Ask The Pest Control Experts

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#223 Termites: do you deal with them? if so what is the most effective way to get rid of them? if you can get rid of them. could you give me the facts please. Jake, Wheatley, Ontario
You will find most of the information you need on our termite page. If you need professional help in your area, see the listings on the Ontario page of the professionals directory


#222 This weasel is catching a lot of mice (good) Should it be removed for safety reasons dew to several school buses stop here every week day Is property damage an issue Will a low power rifle do this creature in if needed. (.22-pelletgun) David, Restoule
If the weasel is not causing a problem, consider it a welcome predator.


#221 We live in a 70+ year old house and have a terrible problem with the spotted flies. We even have them in the winter, not as bad mind you, but you can tell when the weather is getting nice outside because the flies start to cover the inside of our house (light fixtures, windows, etc.) I just am starting to go out of my mind because it seems like I kill 4 or 5 on a window, come back 1 hour later and kill another 4 or 5. It doesn't matter what window because they are all like that, upstairs and on the main floor. It is getting so bad that I just want to build a new house because I'm thinking that they are "stationed" in the house somewhere. Can you help me or give me any tips ? Desperately needing some solutions, Lori Saskatchewan.
You probably have cluster flies over wintering in the walls or attic of your home which can be difficult to deal with. The information on this page may help. http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/factsheets/clusterf.html


#220 I had a fire in my house in July of 2001 and the damage was left untouched for two and a half months. Including water and moisture left as it was immediately following the fire. Could this be the reason that now after all of these months and finally being back in our home there are sow bugs everywhere? Please help me with this problem, I don't even want to eat it is making me so disgusted. Heather. Ontario.
If you did not have a serious problem with sow bugs before the fire, it is likely the moisture in the home now, that is attracting them.


#219 Dear Sirs: We live in Central Ontario, Canada and besides having the infestation of Asian Ladybugs, we also have a beetle that we have been told is an Assassin Beetle. We call it a "Stink Bug" as it smells awful before it is killed. It is a medium brown colour, fairly large, the back legs look like it is a jumping bug (quite muscular) and they fly but poorly and fall a lot. Their gross and I want them gone. Do you have any ideas? I may be able to get a picture if you require one. Thanking you in advance. SUE
I live in south/central Ontario and also have this bug. It was ID'd for me by a Entomologist & Pathologist as an Assassin Bee. I have lived in this house since 1991 but this bug did not appear until 1996. I had a baby in 1998 and was very concerned that the bug could harm either the baby or the house (it's log) so sent it in the mail so this gentleman could help. I was told that while in South American areas, there are some that are harmful, the ones here are harmless and the best way to control it is to simply vacuum them up. They are a royal pain.... especially at this time of year when my vacuum is literally never put away so that I can vacuum up either these Assassins or Lady Bugs. I live in the country and must admit that interestingly, the cluster fly problem has diminished. When I vacuum the live Assassins up, I can smell the odor they emit coming through the vacuum. Today alone I must have gotten no less than 25. In the summer as an experiment we wanted to see if we could reach 100 and we did - they were on the outside walls of the house :-) I have searched the internet and the pics I have seen don't exactly match the ones I have here in the house. Mine are brown as per your description, oval body, antenna that come out from the head and then one does a 90 degree angle to the left and the other off to the right. The legs are long, especially the back ones, crooked with jagged edges to hang on to it's victim. I'm not sure if it's a mixed blessing to have these things and lady bugs less cluster flies or what. It's certainly frustrating. In the kitchen I have to be so very careful or a lady bug is liable to end up as part of the meal. Not the assassins though.... If anyone else has information on these I'd be interested.


#218 After reading your web page on electronic pest control devices, we now know that we are not going to solve our earwig problems this way. In your opinion, what is the best way to control earwigs in a residential dwelling? ( Last year, we had to have our house professionally sprayed with a pesticide five times). We have been very careful with ensuring the humidity levels are not too high!?! And the house is not too old, it is only 6 years old. HELP!!!
There is some good information about earwigs on this web site: www.puritypestcontrol.com . It is a well respected Canadian business.


#217 Do the electronic pest control devices actually work? And are they safe for residential use? Ann Marie. Mount Pearl, NF.
There are many questions like this on our electronic pest devices question page.


