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Pest pro Associations
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Did you know it's against the law...

- to use pesticides     to control any pest that is not listed on the label.

- to use pesticides in a manner that is not in compliance with directions on the label.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Click here to learn more
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let your mouse do the walking through our Directory of Pest Professionals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Your answer may be on one of these pages:

Ants
Ant nest photos 
   
Bats
Bees

Birds
,  
Carpenter Ants

Canadian Pest Management Association,
   
Carpenter ant photos,
Choosing a professional. Cockroaches, 
Controlling pests

Finding a Pro,
  
Fleas

Flies
Getting rid of Carpenter ants 
Hantavirus,
   
Home page

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I.P.M. 

Mice

Moles

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  , 
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Powder post beetles, Raccoons
 Rats

 Real Estate & Pests
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Spiders,
 
SPMA of BC
,  
Sow Bugs

Supplies for pest control
Termites, 
Wasps
,  
Wildlife pests
 

Pest pro Associations
C.P.M.A.  (Canada)
SPMA BC ( B.C.)
SPMAO    (Ontario)

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let your mouse do the walking through our Directory of Pest Professionals

 

 

 

 

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Get rid of pests for good—guaranteed. Terminix® treats both the inside and outside of your home—to eliminate all the pests, even the ones you can’t see.

Click here to learn more
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BRAEMAR PEST CONTROL
Serving Atlantic Canada

Industrial, commercial, residential,  
Nuisance wildlife pest control. Structural / container fumigation.
Lawn / tree maintenance.
Visit Our Web Site

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAL-RID
Pest Control Specialists
   46 years of service
from the Petrie family.
  Calgary,
Alberta

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

q 1700  I have an infestation of bedbugs and have had a pest control company come in but now they seem to be in my cloths even though I washed every thing in hot water. What else can I do?! Joan, Victoria, BC.
Because bedbugs can hide in the smallest crack and hibernate for up to a year without food (a blood meal) they can be very difficult to locate and eliminate. Most pest management professionals expect it will take more than one service call to eliminate the problem.  You should wash your clothes again and store them in sealed plastic bags until the bed bug problem is eliminated. See How to get rid of bedbugs
q1699  We have recently discovered that we have some black carpenter ants in our attic. We have removed everything from  the attic and vacuum it every day with a 13 amps vacuum cleaner. Will this process help. My husband and I would like to solve this problem ourselves as we do not wish to go into any expense if we can avoid it. your response to this matter will be very much appreciated.  Rashida.  Scarborough, Ont. Vacuuming up ants that leave their nests may reduce the problem slightly, but only about 5% of the nest population will ever leave the nest. Hiring a professional now will likely cost much less than repairing the structural damage carpenter ants can cause. Read more about getting rid ofcarpenter ants
q1698 I live in a rental townhouse and we have a serious mice problem. The rental agency hires a mice exterminator and he put some poison in the kitchen cupboards and in the basement. It that all that can be done? I filled the gaps in between the walls and piping with steel wool and some expanding foam. When do mice problem become health hazard? (I have a child with allergies and asthma). Who can I contact to get some help?
Mice carry a number of diseases and can always be a health hazard, especially to crawling children.  Poison must attract rodents to work so it is not a good idea to put it where you don't want the mice.  It should be placed in bait stations in the basement.  Ask your landlord to make your living space mouse proof.  Steel wool around the pipes will help but there may be other entry points.  Read more about mice
q 1697  As a new horse owner I am concerned about Blister beetle poison but cannot find information that tells me if they are a problem in my area. How can I find out where they are common in Ontario?
There are four species of blister bugs that can cause serious problems for horses. This web page has pictures and information: 
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/RockfordCenter/newsletters/morrisonj/Issue6Vol5Article8.htm
According to the university of Florida one species of blister bugs can be found in Quebec and Ontario. More information on this web site: http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/veg/potato/striped_blister_beetle.htm
q 1696  I recently used a dust pesticide to control carpenter ants in my home. I am now reacting to the dust, skin rash, mouth and gums swelling. I need to get rid of the dust that's airborne in my home. I called a couple of professional home cleaning companies, but I would like to do something quick, while I wait for them to come out and provide an estimate. Any ideas?
DID YOU READ THE LABEL?  Insecticide dusts should never be applied where they can become airborne or come in contact with humans or animals. You may be able to rent a vacuum cleaners with a hepa filter but it is probably better to let a professional do the job.  Your reaction to the pesticide is evidence that you should stay away from it.
q 1695  Hello. I have a wasp nest in an outside wall. They've gotten through a crack that I want to seal. I would like to get them out without killing them and seal the hole. Is this possible. If I need professional help will they have to be killed? How much will this cost.  Steve.  London, Ontario.
The wasps will leave in the fall then you can seal up the crack. If you seal it before they leave you may provide a food source to attract other insects.
q 1694  I have encountered similar situation as Q 439 (My question is about Sow bugs. I have a lot in my basement and they keep coming at night time. When i turn on the light they run everywhere and hide in the carpet. I have seen them outside before too. Do u have any tips to get rid of them, or have any kind of spray to kill them.). If this is not Sow bug, then what could it be?  Bee.  Shanghai.
Sow bugs can not run fast and are not bothered by light.  Send a photo and we will try to identify.
q 1693  I have something up in my unfinished 3rd floor. I have never seen them, all I see is their droppings which are always in the same spot and are the size of rice and black. My home is nearly new and everything is tight, it's all brick with vinyl overhangs. The largest hole is for the vents at about 0.125 inch in diameter. I have no leaks in the roofing. I am thinking that they are Leeches because outside my front door I have found the same droppings and know that they came from Leeches because I have killed many in the area. Only thing, why would a leech want to live in a dry & hot 3rd floor attic area and it doesn't make sense. BTW I have put traps up there just in case it is a mouse but the trap is never touched so I do not believe it is a mouse and it is not Bats either. This is really puzzling me since I never see anything up there.  Wallace.  Windsor, Ont.
Are you sure it's not bats?  Your description indicates that is the problem. Gather up some of the droppings and have a professional that does bat control look at them.
q 1692  I have a critter that digs up my lawn late at night. It digs holes in the turf and uproots small patches of grass, leaving a mess. This is not a rodent who digs tunnels. It's all just at the surface. I know I have skunks in the neighborhood, and thought it might be one, though I'm not sure.  Amy.  Portland
Skunks will pull up turf in search of grubs and insects in the grass roots. Have a lawncare professional inspect the lawn for harmful insects and treat if necessary.
q 1691  I have Voles in my yard and have been fighting them for almost two years. I have used Mouse traps with pieces of sliced tomatoes in them and Have caught about ten that way. I have also used the sticky plates used for mice and have caught about five that way. We have put garlic down the holes and crushed them up we have also put sheets of Bounty in the holes. They seem to move around and go next door once in a while but always returning to my yard. The yard is about 13,000 sq. feet long and the house is just two years old. I guess we have cut the heard down by 18 but there are still some around I would like to get rid of all of them. If anybody has the same experience with voles please let me know.  Troy. McDonald Pa.
 
