers. Please
help me identify and get rid of these things. The closest photo I have
seen was a carpet beetle, but these are much smaller. Cindy, Arroyo
Grande, California |
| You may be able to
identify it by looking at the pictures on our
grain beetles page. |
Q1153
My apartment/kitchen/pantry has been infested with very tiny dark
brown/black? beetle-like (can lift off?/fly)flour/wheat heatseeking/lightloving/waterseekers?
I have purged all dry goods ie. rolled oats,cereals,rice/noodles/powder
based / grains/ soups/jellos/puddings/kraft dinners/etc.all gone but the
little bugs are aplenty and I am aplenty nervous/embarrassed and creeped
out by them and am taking 5 showers a day and fearful of their invisible
eggs and am scrubbing surfaces with javex/pinesol etc S o S these things
are windborne as well as prolific and my current??? property maintenance
and management here at Britannia Glen Co-operative Homes are refusing to
come to my aid. Many kind thanks for your site???? but what are these tiny
dark guys, I have unsuccessfully made inquiries on the telephone and have
also tried looking them up on the internet and also brought them down to
my staff/crew all to no avail and with no recognition and no support I am
begging for some assistance. I am unsure of the least toxic most effective
way to rid my res. of these rascals. Please refer me or suggest a method
of greatest efficacy. Peace D (as in dear me what will cure this insect
issue immediately?)
Daria, Mississauga, Ontario |
| |
| Q1152
I live in an apartment and I've seen a mouse. I am in the process of
moving, but I don't want to have to deal w/seeing the mouse. If I put out
some kitty litter, will it fool the mouse into thinking I have a cat? Or,
should I use mothballs? I have spoken w/the rental management and they are
in process of getting someone to come out, but I feel it may take too
long. Deidre, Euclid. |
Well used kitty litter
may deter the mouse, but most people would prefer the presence of a mouse
more than the the smell of cat urine.
If you used enough moth balls to deter the mouse, the fumes would not be
healthy for you. Good old mouse traps or properly placed bait is a
better solution. Moving will also work. |
| Q1151
My house has been infested by book lice. I have had it fumigated and spot
treated. they are still here with new ones hatching all the time. we now
have watered down ant powder sprayed all round the house to no effect it
seems. Please could you give me any ideas on how to get rid of them,
as it is now effecting my family mentally as well as physically. PAUL,
RUGBY, ENGLAND |
| Book lice or psocids are
almost always related to a damp and moldy environment. They do not
survive well in dry conditions. Check for plumbing leaks and poor
water seals around bath tubs and showers. Read more on our
Booklouse page |
|
Top of page |
| Q1150
PLEASE HELP! I am going nuts with these gnats all around my kitchen,
bathroom, and everywhere! I put cat food down, and in approx.5 minutes
time, they are around that! I've cleaned all areas, and do not leave any
exposed food, or dirty dishes, as they swarm all around them if left! At
night, I see allot of the little black bugs on the wall in the kitchen
near the ceiling. (though they are small) They are in my bathroom,
too! I recently had a plumber here, due to the bathtubs slow draining,
then to fix the bathroom sinks clogged drain, and he had broke his auger
in my sink drain while unclogging it! I do not know if that had something
to do with this invasion, or the rain storm that had followed, but please
advise, before I go crazy. I have read all about fruit flies, fungus
gnats, drain gnats, etc. but they all describe what each looks like,
though I am unable to see if they have red eyes, etc. as they are very
tiny! What should I do? Thank you for any suggestions you may have! Dee.