#216 I have 2 fish (Koi) ponds in my residential backyard. They are each about 12 feet in diameter. Last fall many fish went missing without a trace. Covering the ponds with welded wire resulted in the pest getting in & slaughtering about 10 fish. There are mink in our area. Could a low electric fence around each pond keep mink away from our expensive fish?? Dave, Nottingham, ON
An electric fence may keep raccoons away but not likely the mink. A local licensed trapper may offer advice. You could rent or purchase a mink trap, which will cost you less than a nicely coloured Koi.


#215 Pill, sow or crpentersas we know them - is there a specific pesticide used to destroy them. My dirt basement was recently flooded & now the buggers are in the living areas of the house. I have a cat so I would need something that will not harm him. Mary Lou, topsail Newfoundland & Labrador
Most over the counter insect sprays will reduce the population for a short time but the only lasting solution is to reduce the humidity. Ventilate your basement as much as possible. Fans may help dry it out.


#214 We have property on the shores of Georgian Bay and are ready to build on it. However there is a huge problem with biting red ants. The soil is mostly beach stone and grass. There is about 2 acres. The ants completely inhabit the whole property. They also run up and down all the trees. We cannot allow the dog to walk on the land as he will be immediately attacked. The picnic table gets covered as well. It is difficult to sit outside without getting stung. If I wear knee high rubber boots they eventually find there way in to sting me. Is it possible to get rid of 2 acres full of red ants? The property has never been built on before however we are surrounded by neighboring homes and cottages. Susan; Owen Sound Ontario


#213 I need to know how to stop box elder bugs from coming into my house, vents, and windows. I have cleaned and shut my windows. I find at least 10-20 bugs each and every day whether during the day time or late evening. They are coming in through the vents and carpeting in my bedroom. Thank you very much. Brian; Batavia, IL
You will find all the answers on our Box Elder Bugs page.


#212 I have had no problem with fleas thus far and my dog is primarily indoors except when walking or in off leash area with me. Do I need to take precautionary steps for fleas and if so, is this required all year round or is there a particular time of year to treat my dog. As far as the house goes, it is mostly wood and tile floors and all dog beds etc. are washed weekly and the home is cleaned very regularly so I am not concerned here. I'm more concerned with keeping my dog protected when he is not home. Do I need to be? Kristal; Edmonton, AB
Proper flea control on pets has almost eliminated the need for professional flea treatments in homes. Read more about them on our Fleas page then talk to your vet.


#211 I am truly mystified. I have a pond with well groomed grass surrounding it. Late last fall small twoonie sized holes appeared around the grass within a foot or two or the water. The creature is burrowing to create a "waterway". This spring it has become significant creating large soft spots ( which your foot falls through ). They are all filled with water. I have been unable to see the critters. There are now a hundred or so small holes with extensive water filled tunneling . Help! Mystified. Kingston, Ont.
A local pest control professional familiar with wildlife in your area may be able to offer suggestions. Contact Michael at this web site. http://www.puritypestcontrol.com/index.html He will refer you to someone qualified.


#210 Please, tell me about centipedes? My daughter was "stung", or "Bitten". She is Ok. But, she did have some kind of reaction to "something about 1 week later. Please, tell me about them. Thank you. Lindy. Jackson, Tn.
Centipedes are commonly encountered in damp basements in the fall. They overwinter as adults and lay eggs during the warm months. Usually eggs are laid in the soil and are protected by adults. A few species give birth to living young. They feed on small insects such as cockroaches, clothes moths and house flies; do not damage food supplies or household furnishings. If crushed, they may bite, causing some pain and swelling. Controlling these pests should start with reducing the moisture and humidity.


#209 I am looking for someone in the area of the Vancouver docks to fumigate a container going to Australia. This would be something I would need once a month. Alan Yaffe,
To respond contact the webmanager


#208 We have these small brown moths that seem to come out when the weather gets warmer. They like to go in the kitchen cupboards and lay eggs in the food and around edges of containers also in dark areas and cracks. They seem to like the dark the best. The eggs look similar to maggots. Any suggestions on how to get rid of these pest. Yvonne, St. Catharines, On
They could be Indian meal moths. Check the Virginia University page in the list at the bottom of Insects page


#207 Other than spending 20,000.00 on a drier basement how do I get rid of sow bugs. We have an older home and it would cost a fortune to replace basement. Is there a common household item we can use? Ann, Nova Scotia
As long as it is humid, they will keep coming back. Read the tips on this page.