q 1690  I have a lot of pill bugs that come up my sump pump in the basement. I had sprayed my basement for spiders, so I find the pill bugs dead all along the perimeter of the basement. I tried putting netting over the sump pump opening and then putting the lid on top, but they still seem to get through. What can I do to get rid of them? Thanks!
You will have to seal the sump with a proper lid and caulking.  Sow bugs seem to find damp locations no matter how much we try to keep them outside.
q 1689  i have a problem with farrow ants and i would like some advise on how to get rid of them as i can not sleep properly knowing they are here. they seem to have been here before i moved in . i have a cat and they won't leave his food alone and i never had this problem before moving here. any suggestions as i am fed up? thank you. jen   Oshawa, Ont.
Pharaoh ants are difficult to eliminate, especially in a multiple residence building where tenants or building staff have sprayed pesticides.  This usually causes the nests to bud (split up) and move to new locations.
Read more on
the Pharaoh Ant Page   A professional can provide a control program using a suitable bait. It may take months to  eliminate them entirely.
q 1688  How do you get rid of pharo ants?
See the answer to the question above.
q 1087  i have over 100 bats in my attic . how can i get ride of them   Kevin.  Sterling Mass.
See the bat page for a solution
q 1686   sub terranian termites is there a non chemical solution, what about these borate based products (disodium octaborate tetrahydrate for example) ?  Robin
Borate based solutions are considered chemicals and many are registered as a pesticides.  There are a number of of new products registered in the US for termite control that pose no risk to humans or the environment when used according to label directions. 
q 1085  For about two weeks now i've been seeing small holes in the grass they, are as big as a 50 cent coin and about half an inch deep.....now the holes are spreding more across the ground what could this be?
Rita.  Fort Worth, TX.
q 1684  I have a couch out side and mice found a new home. how do I get rid of them? so I can move the couch inside.  Nylene
Turn it upside down, take off the cloth dust cover and the mice will probably leave.
Q1683  Just would like to know when earwigs were first discovered on PEI and the best way to control them with using natural products. Thanks.  John.  Charlottetown,  P.E.I.
The earwig was recorded first in the United States at Newport, Rhode Island in 1911 (Jones 1917). Jones (1917) reported a small colony from Seattle, Washington in 1915. Later evidence indicated that it first invaded North America somewhere on the west coast in the early 1900s. Eventually it became widespread in the New England and Middle Atlantic states and throughout most of the western states, especially where there is abundant rainfall or irrigation to provide moisture and food. It became the dominant species of earwig in most of these areas.
 
Q1682  I see bees flying out of a crack between the foundation of my garage and my driveway. I've tried sprays, but can't seem to get the foam into the angle of the hole. Do the bees fly away by fall? Could I seal the hole with some type of sealant? Would that kill them and block the hole for future years.  Dotty.  Ottawa, Ontario.
The nest will be dormant when the cold weather arrives and the surviving queens will not go back to an old nest  in the spring. If they are a serious problem not, a pest professional has the equipment and experience to inject a suitable product into the nest to kill the occupants.
Q1681  I have ground bees in my lawn. What do they do and how can I get rid of them. They burrow along my drive way and sidewalk. Will they sting? Joe Astute. Omaha, Ne.
If they are wild bees they are not very aggressive and seldom sting.  If they are wasps, they could be a serious stinging problem.  See the difference: Wasps, Hornets and bees
Q1680  In my tent as I was cleaning to go home I found a small black snake with a yellow ring around its neck. This was in a wooded area in the Gatineau hills in August 2006. What is it??? Paul. Belleville, Ontario
 
