Note: The volume of questions is much greater than we are able to
post on this page.
We have selected questions that we feel are of interest to most of our web
site visitors.
Answers published on these pages are
strictly the opinion of those submitting them.
Some pest management professionals may have a different solution or opinion.
|
Q900 Are there any sprays, pesticides
or methods that can be used to eradicate Asian lady beetles from inside a
home located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Jack. |
|
Don't use pesticides. See the answer to # 898 |
|
Q899 We have tons of the Asian
lady bugs at our house. we are doing some construction and have found a
home of thousands. is there anything (preferably natural) i could do, or
that i could spray the area with? Sheri. Niagara Falls |
|
Don't use pesticides. See the answer to # 898 |
Q898 I need to get rid of thousands
of lady bugs : they have taken over my home, in every room , in my bed ,
in my cereal .
Please can you help me get these bugs under control so I can enjoy my home
again. I can't stand it any more. Suzie. Port Hope, Ontario. |
|
The best tool is your vacuum cleaner. These insects
would rather be outside but unfortunately ended up inside after spending
the winter somewhere in your walls or other cavities. Read about
them on our Lady bug page to
prevent a re-occurrence next year. |
Q897 Why would about a thousand
flying (carpenter) ants suddenly appear in a room of our home and what do
we do with them? Right now we closed the door. Its an addition put on
years ago and we never had a problem, all the windows are shut tight.
Please advise
Janet. Vernon, BC. |
|
Winged ants are reproductive males and females (future
queens). They have been raised in a nest somewhere in your home and the
nest has probably been there for at least 5 years. On warm days workers
push out the smaller winged males because they think it is spring.
Larger females will soon follow. These ants have only one purpose:
to mate and start a new nest, but they are not destructive like the
workers in the nest they have left. After fertilization, the males die and
the females will seek a suitable place to start a new nest. It must
be a damp location so they will fly to the windows trying to get outside.
Use a vacuum cleaner to suck up the flying ants. They represent a very
small percentage of the nest population. Call a professional to deal
with the more serious problem: the nests of workers that may be causing
structural damage. More about
carpenter ants. |
|
Q896 We have ants in our house which
are 1/4 inch in length, black with a red thorax. What type of ants are
these? Doreen. Enderby, BC. |
|
Vicinus Carpenter Ants have a black head, abdomen, and a
rusty red thorax (mid section). At this time of year (March) there are
very few ants moving outside of nests. The exception is carpenter
ants that are nesting in a home. Save a specimen and call Roland at
Integrity Pest Control in your area. He is an honest and reliable pest
professional.
More about carpenter ants. |
|
Q895 I have moths flying all over my house
very bad. I think they are clothes moth im not sure. In my kitchen I have
cucuns or somthing in the crevices of the ceiling and the wall. I thought
they were coming from my parrots cages because I did some research and
found out that they like to live off of feathers. I don't have a picture.
Thanks for any help anyone can give me I would love to get rid of these
pest!!!!!!! Tricia. |
|
You likely have Indian Meal Moths. The larva are cream
colored worm like creatures that can crawl up walls and across ceilings.
You may have imported them with the parrot feed which is not treated for
human consumption. Check it carefully for larva. Other dry foods in
your home may also be infested. More about
Indian Meal Moths. |
|
Q894 Is there a good Canadian web site for
ordering insects? I'm looking for mantis (of various species) hissing
cockroaches, and millipedes. There are no local pet stores where I live. I
want to prevent the trouble (and extra cost) of shipping from the US.