#206 Over the winter we have found very very tiny ants throughout our house. Recently I was told that there is a type of ant (farrow ant?) that eats the mortar and is very destructive. Could you please give me some information on these ants and how to get rid of them? Thank you. Jean, Toronto
There is a good answer to this question on the "insect questions page" Look for #115 under ants.


#205 What is with the large amounts of INDOOR flies and ladybugs that are around summer winter and fall? our house is being taken over by them we are not talking about few crawling up our windows we are talking hundreds. I believe they are living inside the wood beams in our house, they do not seem to have much energy and the lady bugs smell, is there any way to get rid of them for good? Tampster, Eastern Townships Hatley, Quebec
See the answer to question #202 and also the links on our Lady Bug page


#204 I have a problem with ladybugs in my house. just built a new house, and in the fall we had an infestation of ladybugs. Now this spring they are coming in through my windows. What can i use to kill them? Is the pesticide "cypermethrin" allowed in Canada?? Help!!! Glen. Montreal
See the answer to question #202 and also the links on our Lady Bug page


#203 We have a large number of ladybugs inside our house. How should I get rid of them??? Cindy, Spartanburg, SC
See the answer to question #202 and also the links on our Lady Bug page


#202 We vacuum up anywhere between 500 and 1500 ladybugs EVERYDAY from the windows in our house. Where are they coming from? Can you help? I heard a woman saying at a restaurant the other night that the ministry had dropped them out of airplanes to fight aphids last summer. While this seems to me on the order of one of those "urban myths" -- or in this case a "rural myth", I nevertheless would appreciate some advice. We crunch over them when we step outside, which I can pretty well tolerate, but the astounding infestation inside the house is overwhelming. Please help or advise where we might find some help. Thanks. Doyne. Cormac, Ont.
Multicolored Asian Lady beetles enter the house through small openings around windows, doors, and utility access points. In addition they can enter the house by cracks in the siding and trim and through attic vents. Sealing those entry sites is the best method to keep them from becoming indoor pests later. Conduct a through energy audit of your house, as places where cold air can enter the house are places where this lady beetle can gain access. Fill all cracks and leaks with a fine quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk. Once inside insecticides are not recommended except for severe cases. Sweep up with a broom and dust pan all beetles that collect in window sills and on walls. Beetles can also be picked up with a vacuum cleaner but bags will need to be discarded so that beetles do not escape. Beetles typically start moving into houses and have a peak of activity in the fall. They are quite active on warm days in the fall and winter but have a second peak of activity in March as they attempt to work their way outside. They do not mate or reproduce in the house and typically overwinter in the walls. They work there way into the living quarters in an attempt to get out of the house. The heated portions of the house are simply too warm and dry for these beetles and they die out in a few days. After exiting the house or protected overwintering site in the spring the beetles seek trees that have populations of aphids on the bark or on the leaves. The adult beetles feed on the aphids and then mate. Bright yellow eggs are laid in clusters on the bark and 3-5 days later hatch. The newly hatched larvae that resemble little alligators take 12-14 days to reach maturity. They then pupate and the adults emerge in about a week. In cool weather development can take 36 days or longer. The adult under optimal conditions can live 2-3 years. The multicolored Asian lady beetle was first recorded as a pest in houses in 1988 in Abita Springs, Louisiana. Prior to that time it was released many times between 1916 and 1985 as a potential biological control agent by the USDA in Georgia and Alabama. In those trials was the beetle was not recovered after the release so it was assumed that it had not established and was incompatible with North American conditions. The source of the original infestation in Abita Springs, LA is unknown. The original infestation site in Louisiana is close to ports used for international shipping including cargo containers from Asia.


#201 Dear Sir/Madam, We live in a house that is basically a 200 year old black elm house with board and baton extensions. It is completely porous for ladybugs to infiltrate and they do in great numbers. There is no way to seal the house and as I speak, 2 ladybugs are traveling on my keyboard. How can I rid my house of these pests? Sarah
See the answer to question #202 and also the links on our Lady Bug page


#191 Every morning I find 2-3 bugs in my bathtub. I'm pretty sure they're not silverfish. They're sort of oval shaped, flat, with antenna, black or grey in colour. They don't move much. I'm pretty sure they're crawling up from the drain. I never see them anywhere else outside of the bathtub. I haven't been able to identify them. Any ideas what they are and, more importantly, how I can treat for them? I want to treat the drain, somehow, to keep them from crawling out of it but obviously any pesticide would just be washed away by the water. Also, the bathroom fan isn't used consistently when we have showers - could this be contributing to the problem by increasing the humidity in the room? Thanks very much. Aileen. Toronto
I think your problem is sow bugs or pill bugs. Click on this link for photos and information.