Q1679  We have a minor cockroach problem in our condo. The previous owners had the gel put down, we've been hearing a lot about these "bug bombs" but have been unable to find them for households in Canada, are they banned here? also does boric acid really work for killing roaches? Leticia, Scarborough, Ontario
There are too many health risks using bug bombs. I doubt you will find any for sale in Canada.  The best and safest control method is using gel, but in small quantities frequently.  It has to be placed properly in the right locations. ( Bug bombs have caused serious explosions that have destroyed homes.)
Q1678  We had rats in our basement. It took a few weeks to eliminate them with poison. How can we eliminate the smell of their urine which soaked into the dirt floor?
Try spreading lime over the dirt.  It is often used for other mammal odors and pit toilets.
Q1677  Could you please advise me if bites from carpenter/wood ants are dangerous?
Regards, C. Hawkswell
No. Carpenter ants have very strong mandibles capable of tearing slivers of wood out of a tree or construction wood. These mandibles are capable of pinching tender skin, but seldom enough to draw blood and they have no venom.
Q1676  I know this site is for Canadians, but something is eating my screens (which are suppose to be bug proof ) and I don't know what it is or how to stop it. Do you have any suggestions? Rhonda. Kansas
Rodents will frequently chew holes in nylon screens.  We are not aware of any insects that could damage window screens.
Q1675  What is the best way to get rid of bedbugs?  Sherri.  Surrey, BC
See the suggestions on this web page:  Get rid of bedbugs,,
 
