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2200 Recently my fiancée and I have seen a couple of little bugs,
which we came to find out is bedbugs, now, its not a large problem as we have
only seen two and don't have any bite marks yet. I was wondering, in your
opinion what is the best way to find and eliminate these pests. Randy.
St. Catharines, Ontario.
Killing bed bugs is easy once you find them. Knowing
where to look and what to look for takes training and experience. It is much
more effective to use a residual insecticide that will keep working on adults
that move into the treated areas after the treatment. The best products are not
available to unlicensed consumers in Canada. Most professionals
recommend at least one re-inspection and treatment about 2 weeks after the
initial treatment to eliminate new hatches. Read more on this page:
Get rid of
bedbugs. |
2199 My 7 month old Shitzu ate part of a flystrip. Is he in any danger? If
so, what should we do?
Take your dog and what is left of the flystrip to a
veterinarian. Flystrips do not usually have pesticides on them, but the
glue may be toxic. |
2198 I live in Michigan and I have black flies all winter. They are only
on the second floor of our house and congregate near the windows. How do I get
rid of them?
There are many species of flies that survive and
reporduce indoors all winter. Have the flies identified by a professional
then the correct treatment can be determined. |
2197 I recently was putting on a pair of compression shorts out of my
duffle bag before my hockey game. The bag had been on my bedroom floor for
weeks. When I came home, I removed them to shower only to notice a red swollen
mark the size of a silver dollar on the middle lower back. By the next morning,
the mark became more irritated with many small blisters. Within 2 days, the
lymph nodes in my groin started swelling. Would you have any idea if a spider
bite could cause such a mark? Sorry, no pest to show. Thanks for your help!
Brian. Windsor, Ontario
Sorry Brian, we do not attempt to answer questions that
could be better answered by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor. |
2196 how do I get rid of a dead mouse in my shower drain pipe?
A plumbers snake should work. You might also try a wet/dry
shop vacuum. |
2195 Last fall we had carpenter bees living under the eaves of our bay
window. We had a contractor tell us to spray a pesticide inside under the siding
to kill the whole colony. It worked because we saw no more bees but awhile later
we started to get this horrible smell coming from that same bay window. Do
decomposing bees actually stink that bad? We assume that is where the smell is
coming from but I didn't know if it would stink like that.
Carpenter bees make solitary nests. A few dead
carpenter bees will not cause an odor. Your problem is likely a dead
rodent. |
2194 I have just moved into an apartment that is infested with Indian meal
moth (Plodia interpunctella) around the kitchen pantries and ceiling. I would
like your recommendation whether or not you would recommend i tackle the problem
of sterilizing the kitchen myself or whether this is something that is best
handled by a professional exterminator to ensure the infestation doesn't return
following my cleaning. Greg. Montreal, Quebec.
If the problem was there before you moved in, the landlord
should take responsibility and hire a professional. If you do it yourself, be
prepared for failure when there is a new egg hatch. You should also be
aware of liability issues in a multi residence building. A professional
should carry insurance to cover any risks. |
2193 I have drain flies, where can I purchase a liquid enzyme or a
bacterial digester in Sudbury to get rid of these drain flies? and how do I
prevent them from coming back? They are coming up from my drain and sewer pipes
from the basement and through all the drains in my 3 storey house. Donna.
You may find a product at a janitorial supply house.
You will get better results with any product using a foaming agent that coats
the top inside surface of the pipes. Some pest professionals use a foam
generating machine to clean drains properly. |
2192 What do pill bugs eat. Troy. Las Vegas.
This question has been answered many, many times.
You will find the answers to most of your pill bug and sow bug questions on this
web page: sow/pill bugs. (Tell
your classmates) |
2191 what type of license do you require to start up a pest control
business. excluding pesticide use. in Ontario. Johnny. Collingwood.
Your question indicates you know little about pest
control. If you plan to do pest control without the use of pesticides then
you should join one of the professional associations who can guide you in the
right direction and help you obtain proper liability insurance. The Ontario
Ministry of Environment issues licenses. |
2190 The bug has been Id as Pharaoh Ants. The exterminators are going to
spray for the ants because they are in a house not a hospital or apartment
building. Do you think that this will be ok, will it cause the ants to bud off
into colonies in my house or not? Karen. Grand Prairie, Alberta.
Spraying Pharaoh Ants seldom kills them all. Those
surviving in hidden nests often bud off into new nests in new locations, in any
type of building. Most experienced professionals will use a baiting
program that can take some time but in the end is more effective. |
2189 what is the electronic pest device actually called. Divya.
Dubai.
There are many on the market and brand names are
constantly changing as consumers become aware they do not work. |
2188 Most of the sow bugs I find in my house are dead or close to it, is
it possible they are coming in through my sump pit? If so any suggestions.
The sump pit will certainly be a prime location for them
to be because of the moisture. When they leave and move into dryer air
they can not breath and die. They do not live underwater so they may not
be entering your home via the sump pit. |
2187 we have an ant problem. They are small ( approx 1/2 cm), dark red
ants that live outside. Their bite is particularly nasty & leaves a red burning
welt. They are also very aggressive. My children have received numerous bites
while outside playing. They are in our back yard & surrounding yards literally
by the thousands by late summer. I am disparate to be rid of these critters. I
prefer to live with nature but I have seen these ants swarm other small insects
(beetles often bigger than 1" in length, garden spiders etc). I personally have
a severe reaction to their bite, so much so I do not go outside in our yard from
may until after the first hard frost. We did have the yard sprayed 2 years ago,
but it seems they came back more numerous than before. ANY suggestions would be
greatly appreciated! Teresita. St. John's Newfoundland.
When you had the spray 2 years ago, was the ant species
identified? Did a pest professional spray your yard. There are
probably many more of the same species in the area and they likely will return
after 2 years. You should contact a professional to have the ants
identified and ask if they have had experience controlling ants of this species
in your neighborhood. Ask for a quote and how long will the control solution
work. |
2186 I don't have a photo because we have never seen the creature living
in my mom's house. Every few nights her indoor plants are dug up and the soil is
all over the floor. We do not see any evidence of mouse dropping. What is it and
how do we get rid of whatever it is. Irene. Mississauga
It sounds like you have a rodent problem. Look for
droppings to determine whether it is rats or mice then try placing traps.
Check for entry points around plumbing. Read more
about rodent control. |
2185 There is a mouse infestation in the basement of my (rented) house. I
discovered the problem over two weeks ago in my basement. I moved into the house
in March of last year, and have never seen a mouse until a few weeks ago. I had
a lot of food stored there a few weeks ago, as I was unaware there were mice in
the house. I have since removed all of the food and have been putting poison in
different places in the basement every few days. Huge amounts of poison are
being consumed every few days, and I've just bought my third box of poison
(packaged pellets). How do I end this? The basement is unfinished, so there are
probably many places the mice could be coming in from. Plus, there are places in
the ceiling I just can't access. The owner of the house just told me to be
"diligent". My questions are: 1) How long could this take and how can I end this
problem once and for all? ) Is this the owner's responsibility or mine? thanks!
Louise. Vancouver BC.
Granular or pellet bait should not be used. Mice
will take it away to save and eat later. They may relocate it where it
could be a hazard to pets or children. Use bait blocks that can be
fastened in place, or better yet placed in child proof bait boxes. Mice will die
within a few days after eating one of the newer baits on the market. They
need to eat very little. Using too much bait may be attracting more mice
inside the home. You should try to find the entry points or hire a professional
to do an inspection and exclusion work. We do not offer an opinion on landlord -
tenant issues. |
2184 How do you treat for lesser grain borer? Steve. Kwajalein
Atoll.
You should discard any infested grain. You could put the grain products in
a freezer for a few days to kill adults, eggs and larva. More information on the
grain beetle page. |
2183 Static shock and sow bugs in the same environment. Should they cancel
each other out? We have tonnes of sow bugs (mommies and babies) in our finished
basement. We have been in this 20 year old home for 6 years now and the problem
is quite bad this winter. We have carpeting everywhere with the exception of the
craft room which has vinyl flooring. It is this room where they are more
prevalent and they are making their way into the carpeted area. I was thinking
about getting a dehumidifier but the static shock indicates the air is dry.
Getting a humidifier would only encourage more sow bugs wouldn't it? Any help
you can suggest would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Linda.
Ottawa
A humidifier would be a bad idea. The sow bugs are
obviously coming from a damp location, probably behind the finished walls in
your basement where moisture is trapped. A contractor experienced in dealing
with moisture problems may have some good advice. |
2182 we want to keep our box elder bug named Leroy alive. what should we
feed him? we don't have box elder tree leaves or seeds. Brendon. Alberta.
Box elder bugs hibernate in the winter so Leroy will
likely not be interested in eating. Given a choice it would rather go to sleep
in a cool dark place. |
2181 Do Sow Bugs come in basement floor drains? We can not find were they
are coming from? I have sealed every thing I can find. Seems we have a two week
time and they are gone. Am very baffled with this problem. Ron. Alberta
If the floor drain is connected to perimeter drain sow
bugs could enter the basement from outside. Of course, once inside sow
bugs will enter floor drains because of the dampness. |
2180 We have snakes living in the basement or under the porch of an old
country home. How do you catch and keep out snakes? Thanks, Ruth Ann.
Watford., Ontario.
Not many pest professionals have or want the experience of
dealing with snakes. You will probably solve the problem by calling
Wild Things Wildlife Control. See their ad on
this web page. |
2179 How to get rid of Box elder bugs in the house? Nancy.
Allentown, PA.
It's too late. Once they crawl into the cracks and
crevices on the outside of your home they are almost impossible to eliminate.
If they find their way into your living space, suck them up with a vacuum
cleaner.
To prevent the problem next year, try to caulk or close up the entry points.
Read more tips. |
2178 Please let let me know what safety precautions I should take
regarding the removal of filters, auto parts, candy, soda, equipment and
employee safety I should undertake if my building is being spot treated for
termites. Clarice. Ventura, California.
There are a number of products and processes used to
control termites. Only a few of these products are available in Canada so it is
difficult to answer your question. You should consult the management of
the professional business doing the control work. They are obligated to
provide this information and will willingly do so because they do not want to
cause any problems. |
2177 I was stung by wasp, hornet (not sure) one evening will moving some
outdoor carpet i had grabbed a nest (it was dark) and i was stung on the arm. It
was the most painful sting i have ever received. It was red and swollen for
about a week... To this day the same spot will turn red and get itchy for no
reason... I was stung 3 years ago???? Any idea why or what could have stung me?
Lori. Oshawa, Ontario.
It is unusual for the symptoms of a wasp or bee sting to
re-occur. You should consult a doctor. We do not give medical
advice. |
2176 We have what looks like little mounds of pepper along the edge of our
basement wall. I sweep it up and in a day or two it is back again. I don't know
what it could be. Any idea's. Nellie. Nova Scotia.
Sow or pill bugs will leave this kind of evidence in damp
basements. Read the answer to 2175 below. |
2175 My house in St. Bride's, Newfoundland is where I spend my summers. It
is on a cliff by the ocean. It has undergone so many renovations that it is
practically a new house, including a new basement (concrete floor). The basement
is now finished, with flooring and furniture. All of the work has been done
professionally. But I can't enjoy any of it. There are supposedly harmless bugs
crawling around in the basement that the locals call 'carpenter bugs'. There are
so many of those creatures that they invade the entire house. Each day, I have
to sweep the house and rid it of hundreds of bugs. If I go away for a few days,
I must sweep up thousands of them. I can't live like this! It is taking away all
of the pleasure of living in that lovely house by the sea. We have tried
products that temporarily abated the number of bugs, but they eventually return
in force. I can't leave a dehumidifier working all year long when I'm not there.
I usually spend a month or two at the house. What can/should I do? And what are
those bugs?
Newfoundlander's give the name "carpenter bugs" to sow
bugs or pill bugs. You will always have them if your home is damp.