#190 l live in a building and have pharaoh ants, which l don't know where they are coming from. I have a cat and she gets hard food, l have yet to see a ant there, but do see them in her water would remove her hard food and water help the problem? Thank you, oh and no one else in the building has them. Florence. Toronto.
See question 115 on the insect questions page.


#189 I have to export maple logs to another country and would like to know how many people are doing fumigation in Canada and where. Can it be done also in Hong Kong. Please adv.
Qualified professionals wishing to contact this Montreal business, please e-mail the webmanager for details


#188 We have an insect which entomologist have identified as either a Rove Beetle or a Clerid beetle. It is an active flier and runner, and stink when you kill them. The home is a new home, and there is no detritus around or in our house. Why do we have these insects? Why would they be in a new home? We have looked to see if we can find their source but cannot, though we suspect they come from the basement and fly to the main floor at night. How can we get rid of them? Don. Whitby, Ontario
Rove beetles are completely harmless though their habits make them unappealing. They are found in or near decaying organic matter, especially dead animals. They feed on other insects such as fly maggots that infest carrion (less often dung or fungus). There is no special control for these predatory insects. They are not harmful to the house, contents or occupants. The only necessary control is to try to locate a dead animal or other decaying organic matter that is attracting them to the area and remove it. No insecticide sprays are necessary.


#187 I would like some suggestions on getting rid of moles in my mother's yard. She lives in southwest Nebraska US. Thanks. Shirley. unl.edu.
This is the answer posted for a previous identical question. There are specialized mole traps sold to control these pests. If you are handy, these work well. The trap is basically driven into the path of the mole by being inserted into the burrow and set. The mole comes to the trigger when it is running in its burrow and the trap kills it. You may need two or three or four of the traps depending on the extent of the problem.. or.. you could hire a professional mole hunter. There are some individuals that specialize in this area, but many communities do not have enough mole problems to merit this kind of specialization. Good luck... Sam Bryks, Manager, Pest Control MTHC, Toronto. email: sam.bryks@mthc.on.ca


#186 I have seen these things like small lizards (tangol) in my flat, I don't know what they are really are, and there are holes in the floor, I have tried to put poison there but I don't know where they really come from, I saw one yesterday. I am afraid, its difficult to sleep or stay can you help me, tell me what should I buy to prevent these things. Thozama email: tjim@ecdc.co.za East London South Africa
Webmanager's comment: While this is certainly not a problem that is common in Canada, it is obviously a problem that is causing serious concern and we would like to help. Can anyone offer a solution?
As the webmaster responded, we don't have too many problems with lizards in Canada... In fact, we don't have too many lizards here period!! I did a bit of a look to see what a "tangol" is , but no luck on the internet. Common sense would say, I believe, that these lizards are probably doing some benefit in the area outside your home by eating other creepy crawlies. Poisoning them is really not a good idea, nor is it even ethical. And trapping them is also not that appealing. I think that the best solution really is to make sure that they can't get into your home by good sealing of any points of entry. I am sure they are harmless and other than shock value of seeing them, (no fun I am sure), not much other harm done.. They probably are eating up other things in your home. So the short answer after the long answer is -- build them out.. Good IPM practice and environmentally and reptile friendly too!! Sam Bryks, Manager, Pest Control MTHC, Toronto.


#185 How can I get rid of a rat without harming chipmunks and squirrels? There are small animals we enjoy in our yard, not to mention neighbor's small pets. So poison is not an option. Please help. Kathy. New Jersey
If there is a good food source for chipmunks and squirrels it is also likely attracting rats. Some people consider all of them pests. Try to prevent the rats from gaining access to any food source. Bird feeders are an open invitation for rodents. You may try live trapping, but this seldom works for rats. They are too smart.
You describe a rather difficult and problematic situation. As noted by the webmaster, there is no easy way to either trap or bait selectively in order to kill one or more rats when there are squirrels and chipmunks in the area. Perhaps you may take the approach of finding where the rat is harbored. Is there a burrow or a specific location where it is nesting? If it is a burrow, you could try putting a very small amount of bait in plastic "baggie" (not a ziploc type) directly into the burrow - you can use a length of plastic pipe to get it down deep in the burrow. As noted by the webmaster, if you have a lot of food out for birds, and it is spilled on the ground, that is really the source of attracting rodents. If you choose to follow the baiting strategy you should be absolutely positive that it is the rat burrow.. I also would suggest that you consider calling in a professional firm to handle this. Sam Bryks, Manager, Pest Control MTHC, Toronto.


