Tent caterpillar control

Trying to find a way to get rid of tent-nest’s How do I do it?

The natural, soil dwelling bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis or Bt-kurstaki (BTK) is particularly effective on inch worms of all types. Use easily applied spray to hit worms and protect the leaves at the first signs of damage. BTK sprays do not harm honey bees or birds and are safe for use around pets and children.

Electronic pest repellers

4633  Good morning.   I volunteer at a Scout camp and we have many Cheery Trees, BUT the Cubs and Scouts can not get to the fruit as the Animals get there first.  Where can I obtain an Electronic repellent to hang in the trees?  Thank you.  Paul

Don’t waste your money.  There is no unbiased scientific evidence that electronic pest repelling devices work effectively to control pest animals.  Blocking metal collars around the trunk of the trees may be more effective.

 

Still has bed bugs

4632    I have bed bugs, after the exterminator came in, we still have them. But killed off the basic population of them. What can we do?

Getting rid of bed bugs is a process that usually takes more than one treatment.   The most important step is a very thorough inspection but even a professional may have trouble finding all the bug’s hiding places.  Heat treatment may be effective but not always.  When the bugs feel the heat they may find a way to escape to a cooler location. The pest professional who did the treatment probably expects to do more treatment.
For a better understanding see this web page: http://pestcontrolcanada.com/how-to-get-rid-of-bed-bugs  

Best Pesticide for bed bugs?

Hi, I found couple of bed bugs recently and would like to know the recommended pesticides from pest control. Thanks, Laxmi.

Just spraying pesticides is not the solution.  Read the suggestions for proper control that we have published on this web page:  http://pestcontrolcanada.com/how-to-get-rid-of-bed-bugs.

 

Marmots on pool deck

Hi there: We have moved into a new house and have just discovered that we have a serious marmot problem. We have seen them in our yard and not been concerned, but now we have discovered that our lower deck – and it is a large one surrounding a pool – is absolutely covered in poop droppings, so many droppings that you cannot walk freely on the deck. We have lots of grandchildren who live locally and will be coming here many times during the summer, I see that marmots can carry ticks that lead to Lyme Disease. We know all about that problem as we have a granddaughter from Kelowna who we have had to send to the States to be treated for Lyme Disease which she contracted here in BC, and so are really concerned about this problem. I see I can buy a Blackbox Gopher Trap that will trap and kill gophers – will it work for marmots?? And I can buy an animal cgge trap that will trap marmots but not kill. How do I kill the marmots that I catch in the cage?? Where do I get whatever you recommend? Thanks for your advice. Trevor , Lake Country, B.C.

Trapping in a live trap or kill trap is probably your best solution.  Gopher traps may be too small.   If you use live traps you will need a permit to transport wildlife to a new location.   It is difficult to attract marmots into a trap so you would have to place them along their normal travel paths.   On Vancouver Island Marmots were almost extinct so I believe they are now a protected species.   Some control suggestions here:  http://www.wildlife-removal.com/marmot.html
You may also try calling a licensed professional in your area:
http://pestcontrolcanada.com/british-columbia/okanagan-thompson

Landlord won’t deal with Bed bugs

4630   My son had to move from one apartment to another. He bought a used couch  and checked it out real good before bringing it to his old place. They had it for two months. all was good. We move him to his new apartment. He had to clean it before he moved in. after a few weeks his girlfriend was getting bit. His 8 month old daughter and himself were not bitten. He checked the bed, which is brand new and it had bedbugs. They saved them. Girlfriend takes Daughter to moms and my son asked the landlord to do something. They gave him a bag and vacuum cleaner. he never had any issues before. They were even visiting us just after move in with no issues either. After he cleaned the whole place as much as he could  the girls came home and she gets bit again from the couch this time. Why does the landlord not want to help? This building is in a group of them on Mornington Ave in London. It’s really dirty, but it’s the only place a one income can go. any help would be appreciated .

We do not like to offer advice on what could be a legal issue.   Getting rid of bed bugs is not an easy task for amateurs.  The landlord should probably hire a pest professional service to eliminate the problem.  If there is no cooperation you could report the issue to the local health department and a government landlord-tenant agency.

Carpet beetle control.

My building had issues with carpet beetles. Wondering if they can live on jewlery. We have seen some in my unit. And second question, does thirty minutes of drying on high heat kill all stages of the black carpet beetle?