Ca. |
| Please read the answer
to the next question. |
| Q1149
All of a sudden we have an infestation of what appear to be some sort of
Knat or Fruit Fly concentrated in our Bathroom and around the garbage can
in the kitchen. We also get infested with ladybugs every year, however
they are no where near as annoying as these knat things. I can not find
any pictures on the web to identify. Mark, Wappingers Falls NY |
| Gnats, Phorid Flies and
Fruit flies all need a food source. Adults lay eggs in or near the
food source and they multiply rapidly. Empty your garbage frequently
and clean the garbage can thoroughly. If they are Phorid flies you
may have to have your drains treated. Read more about
Phorid flies and
gnats. |
| Q1148
I live in a rural area close in a natural forest for the last 4 years and
have had the occasional snake in the house. I am a nature lover and have
always managed to catch these visitors and relocate them. My fear now is
that I have a one year old baby girl running around. I have looked around
locally for a solution for my problem bu to no avail. Could you recommend
anything, I mean anything I am desperate. I have had to kill two forest
cobras in the last three day that measured more than 1.8m in my house.
Please help. Tinus. Kwambonambi, Zululand RSA |
| Dangerous snakes are not
a problem here in Canada so there are few professionals that can offer
advice based on experience. There are traps and glue boards available for
snake control but you may not have them in your country. |
| Q1147
Is it safe to use powdered Borax between the studs in walls of a house
under construction? What are the benefits/drawbacks? Deb. Little Rock, AR |
| Basic borax powder
should not cause any health problems for the house occupants, but it will
have no effect on controlling insects. You would be much better off
having a professional inject a borate product that has be processed to
specifically control insects. One example would be "Tim-Bor".
It is not available to unlicensed consumers in some areas. |
| Q1146
HELP! Every year I get tiny (3 mm long or so) black ants invading my
kitchen. These ants bite (and hurt!), love catfood (for seniors) and long
walks on the beach. They primarily have a nice little trail of about 300 -
400 every morning straight to the cat food bowl, originating from the
edges of the floor. Moving the bowl doesn't seem to help as they will
wander around regardless. I live in Toronto, in a basement apartment,
which has very old wood floors with gaps everywhere, making it virtually
impossible to tell where they are originating from. I've read through this
forum, and have seen many references to pharaoh ants, but these ants are
definitely BLACK. While I've read talcum powder can control them, I'm not
sure it will work here, as the hardwood floor has so many areas it would
be impossible to fill. I'm afraid I would just have a very 'fresh'
smelling kitty and lots of footprints. Over the years I have tried bay
leaves, various traps from the hardware store and playing Barbara
Streisand repeatedly. NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK!! HELP!! Any advice would be
greatly appreciated... Warmest regards, Totally exasper'ant'ed in TO |
| Playing Barbara
Streisand should have worked for any pest. The next best solution
would be ant bait. A high quality ant bait properly placed will control
many species of ants (not Carpenter ants). You may be able to obtain
some from a local pest professional with a vendors licence. Read the
label instructions carefully. Use sparingly. |
| Q1145
I found a small beetle in my kitchen, which I spent hours trying to
identify because I thought it was a cockroach. what I found is that it
looks exactly like the elm leaf beetle, exactly except the body part is
dark with just a yellowish stripping around the outer edge but it doesn't
have the yellowish strips down the center of the main body, it's kind of a
tone on tone dark stripping but everything the same, is this possible or
do I have something else on my hands?.. Yael. Toronto, Ontario |
| Check the photos on our
page "What
is this pest" or "Pantry
Pests". You could also have a local pest professional identify it
for you and suggest a control solution. You should probably check
out the dry foods in your cupboards for an infestation. |
|
Toronto pest
professionals directory. |
| Q1144
Some kind of animal or something making holes in our front yard. Would
like to know if you have an idea what it might be and what I can do about
it. James. Bristol, Va. |
| Sorry. Your information
is a little vague. Any of these could be your problem: Mice, rats,
chipmunks, groundhogs, skunks, raccoons, moles, voles, and many more. Have
a local pest professional inspect the holes and recommend the correct
solution. |
| Q1143
Do you know if electronic pest repellers omit radiation? Where can I find
information on this topic? Kelly. New York, N.Y. |
| Sonic pest repelling
devices emit a high frequency noise that supposedly repels rodents.
Electromagnetic devices apparently emit some radiation through the wiring
in a building. We have asked one of the manufacturers of these
devices to send us evidence of scientific studies to prove whether or not
these devices work. They refuse, stating it is proprietary
information. We have not seen or heard of any proof that these devices
have any significant effect on pests. They are a scam!