#184 We have an insect which seems to be a permanent resident in our new home. We have had the insect checked by three sources, all of whom have something to gain depending on the answer. So far the suggestions include Powder Post Beetle, Rove Beetle (Family Staphylinidae) , Clerid beetles (Family Cleridae) and Bark Beetle. It seems no Pest Control "Professional" has been able to properly identify this insect. The insect is most active at night. It raises its abdomen in flight, and is reddish brown in colour. During the day there are none to be found, but in the evening they appear fly up from our basement. The home next to us is also infested. It was built the same time of year as ours. We both have had our homes sprayed (for Powder Post Beetles), but the insects are still present. What I would like to know how we can get these insects properly identified, and what we can do to rid our home of this pest. Does anyone have information on any of the suggestions listed above, if they can damage our home, and how to rid ourselves. Nadine. Whitby, Ontario
Spraying a home for powder post beetles will have very limited effect on larvae chewing wood under the surface for a number of years. The spray may kill most the adult beetles that eventually emerge and prevent them from laying eggs to start the cycle over again. Ask a local pest professional to have the beetle identified by an entomologist. This should not cost anything if there is no service call required. Have you looked at our Powder Post Beetle page?
A sad testament when you can't get a verified identification of a beetle.. I believe that there is an insect ID lab at Guelph University, and also at the Royal Ontario Museum.. You might call the ROM and ask if they still do insect ID's as they used to some years ago.. What an insect is makes all the difference in determining what kind of treatment (if any) is required. If you wish to send it to me, I'd be happy to have a look. Send to my attention: Sam Bryks. Manager, Pest Control Programs Toronto Community Housing Corporation. (address is in the phone book I am sure...)


#183 We have rabbits in our yard eating our roses now and other plants in the summer. Is there any way of getting rid of them. Jerry, Winnipeg
You should rent or buy a live trap. Rabbits are not difficult to capture and relocate.
Another approach would be to buy one of the animal repellents which contains bittrex.. Animals tend to remember bad tasting things for a long time. You put this material on the roses I believe, and the rabbits will quickly decide that they aren't so tasty after all. Live trapping might be good but it depends on the number of rabbits in the area. If they are a fixture, then trapping might not work.. If the rabbits are loose domestic types, it could be the best solution as noted by the webmaster. Sam Bryks, Manager, Pest Control MTHC, Toronto.


# 181 We have a mature silver maple in our backyard, approximately 15 feet from our back wall, and less than a yard from the corner of our deck. For the last couple of years, we have noticed a pile of sawdust forming on a spot on the rail of the deck that is beneath the tree. The sawdust is very coarse and it tends to adhere to the deck (as if it's wet when it lands). We had carpenter ants in our house last year, and had them treated by a pest control company. We wondered if the carpenter ants were also in this particular tree. However, the pest control company said they were not licensed to use pesticides outdoors (except around the very perimenter of the house). So we called in a pest control company that specializes in trees. The inspector examined the sawdust and said it was much too large to have been caused by carpenter ants. He said in all his years of pest control, he'd never seen anything like it. Since he couldn't determine what was causing the sawdust, he said he couldn't treat the tree. Any idea what might be causing this? Steve; Whitby, Ontario.
You have made two important points. 1. The structural pest professional did not break the law by applying pesticides in a landscape (trees) situation. 2. The landscape pest professional did not apply pesticides without first identifying the pest causing the problem. Both should be applauded. If you had carpenter ants in your home last year, my first reaction would be to suspect carpenter ants in the tree. Eventually as the weather warms up, the probable insect may be visible. Keep monitoring the source of the sawdust until you are able to capture a specimen and have it identified at a local garden centre. You may also send or take it to the entomology department at a university.