Spraying pesticides will provide short term relief but they will be back. Talk
to a contractor about improving the air circulation. Fans connected to
humidistats may help. Read more about sow/pill bugs. |
2174 We have scratching, 'digging' and general animal-like noises in the
ceiling/wall above one of the bedrooms at corner top of our house. The animal
seems busiest during the night, between 3:00 and 5:00 a.m....and it is the
middle of the winter here. I thought most animals hibernated this time of year.
What is the most likely animal we are dealing with? Is there a risk this animal
will get into our house, and if so, what is the most likely entry point? Can you
provide a source of reliable professional help in Markham to get this as yet
unidentified pest out of our house? Thank you. Karyn. Markham, Ontario.
Most likely....rats. Rats and mice often get into attics
by following the plumbing vent stacks. It's like an elevator shaft for
rodents, passing through every level of the home and out through the roof.
If the temptation is strong enough (the smell of food) they could chew their way
into your living space. You will find some reliable professionals in our
directory: Markham pest
professionals. |
2173 How easy is it to get rid of cockroaches. They are in my daughters
apt. building. They are going to spray. Is this enough to get rid of them? Is
there something that the girls could be using themselves? Some sort of spray or
something? Donna. Edmonton.
The landlord should use a professional to do it safely and
properly. See the answer to question below. |
2172 I have been living in an apartment for less then three months, I have
been fumigated three times, and dusted once. The cooperation is doing everything
that they can to avoid doing the whole building. So they have only treated my
apartment, and its lasts for a period of time and the cockroaches come back.
On Monday I was baited, and I have noticed a heavier flow of cockroaches in my
apartment. Is this because of the bait? Are the cockroaches attracted to this?
My apartment was the only one baited in the whole building is this is my fear,
that I am calling this things into my apartment. Also because they are covered
with poison, I am worried that my three-year-old kittens will eat the bugs and
get sick from the poison? Is this a valid worry?
Thank you so much for any information that you provide me with! Alisha.
Calgary
Baiting for cockroaches is much less toxic than spraying
pesticides but it does take patience and persistence. Seeing more cockroaches
after baiting is possible because they are sick. Normally they hide in
dark places. Properly applied, dust can be a good solution.
Fumigation is not a control method used for cockroaches in Canadian homes. You
should prevent your cats from eating these roaches. |
2171 Above my Stove I store boxed or bagged food. Here lately Ive seen
alot of small bugs on top of my stove. they are coming out of the cabinet They
are not roaches these are tiny hard shelled bugs They are gray in color. In a
bag of rice I had was full of them. thay are really annoying. Im throwing away
all my boxed and bagged items. I was just wondering if you would know what they
could be and how I could keep from getting them again.Or any links that I could
look at that might help me.
Without a photo it is impossible to say what kind of
insect you have. Check the photos on our
stored grain pests web page for examples. |
2170 I found some small grey mice eating at a bag of cashew nuts I had
left for a week in my garage. Should I throw the nuts away or will I be able to
eat them. They poked holes in the 5 lb bag and seemed to pull the nuts out
through the holes. Keri. Edmonton.
If you could see the urine left by mice you would not even
want to touch the bag of nuts. Definitely throw them out. |
|
2169
My aunt has a problem, SHE is claiming she
is HEARING something in her headboard, while trying to go to sleep. Also she
says she is bitten. Can't find anything. My question is what kind of
bug/insect/spider makes an audible noise? Also what kind of "stuff" is safe to
use ? Bonnie in central New York
Carpenter ants and termites make a rustling noise
while chewing wood. Mice and rats can get into wall cavities and be
quite noisy. Have will have to determine what the problem is before
deciding what "stuff" to use.
|
2168 i do have bedbugs i was wondering if possible did my cat bring them
in the house from outside i know she has fleas,,,and we cleaned our mattresses
with ammonia and lysol,,will that help get rid of them. Darshonda.
Trenton, N.J.
Your cat did not bring them in. You may have killed
bedbugs and eggs on your mattresses but there are numerous other place3s they
may be hiding. See this web page:
get rid of bedbugs |
2167 I live on the 5th floor of a 9 story apartment building. There seems
to be a infestation of the Pharo ants. The previous superintendant went to only
the apartments that did not have animals which is not many. Who can I talk to
about this problem? Michael. Oakville, Ontario.
The only successful treatment for pharaoh ants is a
thorough baiting program and absolutely no pesticide sprays. It will
requite the cooperation of all tenants and could take some time or even be an
ongoing problem.
An experienced pest professional with proper liability
insurance should do the work. |
2166 I have pill bugs in my cellar. It is a new house and it is dry, never
had any water. They are few in number and seem to die quickly. I would like to
find out how they are getting in and how to prevent them from coming in, I can
not tolerate bugs! Maxine.
New homes can have 20% or more moisture content in the
concrete, construction wood and drywall. If you use bathroom and stove top fans
when needed, eventually the moisture level will be reduced. In the mean
time moisture in any outside wall cavities will attract sow/pill bugs. The are
harmless and will die if they enter your dry living space. |
2165 My friend Rose Marie ,moved into a new apartment only to inundated with
fruit flies. There is not any fruit around, nor any food left on her counter
tops. A product from Canadian Tire, manufactured in Sweden and non toxic solved
the problem for a few days. This product was similar to an old English fly
paper. After having thought we eradicated the flies , back they came and
still are . Your thoughts will be appreciated. Thank you .Tom. Halifax
Fruit flies breed rapidly around a food source. If
the apartment was vacant and cleaned properly there should be no food.
They may be Phorid flies which breed in plumbing drains. See the pictures
and control information on these web pages:
http://www.pestcontrolcanada.com/INSECTS/Flies/Flies/phorid_flies.htm and
http://www.pestcontrolcanada.com/INSECTS/INSECTS/flying pests.htm |
2164 do these electronic devices bother cats???? Maxine.
These devices may annoy a cat but will not harm it. If
you are thinking of buying one, don't. They don't work. See #2137
below. |
2163 if you have tiny black pepper looking specs in your mattress, is it
likely to be scabies OR could it be bedbugs? Whichever one it is, can it
be treated? and how? D.S. San Antonio, Tx.
Dark pepper like spots on a mattress are a typical sign of
bedbugs. Read about some of the other symptoms and control options on this
web page: Get Rid of Bed Bugs. |
2162 We have otter poop all over the deck inside our boat house on lake
Muskoka. How do we discourage or stop them from swimming in under the door or
cribs. Its messy and stinky. BTW..this is mostly a winter problem. Thanks
Some boat owners have been successful using a one wire
electric fence. It will not harm the animals but discourages them
from crawling up on docks and into boats. |
2161 I had a spray for carpenter ants on Monday and was wondering if the
spray should kill the ants right away or do they carry the spray back to nest? I
have seen several ants yesterday 2 days after the spraying.
Kirk. Victoria, BC.
It is common to see more ant activity after a carpenter
ant treatment. Professionals use residual insecticides that do not kill the
entire nest populations. Some of the survivors will wander around
contaminating others in the colony. It i possible that one satellite nest
may not have been found and treated but you should wait at least a week before
requesting further treatment. |
2160 How do you get weasel out of your home especially the attic.
Sheila. Nova Scotia.
Weasels are ferocious predators of mice, rats, voles,
squirrels and other nuisance pests. Perhaps you have a food source for the
weasel in your home. They can be trapped but you will need to use very
fresh bloody meat for bait. |
2159 Do moth balls deter bed bugs. I have put moth balls all over my apt.
Thank you from paranoid. Elsie. Toronto, Ont.
NO. Moth balls will have little if any effect on
bedbugs but they could be detrimental to your health.. |
2158 Will bleach kill bedbugs. Mike, Manchester, Nh.
Yes. There are many liquids that can be sprayed or poured
on bedbugs to kill them but it may not be practical to do so. Getting rid
of bedbugs requires finding all their hiding places plus any eggs. Once found
there are a number of options available that would be much better than applying
bleach. See: Get Rid of
Bed Bugs. |
2157 I want to ask about the UV light wand if it does kill and/or control
bedbugs? The wand is expensive but I will buy it if it is any good. I have a
rooming house and I care about my tenants. I do not want a bedbug problem in
this house. Also it there a particular smell that is associated with
bedbugs like a musky sick almost sweet odor heavy in the air. Thank you.
Elena. Toronto.
The smell you describe is another symptom of a heavy bed
bug infestation. We have not seen any unbiased reports on the use of Ultra
Violet light to control bed bugs. Bedbugs usually remain hidden during
daylight hours and scurry away at night when a light is turned on. |
2156 How do I get rid of gophers under my mobilehome? Luc.
Gophers are not too difficult to trap if you
can find the entrances to their burrows. You will have to take precautions to
prevent other animals from getting harmed. (cats?) |
2155 I am moving to an old house which , I think, has some kind of bugs -
small and/or big. I will prefer to get rid of them before cleaning and painting.
What will be a reasonably good preventive action (fumigation, extermination,
...)? What kind of specialist I should call? Ed. Hamilton, Ontario.
Call an experienced structural pest
professional to do a thorough inspection and treat appropriately any
problems. It may be difficult to determine what insects are present at
this time of year (November) because they are not active.
Ontario Pest Professionals directory. |
2154 I have a problem with flying ants in my daughters bedroom. I have
three cats so i need to be careful what I use. How can I get rid these ants and
do it quickly? Amy.
There are different control methods for
various species of ants so you should first have them identified. If you
are concerned about the health of your daughter and your cats, then you should
not apply pesticides randomly. Some ants (Pharaoh) will split their colonies if
you spray them. Some ants con be controled with good quality baits placed
in the right quantities in the right locations. Some will require
considerable inspection to locate all of the satellite nests and treat them with
residual insecticides. The safe and most effective solution would be to hire a
qualified professional. |
2153 I have a problem with sowbugs in my basement. The walls are 80 years
old, and made of poured concrete. I started by buying diatomaceous earth and
sprinkling it in the areas of highest bug concentration, and I bought a
dehumidifier. The humidity in my basement is not high, only 25-30%.
I think the reason that the bugs have not gone away is the Styrofoam insulation
which is lining the walls, so I removed all the styrofoam on one wall with the
highest amount of bugs. There are no big cracks anywhere in the walls, just
micro-cracks. My question is: how do I stop these little nuisances from getting
in? Could they be living behind the styrofoam and reproducing there? Thanks,
Jane
See the answer to the question below. |
2152 I would like to know how to get rid of sow bugs, they only appear mid
November to end of December. mostly in the basement. all of the basement seems
dry, Thanks Larry. Ontario.
Sow bugs can not survive in
dry air. Period. They may be
living around the perimeter of your home if conditions are right. If they
move into your basement and it is dry, they will die. No pesticides
needed. More information. |
2151 This is regarding rats in a commercial building. Cage traps and
glue traps have caught some rats, but the signs of rat droppings and chewing
still persist. We are considering the poison bait route, but is there any
method that minimizes the possibility of the rat going to some hard-to-reach
place to die? For example, there is anecdotal claims that providing a dish
of plain water near the bait would ensure that the rats die nearby, because they
would be thirsty for water just before they expire. Is this true? If not,
is there *any* strategy for preventing the missing-carcass problem?
Darren.
The water story is not true. You would
probably have success using a number of lethal snap traps properly placed along
their runways. There are a lot of little tricks to making traps effective.
If you don't have experience, and the problem is serious, you should hire a
professional. |
2150 I have a ski house in upstate NY that remains empty for some months.
We arrived last night and noticed that when we pulled back the down blankets on
2 of the beds, there was a pile of something that looked like seeds. They were
small and hard. We have some mice, but there were no droppings on the bed. Any
ideas what this is. Peter.
You have a mouse problem. Most
professionals have heard similar stories many times. |
2149 I'd like to buy some boric acid to solve the cockroach problem in my
apartment. I don't know where I can get boric acid at all, though I have looked
for this chemical stuff in a few grocery stores. Please tell me where I can buy
some.
You should be able to buy it in most drug
stores but if you are not experienced in placing the right quantity in the right
places you will probably not have much success. Cockroach baits are more popular
for controlling cockroaches. |
2148 How to avoid centipedes in the house? What cause centipedes in the
house? My house was built in 2005. I was living there since 2005. I never see
any centipedes until this year 2008 Sept, I saw one big centipede. And the
second time I saw another centipede in Nov 6, 08. Shan.