Rebecca, N ova Scotia. |
|
|
|
Q893 i would like to know when is the
best time of year to get an exterminator for lady bugs. we had them in the
house all winter and now that it is warm it is worse, or if there is
something out there on the market i could spray, and where do you spray
the siding ground or what. Please help |
|
The best solution is to keep them out in the fall. They are
in the process of moving out in the spring. Read the answer to the
question below and see the Lady Bug
Page for more tips. |
|
Q892 Please note to all who are
enquiring about these lady bugs---beetles- which came from Europe. In 1990
a farmer from Chatham, ont brought in 5 tanker loads of these beetles to
stop other bugs on his soy crop and corn. As you know each wind that blows
these beetles are carried away, but the farmer doesn't have to worry
because they multiply faster than jack rabbits. Sorrily we are left with
the problem of these biting babies etc and don't know what disease they
may be carrying. they are 10 times thicker than the black flies ever have
been in northern ont. they get into the insulation in a house, lay eggs in
your carpets where babies crawl etc. The only salvation I have had from
them is to take the bounce sheets that are left over from your dryer and
dust your furniture with them and i also hang them inside my screen door
and wipe my screen door with them. they don't come near bounce. I think
the farmer should be held responsible for this. Don't you agree Maggie,
Sarnia, Ont. |
|
Sorry Maggie, but someone has been
giving you wrong information. The multicolored Asian lady beetle is a
native of eastern Asia. These insects were released in California by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1916 and in 1964 -1965 for biological
control of pecan aphids. They were also released in the late 1970's and
early 1980's in Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine,
Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington. In 1988 a
population of multicolored Asian beetles was found in Louisiana,
apparently the result of an accidental introduction from a freighter in
New Orleans. These lady beetles spread quickly throughout the southern and
eastern United States. No one knows whether their presence today is due to
deliberate releases, accidental introductions, or both. Although
multicolored Asian lady beetles were never released in Minnesota, they
moved into the state from nearby areas. They were first sighted in
Minnesota in 1995. The first report of major infestations around buildings
occurred in 1998, and by 2000 the insect had generally dispersed
throughout the state and moved across the border into Canada. Multicolored
Asian lady beetles do not reproduce indoors. They do not intentionally
bite humans but have mandibles that are large enough to pinch tender skin
and could draw blood. More information
about lady bugs and their control |
Q891 Where can I purchase the
following Product:? Victoria yellow jacket flying Insect Trap.
Manufactured by Woodstream PA/USA. Item # M 362. Max.
Edmonton, Alberta. |
|
Integrated Pest Supplies in New Westminster is a
distributor of Woodstream products. You can view their web site and
contact information at:
www.integratedpestsupplies.com |
|
Q890 What is the best ingredient you
use in the pest control solution? Michele |
|
The best solution for any pest is called Integrated Pest
Management. It may or may not include the use of pesticides.
When pesticides are used they must be chosen carefully for each specific
type of pest. There is no magic powerful solution for all pests.
Read about I.P.M.
|
|
Q889 I see white mice running around
in my house where do they come from. and how can i get them out of there i
don't want the gray ones that's running around, seeing the white ones
scared me half to death....please tell me what i can do to get them all
out of my house. Vonda |
White mice are rather rare in the wild.
They are usually albino and the birth frequency is about 100:1. To have
several white mice I would expect to find that some pet mice escaped from
somewhere and have set up in your home. Check the rodent page
http://www.pestcontrolcanada.com/rodents.htm) for excellent tips
on how to deal with the mice and please fell free to visit
http://www.liphatech.com/rodent_facts.html for additional info.
But the most important part of a rodent control is a full top to bottom,
inside and out inspection. So you may want to contact a local
professional.
Stuart Charbonneau BSc. Territory Manager, Liphatech rodent
control products |
|
Q888 We have a mouse and are using a
Pest Offence device recommended by a family member. I am pregnant - are
Pest Offence devices in any way harmful to pregnant women or unborn
children? The model number is UP-1164. |
|
We do not offer medical advice, but I doubt that ultrasonic
sound emitted from one of these devices could cause any harm to humans.
They have little effect on mice. |
|
Q887 recently i have noticed silver
fish inside the glass of a picture I have hanging in my living room. How
does silverfish get inside a picture.? It is an art gallery picture bought
back in the 80's and cannot be taken apart. How can these silverfish be
taken out? I noticed it near the corner of the picture frame. Its
noticeable since the picture has a white background. Thank you for
your information. Sheryl. New York. |
|
Silverfish eat paper products and they especially like some
types of glue, both present in a mounted picture. If you can't figure out
how to open the frame take it to a picture framing shop. |
Q886 Found few half dead bees on the
carpet. noticed that from the second floor outlet fan vent, bees making
sounds. couple days after that found few dead bees. How do i get rid of
bees from my attic and how do you think they got there in the first place
?