#180 Should I be concerned seeing carpenter ants in the house in winter? If this is a problem, what should I be doing? Dee, Alberta, Canada.
Carpenter ants emerging inside a house in the winter are a definite symptom of nests in the structure. If any of them have wings, they are reproductive males or females that came from a satellite nest that has been established at least 3 years and there are likely other nests. The ones you see are not the problem. Only a small percentage leave the nest. You should be concerned about the workers in the nest(s) that could be doing serious structural damage. Don't spray pesticides. Check out our carpenter ant pages for some helpful tips. It might be wise to contact a professional. Alberta Pest Professionals.


#179 Steve Marshall asked "why would you want to control ladybird beetles?" I have an answer: because they are eating my house! We demolished a wall made of blue SM styrofoam insulation and found it was honey-combed with tunnels made by ladybird beetles. HELP! Our house is made out of styrofoam! Thanks in advance for your advice. Marilee. Shawville, Quebec
We have contacted Dr. Marshall and asked for comments on this problem. His reply is below. Anyone with further evidence of damage caused by Lady Beetles, please forward it to us. This could be a new and very serious problem that we would like to examine thoroughly. Larry Cross, Webmanager
Hi Larry, this is a new one for me. Lady beetle mandibles are small, and normally only used to chomp very soft prey, but the Asian Lady Beetle seems to be breaking the rules. Not only can it cause a painful nip on your skin, it is also certainly damaging peaches and grapes. Styrofoam, though, would be pretty extreme - especially since winter is a non-feeding stage, and I know of no example of lady beetles modifying their overwintering habitat by chewing out excavations. Of course, the numbers are awesome this year, and there is intense competition for space, so it is possible. Please keep me posted! Steve Marshall, Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1


#178 Over the last two years I have developed an infestation of Lady Bugs in and outside the house. Finding them all winter long on the inside, cannot find from where but assume they must be inside somewhere. Have even tried out bombs, no luck. Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated! Dale; Downers Grove, Illinois. USA
The lady beetles have crawled into cracks and crevices outside your home to overwinter in the walls, attic, etc. Read question 176 below and 179 above. For a full explanation go to Lady Bug Page.


#177 Last year (Feb/March 2001) I had pre-finished ash hardwood floors installed in my house. I am now finding pin size holes in some of my boards. I have been told these holes are caused by powder post beetles I have trapped two of them. I have injected an insectiside into the tiny holes. Will these insects come back next year. What should I do? Dave; Ontario.
Powder post beetle larvae can live for a number of years chewing tunnels in wood. Eventually the cycle ends with an adult beetle chewing through the surface to emerge. These are the holes you are seeing. These adults will not lay eggs on the treated surface of the floor but may lay them on the edge of the hole they emerged from. I suspect the problem was in the wood before it was installed, but if the holes are near the perimeter of the room, perhaps they moved from previously infected wood in your home. Do a very thorough inspection looking for evidence in the lower walls and sub floor wood. Spraying insecticide into the holes may have a slight effect but will not solve your problem. If you want the rest of the bad news, go to the Powder Post Beetle page. Sorry, this is a tough one.


#176 I was wondering if you could tell me more about the lady bugs that have been around this year. My main question is "do they nest?". the reason I am asking this question is because this is the first year that i have noticed the lady bugs around the house especially in the winter and I am finding about 1 per day in my toddlers bedroom. I also heard that these new lady bugs bite and i wanted to know if their bites could be harmful. Thank you for your time. Marsha Reynolds
Steve Marshall at University of Guelph has published a fascinating web site about lady bugs. Here is an excerpt from his text: "Do lady beetles bite? Lady beetles have small mandibles used to consume soft-bodied prey. Although I have received hundreds of messages asking about lady beetles that bite people, I have never personally seen a lady beetle try and bite a human and I found it hard to believe they do so until I received an overwhelming number of reports during the late summer of 2001. Please don't email me any more reports of biting lady beetles - I no longer doubt that the Multicoloured Asian Lady Beetle will bite under unusual circumstances (although I still have not been able to get one to bite me). Multicoloured Asian Lady Beetle populations have exploded in Ontario this year, at least partly in response to the enormous populations of Soybean Aphids (a preferred prey item) that invaded our province for the first time this year. The resulting lady beetle density is so high they are EVERYWHERE, not only chewing on an unknown quantity and diversity of other insects but also (and abnormally) nipping away at the people they land on, damaging grapes and peaches (another thing I would not have believed before this year), and creating a general nuisance". More information and link to Dr. Marshall's web site on our Lady Bug page.