Markham, Ontario.
House centipedes are actually
beneficial--they capture flies, cockroaches, and other small household pests.
They never damage plants or household items. Do you have sow bugs, spiders or
other food sources they are after? You will usually find them where it is
damp. Better air circulation often helps. If you have seen only 2, it is
not worth trying to eliminate them. |
2147 When I come home from work at night, usually 11:30 PM, There are
approx. 100 pillbugs crawling up the wood alongside my front door and hundreds
on my front wall. This only happens at night. How can get I rid of them.
The pill bugs are harmless but they may
indicate you have a serious moisture problem below the door and the front wall.
Be sure to eliminate any wood to soil contact and rake away any leaves and dead
vegetation. See Sow/Pill Bugs |
2146 I have recently discovered that I have carpet beetles. Some are in
the beetle form, the majority are the larvae - the small worms. It seems that
they may have been brought into the house by toy furry mice I bought for my cat.
I have thrown out all of the cat toys and the rugs. I vacuumed well and cleaned
the floors. What other non pesticide things can I do to make sure they are dead.
I would like to get new carpets in a while but want to make sure they are all
dead first but do not wish to use pesticides. What would you suggest? Thanks
Lynda. New York.
Thorough vacuuming on a regular basis will
reduce the population of any larva and adults that continue to hatch and
develop. There are a number of other locations besides the floor that
should be checked, cleaned and treated if required. See our
carpet beetle page for more tips. |
2145 Our cabin must have been invaded by bats. The bats have left, but not
the scat! Is there a commercial or homemade product to clean/disinfect? The
walls, cupboards, floor, just about every surface has been littered by the scat.
I know I will wear gloves when cleaning. Do I need a mask? Thanks. Karen.
Clarenville NL.
You may want to consider hiring a
professional for this job. There can be serious health risks related to
bat droppings. Read more on the Bats page.
|
2144 I don't see any insects in my apartment but I get tiny bites smaller
than mosquito bites when I'm home. I have a cat but she doesn't have any marks
on her. What kind of insect could it be and how can I get rid of them? Julie.
Montreal, Quebec.
It is most likely you have fleas. Talk
to your Vet about treating the cat and ask a pest professional for a qote to
treat your apartment. It is often less costly than trying to do it
yourself properly. |
2143 We hear a mouse above our ceiling on the main floor which means it's
under the floor of the upper level. We have not seen mouse droppings. So, how do
we catch it? Get rid of it? Paul. Kelowna, BC.
Mice will follow plumbing pipes (and wiring)
to access almost any part of a building. They must come out of the wall
and ceiling/floor cavies to eat. Stuff steel wool around in any gaps where pipes
enter your living space. Use traps or solid block poison in the
basement or crawlspace. Poison should always be placed in secure animal and
child proof bait boxes. Mice are suspected to cause about 25% of electrical
fires so you should not ignore them. Call a professional if you are not
successful.. |
2142 I have seen somewhere a device that plugs into an electrical outlet
and zaps insects in the home. Can you tell me what it is and its name? Thanks
They don't work! See #2137
below.
|
2141 I have a tall wooden giraffe, presumably of African origin. I keep
finding thin silver trails around the base and on the surrounding carpet to
about a 12 inch radius, but nowhere else in the house. There are some deep
cracks in the base of the giraffe. Do you have any idea what could be leaving
these trails ? Thank you for your help.
There may be wood boring beetle larva in the
carving. If you can put it in a deep freezer for a week it may kill them. If
not, talk to a local pest professional. |
2140 i have lots of trees, so lots of squirrels, how do i keep them from
digging in my flower pots, i putout moth balls , seems they ate them and i now
have biggr holes in the flower pots.
Cover the pots with fine chicken wire,
strawberry baskets or anything they can not get through. Hang peanut or
corn feeders away from your flower pots. Moth balls are poisonous and probably
not legal to use this way. You may also purchase squirrel repellants at a
good garden shop. |
2139 How do you get rid of Western Conifer Seed Bugs? They're all over our
kitchen & living room. I throw about a half a dozen outside every day.
Where the western conifer seed bug is a
persistent nuisance in homes, the best method of control seems to be mechanical
exclusion. The following strategies should be followed to prevent this insect’s
invasion: replace loosely fitting screens, windows, and doors; caulk gaps around
door frames, window frames, and soffits; caulk cracks behind chimneys and
underneath the wood fascia; screen fireplace chimneys and attic and wall vents.
Use a vacuum cleaner to eliminate any that enter your living space. There
are no pesticides registered for their control in Canada. |
2138 I recently bought a house and am seeing crickets in the basement. I
actually did not know what they were until I identified them through photos
someone else had submitted on this website. Thanks. I am currently getting rid
of the crickets by spraying raid. At first I saw maybe one per week but recently
I am seeing about one a day- sometimes already dead. Other times they seem
lethargic and are easy to kill- they seem to start oozing as soon as I spray
them. Other times they hop around before succumbing to the raid. I do not think
it is a big problem but should I be doing more to get rid of them? Phyllis.
New York.
Be patient. The pesticide you sprayed is
apparently working. It is flushing out the sick crickets and they are dying.
Don't spray again until you see a few very healthy looking crickets. It is
better to keep pesticide use at a minimum in your home. |
2137 What is effect of ultrasonic sound waves on 1) rats, 2) rodents, 3)
snakes, 4)cockroaches, 50 pigeons.
What is bandwidth of ultrasonic sound waves for animals.
The only information we will publish on these
devices must come from unbiased scientific sources. Here are some comments from
reliable sources:
“Ultrasonic pest repelling devices have repeatedly been shown to be completely
useless.” University of Florida
“Ultrasonic treatment devices (such as ultrasonic flea collars) claimed to rid
homes of pests are completely ineffective.” University of North Dakota
“Ultrasonic devices do not meet advertisers claims for their products.”
University of Maryland
“With proper use of rodenticide baits, there are few situations where the
additional cost of ultrasonic devices is warranted.” University of Saskatchewan
“Ultrasonic devices are frequently advertised as a non-toxic method of cockroach
control. However, extensive research has shown that these devices neither kill
nor repel cockroaches.” University of Florida
Professor Leonard R. Askham of Washington State University Department of
Horticulture is just one of the uninvested sources to make such pronouncements
as Profesor Askham has done: "Ultrasonics & recently subsonics have been tested
extensively in the laboratory & field. These devices don't work."
Or Professor Donald Lewis, of the Department of Entymology at Iowa State
University, could hardly be any clearer when he wrote: "Any reaction by rodents
to ultrasound would be temporary at best because rodents become accustomed to
ultrasound & will return to their nesting or feeding areas even in the presence
of an ultrasonic device. Furthermore, previous Federal Trade Commission.
complaints alleged that ultrasound devices do not control insects." |
2136 We have a cottage and for the past 3 years we have been trying to get
rid of chipmonks as they come into the attic and do a lot of damage. We have not
been able to find where they could possibly come in. We have tried different
tactics in order to get rid of them but to no avail. Lately we have put some rat
poison and when we came back a few weeks later we noticed an awful smell in the
house as we walked in. We thought the poison would lead the critters outside to
die but that did not happen. We did find a dead chimpmonk. Now a few weeks later
I noticed we have maggots swirming on the living room floor and on the bedroom
carpet. What is there to do?? Do we get an exterminator?? Get rid of the
carpet?? and clean the house from top to bottom?? with what??? I am completely
disgusted with all of this. Will we be able to get rid of these?? Also do you
have a solution as to how to get rid of the chimpmonks once and for all and we
also have squirrels in the yard.
Sometimes dead rodents can be worse than live
ones. If you can't find the entry points consider hiring a professional that has
experience dealing with rodents. Trapping is usually the best solution but traps
must be maintained at least once every week. Of course you have to use caution
where you place them to avoid injuring or killing other animals. Once
again, a professional cleaning service and a professional exterminator may
be your best choice.
Directory of Quebec professionals. |
2135 We have a problem with animal odor (maybe skunk or raccoon) coming
from a very small crawl space - so small that we cannot get inside. We have
checked for holes and cannot find any. We have sprayed with a enzyme product for
skunks. We have tried the gel type products for pet odors. It keeps coming back.
This is in an unoccupied cabin. Any suggestions for getting rid of the
smell?????? We're trying to sell it! Help!!???!!
Kristin.
Did you check the sewer pipes for leaks?
You probably need more ventilation in the crawl space. You could temporarily use
a fan to blow fresh air into the space through one of the vents being sure there
are other open vents for the stale air and odor to escape |
2134 I have owned a house in Brampton for past three years but yesterday i think
i saw a rat in my house. Saw it in a closet under the kitchen sink and it
escaped along the drainage pipe. have no clue how to get rid of it, and how do i
find the place from which it must have entered. I want to get rid of it before
it is too late. do advice.
If you don't want to hire a professional,
read "The three R's of Rodent Control"
on our rodent page. |
2133 WHERE CAN I BUY A HUMANE MOUSE TRAP IN BARRIE ON?
Most mouse traps sold in hardware stores will
kill mice humanely. If you want to live trap and release mice you should be aware
of the serious health problems cause by rodents. You don't want to help spread
these problems. Read why it is
not a good idea to trap and release mice. |
2132 We have something in our house that eats potatoes. It started off
just nibbling at the ones stored under the kitchen sink. Now it is taking the
whole potato. I have put in mouse traps, but that does not deter it. Also I dug
some from the garden and put them on the porch, now it looks like what ever it
was washed them in the dog dish. I thought it might be a raccoon but that would
make a lot of noise.. Do you have any idea what it would be?
You may have had a raccoon outside but
it is likely rats under the kitchen sink. If there is a gap in the wall around
the sink drain pipe. it should be plugged. Tightly packed steel wool may
work. See more tips on the rodent page.
|
2131 I recently moved into a house and I have boxes stored in the
basement. I noticed that one of my cardboard boxes had almost the entire outside
removed. (You could see the corrugated insides.) I just thought it was weird box
so I tossed it. Now a second box has been torn apart in a similar manner. My
question is, what kind of pest eats cardboard? Is it a mouse or is it a bug of
some kind? Thanks!
It is likely mice tearing off the paper to
use as nesting material. This is not uncommon.
See more tips on the rodent page. |
2130 We renovated our "wooden" basement last year. My daughter's bedroom
is in the basement. Directly above her, is a living room bay window which was
cracked. My husband replaced the window and noticed a lot of wood rot. Over the
past month, there have been these very, very tiny flies that look like fruit
flies but not are black, not red, flying out of the top and bottom of the
baseboard and the wall socket on that same wall where the upstairs window was
replaced. We have been using a 2" wide sticky tape to trap the flies along the
baseboard, but don't know what else to do! My husband is hesitant to start
ripping the new walls apart. Do you have any recommendations? Your advice is
greatly appreciated! Susan. Edmonton, Alberta.
The first step is to identify the insect. If
you send us a good photo we will publish it on the "WHAT
IS THIS PEST" page. You could also have a local pest professional come,
identify the pest, suggest a solution and give you an estimate. This can be done
without ripping open the walls.
Edmonton Pest Professional
directory. |
2129 Pigeons Are living in the attic of the house across the back alley
from my family and there is one that is now trying to get in to ours through
aluminum siding.
1 st questions: is it safe to have Pigeons leaving in your attic?
2 nd question: can I shoot these birds??????
3 rd question: if not to the second question. How can I save my family and home
from these birds?
Wendy. Calgary Alberta.
1. Pigeon droppings are a health hazard and
you don't want them in your attic.
2. In most municipalities it is against the law to discharge a firearm.
3. Block them out using whatever method is practical. Netting is sold
specifically to keep pigeons away from structures. Talk to a local pest
professional. .
Directory of Calgary
professionals. |
2128 I have a problem with pill bugs in my composter. I have been afraid
to use the compost all summer because I think these bugs can eat the roots of
flowers and/or shrubs and thereby kill them. I want to transplant a Rose of
Sharon shrub and would like to fill the dug hole with compost, but hesitate to
do this because of these pill bugs being all through the compost. Do pill bugs
in fact eat roots of flowers or is it just certain types, and would it be safe
to use the compost when transplanting the Rose of Sharon bush? Thank you for
your help. N.