Q1674  Hello, I would like to know where I can get a cockroach gel in Canada. I hear that they are very effective. The names of some of these gels are Scuttle Cockroach Gel, Premise Cockroach Gel, and Max Force Bait Gel.  I'm hoping that there are some shops in Canada that sell these products. Al.  Scarborough, Ont.
How you use a pest control product is just as important as what you use.  Where to put it, how much, how often.  What other control measures should be taken? These questions can all be answered by a pest professional in your area. They may sell you the products and offer suggestions, but you may be better off hiring them to do a good inspection, then suggest environmental modifications before applying the gel.
Directory of  Ontario pest professionals..
Q1673  I have a few bats in the attic. Other than exclusion, are there any products you can buy that will make them leave and not come back? Someone recently told me Camphor oil might work?
Very few repellants have a lasting effect on animals.  If your attic is constructed properly it should be ventilated reducing the effect of any strong smelling product. Moth balls are also used to repel bats and rodents but we are not aware of any success as a result of their use.  Read more about bat control...
Q1672  HOW DO I GET RID OF BABY SKUNKS UNDER MY DECK AT THE CABIN?> Shelley.  Winnipeg.
Skunks are relatively easy to trap. The problem is relocating them once they are in the trap.  Most wildlife control professionals cover the trap with a tarp.  Read more about skunk control...
Q1671  We live in a semi-detached house. Raccoons are entering through a hole in our neighbour's attic and have come through the wall and are now in our attic above our bedroom. Our neighbour is of Asian decent and does not speak a word of English. We are not sure what language he does speak. His house is already in a state of disrepair, and I am not sure if he even cares about the raccoon problem. Is there a branch of the City of Toronto that will help us communicate with him and what if he refuses to fix the hole?
Sorry we don't get involved with legal matters. One solutions would be to screen off your portion of the attic and let the raccoons cause problems in the neighbours portion.  You could also have a professional trap them in your attic.  Read more about raccoon control..
Q1670  is shake-away any good to get rid of squirrels in walls of cottage? do you sell it?
This web site does not sell anything!!  We are not familiar with "shake away".  If you have squirrels in your walls you should locate the entry points and screen them off.
Q1669  How do I get rid of lizards in my yard near my pond?
You may regret getting rid of them.  Lizards have a  voracious appetite for insects.  They can make a big difference in the population of insect pests in your yard.
Q1668  I had a major problem with moles burrowing throughout my lawn and I couldn't walk but a few feet before I was stumbling on their tunnels which were everywhere. I heard that if you spread powder detergent over the infected area you can rid yourself of these cute little varmints. I did this in the winter and again in the spring and the moles have left my lawn. Because I didn't sprinkle the detergent in the back of my property, they have congregated there. This fall I plan to do both the front and back of my property and I'm willing to bet you the moles move on to someone else's property, sorry. Who would have thought that such a simple thing would work.
This sounds like an unusual solution but if it works, keep it up.  Let us know how you make out in the back yard.
Q1677 I went away on holiday for 2 months a window was left open and now i have pigeons and eggs how do i get rid of them please help. 
You could start by installing a screen on the window.  You can discard the eggs and close the window when the pigeons are outside. Pretty simple !
Q1676  My Elm Tree has Ants and Hornets its killing the tree how can I get rid of them and save my tree.
Ants and hornets do not normally kill trees.  They are probably foraging for other insects on the tree as a food source.  Have a closer look and try to find what insect they are after  then take appropriate action to eliminate that pest.
Q1675  How do I get rid of fleas that are coming from my drainpipes. 
Fleas do not come from drainpipes unless there is a food source (blood) available to them near the drain pipes.  You may have a rodents  with fleas that are traveling along plumbing pipes in your home. To control fleas see our Fleas web page.
Q1674  How can we get rid of lots of flying gnats in our entire 4th floor office? The building has a wide open atrium from the 1st floor. Also an exterminator has supposedly sprayed / cleaned all the drains and pipes in the entire building but we still have tons of gnats. Does the plug-in fly web fly trap really work?
Janet.  Cambridge, Massachusetts
 Electric fly lights can be quite effective but it sounds like your situation would require quite a few.  The lights attract flying insects with a ultraviolet light. The lights contain large glue boards to trap the insect. If there are numerous plants in the atrium they should be checked as a breeding source for these flying pests.
Q1673 
Please Help:  I live in the basement level of a triplex in Toronto York-Weston.  My home is infested.  I have sent my cat away to live elsewhere but soon I will have to move as well.  Countless tiny black bugs less than 1mm long are infesting my home and attacking my feet and ankles and lower legs.  They cannot be easily squashed.  They leap great distances but they do not fly.  They ignore ordinary bug repellant.   I am going on my sixth maddening week.  At first they caused mild itching but this has since escalated to burning and open sores.  I have sprayed and powdered several times following the instructions on the can or bottle and on your website.  I have used flea powder, RAID Indoor Green spray, and Raid indoor crawling insect spray.  I then vacuum thoroughly and throw away the bag.  I have shampooed the upholstery and vacuumed the carpets.  These products and procedures abate the attacks for short periods but then they come back in larger numbers.  It is affecting my sleep, and my health and my job.  I am presently out of money, as I have spent almost 200 dollars on pesticides, vacuum bags, and steam cleaning, so I cannot afford professional services for the rest of this month.  I need your advice or assistance as soon as possible.  Can you please recommend a source of professional grade bug spray.  Can you possibly exterminate on account? Also we have recently discovered a serious and massive mold problem in my daughters bedroom following a leak from a neighbours apartment.  Aside from the obvious health issues associated with mold spores, could this be the cause of the pests?  My landlord seems unconcerned.  
Richard,  Toronto Ontario
 Unfortunately this is a story we have heard many times.  A little bit of flea control over a period of time will usually give the fleas an opportunity to start a new cycle.  You have probably spent more that it would cost to have a professional do the job properly using an insect growth regulator along with an adulticide. It's not just the chemical that matters.  Applying it properly in the right places is very important.  Your landlord should be helping you out.  Mold is another problem that your landlord should be concerned about. 
Q1672  We have tones of what may be sowbugs/pillbugs outside our basement door and flies. So if the door is opened a bunch of flies come in. At our basement door there is a sump pump covered by a tightly sealed hatch - which based on reading this website is the source of the problem. Is there a way to minimize this problem - particularly the flies? Are the flies eating the sowbugs which is attracting them to this area or is this caused by something different? Suggestions welcome!  Cheryl.  Vancouver, BC.
The flies may be there for the same reason the sowbugs are there; plenty of moisture. They are not eating the sowbugs.  Depending on the species of fly, they may be breeding in the sump pump cavity. During hot dry spells in the summer, many insects will seek out sources of water. 