#175 I have positively identified black carpet beetle larvae invading my apartment. I do not have carpet, rather wood flooring and have ascertained that they are emerging from cracks between the floor boards (I have seen them come out while washing the floor). The building I am living in is approximately 90 years old and as the previous tenants were horrendous housekeepers, it is likely that they are living on accumulated hair and other debris underneath the floor. I have inspected all clothing, furniture and area rugs and have had my floors treated with a synthetic peremethrin solution. Unfortunately, I am unable to remove the flooring to treat underneath. I have been finding dead larvae throughout the past week, but am interested in finding out what my chances are for a thorough reduction/elimination of the infestation in light of my inability to directly treat under the floors. Please help! Thanks! Vivian; Boston, MA
Adult carpet beetles fly freely feeding on pollen and nectar on flower heads during the summer months. The larvae need a high animal-protein diet and occur naturally in dry birds' nests. They appear in domestic situations infesting carpets, clothes, animal furs and skins (including stuffed specimens) and are often associated with bird nesting activity in eaves and roof spaces. The female beetle lays the whitish eggs in or on a suitable larval food. Continuously feeding, the larvae grow by moulting several times before pupating inside the last larval skin. They will damage the fibers of carpets, bedding and clothing, animal fur, skins and leather and sometimes the heads of sweeping brushes and mops. In other situations they will frequently eat and damage stuffed animals and dead insects. If materials are heavily infested they should be removed and destroyed. Infested areas should be cleaned thoroughly using a nozzle vacuum cleaner concentrating on removing debris and larvae from cracks and crevices. An application of a residual insecticide should then be made to the area, concentrating on treating cracks and crevices. Dust formulations, including desiccant dusts, will be effective but may be vacuumed away in subsequent cleaning.


#173 Do rice weevils ever bite people? I have been to the dermatologist who thinks I am getting an infestation of bug bites on me. (if so, I have over 100 bites) I recently discovered what look like rice weevils climbing the walls of my house, and last night discovered their main source in my pantry which had dozens of them --mainly in an unopened bag of brown rice. Do you know of any cases where they have bit people? Thank you. Heidi; Seattle,

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#172 I am interested in finding and purchasing small plastic live mouse traps. I was buying them from Wal-Mart but they have been discontinued there. I do not have the name of the company or any other information to help me track them down. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Diane; Albuquerque


#171 This is not really a "pest control" question, but I am trying to identify a caterpillar my son brought home about 2 weeks ago. This caterpillar is common in our area and we had a mild spell of weather which I guess brought it out. It is approximately 1 inch long and is very furry. It is black at the head and tail with an orangy-brown strip in its mid-section. So far we have kept it going on celery & broccoli (it doesn't seem to care much for other vegetables.) If anyone knows what kind of caterpillar this is and what it should be eating could you please let me know. I would greatly appreciate it as my son & I would like to keep this caterpillar alive & set it free when the weather is better. Thank you! Valerie; London, Ontario, Canada
Your description could fit many different caterpillars and would be difficult to identify without a photo, however many university entomology departments have web pages which my help you to identify this little guy yourself. Good luck. Jamie. North Shore Pest Detective.
Webmanager's note: Our insect page has many links to Virginia Tech pages, one of the best entomology sites we have found on the net.

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#169 Well I am doing a school debate about using pesticides and I need some info on it. I need some good things about using them. Andrew; Alberta.
According to the Canadian Pest Control Products Act: "A pest control product is a product intended to control, destroy, attract or repel any pest, and includes chemicals, devices (such as pheromone traps) and even organisms (such as bacteria)". The word pesticide is more specific and includes herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, as well as algicides, insect and animal repellents, antimicrobial and cleaning products, wood and material preservatives, and insect and rodent traps. In other words, a common mouse trap is legally considered a pesticide. If table salt was sold to control slugs, it would be a pesticide. Chlorine, used to purify our water supply to prevent illness and disease is a pesticide. Glue board traps used to monitor and control insects are pesticides. Pesticides available today could have prevented the death of one third of the world population resulting from the "Black Plague". Pesticides can be just as dangerous as medicines and drugs if they are not used properly. The West Nile Virus is a current serious illness spreading in North America. Pesticides must be used to prevent devastating effects. You can read more about the pros and cons of pesticides on our Pesticide page.