Pill bugs produce more composted soil than
earth worms. They are quite beneficial in a composter.
Their diet is decaying vegetable matter or very, very tender shoots. Ask your
local garden expert about potential damage to the rose bush roots. More
information Pill bugs and sow bugs |
2127 We have a large volume or crickets (field crickets) this year. We
laid new sod around our home on September 1st, and in the last week, our sod is
turning brown at the edges, and is now getting brown into the middle from the
edge. There are hundreds of crickets that appear to be burrowing under the edge
of the new turf, and we are assuming they are killing the new roots. Aside from
spraying with Raid when they come out in the evening, what else can we do? We
have small children, and dogs/cats, so we don't really want to use an
insecticide. Please advise of any solutions that will save our lawn.
They may be Mole crickets which damage lawns
by tunneling the top 1 to 2 inches of soil, which uproots plants and causes them
to dry out and die. The crickets also feed on grass roots at night and may
tunnel up to 20 feet of soil before sunrise. Preventative treatment includes
mowing and watering the lawn in early June or July after eggs hatch and before
young nymphs do a lot of damage to your lawn. Mole crickets are non-active in
dry soil. In many communities it is now against the law to use insecticides to
eliminate pests that destroy lawns. |
2126 I think what i have is a wasp nest (although I can't see it), at the
side of my house between a crack in the bricks of my chimney and the paneling to
the side of my house. There are live wasps flying in and out of the crack,
visibly between 10-15. What is the best solution to deal w/ this? Can I leave it
alone? will they disappear on their own? or will things only get worst. If I
need to call pest control, what should i look for in a company in terms of
reliability? I don't want to deal w/ this again next yr. Thx. Jacky.
At this time of year (Early October) wasps
develop a bad temper, probably because they know their days are numbered.
They should all die shortly, except the overwintering queens that leave the nest
and find shelter elsewhere. They will not return to an old nest next year.
If you want a reliable professional be sure to call one that is a member of a
professional association. See our
directory of professionals.
|
2125 I have Deer mounts that have been attacked by moths. I can I
exterminate them? Jim. Breaux Bridge, Louisiana.
You may find larva crawling on the mounts.
Spraying an insecticide might work or you could seal the mount in a large
plastic garbage bag with moth balls or crystals. Be sure to air it out
well before bringing it back into your living space. |
2124 Can these electronic pest repellers hurt the hearing of dogs,
irritate dogs in any way, or cause any other health situations with dogs?
Hopefully the sound emitted is outside the hearing range of dogs. I know dogs
can hear some really high-pitched sounds. I haven't seen any strange effects on
my 3 dogs so far. Hope someone can let me know. I don't want to hurt my dogs'
hearing or irritate them emotionally or anything. Merci beaucoup!
If these gadgets were irritating to dogs they
would be sold as dog repelling devices. They don't seem to have any more
effect on dogs than they do on mice and rats. Thousands of people have bought
these things thinking they work. We have never heard of one single case of
them having any effect on a dog but why waste your money on a gadget that does
not work effectively. |
2123 I would like to know if an electronic pest control repellent works
for keeping away the bed bugs from coming? Thanks!! Hugo.
North York, Ontario
Absolutely not. We have not found any
scientific evidence these devices have any effect on insects.
Manufacturers who make such wild claims should be charged with fraud. If they
did work, every pest control company in the world would be selling and
installing them. The bedbug problem would not have grown at such an alarming
rate in the past 5 years. |
2122 i experienced 2 nights in a row waking up with red dots
in patches. they resembled bites. i assumed it was bed bugs. my roommate did not
experience anything for a week and then suddenly woke up with the same effects.
the landlord claims to have sprayed before the first incident and also after the
second incident. we now believe that we have a full blown crisis. how can we get
rid of them? do we have to discard all of our sofas and beds? Jordan.
New York.
Just spraying pesticides will seldom get rid
of bedbugs. Whether or not you have to discard your sofa and beds is
something that a trained and experienced professional could advise you on after
inspecting them. If your landlord won't hire a professional to treat the
problem, you should probably look for another place to live. See
"How to Get Rid of Bedbugs". |
2121 What is the best way to get rid of moles? Ross. Red Deer,
Alberta.
Trapping is still the best solution, but it
can be frustrating for the inexperienced. There are a lot of little tricks in
setting and placement depending on the type of trap used. Flooding, poison and
gassing seldom works. Read more on our
Moles web page. |
2120 We are having problems with a family of raccoons that live in a
neighboring yard (we live in Riverdale and yards are very small). The raccoons
have chosen to use part of our roof for a "toilet", and we cannot get rid of
them. In addition to hosing it off frequently, my husband tried to build a frame
of chicken wire to keep them from this roof, but they get around it. They also
make lots of squealing noise at night which wakens anyone sleeping in the nearby
bedroom. Is there some way of moving them along? Do you recommend the ultrasonic
devices advertised? If so, which ones? As we have 2 cats that go out during the
day, we don't want to use poison. Janet. Toronto.
It is illegal to poison wildlife. If you can
not block them off with screening, the best solution is trapping. You
would then have to deal with the trapped animals and in some areas it is illegal
to transport wildlife without a permit. Ask a wildlife control professional for
advice and a quote to solve the problem. See the Robertson's ad in the right
column. |
2119 I have a tree in my backyard 20m away from the house having wasp nest
and one of my family members has been stung. can i call the structural
exterminator for the pest control. please advise me. thank you. Usha.
Toronto.
Yes. Structural pest professionals are
licensed to deal with indoor and outdoor pests, including wasps.
See directory of Toronto
professionals. |
2118 Hello, I have a question about bedbugs. My landlord has been
hiding the fact of bedbugs presence in the building. Many suits got infected. Is
there any law pushing a landlord to give an official notice to all tenants about
bedbug if they have been found? Thanks a lot! Victor. Toronto.
We do not give advice on legal matters. We are not
aware of any such laws but you could ask your local city hall or member of
the provincial legislature. |
2117 I purchased a gas oven that sat in a garage for 2 years the oven works
fine. However after the oven is used it gives off a foul smell. Recently I
replaced the side panel and noticed mouse droppings. Is this hazardous to my
family and is it what we are smelling. They are on the insulation inside of the
oven. Just to note we have no live mice in the house or kitchen to that matter.
Renee. Chicago.
There are likely dead mice in the oven insulation. You may
need an appliance repair man to remove and replace the insulation. It
could be too costly to be worth while. |
2116 have you ever heard of a home getting infested with mosquitoes and
also making a human a host. please help me. Draxie. West Verginia.
No. Are you sure you have a mosquito problem?
If you are being bitten you may have fleas or bed bugs. |
2115 We washed our house today with water and bleach to prepare it for
painting. About 15 minutes after washing one area I noticed about 30-40 wood
bugs on the wood siding. What is the best way to get rid of them and prevent
them from coming back?
The bleach drove the sow bugs or pill bugs out of their
natural damp environment in the soil. They will die because they can not
breath in a dry environment. They are harmless and usually beneficial
turning decayed vegetation into compost. |
2114 If I trap a woodrat and then drown it with some bleach added to the
water, is it safe to leave it out for other predators, such as osprey, eagles,
crows and coyotes to eat. This is in a rural area. I have dogs, so don't want to
use the usual rat traps. Pat. Salmon Arm.
Why do you want to add bleach to the water? It
certainly will not be healthy food for any predator. |
2113 I heard a scurrying type noise in my chimney trap door in the furnace
room in the basement. I tapped on it and whatever is in there was going crazy. I
went to work, and now I can't hear anything. Could if have gotten out or did it
most likely die? Should I take the risk of opening the trap door, or should I
call a pro anyways? Samantha. Toronto.
A rat, squirrel or something larger got into your chimney.
I may have climbed back out or could have died,
The best way to find out is open it. Of course a professional could do this for
you. You should have a screen installed at the top of the chimney. |
2112 What kind of pest would create small pin holes in drywall? They are
coming from inside the wall into only one bedroom in our home? Chris
Most wood destroying insects could probably chew through
drywall but not eat it. Very small holes could be caused by powder post
beetles (adult stage). Whatever is causing the problem is likely doing
serious damage to the wood behind the drywall. A pest professional will
inspect, determine what the pest is, and get rid of it. |
2111 will flushing indian meal moth down the drain which goes into septic
system hurt septic system?
It will do more good than harm. |
2110 I have a wasp nest. The entrance is a small whole in the siding of my
house, beside my front door. The information I have read says that they will not
use this place next year, so it is possible to leave it alone and the problem
will fix it's self next year? Shirley. Calgary
Wasps do not go back to an old nest next year. Plug
up the hole in the winter.
Ants: I have multiple large ant nests along the side of my house. In the last
few years I have tried multiple ways to get rid of them. Over counter product,
Soap water, hot and cold, Borax, but with in a few days after their nest dose
not seem to be affected. What else can I do to remove the ant nest?
What species of ants are present? Why do you want to
get rid of them? Some ants can be beneficial predators on other pest
insects. Most ants in Calgary are harmless as long as they stay outside. |
2109 A friend of mine let her dog out last night before retiring and her
dog caught a bat in her mouth. She thinks her dog may have bitten the bat on the
wing because ir fell onto the ground but because it was so dark my friend
couldn't see the bat in the grass. She she be worried about her dog catching
rabies? She is sure her dog has had a rabies shot last year around this time.
Thanks. Lois. Scarborough, Ontario.
Bats are not easy to catch unless they are sick.
Bats do carry rabies. A veterinarian is more qualified to provide the
right answer about animal health. |
2108 I believe I have powder post beetles in a cutting board I bought in
southern Baja California. It is just a slice of a tree trunk. Un-oiled, but
sanded all over. There are tiny pinholes in one area on the edge and a fine dry
dust spills out of them. I do not want to use an insecticide on the cutting
board as I DO want to use it for food. Is there an organic way to kill the
larva, so I can use it? I have not oiled it yet, will that do the trick if I get
enough oil in the holes? What about orange peel, I have heard that might work.
(although I don't really know what do DO with the orangepeel). Thank you so
much, it is a beautiful piece of wood and I do not want to get rid of it.
You could put it in a plastic bag and freeze it for a few
days, microwave it for a few minutes if it will fit, or put it in the oven at
about 150 degrees. This should do the trick. |
2107 This is the first year that we have noted many red squirrels on our island.
They are noisy and leave a mess of pine nuts and pine gum everywhere. They also
seem quite aggressive, though so far not dangerous. We are putting in
electricity and have heard that they will eat at electrical wires. We have seen
them chewing ropes etc. Should we be concerned? How can we remove them? We also
have a troublesome meadow vole, any suggestions? Thanks
Exclusion is the best way to control squirrels. Close off
any potential entry point. If the population is overwhelming you may
consider trapping. Use the same procedure to control voles; Exclusion and
trapping. |
2106 I think my puppies may have gotten into some fire ant insecticide we
put out on a fire ant mound a couple of days ago and forgot about. What are the
symptoms? Angela, Saint Jo, Texas
Insecticides should never be applied where there is a risk
to people or animals. Did you not read the label?
Poisoning symptoms will depend on the type of pesticide used. Consult a
veterinarian. |
2105 I am looking for a good residual insecticide product to spray these
carpenter bees. Also I understand there is a powder called Drione that works to
control the larva. I got some pest control people over but I am concerned that
these bees may return and want to get the right product. I live in Toronto
Canada. Any ideas? Mo.
Most insecticide sprays available to the general public
have little residual effect. A tiny amount of Drione dust injected into
the carpenter bee tunnels should kill the larvae. |
2104 I have a pigeon problem an recently looked into the attic. It
appears they are roosting in the attic between roof&ceiling. I spotted at least
7 adult pigeons, 4 younging an several dead pigeons. I can see the opening where
the pigeons are getting access to the roof an should be easy enough to close it
with some wire&staples or vent covering. My question is what safety precautions
should I take to remove the dead animals, younging & scaring the adults out of
the roost? Is this a job I as a tenant can do safely.. or should I have
professionals do this work. John. Edmonton.