Read more about what others think. |
| Q1142
Not sure what to do im having a problem with hornets and i believe there
coming from the fire place as i have seen them coming from the there we
just had the chimney cleaned but i have seen several in the past 2 week i
have 2 small children and it is becoming worrisome should i keep burning
fires in hopes of killing them off any suggestion would be welcomed.
Hilda. Toronto. |
| See answer to #1141
below. |
| Q1141
I have jellowjackets that have made a nest in our chimney and are getting
in the house. It's getting cold and we want to use the fireplace and need
to know how to get rid of them. Ally. Mexia, Tx. |
| As it gets colder all
the wasps will leave the nests. Most will die. Some fertilized
queens will survive if they find protection from harsh winter
temperatures. If the nest is in the chimney flu it will catch fire easily.
If your chimney needs cleaning this could be a problem. |
| Q1140
I believe the problem fly is the Phorid variety. My household plants seem
to be hosting these little pests. From the information provided, they seem
to be thriving on the moisture of the soil. How to I rid our home without
killing all of our plants? I would prefer a "healthy" alternative to
chemicals if possible. Many Thanks, Jill, Calgary,
Alberta |
| Phorid flies and fruit
flies are often confused with gnats. Read about gnats on this
page: Gnats |
| Q1139
How do i get rid of gnats in my home without having to call an
exterminator? Maria. Detroit |
| Gnats are not a serious
problem but they can be a real nuisance and harmful to house plants. Read
all about them on this web page:
Gnats. |
Q1138
I have clothes moths. They're everywhere. I already used moth balls, but I
still found their soft white "cocoons" and even live larva everywhere in
the winter clothes that I packed away. Should I try something else?
Thanks.
Shoei. Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| You could put the
clothing in plastic bags and then in a freezer for a few days, or in a hot
dryer. You could also put moth balls in the plastic bags. The best options is to have them dry cleaned. Be sure
to eliminate any that may be in your closets or carpeting. Read more
on the
Clothes Moths page. You may need to call a professional. |
|
Find a pest professional in our
directory:
Montreal Pest Professionals. |
| Q1137
I have squirrels in my attic that have come through the roof vent and are
in an area with direct access through the attic open area. I have had this
problem in Atlanta, Ga. in the past and used a mixture of cedar chips,
sulfur, and moth balls. I have lost this receipt. Do you have a
suggestion. Paul, Charleston, Sc USA |
| Repellants may work but
the best solution is to block off the entry point with wire mesh.
Very few professionals would rely on repellants for wild animal control.
Exclusion and trapping is the common practice. |
| Q1136
What is a good chemical that will get rid of pharaoh ants. Fort
Worth Gardener. |
The worst thing you can
do is spray insecticides. Pharaoh ants will "bud" or split up the
colony when disturbed this way. The proper control procedure is
using an appropriate ant bait over a period of time. Some
inexperienced professionals have difficulty controlling these ants,
especially in large buildings. This is not something you should do
yourself. Deal with someone who has pharaoh ant experience.
Read more on our Pharaoh Ant
page. |
| Q1135
I would like to know if budgies can get mites ,,, my budgie is scratching
and picking himself allover like something is in his feathers sure hope
you can help. Sherry. Hinton, Alberta. |
Red mites can occur in
budgies and cockatiels. These mites are very contagious between birds of
different species, and they suck blood. They are visible to the naked eye
as tiny specks of red pepper.