Please reply and need help badly since i have little kids at home. Thanks
and much appreciated. Robert. Riverside. |
|
A wasp blaster aerosol may work if you can spray it
directly into the nest, but true bees can be difficult to eliminate with
pesticides. A pest professional may save you a lot of pain and
frustration. |
|
Q885 Help!!!! I'm allergic to
yellowjackets, yet I have a nest of them in my brick veneer near our
toddler's play area? How can I get rid of them and keep them away
permanently? Vickie. Kentucky |
|
If you are allergic to stings you should probably call a
pest professional in your area. Once they have been eliminated, caulk the
cracks, crevices and openings around the brick veneer to discourage
another colony from establishing a nest. |
|
Q884 I live in a condo building (3
floor of a 7 floor building) in downtown Calgary, and have noticed mouse
droppings under my sink, and have caught the mouse in the corner of my eye
travelling from the kitchen to my spare bedroom. Is this a problem I
should tackle on my own, or should I be contacting the condo board, as the
mice might be travelling to/from other units? What is the best way to get
rid of them in a building like this? Georges. Calgary |
I would be very surprised if other tenants in your building
were not having visitors as well. So I would suggest that you let the
Condo Corp know about the mice. In a multi-unit building you will often
have different issues with different tenants not to mention the mechanical
areas of the building which my have restricted access. Therefore it would
be best to get a professional in to handle the problem. But there are
things that you can do to prevent the mice from finding your home again.
Please check this page
http://www.pestcontrolcanada.com/rodents.htm for tips. Also feel
free to visit
http://www.liphatech.com/rodent_facts.html for addition info.
Stuart Charbonneau BSc, Territory Manager, Liphatech rodent
control products |
|
Q883 I have mice & I'm not getting a
cat, I'm borrowing one. How long do you think i should keep the cat around
for? |
Until the mice are gone, but........they will come back if
you do not eliminate the food source that is attracting them and plug
their entry points.
Be careful how you store the cat food. Mice love it and could have a
good feast while Sylvester is sleeping. |
|
Q882 A mouse has died inside
the walls of my apartment and the odor is unbearable. How can I rid this
odor? |
|
The best solution is to cut a small hole in the base of the
wall and remove it. The odor from one dead mouse does not seem to last
very long. Perhaps there are more. Try to block off the
entrance to that cavity in the attic or basement, and check any electrical
wiring in the area for chewed insulation. |
 Q881
We are finding 3 - 5 of these millipedes in
our UPSTAIRS bedroom every morning, which leads me to believe there
is a nest somewhere. Do these guys like living under carpet? (Find them
usually close to the baseboards) Perhaps they got there when we moved a
plant upstairs? How can I get rid of these – should I throw away the
plant, as it may be infested, spray it, or get new carpets? Thank you
for your time. Brent. |
| Millipedes prefer a
damp, dark environment and are commonly found in basements. If they
are in the top floor of a home, there could be a moisture problem as a
result of poor attic or roof ventilation, a roof leak or non vented
bathroom. The may crawl out into your living space if there is a large
population and they are seeking food. Pesticides are not very
effective. Try to correct the moisture problem. |
| Q880
This pest is about 1/2" in length, has two little tails, fairly long
antenna's, seven legs per side, black and yellow ( yellow seem to be in a
little box pattern ( maybe 7 boxes per pattern) have found them upstairs
and in basement also. I will try to enclose photo's with this question.
Pat. Spruce Grove, Alberta. |
| Sorry Pat, the photos
you sent are too blurry to identify. Perhaps someone else may recognize
the description. |
| Q879
I have a small black insect
with a beige colour strip and black dots in the beige area. I have found
these in my kitchen. When I reviewed the recently asked questions, on the
site where Julie from Halifax sent in a photo of the insect they have. It
looks like the small one at my home. What are they? and how can I get rid
of them. Thanks, Peggy |
| There are many types of
wood boring beetles that are often called powder post beetles. This
is probably one of the many species. Wood damage occurs when the
larva burrow through wood, digesting some of the wood fibers.
More Information. |
| Q878
I work at a mall and a buyer is bringing in furniture from Indonesia. They
apparently have to be sprayed for some type of bug before coming into the
USA and probably Canada. Any Idea what this is - the smell is terrible and
people get congestion and headaches quickly. Thanks |
| If the furniture was
sprayed or fumigated in Indonesia it may be difficult to find out what
insecticide was used. Some countries have few regulations about the use of
pesticides. If the treatment took place in the USA, you can trace
back through your supplier who provided the service and what product was
used. This information has to be made available by US or Canadian
licensed pest control businesses. |
| Q877 I
realize that I'm a long way from Canada, however your site is the best
I've found for my question, and I think it would apply to Canadians also.