Bird droppings and dead animals of any type can be a
health risk. Whoever does the cleanup should be wearing a hepa filter
respirator (Not a simple dust mask) rubber gloves and coveralls. Try to
not stir up dust or lightly spray a mild bleach solution on the material to be
removed. The Alberta Workers Compensation Board may have more stringent
regulations for any employee doing this kind of cleanup. |
2103 There is a lot of bees or wasps that fly in and out of a cement slab that
acts as a step to get into the fourplex. The slab is lifted a bit and the pests
seem to come and go and then are quiet during the evening they haven't stung yet
but fly towards and around you when you get near. it's hard to see anything
because it is dark under the slab and I can't get a good view I sprayed a bunch
of raid wasp and bee nest under and all around the slab at night nothing came
out while I was spraying, but now there seems to be more activity and more
flying and hovering around the slab. What can be done I am renting the unit and
talked to the landlord but so far they have not done anything any cheap way of
getting rid of it. I was going to pour a solid like sand to fill all around the
slab and trap them under the slab (is this a good idea or can they dig! Jeremie.
Bowden, Alberta Canada
You could try filling the hole with sand but they may find
another exit or create one. Ground wasp nests can be difficult to
eliminate because the actual nest may be some distance from the entry hole.
Aerosol sprays can not reach the nest. A residual insecticide dust
available to licensed professionals is a better choice. |
2102 What is the best way to get rid of chipmunks and bats in the area
between the roof and the ceiling in a cottage that isn't occupied on a regular
basis ? John. Beaver Valley.
The only long range control is exclusion. You will
have to block or screen off the entry points. Make a one way door over one
opening to allow then to escape. The bats will keep the mosquito population down
so they could be beneficial in the summer. |
2101 My daughter is 7 months pregnant, 2 days ago she got bitten while
driving her car on her chin. She immediately drove to our place which was on her
way home. I applied rubbing alcohol and put some after-bite on it. My question
is is her unborn child in any danger. Worried Mother Sandy. Winnipeg.
This is a medical question that should be answered by a
health professional. It is not likely there will be any danger to the
mother or unborn child, but of course it depends on what bit her. |
2100 I have a question about carpenter ants that I've not seen any
information on. We have what I think may be carpenter ants, some are winged,
which I've seen means they are a "queen" or a "queen in waiting". My question
concerns these - When they fly, do they fly smoothly, or do they kind of jump
around and not really take off and fly at all? The ones I've seen are kind of
"spastic" when they attempt to fly and never seem to really go far. Chris.
Carpenter ants (reproductive males and females with wings)
do not fly well. When leaving a nest indoors they sometimes just
drop to a lower surface then eventually try to fly outside. That is why
they are often found gathered at windows. Reproductive carpenter ants are not
destructive. They have only one thing on their mind and it is not chewing
wood. |
2099 We have cornfield ants nesting in our place, can they cause
structural damage? Is it a sign of moisture?
Mike. Kingdome Inlet.
They will not cause any damage but i9t is an indication of
a moisture problem. |
2098 I have a male black widow which I caught in my house. I have kept it
in a jar for the past few weeks and it is still kicking. How long can these
darned things hang on with no food or air? Ralph. Calgary.
They would probably like to eat daily but can go for a
week or two without food. You may have a very hungry widow in the jar so
be careful when you open it. |
2097 We have suddenly noticed an odd shaped Bee Hive in our Maple Tree.
The bees (black) fly in and out. Definitely does not look like a regular bee
hive with honey in it. We are not sure how to get rid of it or even if it
is wise to touch it. Please advise. Atusa. Burnaby, BC.
They could be hornets which can be dangerous if provoked.
Have a look at the photos on our
wasp and hornet page. |
2096 For the last three years around the middle of August I get wasps
swarming above my front door near the eaves. Why would they do this? Ron.
Sherwood Park. Alberta.
They may have a nest in the soffit or they may be
gathering wood to make their paper nest. |
2095 I have a carpenter ant nest in the floor joists near my chimney (in
my basement) that I'm trying to get rid of. I've sprayed ant killer in the gap
between the chimney and the wood and found some ant carcasses on the floor the
next day, but I'm not sure if I've killed the queen or just a few workers. I've
read that carpenter ants don't eat wood, so can I just seal up the gap with foam
sealant to block them from coming out to find food or will they just continue to
thrive inside the walls of the above floor? If I can keep them from getting out
of the walls, how long can they survive without coming out for food? Would the
nest die off before they can dig their way out through the wood? I think
the parent nest was in some old wood in my shed 50 meters away from the house.
There were a lot of ants and eggs there, so I sprayed them and burned all the
wood. How do I know when I'm totally rid of these ants? Kevin.
Chicago
Spraying pesticides on ants out of their nest will have
very little effect. Less than 10 % leave the nest. It may encourage ants in the
nest to move to a new location, making it more difficult to find. There is
no queen ant in your home. (See our
carpenter ant web page) I once had a carpenter ant specimen chew a
hole through the lid of a pill bottle and escape. You can not seal them in
or out. They will find a way to go where they want. After many frustrating
attempts, more damage and expensive repairs, you may call a pest management
professional with experience. Terminix will do a free inspection in the
U.S.A. . (See the ad in the right hand column) |
2094 How can I enjoy the humming birds feed at the feeders I hang without
the wasps chaseing them. Is there a way to keep the wasps away, or trap them?
This would be about as difficult as preventing your dog
from eating a steak bone on the floor. You could try making some
wasp traps. See our instructions.
|
2093 Do you know of any records of the Argentine ant, Linepithema humile,
in Canada. I am compiling records for a review paper and I have found none from
Canada.
We are not aware of any records of Argentine ants in
Canada. |
2092 I want to buy some GERMAN COCKROACH killer, where can I buy the
killer ? Nick. Markham, Ontario.
See this website for one source:
http://www.roachremover.com/
Knowing where, how much and how frequently the products
should be placed is just as important as the product you use. |
2091 I had my house sprayed 5 days ago inside and out for earwigs. I have
found quite a few dead in the basement, but I am still finding lots of live
ones. Should I expect for them to die off, or is the infestation that bad that
it needs done again? Ashley.
Spraying pesticides is just one part of the solution.
Integrated pest management requires modification or elimination of the
environment that is encouraging them to live in and around your home. See
the next question and answer. |
2090 We have an infestation on earwigs in our house. I first noticed them
in the catfood and then everywhere else in the house. I think I found the nest
underneath the leaky toilet which needs to be fixed after we kill the
infestation. There's a crack in the corner furnace room and I can hear water
leaking underground. We will have to pull out some wall to get to them. I am
terrified to do this job and how many are under there. I need to find the
closest pest control to kill them. Is there one in Timmins, Ontario and do you
have any other suggestions? Thanks. Anne
Earwigs will cause no harm to humans or your home.
They do like damp locations and it sounds like you are going to remedy the
situation in your bathroom and furnace room. You could also eliminate
mulch and vegetation around the perimeter of your home that provides a good
environment for earwig reproduction. |
2089 I am having a problem with rodents this summer. Already found mouse
droppings, but recently have found something much larger. Looks like rat
droppings (I had pet rats in high school), but my sitter said she saw a chipmunk
running across our kitchen a couple of weeks ago. How do I know what I have
besides the mice? And, as it seems that we have an underground metropolis in our
yard, judging by the enterances and exits, what is the most effective way to get
rid of mice, rats and/or chipmunks? My house is clean, cluttered with mail
and the like, typical of a house with multiple kids, but it certainly isn't
dirty. I keep the foods put away, but they got into my cereal cabinet and chewed
through the Rice Krispies box *GAG*. Is this all it would take to lure them into
the house? The cereal cabinet? Must I keep my dry goods in the refridgerator or
something so drastic to keep them from returning once I rid the house of
them???? PLEASE HELP!
You must follow the three step process. 1] Eliminate or
store in rodent proof containers any food that is attracting them. 2]
Block off rodent entry points. 3] then use appropriate means to eliminate the
population.
See our rodent page for more information. |
2088 My brother has a bed bug problem. He is now staying here & the manager
called in exterminators and had us put all clothing/material items in large
plastic bags sealed tightly with twine in the middle of the apt. They have
sprayed and now I am told to go in and take to the dump: bed, couch and chair,
plus carpeting they are ripping up. The rest we are to take home and launder
etc, while they spray again and then completely redo the apt. How do I know if
there are any in all the stuff we have to bring here? I also laundered his
bedding & pillows a week before (not knowing that he had a problem). Do I now
have them? The management doesn't know what is safe and has no idea if they
could still be in his clothes/furniture or assorted junk (he is a pack rat). How
do I and my family stay safe? Is any of his stuff safe to keep? Please help us!
Thank you for all the information I have already read, but it doesn't answer
these questions. My mother seems to think that everything else is safe and I
would hate for her to get them. Also, my father is on coumadin and how dangerous
would it be if he got bitten? Thank you again for any and all help. Helen.
Oshawa.
You should not have any problem if you put the contents of
the plastic bags directly into your washing machine. Re: coumadin.
We do not answer medical questions. |
2087 what are small looking worms that get into cake mixes etc.....make a
cocoon looking material inside the package and are associated with a small moth
looking flying insect found in kitchen area??? mealworms???? how do i get rid of
them?
You have Indian Meal Moths. See the next question
and answer. |
2086 I can not get rid of meal moths. I have removed all food products
from pantry and refrigerated any dry products. I have an exterminator that comes
regularly but we can not find where the moths are reproducing. Any advice would
be greatly appreciated. Debbie. New Jersey.
They are often found in bird seed and pet food. See
the information on our
Indian Meal Moth page for more suggestions. |
2085 Hi. Could you please advise us, where can we buy Spider traps?
Thank you. David. Vancouver
Phero-Tech may be able to help you. See their ad in
the suppliers directory |
2084 Is there a service that will help with a mice infestation problem?
The house is an old farmhouse that has been unoccupied for the last six months
and now we have a problem with mice in the kitchen cupboards. Is there a service
that will deal with the mice problem and also with removal and clean up of the
dry food? We have tried cleaning services, but no one will agree to do this type
of cleanup. Help! Linda. Prince Edward Island.
Give Braemar pest control a call. They are listed in
the Pest
Professional directory for P.E.I. |
2083 In an RV park in Moose Jaw, we encountered a small, hard black beetle
that emitted a very strong odour like sweaty feet. Any ideas? Thanks, Judy
If you send a photo we will post it for identification on
our "What is this pest"
web page. |
2082 I am trying to find out the names of the harmful chemicals that were
uded around 1985 and 1986 by pest control companies for cockroach control. My
daugher may have been affected by chemicals that were used. Shortly after moving
into an apartment that was heavily sprayed she has had many psychological
problems to this day. We are working with a homeopathic physician who needs this
information to try to desensitise her. I would be grateful for some helpful
information. I would be willing to share my email if anyone can help. Thank you.
Lorraine. Florida.
We Canadians are not familiar with most pesticides
available in the U.S. because they were not approved for use in Canada.
Contact the pesticide regulatories in the state where you lived at the time. |
2081 I keep finding small spiders in my bedroom. I vacuumed up about 40
but i keep finding more of them on the ceiling and on the bed. I am so
frustrated and am wondering if there is anything else I can do to try to get rid
of them. Somer. Aurora, Ontario.
Try to determine what the spiders are attracted to. Their
food source is likely an abundance of insects so you could try to eliminate
them. See our spider page for
more help. |
2080 is there a safe product for elimination of tent caterpillars?
or a better method than just killing them as you catch them? or is there
anything i can do to better control them?
While the damage they do appears pretty devastating, most
trees they attack seem to recover quickly. Spraying pesticides to control them
could be very difficult if the trees are tall. Spray drift must be
controlled.
These pests seem to cycle reaching a peak about every 7 years. |
2079 How do i get rid of yellowjackets.
If you know where the nest is located, you will find
suggestions on these web pages:
Ground Nests,
Old Nests, Concealed Nests,
Exposed Nests.