There is no reason for carpet beetles to live on jewellery.  Thirty minutes on high heat in a dryer should kill almost any living creature.  Read more: http://pestcontrolcanada.com/carpet-beetles

Biting Midges (No-see-ums)

Hi I am really impressed with your website! Can you point me to more information on biting midges if they are something which could be found in our house on Salt Spring Island in April? Thanks very much,  Ann

During my 20 + years of pest control service on Salt Spring Island, I was never asked to deal with biting midges (no-see-ums).  I live on 5acres of wooded property with ponds and have never been bothered with midges. If you suspect you have a midge problem please try to capture a few and send us a close-up, in-focus photo for identification.  They are very, very small so you would probably need a camera with a macro lens.
Larry Cross.  Webmanager, Pest Control Canada.

Too many spiders!

Hello, I have found [so far…] about 10 spiders – huge black ones in a new 5 month old house. Mostly in the basement and the garage. I spray RAID but unfortunately it doesn’t help. I am afraid they could be dangerous. The house is in Welland, On.  Any suggestion, advice ? Should I contact the builder of the house ? I would really appreciate your help. Thank you, Maria

New homes are notorious for a high humidity problem as the building materials dry out over a long period of time. (1 or 2 years depending on conditions). This moist environment encourages insects to inhabit the space, especially in basements, crawl spaces and any areas with poor ventilation.  Spiders eat insects.  To eliminate spiders, eliminate their food source.  Improve the ventilation by opening windows when practical, use bathroom and kitchen fans.  You certainly cannot blame the contractor for 10 spiders in your home. You could call a pest professional to inspect and treat areas that are infested with insects.  The most common pest in high humidity homes is sow bugs.  Read more about control tips: http://pestcontrolcanada.com/sow-bugs-pill-bugs

Rodents and holes in foundation.

I live in a complex where there is a rat infestation each year. Each year this problem is dealt with however it hasn’t been done so yet this year, there are huge holes in the foundation that havent gone fully through the foundation. there are kids in the area and as an assistant superintendant of the complex who has notified the higher ups I was wondering if there is a spasific type of rat or mouse that would cause this damage and what would be the proper fix to have this looked after. I don’t want my tenants getting sick from this. Thank you.  April

Huge holes in the foundation of an apartment building is a more serious problem than rodents.  You should call a building inspector.
You will not likely have both rats and mice.  Rats will not tolerate competition for food.   A pest control professional could inspect the property to determine what kind of problem you have and take corrective action. 

D-Fense SC Insecticide

I am having Carpet beetle issue in my home, and I found on web “D-Fense SC Insecticide” spray is quite effective to get rid of Carpet Beetles, please let me know if “D-Fense SC Insecticide” is approved in Canada to use. Thanks,

This product is not listed on the Health Canada registered pesticides list.  There may be other products with the same active ingredient (Deltamethrin) but they would likely be  restricted to licenced pest control businesses.   Many products with this active ingredient have been taken off the market in Canada.
You can search for any pesticide registered in Canada at this web site: 

http://pr-rp.hc-sc.gc.ca/ls-re/result-eng.php?p_search_label=D-fense+FC&searchfield1=PRO&operator1=CONTAIN&criteria1=D-fense+FC&logicfield1=AND&searchfield2=ACT&operator2=CONTAIN&criteria2=deltamethrin&logicfield2=AND&searchfield3=NONE&operator3=CONTAIN&criteria3=&logicfield3=AND&searchfield4=NONE&operator4=CONTAIN&criteria4=&logicfield4=AND&p_operatordate=%3D&p_criteriadate=&p_status_reg=REGISTERED&p_searchexpdate=EXP

Box Elder bug problem

I have been killing two to six box elder bugs inside my home all winter long, and I don’t agree that they do not breed indoors because I occasionally find very small and young ones. This past fall was the worst I have ever seen – the two sunny sides of my house were covered with them and it went on for close to two months. One so-called pest control expert said they would only be a nuisance outdoors for a week or two, but he was greatly mistaken, and now they’re inside apparently in significant numbers. I believe they are becoming more adaptable, and given their potentially vast numbers, the government needs to come up with a safe way to get rid of them. Same goes for Carpenter Ants, now that the gov’t has banned all pesticides that actually work to kill off a colony, other solutions need to be devised. Alan

Please read the information on our web page for a better understanding of these insects.   Box elder bugs 
Adult box elders do not lay eggs inside a building because there is no food for the nymphs to eat  (leaves, seeds, flowers)  When they gather in large numbers on the sunny walls of a building, they can be eliminated by spraying with a 4% soap and water solution.  Pesticides are not needed.   To prevent their entry into a building, all cracks, crevices and window frames should be caulked. They are not considered a serious enough pest to require government action.  They are harmless to humans and dwellings.
Carpenter ants are a serious pest that should be dealt with by a licensed professional that has access to effective registered pest control products.  Some provincial and municipal governments have restricted the use of pesticides to reduce abuse and health hazards. 