#168 We are experiencing a minimal infestation of black beetles, they are about 1/2 inch long, with two sections, and they look similar to a Ground Beetle. We are discovering them mainly on the first floor of the house. They don't move much at all, and we find many of them clinging to cupboards, or on the walls and ceilings. My main concern is that I believe they may be eating some of my plants. From my description, do they sound like a Ground Beetle, and if so, do these beetles eat plants? If they do eat plants, how can I stop them? But if it doesn't sound like a Ground Beetle, what else could it be? I have searched my house plant book, and many many websites, without finding anything that comes as close as the Ground Beetle. I recall that in previous years we have had similar bugs appearing, but not in such numbers as this year. Charlotte; Keswick, Ontario.


#167 I have these bugs that are oval shape and their dark on top and have a whitish/silvery belly with a lot of little legs, they make this loud crunchy noise when u kill them and they kinda roll up a bit. Would u be able to tell me what these little guys are and how to get rid of them and keep them out of my apartment (i live on the bottom floor of my apartment). Nicole, Halifax
Your description indicates you have Sow Bugs which thrive in moist conditions such as a basement apartment. There are pictures, a description and tips on getting rid of them on our Sow Bug page.

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#166 I am attempting to positively identify a spider found crawling in my basement. It is black, roughly quarter sized(approx.15mm), the eyes are small and tightly grouped, the only markings are light brown and located on the abdomen, I have observed no web building behavior and there are no visible spinerettes. I have been told that it is a brown recluse but I doubt it. It has also been identified as a wolf spider, but lacking hair, I again doubt that this is in fact it's true species. Daemienn; Toronto
Identifying a spider from this scant description is pretty tough. All spiders spin silk so it surely has spinnerets even if you can't identify them. Some spiders make elaborate webs, while others do not. A brown recluse has a typical "violin" marking on the cephalothorax. If it lacks this, it is not likely a BR. You could have it identified for curiosity at the Royal Ontario Museum Entomology department. They do free i.d.'s if you bring the specimens down. Or you could find a simple spider taxonomic key and identify it that way. Now if you had a digital camera with macro capability you could post it on this web page, and I am sure someone would tell you the exact species.. Sam Bryks. sam.bryks@torontohousing.ca Manager, Pest Control Programs Toronto Community Housing Corporation
Webmanager's comment: Photos are welcome and will be posted here.

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#164 I have noticed a small pile of sawdust particles near the baseboard in my bathroom, everytime I vacuum it away a few grains start appearing until it becomes a small pile in 3 or 4 days. I cannot see any insect nor can I see where the wood particles are coming from do I have to rip the base board and linoleum to check or do you have any idea what could be causing this? how do i get rid of this problem? Thank you...Debra. Freemont, California
This is obviously a wood boring insect problem. An expert may be able to tell by the texture of the sawdust whether the insects are powder post beetles or carpenter ants. I does not sound like termites. Before you start ripping things apart, call a local professional and ask for a free estimate. I recommend contacting a member of NPMA.


#162 Do those pest control devices that you plug into the wall (you see them on commercials) really work?
There is so much confusion and misleading information about these devices we have created a special page of similar questions and some honest answers and opinions. Electronic Pest Control Devices

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#160 There is something living under our house. We can hear it chewing or rustling around. This just started happening when it got cold out. We havn't seen anything yet, but the hole that it dug to get under the house is about 1' wide and 4-6" deep. Does anyone know what it might be, and how I can get rid of it? Heidi Zeller, Auburn, WA.
Sounds like rats. Follow the three R's on our rodent page. Get rid of the Reason they are there, get rid of the Route they are taking, finally (after doing the first 2, get rid of the Rodent. There are some good tips on our rodent web page.


#159 What is the best way to get rid of box elder bugs? Robert, Dayton, Oregon
Have a look at our page: Box elder bugs


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The answer to your questions may be on one of these pages:

Ants,
Ant nest photos
Ask the experts,
Bats,
Bees,
Birds,
Carpenter Ants,
Carpenter ant photos,
Getting rid of Carpenter ants
Canadian Pest Management Association,
Choosing a pro, Cockroaches,
Controlling pests,
Finding a Pro,
Fleas,
Hantavirus,
Home page,
Insects,
I.P.M. ,
Mice,
Moles,
Moths,
Other pests,
Pest pros sign in  , Powder post beetles, Raccoons,
Rats,
Real Estate & Pests, Rodents,
Snakes,
Spiders,
SPMA of BC,
Sow Bugs,
Supplies for pest control, Termites,
Wasps,
Wildlife pests

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PEST CONTROL CANADA Ask The Experts for Help.

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