If you can't find the nest you could make some traps.
Follow the directions on this web page:
wasp_traps |
2078 I have a hamster. We noticed scars and she is itching all the time.
After a few days her hair started falling. Can you please tell me about
medicines that can be found in UAE. Sara. U.A.E.
You should contact an animal doctor (veterinarian) |
2077 I have accepted that mice will find their way into our cottage
occasionally. However, I'm wondering if there are any solutions for
mice-proofing kitchen cabinets? have you seen any special cabinetry construction
techniques/strategies? thanks! Kathleen. Victoria, BC.
We are not aware of any cabinets that have been designed
to be mouse proof, but have seen many that would probably eliminate their entry.
Most mouse problems in kitchens are under the sink. Most people store
their garbage there. Mice follow the plumbing and squeeze out the gap left
around the drain pipe. The remedy for this is to stuff steel wool into the
gap. Quite often there is a gap between the bottom of doors and the
cabinet frame. A handyman with some small strips of wood should be able to
close this entry point. See more tips on our rodent
web page. |
2076 We have starlings who keep putting droppings in our swimming
pool is there anything that we can do to stop them we are using a plastic owl
but they don't seem to care. Wendy. Orangeville, Ont.
There are devices that scare birds to keep them away.
Contact a pest professional that is experienced in bird control in your area.
They may have a product that will solve your problem.
Ontario pest professionals. |
2075 Will fleas reproduce more rapidly in a damp environment? Janet,
Hollister, CA USA.
Yes. Most insects like a warm moist environment.
More flea eggs and larva will survive in a higher humidity than where it is too
dry. |
2074 I recently had wood laminate floors installed and now I have pill
bugs or sow bugs crawling all over the house. Is it possible that this is due to
the laminate floors?
Fumes from the resin in the flooring material may be
driving the bugs out of their moist environment. See: sow
bugs/pill bugs web pages. |
2073 We have a number of wild house cats in our neighborhood and I'm tired
of the smell they leave as they spray on the bushes and use our yard for their
bathroom. I've heard that mothballs are an excellent deterrent for cats. Is that
correct? Where can I buy mothballs in a larger quantity than the little boxes
they sell in the store? David. San Angelo, Tx.
Not a good idea. Moth balls are toxic to most
animals. You could get in serious trouble for using mothballs to control
anything that is not listed on the label. You must also follow the label
directions which likely prohibit unprotected placement outdoors. You could
purchase a motion detecting device that you put on your garden hose like a
sprinkler. It sends out a powerful blast of water when anything moves in
front of it. Read more about using toxic effects of mothballs.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, CDC.
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/phs67.html
Here is another cat repelling products.
http://www.multivet.net/en/products/ssscat / |
2072 Will Fumigating for bed bugs harm my children and my unborn child?
How long should my children and I (and Unborn child) wait to come back into my
apartment after they Fumigate? Thank you. Brenda Lee, Winnipeg.
Fumigation in living space is not a good idea. It is
probably illegal and will not be totally effective in eliminating bed bugs.
When pesticides are used they should be carefully applied in small quantities
only where they will have maximum effect. |
2071 How do I get rid of magpies stealing dog food from the dogs dish?
It is not a good idea to leave dog food outside in a dish
after the dog has eaten. It will attract all kinds of pest problems
including rodents, birds and flies. |
2070 My daughter recently bought a house which had a major mice problem in
the basement. Insulation was removed, the concrete sill has been cleaned and
everything swept up. All the holes and cracks have been sealed. How do we
disinfect the sill plate, concrete crawl space floor and main floor before we
replace the insulation? Nancy. Barrington. Il.
Spray to the point of runoff with a mild solution of
bleach and water. About 10 to 1 should work. Use a respirator and get lots
of ventilation. |
2069 Why do so many people want to kill every insect that moves?
Most are harmless and many are beneficial. Sarah C. Victoria, B.C.
Thanks Sarah. You are absolutely right. One of
the objectives of this web site is to inform visitors on how to deal with pests.
Not all insects are pests and we make some effort to point that out.
Unfortunately too many people run for a can of insecticide to spray everything
that moves. We hope our efforts to educate will reduce this irresponsible
attitude and use of pesticides. |
2068 We have sow bugs and house centipedes and have had the
dehumidifier running on high for 3 weeks and have a clean floor and still have
these bugs, more sow bugs than house centipedes and when we find the sow bugs
some are dead and some are not, so what is going on? Please help!! Lisa.
Stratford, Ont.
Centipedes are predators and will reduce the number of
other insects in your home. If you understand environmental conditions
that sow bugs require, the control solution is common sense.
See: sow
bugs/pill bugs web pages. |
2067 how to control sow bugs in the garden. Sam. Vancouver.
If they are eating very tender new shoots or over ripe
fruit, use a little diatomaceous earth (silicon dioxide) around these plants.
Otherwise, consider them good composters. See: sow
bugs/pill bugs web pages. |
2066 How do you get rid of wild bees in a flower bed? Amanda.
P.E.I.
There are many ways but we would rather not tell you.
Wild bees are great to have in a garden for pollination. They seldom cause any
problem for humans unless provoked. Watch and enjoy the work they do as
part of of our environment. |
2065 Hi my moms yard is covered with pill bugs, what is the best way to
get rid of them naturally and keep them gone. Michael. Fayetteville,
Ar
Why do you want to get rid of them? They are
harmless. They are great composters turning decaying vegetable matter into
soil. See: sow
bugs/pill bugs web pages. |
2064 I have lots of "rolly Polly" bugs in my garage against the wall, each
day I sweep them out. What can I use to kill them? They seem to roll in a ball
like they are dead and then later they are moving. Please help!
Thanks. Vera.
What is the benefit in killing them? You will still
have to sweep the dead ones out. Spraying pesticides around the perimeter of
your garage will have just a short term effect. They will be back and you
don't want a build up of pesticides in your yard.
See sow
bugs/pill bugs web pages. |
2063 i have a small garden that the neighbor cats use as a litter box i
have put down some moth balls will that affect my lettuce, peppers? what else
could i use that works without spending alot of money! THANKS
Dan. Avon Lake, Ohio.
Moth balls are poison. It would be irresponsible to
spread them around outside. One web visitor suggests pieces of orange peel
will repel cats. |
2062 The ant hill is under the iris in the flower bed has got higher than
last summer even though we put ant traps down the ant is large black and appears
to have a whitish stripe on tis thorax. How can we rid this ant hill with out
poison as now we have a puppy and the get on her. we also have the very small
black and brown ones that are in the lawn A new subdivision 3 years ago was
acorn field. Hope you can help Thanks Dawn. Baden, Ont.
Not all ants are bad. In fact some of them are quite
beneficial preying on insects that are harmful. Send a close up photo and
we will identify it. So called "ant traps" available to consumers
are almost useless. They do not trap ants. The contain an insecticide
poison, usually a borate. If you must kill them, Talk to a certified
pesticide dispenser at a good garden shop about a product that will control
ants. |
2061 what is the efficacy of sonic mole chasers? Don. Mill Creek,
Wa. USA.
Here is a report from University of Arkansas, Division of agriculture.
"Sonic Repellers. Moles have sensitive hearing, so the theory behind these
devices is to drive moles away through sound. Devices include half-buried
bottles, windmills and battery-powered sound emitters of varying cost. While
these devices may scare moles initially, they quickly adapt to their presence
and are unaffected. Consider the number of moles that tunnel near residential
heat pumps when deciding whether to try a sonic repeller."
To read the full report see this web site:
http://www.uaex.edu/Other_Areas/publications/PDF/FSA-9095.pdf |
2060 My niece went camping up at Chilliwack Lake area 2 weeks ago. They
slept in a tent 1 night, a day or 2 later she had 3 loonie sized sore areas
under her right arm. She was in intense pain and there was swelling and puss
oozing out of the affected areas. Three days later she was sick to her stomach.
She sought medical attention and was put on antibiotic for 10 days. She is not
prone to infection and is usually in good health. Is it possible she was bitten
by a spider (brown spider)? I am unaware if they are native to the lower
mainland area. Thank you for your speedy reply. Regards, Sue Marlo
There are a number of things that could have caused the
problem. This is a question best answered by a medical professional. |
2059 We get a few ants in the house every spring / summer - no big deal.
But now, all of a sudden, (it's mid-May) - our wooden deck has been taken over
by those wretched carpenter ants. Called one pest control company and - get this
- they actually recommended that we tear up the deck and install a new one. Yeah
- I'll just dig out my piggy bank. Our house is at the bottom of a slight hill
and the hill (not our property) is covered in trees. I've read everything I can
find about carpenter ants so I know it's not an easy solution to get rid of
them. I have sprayed the foundation of the house with ant repellant - I know it
won't solve the problem but will hopefully keep the ants from invading the
house. Do you have any suggestions as to how we can do something (anything!)
about our deck problem ?? (short of buying myself a season supply of martinis to
keep my nerves settled ! ). Oh - and if it's any help for you to know this: we
had a very mild winter, not a lot of snow, and a very damp spring. In this neck
of the woods, products like "Terro" and "drione dust" are not available. Thanks.
Karen. Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
It sounds like you may have called the wrong pest control
business. Did they look at the deck and is it structurally sound?
The ants you are seeing may be coming out of the house to forage for food, not
trying to move in. If the deck flashing is defective it is common to find
carpenter ants in a structure where the deck joins. This can be treated
without tearing apart the deck. Read more about
carpenter ants. Talk to some other
professionals listed in our
directory. |
2058 We have a bird nest in our dryer vent. Because my husband prefers
nature to clean clothes :-) I have been having to use alternative drying
methods. My question is this. This nest seems to have been here for a long time
now, with no sign of activity from the nest other than mom and dad. I peeked in
and saw no babies. There seems to be an odour coming from my dryer (dryer is
very close to outside vent). Is it at all possible that the eggs have been
getting too much heat when I was drying clothes and have maybe started to rot? I
dont know how long to wait until we can safely remove the nest. Thanks.
Sonya
The birds, eggs or any other small animal could not
survive in the heat from the dryer. You should clean out the nest. It
could be a fire hazard. |
 2057
What does box elder trees look like? Shalawn.
Here is just one of many photos you will find on the
internet if you do a Google image search.
|
2056 Can you put Boric Acid inside your tv's, vcr's etc. to kill the
cockroaches in them without having to throw them away? Is there anything other
than Boric Acid that you can use to eliminate this problem?
Dee Dee, Covina, California.
Boric acid may work but it would be easier
and probably more effective to use a good quality bait. Contact a
professional in your area for advice on what is available. |
2055 how to get rid of wasps inside the home. Randi
If there are just a few, use a fly swatter.
If there are many and you can see their entry point, plug it off and call a
professional who can inject an insecticide into the cavity where the nest is
located. A vacuum cleaner is also a good tool if you are careful. |
2054 Is there any Brown Recluse Spiders living in Ontario? Laura.
Waterloo, Ontario
Although there are a number of reports from
people in Ontario who claim they have seen or have been bitten by a brown
recluse spider we are not aware of any definitive scientific evidence that they
do live in Ontario. Their normal habitat is in the southern United States but
some have been transported accidentally to other areas. |
2053 is there a species that is half spider and half ant. Alfonso.
Abilene.
There is a spider known as
the antmimic
spider (Castianeira descripta; Aranae:Corrinidae) You can read about it on
our spider photos page. |
2052 What insecticide do I use to control "Cluster Flies"? RBS.
Timmins, Ont.
When and how you use a product is more
important than which one you use. In the fall when you see cluster flies
gathering on the walls you could spray all the cracks and crevices on the
exterior of your home with a residual insecticide labeled for fly control. If
they enter accessible spaces like your attic, you could fog it with Pyrethrins.
Be sure to wear proper protective gear including a respirator with the correct
filter cartridges and READ THE LABEL of the product you use. This is
another pest that should probably be controlled by a professional. Talk to
one in your area before you try it yourself.