Feather mites can occur on budgies, and two species have been described to
infest budgies. These mites, however, are not commonly encountered.. Many
budgie owners believe that they must use some sort of protection against
mites, which can be hung on the outside of the cage, but these are
ineffective and potentially dangerous, as the fumes can cause liver damage
and perhaps cancer if inhaled for a long period of time. Mite protectors
usually have mothballs (paradichlorobenzene) as the active ingredient. If
a budgie does not have mites, a mite protector is not necessary to prevent
infestation. If a budgie does have an external parasite, it is best to
seek the expert advice of an avian veterinarian who can diagnose the exact
problem and prescribe the correct medication to treat it at the proper
intervals. There's
more good information on this web site:
http://www.exoticpetvet.net/avian/budgietiel.html |
| Q1134
I've read the pages for sow/pill bugs. I've just moved into a ground floor
apartment and I know I have a pill bug problem. I keep finding them in the
corners of my rooms (dried out and dead, of course). My problem is that in
addition to these pill bugs I also find these worm-like insects on my
carpet, also dried out and curled up. I've only seen one alive in my
bathroom and they don't move very fast at all. They're black on the top
and beige or gray on the bottom. Could these be centipedes or millipedes?
I don't think they are because I don't notice any legs and like I said
they don't move very fast. Wonderful website! Thanks in advance! Lori,
Germantown, Maryland |
| They are likely
millipedes and they are there for the same reason as the pill bugs.....too
much moisture. |
| Q1133
We just recently found out that we have rats under our house in our vents
and they have made a hole up into the house. Without spending a lot of
money how can we best get rid of these nasty pests. Should we put out
poison and if we do won't they die under the house? Will moth balls kill
or at least drive them away? Stephanie. Stanton, Texas. |
| If the rats are that
well established moth balls will have no effect. Good old
fashioned rat traps may work for you if properly placed and baited. Be
sure to place them where other animals can not gain access. See this
page: rodents |
| Q1132
I had mice in a previous home and decided to get a kitten. When I brought
the kitten home I never again saw any mice in my home. Did the mice leave
because they knew a cat was in the home? Is it possible to fool the mice
into thinking there is a cat in the home, when there is none, so that they
will leave? Deidre, Euclid, Ohio |
| Mice have very sensitive
sense of smell. The presence of a cat will keep them out of your
living space but they may still be living in the attic or crawl space
where the cat does not have access. |
Q1131
I have a wasp nest inside my house It is above the ceiling in my bedroom
the wasps have ate a hole in the drywall.
I am looking for a reputable company to spray that is in this area Can you
refer me to a business? Shirley. flint mi |
| We are not familiar with
many pest professionals in your country. (we specialize in Canadian pest
professionals). We suggest you contact the Michigan Pest Control
Association for a reference. They have a code of ethics that all
members should adhere to. Here is their web site with contact
information: http://www.mipca.org/
|
|
Top of page |
| Q1130
What is the best high frequency electronic pest controller for a home
owner? Haig, Gold Beach, Oregon |
| Based on information
gathered from numerous entomologists, rodentologists and university web
sites, we have concluded none of these devices work very well. Sonic
devices will have an effect on rodents in close range and directly in the
path of the sound emitted but it will not drive them out of buildings.
It would be better to spend money on excluding rodents and conventional
pest management. |
| Q1129
We purchased a 50lb bag of sunflower seeds to feed the squirrels. After
about three weeks we started seeing small moths everywhere. We discarded
the seeds, but we still had moths in the garage and they started coming in
the house. This weekend we started seeing small flys in the one room where
we saw the majority of the moths. On close inspection we found small brown
larvae in the carpet under the desks, the waste baskets and the chair
mats. If you watched you could see them move, then small flys started
appearing right out of the carpet. My question is is there a moth that
lays eggs in carpet and when they hatch you have flys. I understand flys
lay their eggs on rotted vegetation or decayed flesh, but I have never
heard of them laying their eggs on indoor/outdoor carpet. Is there a
common link here, or are we going crazy. Now in instead of seeing moths
flying around, we have flys, and only in one room. Please help. Michael.
Houston, Texas. |
| Wild bird and animal
feed is not treated for human consumption so it often contains insect eggs
and larva. You could have more than one type of insect pest.
The moths are likely "Indian Meal Moths" that usually lay eggs near a
dry food source. Have a close look in your pantry for larva in any
dry foods. You would be wise to consult a pest professional before the
problem multiplies. |
| Q1128
I Live in an apartment Building, I have small red ants, the Superintendent
has been in contact with the Pest Control, they said our Building has
Pharaoh Ants, I don't like bugs at all. Do they bite and will they hurt my
cats and dogs, and will they get in our bed, that is what is really
Freaking me out. Will they also go in my hair and stuff. Please get back
to me as soon as Possible and Thank you so Very Very much. Charlotte.