Recurring cockroach problem

Dear sir, At my house, there are lots of cockroaches. Size about 0.1 cm to 1 cm. It start seen from last year April/May. I talked with a pesticides Co. They checked and used pest control. At that time, they killed a lot. After few days, it showed again. Company came again and used pest control. In three months, 3 times pest control had been used. Everything went back to normal even more. They said , they can’t use more powerful kit. I don’t know, how to get rid of these cockroaches. Please advise me the solution. We have children at home. Waiting for your suggestions.

The most common reason for cockroach problems is poor sanitation. Insecticides and poison bait can not be effective if there is a food source for them.   Read more:  http://pestcontrolcanada.com/cockroaches

Bed Bugs next door!

If the apartment next door has bed bugs – and my bedroom is through the wall should I be getting my apartment sprayed etc?

Most bed bug control professionals have been trained to inspect for all possible hiding places and entry points. In apartment buildings and hotels this often includes inspection of adjoining rooms. (Each side, behind, above and below.) This requires the cooperation of all occupants and the building management.  You should welcome an inspection and control measures if bed bugs are found in your unit.

Sea Otters destroying golf turf

Hello, Any advice for sea otter control, capture or management?  They are destroying large areas of turf on the golf course. HELP!!   Paul Robertson, Links Superintendent, VICTORIA GOLF CLUB.

The Sea Otter is protected by the Marine Mammal Regulations in the federal Fisheries Act. These regulations make it an offence to kill, harm, or harass marine mammals. The species is also listed as Threatened under the British Columbia Wildlife Act. Under this Act, it is prohibited to kill, capture, harass, or trade this species, or to destroy its habitat.

We were not aware that sea otters would forage for food on land.  They normally forage in the water and on the beaches.  Raccoons and skunks will tear up turf to feed on grubs.  Sea otters can be a serious problem when they nest under sea side cottages and homes.  The only legal solution is to block their entry with fencing. Some boat owners have used an electric fence to keep them off their boats.  An electric fence around the golf course or on the path used by the animals may help but golfers and environmentalists may not approve.   We have tried unsuccessfully to get suggestions from the BC Ministry of Environment Wildlife branch.  Perhaps a visit in person to their offices would be more effective.  Please let us know if you solve this problem.
Webmanager@pestcontrolcanada.com

Dormant wasp nests

Hi, I have a quick question relating to an old wasps nest that I’m hoping you can help me with. I live close to Gatineau Quebec. Late July / early August last year I noticed what seemed to be a large number of wasps heading towards the underhang of my roof and disappearing. After watching for a while, I started to think that there was likely some sort of nest in my attic.  As the wasps weren’t disturbing anything, I felt it wise just to leave the nest alone and deal with it in the winter. Before I go up to the attic and try to see if the old nest is there I was hoping that you could help me by answering a few questions: a) My understanding is that wasps do not stay in the old nest over the winter. Even the queen apparently goes somewhere else. Thus, is there any benefit at all of removing this old nest if the nest if effectively dead? Is there an increased likelihood that the wasps will end up back in my attic next year if I keep the nest there? Or alternatively, would the old nest somehow deter new wasps from taking up residence in my attic? b) Depending on your answer to the questions above, if the nest should be removed, is there any real problem with me doing this myself during the winter or should I be looking for a professional? c) If I need a professional, is there someone that you can recommend? Thanks for your help 🙂 Tom

Most wasp nests are deserted in the fall and will never be occupied again. The nests are harmless but the environment may be attractive so a new nest could be built in the attic. If the wasps are mud daubers the larva will develop in the mud nest over winter and transform into wasps that will emerge in the spring.  Mud daubers are non aggressive and seldom sting so they are considered almost harmless.  There is no benefit in removing their nests. If you want a professional to remove the nests you can find one in your area in our directory of pest professionals.

mouse bait station

Humane rodent poison

What would be the most ethical form on small mice control for a corporation? I work at a retail grocery chain that uses those little houses with poison inside – I see the mice convulse and I hear them cry out for 30-60 min after ingestion. A co-worker told me they could pay more to include fluoride in the mix to sedate them too – although I wondered if that actually reduces their pain or merely for our observations sake. Does that really make the mice suffer less? Does it speed up the process? What options exist? Are the price gaps significant between the less and most human options? Thanks very much. Shan. Victoria, BC.

Rodent bait in use today is formulated to euthanize them in a very humane way. After ingestion the rodents become lethargic and unconscious. There is no pain and they do not squeal or cry out.   What you are hearing are not mice.

rats chewing and scratching

There is something clawing through my floors just under my trim I have put up traps and poison for rats but no luck I have no idea what it is but the holes get bigger very night.