Ontario Pest Professionals |
2051 I have carpet beetles in my house, I cant seem to find the source
where they are coming from. Ive had pest control to come out and they are coming
from a birds nest, I have removed all the dried food, i have no pets. What
should I do.
Check for larva in all the natural fiber
carpets, clothing and bedding. There are numerous photos on
pest photo identification pages.
|
2050 Will a solution of 1 part javex & 2 parts water get rid of spiders
around a window? And what is the method to use? I need something not harmful as
it needs to be safe for humans and pets. Will this solution work?
Spraying gasoline and lighting it would also work but
that's another stupid idea! A strong solution of bleach is not healthy for
pets or humans. Spiders eat insects. They are probably eliminating
insects around your window. If you insist on killing them, do it properly
with a pest control product that is registered for that purpose. If you READ THE
LABEL and follow the directions there should be no risk to you or your pets. You
could also just brush them away daily with their webs or use a vacuum cleaner.
|
2049 I just moved into an apartment building that has roaches. The place was
apparently sprayed last week, but I want to take some steps myself to control
them. I'm looking for boric acid powder and for the Combat line of baits, but I
can't find them anywhere locally and all the websites that carry them don't ship
to Canada. Can anyone tell me where to purchase these products in Canada, maybe
even in Ottawa? Adam.
It is against the law to use any pesticide in Canada that
has not been registered in Canada. You should be able to buy boric acid at
a drug store. Call some local pest professionals to buy cockroach bait
that is registered for homeowner use. You may not have much success
if you are not experienced in placing bait for cockroaches. The boric acid
may counteract the effect of the bait. Knowing how to pest control
products is more important than what to use. |
2048 I have a wild mink living in the crawl space under my house. How do I
get rid of this animal. Smell is awful. James. Moreton's Harbour NL
The best solution is to trap it (or them) Use a live
trap but try to disguise it. put dirt on the floor to hide the wire mesh.
Use very fresh bait. Raw bloody meat. Mink like to kill their own prey so
it has to be fresh. There are a lot of little tricks to catching
wildlife o it can get frustrating. Read the information on this web site:
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/mammals/furtake/mink.htm
or you may be better off hiring someone experienced |
2047 behind the area of my washer in my garage, I have noticed small dirt
piles building up. I have vaccuumed the dirt up, but it always reappears. Now I
am also noticing the dirt piles on the other side of the garage wall, which is
in my living room behind the sofa. I have vaccuumed this us too, only for it to
return again. It seems like lately it is building at a faster rate. However, I
never see insects actually crawling on it, but sometimes I see what could be
eggs in it. I want to know what kind of pest is causing this and how do I stop
it? Stacey. Forth Wor5th, Texas.
It sounds like you have an ant problem. The ants
could be bringing the soil up through a crack in the concrete foundation or
floor. Look for small ants and take a few to a professional for
identification. They will likely recommend a perimeter spray or injection
in the problem area. |
2046 what insect makes dirt trails on concrete walls? Martha.
Amhurst, Ohio.
Subterranean termites will build mud tunnels on
foundations, up from the ground to the wood sill plate. |
2045 I HAVE PORCUPINES EATING THE WOOD SIDING OF MY HUNTING CAMP. I PUT
CHICKEN WIRE AROUND BUT NOW THEY ARE GETTING ON TOP OF IT AND STARING AGAIN. IT
APPEARS THEY ARE ALSO CHEWING FROM THE ROOF. CAN THEY CLIMB UP THE WOOD
SIDING? I'M STUCK THEY'RE ALMOST CHEWING THROUGH WHEN THERE IS NOBODY UP THERE.
THANKS. ROBERT
Porcupines are one of the largest rodents in North America
and like all rodents they do a lot of chewing. They have a real craving for salt
so they often chew on wooden garden tool handles. Common wood preservatives may
repel porcupines when applied to plywood. Wood preservatives, which are based on
metal-salt solutions shouldn't be used. The salt will attract them.
The fungicide, Thiram has been registered in the United States as a squirrel and
rabbit repellent. It is noted that it may also repel porcupines. Thiram is used
in the Golfing and Turf business. In British Columbia porcupines are considered
wildlife and are afforded full protection under the BC Wildlife Act. A porcupine
can not be killed unless a permit has been issued - there aren't any hunting
seasons for porcupines in BC. If you can't find a way to repel them you ,may
have to contact a a licensed wildlife and pest control company. |
2044 We have some box elder bugs, not alot, but they leave "spots"
on the outside of our windows from their droppings, or so I have been told
that's what they are. These spots are very difficult to get off. What works
best? I've tried household cleaner, but they almost seem to have to be scraped
off, and it getting worse every summer. Thanks. Joan
Try a cleaning product called "CLR" |
2043 are there any insects that will chew through styrofoam insulation?
Carolyn. Loon Lake. Sk.
Yes. Carpenter ants love to chew galleries in
styrofoam to create nests. Carpenter
Ants |
2042 Have ground bees every year. How do i get rid of them.
Wild ground bees are beneficial pollinators. Although you
may see many of them in the same area, they are solitary in their nests and are
seldom aggressive unless threatened. Why do you want to get rid of them? |
2041 Hello.. I know there have been countless questions asked about sow
bugs/pill bugs already but after reading, I still have a few of my own. I live
in the finished basement of a two year old house. I haven't seen anything in
here yet, but tonight I saw tons of sow/pill bugs outside our window. There are
wooden stairs going down with a concrete wall beside them, and they were
sticking to the concrete wall. They didn't scurry away when I turned the light
on, but I am wondering if it's common to find these bugs Inside new homes, in
the basements. Do they stay outside usually, because in Vancouver it's more
moist out there than it is indoors? We have weather stripping on the door but
would they still come in vents etc? Also, can they climb up furniture? Like legs
of a bed or into cupboards or the fridge? Sorry for all the questions, I have a
huge phobia of bugs and just moved to the coast, and was told there are not as
many bug problems in basements here compared to my hometown in Winnipeg. I am
hoping to get some answers and calm my nerves. Thank you.
Yes sow bugs are commonly found indoors in new and older
buildings in Vancouver. If they want in, they can usually find an entrance.
They don't climb furniture legs and there is nothing in most cupboards
that will appeal to them unless it is damp. |
2040 I need step by step solution of this Problem. Question: How
much insecticide concentrate is required in the space if the instruction on a
label specified mixing one part concentrate with 14 Parts water and applying
this mixture at a rate of 56ml/100m3. Syed G Ali. Mississauga.
If you don't know how to solve this problem then you
should not be mixing pesticides or using them. This is a typical question
on many exams for pesticide applicators certification. There is no
correct answer for this equation because the total area to be treated is not
specified. (If the area to be treated is 100m3 the answer is 4 ml of
concentrate.)
Mixing pesticides is the most dangerous activity in the pest management
industry. Those who are required to do it should always be certified by
the appropriate authority, and if not experienced, there should be proper
supervision. Most pesticide labels will have specific instructions about
mixing, but you still have to do the math. (algebra) |
2039 the snow is gone and now in my sod at different places i have burrows
, i think from mice..how do i get rid of the mice and prevent them from
returning next winter..any help please. Dorothy. Syracuse, N.Y.
You could have rats or a mole problem. Mouse burrows
are not very noticeable. Check this page for mole information:
Moles |
2038 We caught a possum in a live trap, baited with sardines which was
living in the eave of our carport. We took it about 20 miles away but think it
is back or another one. Any suggestions for bait? Or any other suggestions to
drive it out of its "home"!! Thanks. Mary. Cambridge Ontario
The US National Parks and Wildlife Service
"catch and release policy", formally introduced in 2004, states
that a possum must be released within 50 metres of the premises
of capture. Scientific research indicates that the vast majority
of translocated possums die because of predators, a lack of food
and shelter and the absence of familiar scents and visual cues.
Capturing a possum without a licence can result in prosecution
and the penalty is up to six months' jail, an $11,000 fine or
both. Read more on this web site: http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/wildlife-rescuer-stands-up-for-gentle-natives/2007/07/16/1184559705367.html
|
2037 How do you get rid of ladybugs in your home. Karen.
Almonte, Ontario
If you can, catch them and put them outside. They
are a beneficial insect. If not use your vacuum cleaner to suck them up.
They are emerging from cavities in your home where they spent the winter.
Unfortunately some take a wrong tur and end up inside instead of outside where
they will continue their life cycle. |
2036 I am looking for a safe and effective homemade fly repellant for my
horse, goats and dogs. Any suggestions?
|
2035 I live in Mississauga. I'm very interested in
the job of Pest Control. Would you please tell me how to start, where to take
training courses to be licensed? Allan
A good place to start would be to contact some of the businesses advertising
for new employees on our classified
web page. Although most of these companies would like
to hire someone certified and experienced, there is a shortage of people
with these qualifications. If you are sincerely interested, have the right
attitude and are willing to learn, you may find an employer willing to train
you.
Larry Cross. Webmanager.
|
2034 My awning has become the home of several bird nests. They have put
several holes in the awning. We have continually knocked the nests down, but the
birds continue to come back. We have put up an owl and this still has not
deterred them. What else can we do? Theresa. Smithtown.
You would probably have success deterring them by hanging
netting above the awning. There are nets available that are almost
invisible and they could be removed after the nesting season. See the
information and ads on this web page: Birds |
2033 (Question #122 repeated because of numerous
other similar questions submitted recently)
Do any of these electronic pest control
devices work to rid household pests i.e. mice, bugs, insects by
omitting waves through your household wiring. Hildegard.
St. Catharines, Ontario
A new answer: When they first came out I tried a number of them - sold
through catalog as well as locally. None ever worked. That was in the early 90s.
I have since waited for an independent study to tell me one works - none ever
has. Good idea but no working models yet. R. W., Exeter, NH. |
2032 Do electronic /sonic mole chasers work, even a little bit?
Hedley. Burks Falls, Ontario.
NO. |
2031 Does hardwood garden mulch attract ants. Would it be better to use
pine or cedar mulch. Thank you. Julie
Garden mulch provides a moist, comfortable environment for
numerous insects, some of them beneficial. Some ants are predators on
harmful garden insects. Talk to a professional about mulch.
Cedar may hinder the growth of some plants. |
2030 When we went to open up our house camper at the park, we found a
female raccoon in the bedroom and under the bed was her 4 babies. We removed the
babies and Mother took off out of trailer. Will they come back and any ideas how
she got into trailer? I destroyed all clothing under the bed and washed
floor with Pine Sol. Thanks for your help. Heather.
If you put the babies outside in a safe place, the mother
will come back and take them away. She may try to gain entry again so you
will have to do a thorough inspection and make sure there are no entry points.
|
2029 We have a major box elder bug infestation around the outside of our
home. They are laying eggs all over our patio furniture, rocks, etc. We are
trying to get rid of them with soap and water, but need to know how to kill the
eggs before they hatch into more bugs. I have tried hosing them off, but can't
get into all of the crevices, seams, etc around our home with enough force to
knock them all off, and don't even know if that actually kills them or just
moves them. Please help quickly before they all hatch!!! thanks!
Sue. Georgetown, Ontario.
Are you sure they are box elder bugs? It is unusual for
them to lay eggs where the future nymphs will not have a food source. In
spring the overwintered female bugs lay eggs in the cracks and crevices of the
box elder tree’s bark, and the nymphs hatch in a few days. The nymphs grow
larger and develop into adults during the summer. They then mate and lay eggs
that hatch into the nymphs of a second generation. The bugs do little
damage to ornamental trees. They may occasionally cause puckering or distortion
of fruit in commercial orchards, but this is rarely a significant problem. They
do not injure people or pets, Boxelder bugs do not cause significant
damage to landscape plants, and management need only be directed at keeping them
out of homes, where they may become a nuisance.
Whatever is laying the eggs, spraying soapy water should eliminate or at least
reduce significantly the future population.