Hamilton Ontario. |
| Pharaoh ants are very
difficult to control. Spraying pesticides results in the colonies
splitting up and spreading throughout the building. Poison ant baits
should be used for control. They can be a serious nuisance and
health hazard. Read more on our
Pharaoh Ant
page. |
| Q1127
Hi there, I hope you can help me. I just inherited a beautiful (oak?)
antique dresser that has been keeping me up all night. My mother in law-
used some kind of Italian pesticide to fill in all of the tunnels, and
then plugged them up with wax... but it did not seem to work. I am afraid
that the bugs are eventually going to move into my wood floor, and new
bed! I haven't been able to spot one, so I don't know what it is. The hole
is the size of a pin head and the wood dust is like flour in texture. Is
there anything that I can do that is not toxic? Are they usually this
difficult to get rid of? What should I do next? Thank you, if I could use
one of your pest controllers- I would but I'm in Italy! And need sleep! ;
) Diana |
| If you are able to move
the table into a walk-in freezer for a few days this will probably kill
the larva chewing on the wood. In some cities pressure chambers are
available to force insecticide gas into the items inside.
Injecting insecticides into the small holes will not have much effect.
|
| Q1126
I just moved into a home, near square one, and since the cold wave has
started, I am having rodent (rat) problem in the house. I have used the
regular tablet kill and or trap method, not working. They eat the tablet,
but don't die. What can i do to stop the problem and get rid of the
rodents? Hassan. Mississauga |
| Modern rodent baits are
very effective. If they eat it they die. Older baits like warfarin
require multiple feedings. Keep putting out a good bait as long as it
is being eaten. You could have a number of rats.
Toronto pest
professionals directory |
| Q1125
i have these look alike mosquito bites but they are not. it first started
on my feet now its working its way up 2 my arms. the school nurse says it
might be flea bites, hives or wig worms but no one really knows...plz
respond fast its itchin like crazy..any suggestions?anyone know what it
is? Amalfi, Philadelphia |
A medical professional
that has looked at the bites will probably have a much better idea of what
is causing the problem than we could guess. Have a look
at these web sites. They may provide the answer.
Insect bite descriptions:
http://www.emedicine.com/DERM/topic467.htm
Insect bite pictures:
http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/hardin/md/insectbites.html
|
| Q1124
I have an attached garage to the house. I had weather stripping put under
the garage door and around the outside as there was none when I bought the
house last year. I have trees around the property which are close to the
house. I have noticed an increasing number of longish slender black worms
which somehow are coming from the garage door which is my only answer to
how they are coming in. Where the garage is attached to the rec room with
wall of course between I have found some of these worms happily crawling
along my carpet. If you touch them they wriggle and sometimes curl up in
the circle. I find them sometimes dead and dried up curled up. What are
these worms? I have searched the internet and cannot find what these are.
Can you help me? Thank you. Janet. Quispamsis, New Brunswick, Canada |
| Centipedes and
millipedes can gain entry to garages and will find their way into
living space. They like damp places so try to reduce the humidity in the
recreation room. There may be a ventilation problem.
Sow Bugs, Pill Bugs
and centipedes |
| Q1123
I have been finding small holes eaten through my clothes in my closet.