The most common pests that make a clawing or chewing noise in a home are rats. They can chew holes through wood to gain access to a food source they smell.  If your efforts to trap them have failed, you should probably call a pest professional to do an inspection and find out where the rats are gaining entry to your home. Most people think catching rats is a simple process but there are a lot of little tricks that an experienced professional will apply be to successful.  Paying a professional will cost less than repairing chewed electrical wire or plumbing pipes.  Read more about getting rid of rodents.  http://pestcontrolcanada.com/how-to-get-rid-of-rodents

Large spiders in home

I have caught 4 fairly large spiders in my home, I know they are not easy to identify unless under a scope however these are hunters and ground hunting spiders, their about the size of a loonies and toonie (Canadian), their dark brown and or light ish brown… I have laid sticky catch master things every where and have caught one each day for 4 days. That’s a spider a night. I’m led to think I have a infestation? I have sprayed spider killer stuff, spider repellent, plus those catchers, and they keep still popping up and their massive! Should I get in a professional?

Thank you for submitting  your question.  Rather than publishing misleading or incorrect information, we do not attempt to identify spiders based on a written description.  Please send a photo as an attachment and we will publish it on the “What is this pest”  web page.  http://pestcontrolcanada.com/pest-id-photos    We may have already published a photo of a pest similar to yours.  Remember:  humans are not a food source for spiders.  They eat insects and if you have a lot insects, spiders will be attracted to your home.   A pest professional could do a thorough inspection and get rid of whatever is causing your problem.

Fruit fly infestation

4615   I have no fruits or vegetables left outside. My condo is infested with what may be fruit flies but I am not sure. Please help me as I don’t know what to do or what these bugs are and I am very concerned. Currently I am catching these bugs using apple cider vinegar which these bugs are attracted to. These bugs have brown body with black stripes with a red face. They kinda resemble a pomace fly but I want to be certain. Do u know what else they could possibly be?

Rather than publishing misleading or incorrect information we do not attempt to identify pests based on description. You could send us a photo or check this page for identification and control suggestions.   http://pestcontrolcanada.com/flies/fruit-fly-control

Infested with cigarette beetles

4614    I am infested with cigarette beetles in my Canadian home. My local exterminator sent a specimen off to Montreal for identification and the result came back as a cigarette beetle. After some time, I found the source (banana plant) and eliminated it. How can I get rid of the existing beetles and their egg?. Please help….

You should check all possible food sources for larva and throw out anything suspected to be infested.  Sealed boxes (cake mix) could be infested even tho there is no visible entry point.   More Information: Penn State Universityhttp://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/cigarette-beetle

4613 Ant hill nest

We bought a house last year and found we have carpenter ants outsized all over the place. We think we finally located the parent hill. A giant three foot ant hill hidden in the brush. Your site says to physically remove it? How do i do that ? Do I use any thing to kill them off when they start to swarm out?

Carpenter ants build nests by burrowing into wood. They do not build ant hills.   Thatching ants build ant hills.  There are some control suggestions on this web page:  http://pestcontrolcanada.com/ants.  Thatching ants can be considered beneficial because they kill other garden insects pests. 

Small fly problem

4612    I have a small fly problem that a renter is saying is coming from the sinks and Windows. There was no flies there before he moved in and now has a fly problem, what can these flies be and how does a person get rid of them? The flies are constant but not many maybe 3 – 5.
The right control solution will depend on the species of fly.  (there are many small fly species).  Send us a well focused, well lit close up photo for identification and control suggestions.  We will publish the photo and our response on this web page:  http://pestcontrolcanada.com/pest-id-photos.    One common small species found in homes are Phorid flies.  See photos and information here:  http://pestcontrolcanada.com/phorid-flies-humpback-flies-drain-flies/

Weevils eat fabric

4611  Do grain weevils eat fabric such as carpets or fabric on furniture? 

Weevils will readily feed on cotton fabric found in furniture and clothing. Since they love dried flowers and plants, decorative ornaments found in the home such are wreathes and dried flower arrangements can harbor and feed local populations. It is not uncommon to find them living in or on Christmas ornaments, dried flower collections and stored clothing. Furthermore, adults love apples, pears, grapes and other fruits found in and around homes.

Ants in apartment

4610  Small red/brown ants in my apartment. There are, other people in the building also have them. I’m certain there is a nest but i haven’t found it yet. I just want to know if getting an exterminator is worth it? Since they’re in this building. Also. Are they harmful to people? Thanks.