Read more about box elder bugs.
|
2028 Can bed bugs live in carpet and not in beds? I have a 7 month old
baby that has had what appears to be a bite appear on her body - it will welt
and lower to sometimes nothing or a small scab - but I can't figure out what is
causing this. we moved into this home in July 2008, last owners had kids and a
dog. I've checked our beds, and have found nothing, but something is biting my
baby - most 'bites' are on upper thigh or torso (back/ribs) one on her head. I'm
unsure what to do other then to rip out all the carpet...the bites resemble
either a bed bug bite or a gnat or mosquito. De. Newmarket, Ont.
Bedbugs can live almost anywhere but they prefer to hide
in dark places. Once they have had a blood meal they can survive for
a year without coming out to feed again. For the health of your baby you
would be wise to have a professional inspect your home for flea or carpenter ant
evidence. See this page for information:
get rid of bed bugs.
You will find Newmarket pest professionals
here. |
2027 Can you please tell me what might have laid pistachio-nut like shells
in the wall of my basement? Thanks for your help. Andrew.
Toronto.
Most likely a rodent. (rat, mouse or squirrel) |
2026 I have noticed a half dozen carpenter ants in my home. I had one on
my arm and when I moved to get rid of it, I felt a sting. Do they indeed bite
and how serious is a bite. Is the bite poisonous. There is no mark. I'm a little
concerned. Eve. Brockville, Ont.
Carpenter ants have powerful mandibles they use for
excavating tunnels in wood. They can give you quite a pinch if threatened
but seldom draw blood unless they pierce some very tender skin. They do
not have venom. Their food source is usually the liquids of other insects
and honeydew, not humans.
Read more about carpenter ants |
2025 I was previously living in a basement that had a flood and I
was introduced to (just did some studying) the "EVIL WEEVIL". I had never in my
years seen such a disgusting creature. There were MANY crawling out of this
flooded hole in the wall. I have moved since and noticed them in my new place.
DID I BRING THEM WITH ME..??? DO THEY LIVE IN MY BED!!!??? Grody what do I do??
Patricia. Calgary.
|
2024 How to gat rid of carpenter bee like Bumble bee they eat wood.
Thomas. Baytown, Tx.
|
|
2023 I am replacing the walls in my workshop with wood panels. Is it true
that wood panels attract cockroaches? |
2022 I've been finding sow/pillbugs everywhere in my apartment, on and
off, for the past 3 years! Even in drawers and trunks. What is the best way to
get rid of them, or at least deter them? Thank you and have a great day!
Francine. Montreal
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Can pill bugs or rolly polly bugs hurt you in any way? Maty
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What do pill bugs eat? Danielle
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We purchased an 80 year old home and we noticed a couple sow bugs when we first
moved in. Now it is spring and our basement is abundant with them. Hundreds and
hundreds. We bought a dehumidifier (though our basement has never been wet), he
is in the process of patching up any cracks that were not previously patched
before. These bugs are getting on the main floor now from under baseboards and
crawling up the vents! They are all over our yard too. Please tell me that we
will be able to control this eventually. We have done everything you suggested
in regards to treating the area around our home. We are currently using a
recommended pesticide outdoors and will continue. I just need to know if we are
battling a lost cause?? How long might it take to notice a difference? I
understand that they will never just disappear totally, but can we control them
well enough to not be looking everywhere we walk in our home?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've noticed a lot of sowbugs in the past month. I've read all the information,
questions & answers, etc. I have not found anything saying that sump pumps add
to the problem. Could they? Janice. Edmonton.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You will find the answers to these questions on
our sow
bugs/pill bugs web pages.
Pill bugs and sow bugs are harmless to humans. In
the garden they may eat very tender plant shoots, overripe fruit or decaying
plant matter (lettuce leaves) You will only find them where it is damp.
They can not breathe in dry air. Sow bugs produce more composted
soil than earth worms. They can be beneficial. Spraying pesticides
in not a good solution. You will contaminate the soil. You will only kill
the ones you see and more will show up again. Keep the exterior perimeter
of your home dry by removing vegetation, mulch and provide good drainage.
It's not rocket science if you remember they die when they get into a dry
environment. Go Green. |
2021 Hi..I have had a problem with ants in our kitchen that began last
summer and is starting up again. They do not look like carpenter ants and while
there are never many at one time it bothers me. They tend to run along a
baseboard and the bottom from of our deck door. I have tried the traps and spray
but have a crawling infant and these are no longer an option, nor did they solve
the problem. Any help would be appreciated.
Ants crawling around inside a home in April are likely
Carpenter ants. They are not necessarily huge. Ants living outside
do not become active until the weather is much warmer. carpenter ants in
cavities in your home have had their winter rest, so the warmth of your home
makes them think it is spring. They will be foraging for moisture to take
back to the nests. Spraying insecticides on ants outside the nest will do
more harm than good. Ant traps are useless. Read the control
information on our carpenter ant pages. |
2020 How do I get rid of Pill bugs on my basement level. It is
finished but there are large end endless numbers of pill bugs What is the source
do you think. Thanks for your help. Susan . Toronto.
See the answer to #2019 below. |
2019 I have a big problem!!!! At night Pill Bugs are covering my house by
the hundreds and during the day they disappear. Also I am finding a lot of them
crawling in my house and mostly on the main floor. What do I do to get ride of
these annoying little things? Parry. Winnipeg.
Pill bugs and sow bugs are beneficial. They produce
more good soil than earthworms. Your question has been answered at least 100
times on this web site. The answer remains the same.
See our sow/pill bug page.
|
|
2018 Wondering about controlling a seemingly large population of Crickets
in our yard...before they get into the house. Wife has a phobia of this
particular insect! Would there be any products like pheromone traps or abatement
suggestions available, or trade secret like garden hose sections laid out for
earwigs...which I have used in the past with great success! Thanx for any
help; Desperate wife awaiting my plan...Rob. Hamilton, Ontario |
2017 xxxxxx (big box store) has just listed a xxxxxxx (brand) Pest Control
Deluxe combination ultrasonic and electromagnetic gizmo that "Keep rats, mice
and other pests from taking up residence in your home. This item has been
designed to serve your room with electromagnetic protection. It is inaudible to
people, cats, dogs and birds. The pest control deluxe emits ultrasonic sirens at
specific sound ranges that are within pests hearing and serve to drive them away
from the noise. Simply plug into an electrical outlet and it will immediately
start working to control your pest problems."
Have you heard of this company or product. Paul
What a disappointment to find out even the largest and
smartest retail outlets can be conned into selling a product that is nothing
more than a scam. We have never seen evidence that any electromagnetic
device has any effect on controlling pests. In theory ultrasonic devices
could discourage rodents from entering some areas, but in practice the
ultra-sonic sound seems to have little or no effect. We have
challenged anyone to submit scientific evidence from an unbiased reliable source
that proves these devices do work. No such evidence has ever been sent to
us.
The good news for consumers: this "big box" retailer has a good return policy
on unsatisfactory goods. We expect the manufacturer will go broke when the
trainload of these devices arrives back at their door. If you have
already bought one, take it back and donate the money to charity where it will
do some good. |
2016 I have squirrels running through my attic - how do I get rid of them?
Ian. Hamilton, Ont.
The best solution is to use a live trap, placed carefully
at the entry point. It can be frustrating so you may wish hire a professional.
There are some good ones in your area.
Hamilton pest and wildlife
professionals. |
2015 This is nasty but... me my mom were wanting some Kraft Dinner ...so
we cracked open 2 boxes and when we started to cook them a whole bunch of pill
bugs/sow bugs popped up inside the pot... the same happened with all of our
Kraft Dinner... any ideas how they couldve goten in there?
Jonathan. Ottawa.
Are you sure they are sow bugs? They are seldom seen
in dry locations. Have a look at some of the photos on this page: "What
is this pest:" You will probably see a photo of one of the many
food infesting bugs. |
2014 In the summer I have a lot of flies on my poarch and getting into my
house. I have 4 dogs which go to the potty under our poarch and in our yard. We
also get yellowjackets. it is my understanding that if you spread lime sulfur
that it rids the area of flies,yellowjackets,bacteria etc. Is this true and
where do they sell it.
A better solution would be to install wire screen to keep
the dogs from going under the porch. Lime can be used reduce the odor but you
don't want to let your dogs walk on it. I can be nasty stuff. |
2013 I am pregnant and my building will be furmigated for termites.
Will this harm the unborn baby.
Los Angeles
You have the right to speak with the manager of the pest
control company. Tell him you are pregnant and ask what procedure and products
they will be using. There should be not problem if the fumigation is done
correctly and you follow the vacancy guidelines. |
2012 Does the Catchmaster sticklers contain any poison that could harm
dogs if thay come in contact with them?
Catchmaster glue boards do not contain any poison.
If your dog gets stuck on one, remove it using a little cooking oil. |
2011 We just moved into a 105 year old house with a dirt floor basement
full of spiders and other insects. There are ladybugs upstairs and we just
discovered silverfish in our tub. Should we have the basement fumagated? Coleen
This is not the kind of question any professional could
answer without inspecting the building first.
The spiders are there because of the food source: other
insects. There are likely sow bugs because of the dampness that should be
corrected with vapor barriers. This would also reduce the silverfish
population. The ladybugs entered in the fall and will leave in spring.
Seal up the crack they entered before next fall. Fumigation in residential
buildings is not done in Canada except in rare cases with a special permit.
|
2010 I would like to know if you have a reference for the identification
of flying insects on golf courses in Canada - with regional identification and
seasonal timing? Thank you. Tim. Arlington.
It is not likely such a data base exists. |
2009 if a animal got flea's and the animals moves out of the house is the
house still infected with flea's. Michelle. Newfoundland.
Most likely yes. Human blood is their new source of food.
|
2008 Skunk odor at front door and emeinated into the house, what can
I do to eliminate the odor at front door and in the house. Ed.
Newtown, PA.
Use the recipe on our
Skunk page
to make a solution you can use to neutralize the odor. |
2007 Hello, I'd like to know a way to deter bats from my roof without
harming them. Are there any electronic devices? Thanks. Rafael. Guarne,
Colombia, South America
Electronic devices have not been proven as an effective
deterrent. The best solution is mechanical exclusion. Block the
entry points. |
2006 What is the difference between pest management and pest control?
Not much difference. The term "management" has been
used more frequently since the concept of "integrated pest management" became
popular. |
2005 We have fairly large Flying ants in the attic and they are building
what looks like huts made out of mud. the huts vary in size from about the size
of a small child's fist to about an adults fist. they arrive in the spring and
disappear in the fall. how do I get rid of them? If I need to find a Queen
What do I look for? Tim. Halifax
It sounds like you have mud dauber wasps. Not a serious
problem. Read more on the
wasp control page. |
2004 I have rats that have moved in under my deck and I have 3-6 dogs that
live indoors, but do spend time outdoors. I hesitate to use rat poison because
of the dogs. Will moth balls help to drive the rats away if I place them under
the deck?
Moth balls are not a reliable thing to repel rats.
Conventional control using traps or bait in secure, tamper proof stations would
be more effective. If you are not sure how to do it safely, call a
professional. |
2003 There is still snow and it is cold, but all of a sudden we have pill
bugs and it is not damp or do we have decaying foliage in our house.
Pill bugs breath through gills and can not survive in dry
air. They must be emerging from a damp location. |
|
2002 Some insect is boring holes in our 5 year old house mortar, the holes
are slightly smaller than a pencil is round, they go way into the mortar and are
filled with a waxy plug. They often appear in a vertical line one in each row of
brick mortar. I assume they have laid eggs that will eventually eat their way
out. Most of the holes face the rising sun. What are the insects and how do I
stop them? thanks |
2001 I have recently been infested by both cockroaches and some tiny
(approx. 2mm), teardrop shaped bugs with long antennae and short legs, the shape
is like that of the gibbium spider beetle but with much tinier legs, they appear
to be brown with a white area near the head. Anyway what I would like to know
is, if after treatment by the Orkin man with hydramethylnon gel if this will
also get rid of this pest too - whatever they are?
Hydramethylnonan is an insecticide bait for cockroaches
and ants. To be effective it has to be ingested by the target insect.
We can not identify the insect you describe so it is impossible to know what it
prefers to eat. It is important to know it is illegal to use any
registered pest control product to control pests that are not listed on the
label. |