they are hanging high up in the closet, and are mainly cotton. I have
looked for bugs or dropping and have found nothing. do you have a
suggestion on to get rid them? if they are moths, will moth balls do
anything? Starlee. San Clemente, California |
| Clothes moth larva are
very small and hard to see. Laundering or dry cleaning will kill
them but there may be eggs and more larva in the closet. Moth balls
help, but the fumes are not healthy for humans. See our
Clothes Moth page. |
| Q1122
Sow Bugs do not bother me, personally however, with the numbers that i see
at night, i wonder if they are destroying any elements of my house. can
anyone comment?? Jim. Crescent City, California |
| Sow bugs do not cause
structural damage but they are often found in areas where excessive
moisture may be causing fungus and wood rot. |
| Q1121
I have recently had squirrels removed from my attic. I am concerned that
the squirrels left food and likely their droppings. The pest control
company did not and will not go up into the attic to determine what the
damage is. I am concerned about bugs and bacteria. Can you recommend a
company that can clean out my attic. Reesa. Richmond Hill, Ontario. |
Many pest control
service businesses do not perform clean up service. Although it does not
require extensive training there are safety precautions that must be
observed including use of proper air filtration respirators. The cost of
hiring a well trained pest professional is often higher than some
homeowners are willing to pay for clean up service. You may try
calling other professionals in your area.
Ontario pest professionals
directory. |
| Q1120
I just rented an apartment in a 3 apartment semi house when I went to move
in it was full of cockroaches my question doesn't the landlord have to
fumigate the whole 3 apartments in this house to get rid of these things?
won't they just go from one area to another area? Nancy. Ontario |
| Fumigation is not used
in Canada to control insects in homes. All of the apartments should
be treated by a professional using baits. |
| Q1119
We have recently moved into a basement suite, and I have noticed a very
tiny, possibly brown, bug - at first in an upper cupboard but not anymore,
and now on the counter. It doesn't seem to be in the dry goods, it kills
easily, and cayenne pepper has held them back. Possibly it is coming
through the wall where the cabinet meets. The place is damp as we live 1
blk from the ocean. I could not locate them in the "what is this pest"
section. How can I get rid of them? V.G. West Vancouver |
| There are many species
of "very tiny brown bugs". Take a sample to a North Shore pest
professional for identification and suggested control methods. Try
North Shore Pest
Detective. |
| Q1118
I am looking for a company in my area specializing in approved pest
control methods in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. Is there a
list of approved agents used for pest control in the pharmaceutical
industry? Christopher. Perth, Ontario. |
| I
suggest you contact STERITECH. They are highly qualified to provide pest
solutions in sensitive areas including
health care,
hospitality, manufacturing, food service, processing and retail
industries. Their contact information is listed in our
directory, Ontario page. |
| Q1117
I have mice in my house, who I suspect entered through open doors in
September. I've caught five with a live trap. They no longer will enter
the live trap. I put out Wilsarin two days ago, following instructions on
the box, and they don't appear to be touching it. Will mice grow wise to
certain poisons and ignore them, like they do traps? Will trying another
poison work better? If so, are some more effective than others? Keith,
Edmonton. |
If you caught five with
the live trap, it should keep working unless you cleaned it and the mice
are smelling the cleaning solution you used.
Whatever poison you use, it may take a few days for the mice to accept it.
Putting out 2 different poisons will improve your chances. You
should also try to find out what food source has attracted them into the
house and get rid of it. |
| Q1116
I have seen a mouse in the apartment. Where can I get products like 'mouse
bars' by zep or mouse traps that kill by shocks? Nancy. Vancouver. |
| There are no magic
solutions to controlling mice. The best way is usually the old
fashioned mouse trap. There are new plastic versions that are easier
to set and some new mouse poison baits work much better than warfarin.
Before you spend any money read about the reasons you have mice and what
to do about it on our rodent page |
| Q1115
I live in an apartment on campus, and I've been living here for 2 years
now. This year I have noticed this little white bugs crawling around in
my bathroom. They appear to have some sort of beige striping on them, and
they have 2 long antennae. They are very fast. Nothing has changed in my
living conditions other than the fact that I now have a bath mat in the
bathroom...help!?! Sonia. Edmonton, Alberta |
| It sounds like you have
silverfish. They like moist areas. Do your best to reduce the humidity in
your apartment then call the building manager and request to have a
professional deal with the problem. Apartment buildings can be very
difficult to treat safely so this is not something the janitor can do.