We just moved into a manufactured double wide home, and someone told me
that to minimize (or eliminate) spiders and snakes (which we don't seem to
have) a good preventive is to place moth balls into a plastic sandwich
bag, punch holes in the bag to allow the fumes to escape will work. Do you
have any comments on this? Thank you very much. Don. Houston, Texas |
| Moth ball certainly have
an effect on most insects but I am not sure if they are labeled for spider
control in Texas. Snakes? I don't think so but we don't have
too many snake problems in Canada. Most of the snakes we have are
predators of insects and spiders. |
| Q876
I am having a horrible problem with pill/sow bugs in my home. I have read
the tips to get rid of them but they seem to only help home owners. I live
in an apartment so I can't go and caulk everything inside and I can't
change the landscaping outside. My apartment isn't a moist environment
either. How do I get rid of this problem? Cory. Baltimore |
| Sow bugs can not survive
in a dry environment. Pesticides provide only a short term solution.
Correct the moisture problems. Sow Bugs |
| Q875
What's the best way to deal with bats? They get through the corrugated
iron roofing of our home. Are netting, mesh and spikes the best option?
Tony. London |
| Spikes will not deter
them but netting should work if it is installed properly. |
| Q874
I have bed bugs and i was wondering if i could use my vacuum to get them
out? Marilyn. |
| A vacuum cleaner is an
excellent insect control tool but other methods may also have to be used.
Clean very thoroughly all the seams, tufts, buttons of the mattress plus
inside the box spring base. This web site has some helpful tips:
http://pmo.umext.maine.edu/factsht/bedbugs.htm |
| Q873 I
have bought a new mattress and it was actually infested with a kind of
insect. I am not sure whether it is belong to the mites family or a bug. I
have managed to discover this problem and threw the whole mattress away.
However after 2 months I discover the same creature on my new sofa and
there's many of them. They are easily killed with fingers by just pressing
on them. Their length is around 1mm, with a soft body and light brown in
colour. There are many of them and now they are everywhere in my apartment
even on floor tiles. I have been trying all kind of ways to eliminate this
insect but they keep on popping out everyday. They're not in the bathroom
and if were put in water will kill them. Would appreciate your advice to
solve this problem. Thank you. Darren. Malaysia. |
| They could be psocids.
(book lice) They like warm moist conditions. They feed on dry foods, starchy
items and paper. They do not bite humans. For more information click
on Book Lice on
this page. |
| Q872
I manage an apartment complex and we have a problem with box elder bugs
getting in the basements does any one know of a preventative measure
besides caulking we can take to help eliminate the problem. Someone
suggested washing powder does anyone have any feed back on this?
Sue. |
| In the fall when they
gather on the outside walls, spray them with soapy water. This will reduce
the populations but some will still enter the wall cavities if you don't
seal all the cracks. |
Q871
For two years now we have had Crane Flies, you know the large mosquito
looking insect? Anyway, they are the most horrible thing and we have
thousands and thousands. How can I get rid of these? I had a company
spray last year a in October, as I have been told the best thing to do is
spray in March-April and then again in October therefore getting the
larvae to prevent more adults. I have also been told that once the adults
are hatched that there is no way to get rid of them, even though they feed
off the grass. Since we sprayed as soon as the weather got warm in
October there were tons of babies on the cars in the morning. They
totally freak me out and once August comes I cannot sit outside without
them bothering me, never mind that they have totally killed my grass.
There is brown dead patches everywhere. Please Help.
Thank you. Tarra. Bolton, Ontario. |
The
European Crane Fly was a pest previously
known to inhabit maritime regions in North America, being first reported
on Cape Breton Island in 1955, and in Vancouver in 1965. Then in 1996,
indications of damage caused by the larva of this insect, better known as
Leatherjackets,
were reported for the first time in Ontario. Now it appears as though they
are becoming widespread across many areas of the province.
Crane Fly adults do not sting, nor do they cause any
damage to our lawns. They are relatively weak flyers, tending to "bounce"
from area to area as they fly. These adult Crane Flies emerge from the
soil during late August and September to mate and lay eggs. Then the
Leatherjacket larvae begin to hatch within a few weeks. These
Leatherjacket larvae will immediately begin to feed on the turf roots.
Feeding on the grass roots will continue through the fall, and into the
following spring as the larvae grow. Significant turf damage can result if
left unchecked. During the months of June and July, the Leatherjacket
larvae begin to pupate, only to emerge as the adult Crane Flies and start
the cycle over again.