Q1671 Can I purchase clerid beetles to help prevent my pines from attack of the Rocky mountain pine beetle?
Mary. Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
You may be able to locate a source by contacting your state department of forestry (or the equivalent government agency)  They should encourage anyone who tries to help control these beetles.
Q1670  For some time now, I have had a problem with a skunk on my apartment patio. I leave my patio door open for air (no alternative) so I suppose it is sniffling about. But, the smell wakes me (5 a.m.) and, when I stir, the skunk must get startled and squirt. This morning it has been very bad. I am afraid the smell will never leave the patio!
A screen door to your patio should keep it out.  To remove the smell try using the skunk odor solution recipe on the skunks page.
Q1669  Is there a home remedy to get rid of fruit flies?  Nancy.  Kansas City Missouri.
It is very important to eliminate the breeding site of fruit flies. They multiply so rapidly that most control  solutions will not work unless you stop the breeding process.  You can construct a trap by placing a funnel (rolled from a sheet of notebook paper) into a jar which is then baited with a few ounces of cider vinegar. Place the jar trap(s) wherever fruit flies are seen. This simple but effective trap will soon catch many adult flies which can then be killed or released outdoors.  Fruit flies are sometimes mistaken for Phorid Flies.  You can see the difference on this fly identification page.
Q1668  We have dock spiders living within the floating dock at our cottage. We simply avoid each other most of the time. They've taken to climbing into our kayaks which is very unsettling. We plan to cover this dock with outdoor carpet and wonder if this will help deter them from living at our location?  Marlene.  Noelville, Ontario.
The carpet may reduce the number you see on top of the dock but it will also provide more shelter and perhaps improve their breeding environment.
Q1667  my neighbour and i have found small amounts of round debris seems to be brick mortar and also wood mulch from the ground on our eastern exposed stone window ledges. the whatever it is (we don't ever see it) seems to be going in the vent hole in the vinyl windows. What can this be?  Any info would be helpful. Thanking You . Roslyne. Barrie, Ontario
The most likely cause is ants carrying the debris up from ground level.  Go out after sunset with a flashlight and you may see them.  Collect a few for identification.  To identify, see our Ants web page.
Q1666  I have a family of beige/brown marked snakes residing in my fish pond. They lay at the bottom (underwater) and sun themselves. I have seen our black snakes (I think they are garters) but have never seen the pond ones before - are they poisonous and do we have poisonous snakes on the sunshine coast?
My fish are disappearing so are they eating my fish? If so, how do I get rid of them - I'm terrified of snakes.
Karen.  Madeira Park, BC.
We are not familiar with any poisonous snakes on the coast of British Columbia.  If you can get some good photos and send them to the Vancouver aquarium, they should be able to identify the species.
Vancouver aquarium web site.
Q1665  We have purchased a property that is infested with red ants - we are told that St. Andrew's is known for red ant problems. We have about an acre of them. What can we do to eliminate the - we cannot even walk our property this summer without getting stung. Andrya. St. Andrew's, New Brunswick
See the answer to #1657.
Q1664  HI,  I'm not positive this is the insect flying around in my backyard.  Firstly, the flying insect is black and about 1 1/2" to 2" long, and its wings are similar to a dragonfly showing thin phosphorous blue wings.  Most of the time from 6:00 pm to dusk two are flying around in circles trying to find a opening in the concrete steps or under the house's siding in the back yard.  I filled all the holes and openings with wire wool so I don't see any openings, but they have been persistent for the last 3 days.  Are these flying insects Carpenter Ants, if so, what can I do? Thanks for your help.  Patricia
They are definitely not carpenter ants.  If you send a photo we may be able to identify them.
See "What is this  pest"
Q1663  just wondering i know someone that has cockroaches and i was just curious if by going over to there house and walking around where they have been is it possible that the eggs could stick to me and come home and hatch? Im kinda scared here your help would be great thanks  Hazel.  London, Ontario
Cockroaches lay their eggs in a sack.  German cockroaches carry this egg case around until the eggs hatch. Brown banded cockroaches glue egg sacks in their hiding place.  There is very little chance that you could carry eggs home.
Q1662  i have black ants on my newly planted peach tree. i planted in in the spring and already has about 5 peaches on it but found black ants on it what can i do that is safe for my fruit tree.  patricia.
The ants are likely foraging for other insects, or honeydew produced by aphids. They should not harm the tree.  If there are aphids you should wash them off with a garden hose.
Q1661   I notice most questions regarding pill bugs relate to having them come inside. My problem relates to them eating the leaves of my hostas and actually killing the smaller new plants. The soil is just LOADED with them everywhere I look. Is there anything I can put on the plants or in the soil to kill them? I am just sick about the damage they are doing to my flowers.   Cindy
Pill bugs and sow bugs will produce more compost than earth worms.  They are beneficial in the soil but they will eat very tender or decaying vegetation or very ripe fruit like strawberries.  Diatomaceous earth around the base of plants may help.
Q1660  We bought some barn beams from someone dismantling an old barn and left them outside on the ground over the winter and spring.  Now that they're installed in our kitchen, supporting the ceiling, we've discovered bugs living in them and boring holes in them. They're not winged and look sort of like little tanks. Any suggestions? The beams have been installed for about two weeks. Do we have to fumigate the house? Spray Raid into the holes? The house dates from the late 19th century and has plenty more of these types of beams upstairs in the ceilings. HELP. Thanks. Anne, South West Margaree, Nova Scotia
Spraying an insecticide into the holes would be like closing the barn door after the horse has left.  Powder post beetle larva will tunnel through wood for up to 10 years then pupate near the wood surface. The adult beetle then chews through the surface to leave, mate, lay eggs and start the cycle over again.  Stopping this cycle may take years because the larva will keep tunneling toward the surface to pupate.  Beetles will not lay eggs on a smooth painted finish. You could sand, fill and paint the beams, or have a professional spray them periodically with a borate solution such as "Tim-Bor".  This may not eliminate the problem but it should reduce the beetle population.  See "Powder Post Bettles"
Q1659   how do i find and kill ants we have may of them. Looks like carpenter ants.  Louise.  Vancouver.
There is a lot of helpful information on our carpenter ant pages.
Q1658  Hi....I live in Kelowna BC and we discovered an unusual spider's nest.  Unfortunately we didn't get a picture of them.  Didn't realize what is was until we broke them open.  Inside a plywood trailer were two clay "nests" one with a small hole at the bottom.  One nest was about 2" long by 1" wide and the other was about 3" long by 2" wide.  When we broke open the clay we discovered spiders inside.  They were in in small compartments all in a row with their legs straight back.  The larger nest had a couple maggots??  or egg sacks?? which were moving.  The rest of the spiders were dead.  It was the most unusual thing we have ever seen.  Any information you can pass along would be great.
    Mud dauber wasps make clay nests with a number of side by side cells.  After eggs are laid, a food source is placed inside the cell for the future larva to feed on. The food could be a dead spider.  More information