Edmonton pest
professionals |
| Q1114
We have a smell coming from under our deck into our basement that seems
like a skunk smell. We put out a trap for it but caught a opossum. As the
trapper was taking the opossum away, I noticed he smelled exactly like the
skunk smell. The trapper said he is sure we still have a skunk living
under the deck. Could the opossum be the one making the smell? Thank you.
David. Rocky River, Ohio |
| The opossum may have
been sprayed by the skunk. You should continue to try to catch the
skunk then screen off the area so others can not enter. |
| Q1113
Are Carpet beetle bites dangerous to humans. What to do? Jan. Virginia |
| No. They do not
bite humans. |
| Q1112
How to get rid of toxic orange ladybugs |
| This particular species
has the annoying habit of choosing human homes as places to spend the
winter. They don't give off a toxic vapor, at least not in amounts large
enough to be detectable by a human nose, unless they are handled or
crushed--and all ladybugs give off the exact same "toxic chemical," a
foul-smelling yellow oil. The toxic effect on humans is negligible; you'd
have to eat a few pounds (thousands) to get sick. People in parts of the
western North America have had to put up with the native convergent
ladybug entering their homes in the winter for well over 200 years, but
now that this new species is bothering easterners, the press gets into the
act, and people start to panic. The truth is that we have been introducing
new exotic species of ladybugs both intentionally and accidentally, for
decades. If the Asian ladybug didn't invade people's homes, the Asian
ladybug would have been ignored. For more information and control
suggestions see our Ladybug page. |
| Q1111
Termites in 4' 11" crawl space. A wall was removed and the sill plate was
full of termites. What are the chances of them having already spread
throughout the house or through spraying, having them move to the upper
level of the house. The wall was very badly rotten and all of that wood
was removed. There's no visible signs of other wood being eaten but is
there a nest which should be searched for? Are there bug bombs or anything
of that nature which could be put in the crawl space or it do it yourself
solution which would work very effectively. The very toxic chemicals i'm
told aren't available for resale to the general consumer. Sandra.
Vancouver, B.C. |
| If they were dampwood
termites, you eliminated most of them when you removed the decaying wood
and moisture problem. You should have a professional inspect the crawl
space for other nests in any damp areas. If they are subteranian
termites there may be nests in the ground under the crawl space.
Vancouver pest professionals |
|
Top of page |
| Q1110
I have pill bugs coming through my kitchen sink. Help!! What can I do? I
have called my water company and my pest man to come visit. What do I do
until then??? Thanks. Erin. Louisville, KY |
| How can they come
through the sink? They do not live in drains but may be hiding there
because of the moisture. Look for other damp areas near the sink. If
there are plumbing leaks they may be in the wall or floor. |
Q1109 My
house is just full of Snakes How do we get rid of them?
we find babies all the time in the house but just recently we noticed an
adult up in the ceiling in our basement the spot that it was in, was in
the washroom ceiling there is a hole were the drain comes down from the
upstairs Bathtub it was coiled around the pipe (The ceiling isnt finished
in the basement or we would never have found this one) we grabbed it and
it shot this stinky stuff out of its skin. they are milk snakes with
circles on there backs and they bite us all the time when we try and catch
them the adults are 4 feet long sometimes. since that day we have pulled 9
adult snakes out of that hole and babies are still in the house we have
had it with them. Is there anything we can do to get them out of the
house. We think we need to pull the upstairs bathtub out to see if there
getting in there some how but is there a repellant we can put around the
house so they stay out. Marlene. Cannington, Ontario |
| The first step is to
determine how they are getting into the home and close that off. You
can also purchase glue board to catch snakes or call a pest professional
to install them. Ontario
pest professionals. |
| Q1108
Can you tell me the best way to get rid of the dead animal smell in my
home without spending a lot of money. I was wondering if there was a home
remedy I could use. Krista |
| The best solution is to
locate the dead animal and remove it. Drywall is easily repaired if you
have to cut a hole in a wall. There are odor absorbing products available
at some hardware or building supply stores. One is called Deodor
Rock |
| Q1107
Do you have anything that will kill scabies in the enviroment in the home.