In the past Leatherjackets have been successfully
controlled with insecticide sprays. More than one treatment is often
required. Many municipalities have, or are now considering bans on
insecticides for lawn care, and the best products have been removed
from the market by the Federal regulatory officials. There are some
labor intensive control methods and ways to change the warm wet
environment these insects prefer but it is likely the problem will
continue to spread without the use of chemical controls. Talk to an
experienced lawn care professional and your city council. The Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture and food has more information on their
web site. |
| Q870
Will rats that have been into poison climb on you while your sleeping. I'm
really paranoid about this i have two young children and we had to use
poison to get rid of them we are infested. My husband and my dad dug a
whole last spring into the side of the house and foundation to get it
ready for this year to put a bathroom and bedroom in and they came in
through there. We have never had a rat problem before we have had the odd
mouse but never rats. We are also using traps. We have caught already 15,
I'm really starting to get a little scared that they will go at my kids or
something. Could someone please help? Tammy. Toronto, Ontario. |
| Traps can be very
effective if properly placed and maintained daily. Try to find a way
to block off their entry point. Poisoned rodents behave strangely before
they die. They could crawl on people when they are sleeping, but they
generally get very lethargic and hide in or close their nesting spot.
|
Q869
I have mouse in my townhouse and was told to use poison baits. My concern
is having the mice dying between the walls and floors. I have a finished
basement with panelling and dropped ceiling. I was told it wouldn't smell
but I think this would attract other pests if not more mice, if they are
cannibals. Also, I had roaches before. I'm using snap traps now.
Thanks, Ava |
| Keep using the traps if
they are working, but be sure to maintain them daily. If they do not
eliminate the mice, put a bit of poison bait in bait stations then place
them along the routes the mice are traveling. The best location is
in crawlspaces and unfinished basements. |
Q859
Which Toronto pest control company treats residences (apartment) against
clothes/carpets & other WOOL MOTH?
In Yellow Pages the companies usually do not have MOTH on their lists of
pests. Some of the companies are ready to take on any job, without
bothering to explain the specifics of such treatment. Kindly, name 1-2
companies in Toronto (or near Toronto) which really do it, also their
phone numbers, if possible. Stella. Toronto, Ontario. |
| Effective control of
clothes moths requires cooperation with the homeowner. Clothing and other
small items that may be infected should be removed and laundered or dry
cleaned. They may also be placed in plastic bags in a freezer for a few
days. The professional can advise you on this after doing an inspection.
The professional can also advise you on what areas of the home should be
treated and the method that is appropriate.
Most experienced professionals will be able to take care of
your problem. We suggest using the services of a member of the
Structural Pest Management Association of Ontario. There is a list
of members on
this page. |
| Q858
Our home has been invaded with lady bugs. Do you have any suggestions
other than vacuum system? Thanks. Vera |
| The invasion took place
last fall. They have been in your walls over the winter and are now moving
into your living space because it is warm and they think it is spring.
The vacuum cleaner is your best pest control tool. See Q851 below.
|
| Q857
Do you have any web pages on cons of pesticide use? ONLY CONS NOT PROS
PLEASE! Jimareylie . New Britain |
| We believe that any
opinions about the use of pesticides should be based on factual scientific
evidence. We are not experts but strive to provide some basic
information about both the pros and cons of pesticides gathered from
reliable sources and provide links to sources that have information of
interest to average consumers. We do not promote the use of pesticides.
If pesticides are used, we encourage those who use them to read and follow
label instructions or employ a trained and certified applicator. If
you read many of the answers on these Q & A pages, you will see we
discourage the use of pesticides for many of the problems. |
| Q856.
How do I stop spiders from entering my home? Laura. |
| The food source for
spiders is insects. Spiders and insects like high humidity or damp
environments. Try to eliminate both. If you have a basement
use your vacuum cleaner with a long wand to remove spider webs and clean
areas where there may be eggs. |
| Q855
Do rats hate the smell of moth balls? Kelly. Dallas. |
| Rats have very sensitive
noses, and the can live in some very smelly places. They probably don't
like the vapors given off by mothballs, but if there is a food source for
them in
the area, the moth balls won't keep rats away. |
| Q854
Where can one have bat guano tested to see if the spores that spread
histoplasmosis are present? Grace. Ottawa, Ontario |
| The Ottawa city health
department may have a laboratory, or can guide you to a university or
private lab. |
| Q853
I work for a company that imports various pieces of furniture from around
the globe. Recently we came across a few beautifully made cabinets from
Indonesia that we just had to have, but upon inspecting these after
delivery to the states we found what we have come to suspect to be
evidence of a powder post beetle infection at one time or another.