click photo to enlarge

Q1657  Help! We have a large ant hill on our child care center playground, and not so friendly ants! I was hoping to find a natural/organic way of deterring or exterminating them if necessary in view of our clientele and our licensing restrictions regarding pesticides. Is there some great secret out there - like using vinegar, dish detergent, etc.??? I really need to avoid the expense of an exterminating service at this time, although as professionals, I am sure they would have the answers. Your advice would be greatly appreciated!!
Toni.  Seattle Washington. 
  By avoiding the expense of a certified, experienced, licensed and insured professional you may be risking a lawsuit. Some "home remedies" may cause health problems for children.  It sounds like you have Thatching ants.  Small colonies of Thatching ants can sometimes be eliminated with baits. Often a combination of bait types works best. Repeated bait applications are usually needed to eliminate the colony.  Boric acid and diatomaceous earth are relatively safe pesticides if applied cautiously and conservatively.  These can also be applied to cracks and crevices used by the ants as travel routes into problem areas.  Thatching ant nests can also be eliminated using spot treatments of nests with residual insecticides registered for ant control. There is no need to apply residual insecticides to large areas outdoors. More information about ants
The Washington State Department of Ecology has control information on this web site:
http://www.p2pays.org/ref/14/13177.pdf 
Q1656  I have found one mature bedbug in My home following the visit of a person who I know lives in an infested apartment. I would like to try treating the bedrooms myself before I call in professional help. i would like to know where to get Champion multipurpose insect and like killer which I understand with repeated sprayings can solve what I hope is a minor problem. thanks.  Alice
We are not familiar with Champion multipurpose insect killer but if it is readily available over the counter it is not likely a residual insecticide and would not work properly.  Also: if "bedbugs" are not listed on the label, it would be illegal to use it to control bedbugs.  Once again, it is more important to know how and where to use pest control products than what to use.   Most professionals will tell you the most expensive bed bug service work is usually in homes where residents have tried to eliminate the problem themselves, resulting in the problem spreading to other areas. 
Q1655  I have a small problem with a pest. I'm not entirely sure that this is the pest that keeps on biting me at night. But I have caught a few of them. My only problem is that i have no way of identifying this bug. Would you be able to tell me where i could go to find out what kind of a pest this is and whether or not this is the one biting me at night?  Anna.  Toronto.
  There are 1000 pest photos on "What is this pest" pages.  One of them should match your bug.  Also: check the photos on the bed bugs pages.
Q1654   I have a groundhog that is under my two concrete stoops. He has dug a tunnel under the one and has a nice home under my rear one. I want him gone and to fill in the holes. What can I do? I am going to call pest control and see if they will remove him. If not what else can I do. Please help. Bryan
Trapping is the best solution.  If you can't do it yourself, call a professional.
Q1653  We are absolutely infested in earwigs. We always have a problem but this year it is worse than ever. My Husband has put out Diazinon spray and granules which we have had left over from before they took it off the market. It is not doing any good , he has also tried to use another insect product. Not sure what it was but it came highly recommended and it did not work. We had some very overgrown bushes in front of our house that we took out because they were burrowed around the roots of them so we thought if we took them out at the first of spring we would stop them. We are not the only people with this problem. Everyone on the street is complaining. My daughter had 3 of them in her bed and that is sickening. Please is there some miracle home remedy that we can try? I have had enough!!!!!!! Please HELP!!!!!!!! Thank you for your help.  Lindy
It is always better to try methods that do not require the use of pesticides.  To discourage them from entering your home, rake away mulch and leaves from the foundation.  Try trapping them in rolls of newspaper or traps make out of plastic tubs in the ground.  there are more practical suggestions on this web site:  http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/pests/2000072516006476.html
Q1652  I have bats living under the vinyl siding of my house - I know how they are getting in - a small piece by the roof was installed incorrectly. I can fix that but I have no desire to kill them by trapping them inside and I certainly don't want dead bats under my siding either. I had the same problem a year or so ago in another part of my house and I think I scared them away with a powerwasher - however, that does not seem to be working this time. What can I do to drive them out and keep them away so that I can fix the siding? Please help - Thanks.  Marc
They will likely leave every night at dusk to hunt for food. 
Q1651  We recently moved into a new home, in a new subdivision, very near Lake Ontario in Stoney Creek. There are tons of spiders, and new spider webs appear every day even though I knock them down. Some are huge. The spiders seem to have large humps on them and the webs are quite sticky. I have been noticing black spots on my my porch and railings which resemble black paint drops. It wipes off the plastic railing easily, but is hard to get off the concrete. Any ideas what this is and how can I discourage the spiders. Thanks.  Sue
Spiders eat insects.  If there are large numbers of spiders there must be a good food source for them.  Try to determine what insect they are preying on and eliminate them.  If you continue to remove the webs daily the spiders will be encouraged to move.
Q1650  We just got a new high school and were doing an experiment to see what's the best way to get rid of bees and wasps without using any pesticides or trying to kill them. I really need your help. Please and Thank You!  Monique
Wasp nests can be removed by placing a plastic bag over it when they are all inside at night.  This could be dangerous.   Talk to a local bee keeper about relocating a colony.
Q1649  We have a pest problem in our sand box in the backyard. I was told that they are sand fleas. They fly and bite us. There are hundreds flying close to the ground. I have a four year old son and I would like to know a way to get rid of them. It is a big sand box with a swing set it is impossible to move it. Is there anything out there that can get rid or minimize them without harming my sons health?. Justine, Sudbury, Ontario
 