Elfrida. Brooklyn |
Proper use of a cream
prescribed by a medical professional is of utmost importance in
eliminating scabies. Read the instructions on the medicine. Before
applying the medication, take a warm bath or shower using lots of soap to
clean the skin. This will help soften the lesions. Pat dry; allow skin to
cool. Then, apply the medication in a thin layer from the scalp downward
over the entire skin surface, giving special attention to hands, feet and
fingers. All areas of the skin must be covered adequately. If the face is
involved, be careful not to get medication in the eyes, nose or mouth. If
the hands are washed, reapply creme to that area. Keep the medication on
for 12 hours and then bathe. All family members and sexual contacts should
be treated at the same time. Wash all clothes, underwear and bedding in
hot water and dry in the clothes dryer to eliminate any further spread of
the mite. Vacuum carpets and upholstery. It is not necessary to fumigate
the house.
See this web site for more information:
http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/health-info/dis-cond/commdis/scabies.html
|
| Q1106
What do the pillbugs prefer, do they like light or dark more - because
I've seen in my class experiment that when I put my pillbugs in a box that
is divided in the middle and other part is covered the pillbugs prefer
light better than dark. Why is thing happening if you choose dark? Bruce |
| In a natural environment
(outdoors) dark places are more likely to be moist than bright sunny
places. Pill bugs prefer moist places. The box you are using will
likely be pretty dry in both sections so the experiment results will not
be very accurate. |
Q1105
Re: Pharaoh ants
How does a moving company move a person who has a pharaoh ant infestation,
without risking the spread of these pests to another shipper who uses the
truck after this move is complete? Equipment on the truck consists of
carpeted dollies and furniture pads(blankets). The floor of the truck is
constructed of wooden slats, with wooden walls. The walls have holes where
straps can be attached. Please offer any suggestions as to how to proceed
with this matter. I anxiously await your reply. Thanks in advance for any
suggestions you may offer. Heather. Ottawa, Ontario. |
| Some moving companies
treat their trucks for all insect pests between moves. Ask your
moving company what their policy is. Bed bugs may be a more serious
problem to be concerned about. |
| Q1104
I have clusters or groups of flying insects that have invaded my office by
the ground by the window (ground floor). they are black with possible
brown or red - about a 1/4 in to 1/2 in long - thin with wings matching
their length. they buzz when trying to fly - they smell horrible when i
kill them. What are they? Scot. Toronto, Ontario. |
| They may be reproductive
ants coming out of the base of the wall. If the soil level outside
is above the cement foundation there is likely a nest in that area.
Have a pest professional identify them. If they are carpenter ants
and you spray them with a pesticide they will scatter and be much more
difficult to control. |
| Q1103
Since a tomato was left out on the counter that was split open.. we have
had the problems of little tiny bugs flying around. How can I get rid of
them? Bambi. Stoney Creek, Ontario |
| Fruit flies.
Eliminate all sources of food where they may be laying eggs. (not just
fruit) Check the garbage, bags of onions, empty beverage containers
and food spills under appliances. They multiply rapidly but must
have a food source. |
| Q1102
We appear to have an infestation of moth flies in our basement -
specifically, in one room. A door from that room leads into a room where
the main drainage system is located. We're killing up to 50 flies per day.
How can we get rid of them permanently? Thank you! Wendy. London,
Ontario |
| Moth flies, also known
as drain, sewage or filth flies, are considered a household nuisance,
because they breed in the accumulated gelatinous film on the walls of
drains. Adults are seen around the home but more commonly in bathrooms.
They can become very numerous in homes and sewage disposal plants. Pest
professionals use a foam generator to fully coat all sides of drains with
a cleaning agent that eliminates the eggs and larva. You should try
to eliminate this problem quickly. The risk of disease is high.
|
| Q1101
Will baking with infected flour or meal products kill the larvae or eggs
from the Indian Meal Moth? Lisa. Chambersburg, PA |
| Yes. They will
just be a little protein in your bread. You can also freeze the
ingredients for a few days to kill the eggs and larva. Most people would
just throw out the dry foods. |
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