Now, we are located in Pennsylvania and this winter has been (as most
Pennsylvania winters are) an especially harsh one, with temperatures well
below the freezing point. My question then, is it possible that the
prolonged contact with freezing temperatures (of a month's time or longer)
has killed-off any remaining larva that may be present in these pieces? I
can't find any resources that point to the temperature tolerance of these
or any such pests, and I am hoping for the easy solution here, as
replacing any of the wood on these cabinets is not an alternative for us.
We can't sell bug-infested furniture, please help! Russ Mason |
| Exposure for a week or
longer in temperatures below freezing should kill the larva. Clemson
University has some good information on this web page:
http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC2453.htm |
| Q852
I have been having black insects about an inch long with yellow stripes
around there bodies and they have wings. They put me in mind of a fly
somewhat but there longer. I've found them inside my house. Thank you.
Deobrah. Beatrice, Nebraska |
| Your description sounds
like yellowjacket wasps. They may be overwintering queens that
spent the winter in a nest in the walls of your home and are now emerging
into what they think is a spring climate. There should not be too
many of them and they won't be there long. When they land on a window, a
fly swatter is your best pest control. No need to use
pesticides. |
| Q851
I need help! We have a huge amount of stinky lady bugs taking over
our house. We have a baby who has started crawling and there are so many
stinky lady bugs I am constantly on patrol. My questions: What can I use
that is environmentally safe to get rid of them? We also have a well and a
small dog, my concern is that spraying the outside of the house with a
pesticide could be dangerous. We live on a lake and have about 45 trees on
our acre lot. Please help me. Does spraying garlic around the outside of
your house work? We also have found a brown beetle like bug that kinda
resembles a cicada (sp) somehow they have found there way in to the house.
Yikes. Any help you can give would be much appreciated. Trevor,
Wisconsin |
| I am
infested by lady bugs and cannot stand it anymore. How do I get rid of
lady bugs? Susie. Port Hope Ontario |
| The lady bugs
spent the winter in the walls of your home and, like the wasps in the
question above and the cluster flies in the question below, they want to
leave and start a new life cycle. They sense the warmth of the
living quarters and enter thinking it is spring. There is little you can
do about them at this time of year except vacuum them up. Before
they enter again next fall, try to seal up all the cracks and crevices
around the exterior of your home. There is more information on our
Ladybug page. |
|
Top of page |
|
Use the
directory
to find a pest professional
near you |
| Q850
We have flies in the house almost all year long now that is getting warm
they start to appear we had pest specialist come to our house to treat the
problem but it only work for a week, please help. Rolando.
Gatineau, Quebec |
| They are probably
cluster flies that have spent the winter in walls, the attic or other
cavities of you home. If they are in the attic, a professional could
fog it and get rid of most of them. If they are in the walls, they will
continue to emerge into your living quarters until it is warm enough for
them to go outside to start a new life cycle. Dr. Bug at
Urban Pest Control has some excellent information on his web site.
http://www.drbug.ca |
| Q849
There are these tiny white bugs, about the size of a grain of salt, that
have infested behind my couch. How can I find out what kind of pest they
are, and how I can get rid of them? Thanks. Kelly. Seattle,
WA. |
| They could be psocids.
(book lice) They like warm moist conditions so they are frequently found
in west coast homes in the winter. They feed on dry foods, starchy
items and paper. They do not bite humans. For more information click
on Book Lice on
this page. |
| Q848
How to keep otters and mink from a boat (kept in the water at a marina)
James. Victoria, B.C. |
| Otters are a
protected fur bearing animal in B.C. so you can't do anything to harm
them. Some boat owners have had success with an electric wire fence
using insulated clips on the stanchions to hold it a few inches off the
deck or gunwale. The otters are usually wet and salt water is a
pretty good conductor so they get a good jolt but it does not harm them.
The other choice is to find a way to physically block them with some kind
of wire fencing. This could be very difficult for the smaller mink.
|
| Q847
how can you get rid of moles safely, when you have dogs?
Diane. Canton, NC |
You could probably get
good advice from a pest professional that specializes in mole control.