Q1648  What kind of bug eats insulation in an attic. I am inquiring for a friend and all I know is it is a smaller size bug with wings. Thanks,  Diane
We are not aware of any insect that eats insulation.  Carpenter ants will burrow through styrofoam insulation making galleries for their nest.
Q1647  How do I keep orb spiders off my deck? My kids and I play there, and they make huge webs. I'm sure they are eating something, and I have read they are not dangerous but they are ugly and big. I just want them off my deck and patio furniture. Help! Rejeanne.  Calgary.
If you keep sweeping away or vacuuming the webs they may get discouraged and try to find their prey in another location.  Try to determine what insect is attracting them and get rid of that problem.
Q1646  I am having a problem with what I believe is predatory running mites in my bathroom. I have cleaned and sprayed the room with raid but they keep coming back. How do I get rid of them for good????  Angela. Edmonton.
Here is a web site that may help identify your pest and control the problem.
http://whatsthatbug.com/mites.html .  Check you house plants for signs of these mites.  Because they are in the bathroom, your problem may be psocids.  Check the photos on this page: psocids
Q1645  It is now May and we moved here in November. Since the nice weather and windows open, all of a sudden I have been getting what seems to be bites. They are itchy and when first scratched they look sort of like hives, sometimes mosquito bites (white circle and red all around) then they turn into a big red swollen circle. One comes, goes away, then another one comes. I'm really not sure if it is caused by insects. But, I have found apx. 6 what looks to be carpet beetles in the last month. My question is do carpet beetles bite?
Carpet beetles are not known to cause this problem.  You could have a bed bug problem.  Check the photos on this web page:  How to get rid of bedbugs.
Q1644  I have a large infestation of ants( the little black kind, they tend to bite when you stir up their area) particularly in my front yard. The have doubled each year and are now coming in to the basement.. Please how do I get rid of these??  Monica.  Calgary
Different species of ants require different control methods.  Have the ants identified then you will be able to find out whether bait or an insecticide spray is the corret control method.  One of the professionals in our directory should be able to help you.  Alberta pest professionals.
Q1643  I have something that is burrowing from my front garden to under my concrete porch. We had a problem with it last spring and thought we had solved it by blocking the hole it had created with steel plates that we buried quite deep. After that we didn't have any more holes in our garden or anywhere else that we could see. This spring when I was cleaning up the garden, I took away the steel plates thinking that the creature was gone and within a few days I had a large hole in that exact same spot leading under my porch. I don't want to trap it and I can't put any poisons in the garden as I have young children. What else can I do to get rid of this thing? If I had to guess what it was I'd say a mole, the hole is too large for a mouse and too small for a rat or possum.  Mary.  Niagara Falls.
If the hole is too large for a mouse it is likely a rat.  Traps or poison properly placed in a protective bait station will prevent your children from being harmed.  If you don't have the knowledge to do this properly, call a professional.   Ontario pest professionals.
Q1642  We have a federally-registered fish plant and are looking for a list of suppliers and/or their electronic insect killers. The parts for the ones we currently use are extremely pricey, and maybe that's just the way it is, but we'd like to shop around a bit. We don't necessarily need someone to service them i.e. we don't need a service, we want the equipment, but we are having a hard time finding anything.  Debbie
What type of devices do you have?  The older type that use ultraviolet light to attract flying insects and kills them with a high voltage charge are not recommended in food processing areas. There is a danger of insect parts falling into the food or processing machinery.  Most models on the market today use glue boards in the light fixture to trap the pests.  Ultraviolet lamps are expensive.
Q1642   I own a 4 unit income property. I am curious about whether the tenant or landlord would be responsible for taking care of an ant problem in a basement apartment. The tenant does have a cat, so there is cat food on the floor which does attract them.  Shawn.  Etobicoke, Ontario.
We do not give legal advice.  Most landlords are more concerned about maintaining their building and pest control is part of maintenance.  If the problem is carpenter ants the cat food did not attract them but it may be a food source for an nest that is present in the structure.  If you spray pesticides you will be responsible for any negative consequences. Pesticide use is not usually covered by liability insurance.  Call a professional.
Q1641  I found hundreds of red spider mites on the window sill of my bay window. It's a very sunny and warm location. There were a few on the outside of the window, but most are inside. I vacuumed up most of them, but more continue to appear. How do I get rid of them?
They may have migrated from an indoor plant.  Set outside and spray it with an insecticide soap.  For more advice talk to a garden shop.
Q1640  I want to know how to get rid of carpenter bees in my basement is there anything other than chemical I can use to eliminate them thank you.  muguette
You may want to investigate your problem a little further as it seems unlikely that you have carpenter bees in your basement, send a picture and/or more information on your problem.  Jay.
Q1639  I have little tiny ants around my kitchen sink and counter tops. Also around the shower in the bathroom. Ant spray only kills what are already there. What can I do?  Marge.
Killing ants outside their nest seldom has an effect on the colony.  If you can not locate the nest you should use a quality ant bait. A local pest professional may sell you some or offer other advice depending on the species of ant.
Q1638  This spring and last, as the snow melts, we are finding tunnels all over our lawn caused by voles during the winter. What can we do in the fall to prevent this from happening in the winter, and also what is the proper way to repair it in the spring. Thank you for any help. Nancy. Haliburton, Ontario
A continuous baiting or trapping program in late summer and fall will reduce the population.  Be sure to use proper bait stations and protected traps.  You should be able to re-seed the trails in the grass.
Q1637  We have a small bird who seems to have made a nest well inside a vent for a fan from a second floor bathroom. What should we do to get her to move out?  Joan.  Halifax.
You will have to remove the vent cover and pull out the nest using a long pole with a hook on the end.  If you leave it there it will clog the vent.