You should definitely have a pest professional do an inspection to determine what species of ants you have and the severity of the problem.  Different species of ants are treated differently.  If tenants have been spraying insecticides, the ant colonies could bud (split into new colonies) and invade new areas in the building.  The longer you wait to deal with the problem the more difficult it will be.

Get rid of spider mites

4609  How do you get rid of teeny tiny red spider (?) mites on my window and window ledge?

These tiny creatures can be difficult to see and difficult to control. Carefully examine your house plants for an infestation. You may need a magnifying glass to see them on the bottom of leaves. Isolate any infested plants to prevent spreading to other plants. Use hot pepper spray. Combine one teaspoon cayenne pepper or hot sauce, one quart of warm water, and a few drops of liquid dish detergent. Spray on the bottom of leaves, keeping it away from your face, and shaking frequently to prevent ingredients from settling.

 

Get rid of boxelder bugs

We have box elder bugs on the exterior wall. But we found a tree on the side of our house, which looks like box elder tree. Is it possible, to identify the tree and help us to deal with the bugs. Sulo
Control or exclusion must be done in the summer and fall.  Caulking windows and doors, and repairing window and door screens will prevent bugs from entering a home. If you decide you would like to spray for control, one home remedy is to use a 3-4% mix of water and soap (by volume) that can be sprayed directly on the insects. Remember however that soaps only kill on contact.  In extreme cases have a pest control professional apply a residual insecticide to exterior walls in the fall where the bugs are congregating – this will tend to discourage them from landing. Insecticides are not very effective after the weather turns cold.    Read more about boxelder bugs and box elder trees.

Barn siding

I am planning to use in my house. I have removed the boards from the barn and there were signs of termites there. I pressure washed the boards, sun dried them for 3 days, steam cleaned the boards and sprayed the boards with Otho Home Defense, not the Max version multiple times. Does anyone have any other suggestions for treatment before I install them?

It looks like you have taken more than enough precautions to eliminate a termite problem.  They probably would not have survived being moved into the dry interior environment.   I hope you did not destroy the natural look of the barn boards.

Rats: Size does matter.

G’day. I noticed I had rats in my crawl space. I put out poison bait blocks. Anyway I found 2 dead rats. One was bigger, and one was smaller. I was wondering if this was a male, and a female, or a mother, and a baby. Because if it was a mother, and a baby there must be more dead babies around that I haven’t located. What do you think? 

Size is relative. Males (bucks) are generally larger than females (does) and of course young rats are smaller. A female will typically give birth to 8 to 10 babies and will be sexually active in less than a week. If there is sufficient food available, all offspring may stay close to their birthplace. If you killed one baby, chances are there may be 8 or 9 brothers and sisters in the same location. Hopefully they are not dying in your walls or other inaccessible locations. If you use too much bait you will attract rats to your crawlspace. Traps can be very effective if they are used properly. Don’t waste money on electronic devices. You should first determine what food you have provided that attracted them and where are the entry points.  Read more about rodent control.

Rats in Canada

I found a rat with no hair on its tail, body colour was Grey, in my house a few years ago an just read how we only have the Bushy tailed rats and the one I found was about 16 Inches in body length, lower jaw teeth about 3/4 inch long and the tail was about 9 Inches, could this be from rising temperature over years causing them to come up to a more Northern country.  Stanley,  Ottawa.

You have described what is probably a Norway Rat. They arrived in North America with the first ships from Europe that touched our shores.  They are common in all areas where there are humans, unintentionally feeding them. Their migration has nothing to do with climate change although the reproduction and survival rate could be affected in colder climates. Read more about rodents.  http://pestcontrolcanada.com/how-to-get-rid-of-rodents

Poison bait stations indoors.

4604  I have five poison bait stations for mice placed around the outside of the cottage. Should I bring any inside the cottage over the winter?

Mouse bait stations are designed to attract mice.  You do not want to attract them indoors.  If mice are poisoned indoors they will likely die indoors creating another problem.   Properly placed mouse traps can be very effective.   More info.

How to get rid of mouse in apartment

4603    From time to time I spot a small (dark grey) mouse in my apartment. I also see mouse droppings around the apartment sometimes. How can I get rid of them and prevent them from coming to the apartment again. I have set a few mouse traps but haven’t had any luck with them except once. Please help.   E.M.

You should look for all potential entry points and block them off.  There are a few tricks to using mouse traps effectively.
Read more about mouse control here:  http://pestcontrolcanada.com/how-to-get-rid-of-rodents  

If you are not successful you could contact a Richmond professional for help:  http://pestcontrolcanada.com/british-columbia/richmond