There are traps on the market that claim to be safe but we have not had
experience using them so can not endorse any. Have a look at this example:
Choker Loop Mole Trap
"Easy set up and operation. Safe
near children and pets." |
| Q846
I have a large hive hanging from the roof of a 2 storey house. When is the
best time to get rid of the hive and how do I get rid of it or who do I
call? Stephanie. Smith Falls, Ontario. |
| It sounds like a
Yellowjacket or Paper wasp nest. If there are surviving queens in
the nest they will leave in spring and the nest will not be inhabited
again. Eventually it will probably get blown down. You could knock
it down now (February) with a long pole without much fear of getting
stung. |
| Q845
Is there any electronic device to get rid of mice in a home in
Scarborough, Ontario? Flora |
| See the answer to #836
below. |
| Q844
I have recently noticed a flat, brown slow moving bug on the inside of my
house. Upon looking under magnification it looks like a shell made of
pieces of earth materials. It can retreat inside of itself like a turtle
and when out looks like an ant. it drags itself along using six sticky
legs. I have seen them on the ceiling as well as the walls. I have mainly
seen them in the bathroom and seemed to have shown up when i was replacing
the shower pan, walls and tile. Any help would be appreciated. Ron.
Los Angeles |
| |
| Q843
What is the best month or season to most effectively fumigate (tent) to
exterminate termites? Tom. California |
| Tenting homes for
termites is not allowed in Canada, except in rare cases (A heritage home
for example). Consult 2 or 3 professionals in your area. You may also
find some good information on the NPMA web site:
www.pestworld.org |
| Q842 I
have a tiny little red insect, resembling an ant but it is not really
round, more flat in body type, that is in my basement laundry room. These
bugs were in my house when I first purchased it two years ago, but on a
different level of the house. The exterminator didn't really confirm for
me what exactly it was, but treated them with a bait. Both times they have
shown up in February. I have Cedar trees on both sides of my house. Could
they be coming from there? Can you recommend an effective treatment,
should I have the inside of my walls sprayed? I would really like to
identify this bug. Do you know of a website with photo's that I could
possibly look up?. Colleen. Grand Prairie, Alberta. |
| Experienced
professionals use bait to treat pharaoh ants, which are very small and may
have a reddish tinge. No insect will be moving in from outside at this
time of year (February), especially with the extremely cold weather you
have been having in Alberta. Pharaoh ants can be very evasive spreading
out through the home if they have been sprayed with an insecticide.
Baiting can take weeks or month to be effective. You should probably have
a professional return to do a positive identification, and treat
accordingly.
Alberta Pest Professionals. |
| Q841 Is
there a pest that gets under your skin, on the carpet and on the floor? |
| Fleas are known to be
carriers of ringworm. It sounds like you may need some medical advice.
|
| Q840 I
have an ant problem in the house, it is February? should they not be
dormant. They are black in colour vary in size from small to quite large.
They were only in the second storey bathroom. Now have moved downstairs,
living room, kitchen, bedrooms. June. Brampton, Ontario |
| Carpenter ants will
emerge into a house at this time of year if it is warm enough to make them
think it is spring. There is obviously at least one satellite nest in the
walls or ceilings of your home. Don't bother spraying pesticides or trying
to poison them. The ones you see are only an indication of a much larger
population that may move or split into multiple nests. Call a
professional while the evidence is noticeable. He may decide to treat the
problem now or wait for warmer weather, but at least he will have some
indication where to start.
More
carpenter ant information. |
| Q839 Is
a license necessary to apply granular fertilizer and weed control product?
In this case do signs need to be posted? Ontario |
| Some municipalities in
Canada have passed bylaws prohibiting the use of pesticides on public
and/or private property. Others have considered doing so but rejected the
idea when proper scientific evidence was considered. You will have to
check with your municipal officials about local bylaws or phone a local
landscape professional. |
| Q838
we are having problems with raccoon and opossums and skunks killing our
chickens,, can u tell me what we can do to stop this.. we have been using
a live trap and have caught a skunk and a opossums. is there anything we
can use like poison or something. ??? thank u for your time.. Sheila. Ada, Ok. |
| It is probably against
the law to poison wildlife in your state. It certainly is in Canada.
These animals should be trapped but be sure to check the laws in your area
first. A pest professional will know what procedure is allowed and how to
remove the animals. |
Q837
Hello, I have Pharaoh ants in my Store. What would you believe is the
best way to eradicate these pests. Thank you
Shawn. Toronto, Ontario |
| DO NOT SPRAY THEM with
pesticides. This would split up the nests and make them much harder to
eradicate. There are some excellent poison baits available but it take
some experience to know which ones to use, how to place them and where to
look for evidence of nests. Pharaoh ants treatments can sometimes take
months. Longer if they have scattered around large buildings.