Q1636  hi what type of bug or worm would be eating my concrete foundation im finding tunnels through the concrete I cant for the life of me figure it out  thanks john.
We are not away of any insect that can chew through concrete.  Rats can chew through very poor crumbling concrete.
Q1635  I have a mouse infestation within my walls and have not yet determined how they get in. A US-site  has a plug-in product named "Dual Technology Electronic Repeller: Ultrasonic & Electromagnetic" which claims to rid mice within walls. Would this work? I really wish to use a no-kill method if at all possible. Many thanks!! Lois.  Pierrefonds, Quebec.
Electromagnetic devices are totally useless, in fact the manufacturers should be charged with fraud.  Ultrasonic devices will only discourage rodents that are directly in front of the sound waves which travel in straight lines like light waves.  Rodents have no problem finding "shadows' where there are no ultrasonic waves.  Live trapping and relocating mice can be cruel.  They are cannibals.  They are territorial and may not survive when moved.
                                      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We bought a "humane" trap, caught a mouse, released it into the garden, reset it and forgot to look again for a while. Yep, when we finally remembered we looked again and we had another mouse, but this one was dead. So we got ourselves an ultrasonic device and left it in the kitchen on the worktop stupidly thinking we were protected. My wife a few days ago noticed some shredded sponge under the sink and reset the trap. This time we checked and sure enough we had another one, which we released into the wild several miles away. So, we placed the ultrasonic device actually into the under sink cupboard and reset the trap. Couldn't believe it when just now the trap started banging again as it rocked back and forth with its new occupant. It's sitting outside in our garden right now, awaiting morning when it will join its brother or cousin in the woods next to the canal. Can't believe we fell for the marketing spiel. All these things do is waste electricity! John UK 
Q1634  Re: ultrasonic pest control devices--is it possible that the pest control professionals DO NOT want the consumer to discover how EFFECTIVE the devices are because if the consumer did discover how effective these devices were, the professionals would be out of business?  My wife refuses to come back home because she saw a mouse. I need the ultrasonics to work to save my marriage!  Cynical in NYC.
If pest management professionals used these devices, they would be considered incompetent and not properly informed about rodents.  If they were effective every professional would be selling them and installing them where they would be most effective. 
Q1633  i have two questions. the first being, that i caught a mouse in a snap trap and killed it. my room mate got rid of the carcass but left the trap. i re-baited the trap. a new mouse showed a week later. it would not touch the trap or the other two new traps i set. my question is can the mouse sense an old kill from a used trap and there fore tell danger?  my second question is can mice climb door frames and the average wall? I've been told they can climb anything. i have a over active phobia and am going crazy over these creatures. thanks for your help.------bubba.  Vancouver.
The smell of mice attracts other mice. Do not clean traps that  have caught mice.  Mice can climb almost any rough surface.
Q1632  I've been living in my apartment for two years with no problem of pests whatsoever. Recently my boyfriend moved in with me and it's been about a month that he's been there. About two weeks into living together, he's discovered a few patches of red bumps on his arms and back that are very itchy. He's gone to the doctor but they don't know what it is. My question, as we've exhausted the doctor, is can bed bugs choose who they do and don't bite??? I mean, can we be sleeping in the same bed and only he be affected by them? I have no marks at all on me but he's got quite a few. Please let me know!! Much appreciated!
Tasha.  Edmonton
A small infestation of Bed bugs may feed only on the nearest person to their hiding spots.  Some people have no reaction to bed bugs while others can have a severe reaction.
Q1631  what is the best way to remove the odor of a dead rat from your home?
Find and remove the dead rat.  They often die in a wall cavity where there is plumbing and sometimes under bath tubs.  If you cant find it, then purchase an odor absorbing product and ventilate the area with a fan.
Q1630  We have recently build a home at a nearby lake and we are having a problem with woodpeckers. They have pecked approx. 30 holes into the cedar siding. This happened last spring and again this spring. They seemed to have chosen the same area on the outside of the house. Our house is not finished inside ( no insulation or drywall). We have tried plastic owls, hanging crows made of tar paper and coat hangers and other strips of foil. no luck. Someone told us that since our home is hollow the birds are pecking the siding this would make a loud sound and ideal for a mating call. Help!  Karen.  Vancouver
Woodpeckers use hollow trees to send out mating calls in the spring.  Your unfinished home is an ideal sounding board.  You may have to hang some fish net to temporarily discourage them.  Be aware woodpeckers will also make holes in the siding of homes if they hear insects (carpenter ants) in the walls.
Q1629  How can you tell the difference between a male and female pill bug? This is for a school project. Thank You.  Jon.
On the underside, females have leaf-like growths at base of some legs. These brood pouches hold developing eggs and embryos. The first two appendages on the male abdomen are modified as elongated copulatory organs. These characteristics are very difficult for most people to see.
Q1628  My friends who live in a rural setting are being plagued with she thinks is a milk snake. It has been right in her house. Is there anything at all that will prevent this. She does not live near a farm. It is actually an old school house without a basement, only a crawl space, It seems to come up through or around pipes that go to the outside, ie..washing machine.  Mary.  Ayton, Ontario.
Milk snakes are predators of small rodents and other snakes. There is probably a mouse problem in the crawl space. The best solution is to plug the entry holes with steel wool.
Q1627  Is it possible for cockroaches to make a home in articles of clothing that are hanging in a closet? Is it likely?  How do they get at book bindings?  Jimmy
It is not likely to find cockroaches in clothing.  If books are near a food source they may provide a hiding place.
Q1626  We have a backyard pool that's become the sitz bath of some large mammal - raccoon or possum probably. It wouldn't be as bad but it's chosen to poop on the steps IN ou