More
information about pharaoh ants. |
| Q836 I
have a friend who has a pest offence and it works great. I want to know
how or where I can order one at. I have a problem with fleas rats and now
I am getting the big wood roaches. Candy. Livingston, Texas. |
Here is what Barb Ogg, an Extension
Educator at the University of Nebraska has to say:
"The consensus
of researchers who have actually investigated ultrasonic devices is: these
products do not effectively repel or eliminate pests from homes. In
fact, in the 1980's the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charged several
companies with false advertising and required them to make refunds to
customers. The advice, "If it seems to good to be true, it probably
isn't true" fits here. There are plenty of non-toxic or low toxic
methods to keep pests outside, but they take a bit more time and effort
than plugging an ineffective device into an electrical outlet."
There is more information available on the University of Nebraska
web site. |
| Q835 Is
there any type of a bomb that will get rid of mice and/or squirrels in an
attic area? Carol |
| NO. Using a total
release aerosol pesticide (bomb) for this purpose would be illegal in
Canada, and this is not the proper way to eliminate mice and squirrels.
Use traps for the squirrels and traps or poison for the mice.
|
| Q834 Hi
i just wondered if bounce dryer sheets will work to keep mice out of your
cupboards? They are leaving nice little pooh poohs behind and its really
starting to make me mad. We get them every year in the winter when its
cold it really anoys me. What are some things we can do to keep them out
of the house every year. Is there some kind of home remedie we can use?
Please i need your help. Thank-you.. Tammy. Toronto. |
| Bounce will not deter
mice, in fact I would expect that mice might even use a bounce sheet as
nesting material. To prevent mice you would need to find their entry
point(s). This can be any opening that is the size of a dime or larger.
Any openings found should be blocked up. A quick method of blocking the
holes is to stuff them with steel wool and if possible use some expanding
foam on them as well. Check all doors and replace any door sweeps as
needed. To find the mice that are in the house now a complete top to
bottom inspection of the home should be done. Please visit the rodent page
on this site for tips on rodent inspections and control. Also visit
www.liphatech.com/rodent.htm
for more info on mice. Stuart Charbonneau, Liphatech, Canada |
| Q833
When writing up an inspection report for a realtor company how do you
determine if powderpost beetles are active or not. Jeff. Pa.
|
| If there
are live larva in any visible structural wood, very fine sawdust will be
visible under the small beetle exit holes in the warmer months of spring
and summer. It would be risky to state on an inspection report the
presence or absence of powder post beetles if there is evidence that they
were in the building at some time in the past. They could be in unexposed
wood. |
| Q832 We
returned from vacation and discovered a mouse party going on in our
garage! They have been gorging on the people/pet food stashed down there,
as well as running all over the storage room where we hang our
out-of-season clothes, etc. I have a pest control company coming (I think
we have too many mice to handle on our own), but my question is, what
should I do with all the stuff that has mouse poop on it? I've already
tossed any food packages that have been opened, but what about say, a
pasta box that has not been breached but has droppings on it? Soda cans
with droppings? Should I be safe and throw out anything that can't be
bleached? Also, what about clothes that have droppings? Dry clean
everything? or just vacuum up? Any advice would be appreciated. There is
quite a bit of information out there about how to get rid of mice, but
very little on dealing with the aftermath! Thanks.... Jennifer. San
Francisco. |
| DO NOT VACUUM mouse
droppings. Spray with bleach and water, then sponge or mop the area. A few
dozen mouse feces means there are a few thousand micro droplets of
urine everywhere the mice have traveled. Wash to soda cans, launder or dry
clean the clothing. Read about mouse cleanup on our
Hantavirus page. |
| Q831 I
have the size of a pencil tip black beetle type bugs that move very slowly
and hang out only in my kitchen sink, tried bleach and draino but i cant
get rid of them. what are they and what do i do? Sandi. |
| Kitchen sinks and the
cupboard under them seem to a popular breeding place for a number of
insects. It is difficult to identify a bug that is small, black and moves
slow. If there is something breeding in the drain, it should be treated
with a foam cleaner that will expand and eliminate anything at the tops of
the pipes. I is more likely they are breeding at the back of or below the
counter. Take a specimen to a local professional for identification. |
| Q830 I
have a very sour smell in my kitchen witch comes and goes i had a animal
control contractor in there was no smell when he was at my home he seems
to think it is a dead mouse , we did have a mouse problem but not anymore
i don't know why this odor comes and goes if it is a dead mouse it would
be there all the time. I can go in my kitchen and there is no smell after
five mins the smell is there it has been suggested it could be a live
snake is this possible and if so how can i get rid of this problem.
Regards Gary. Niagara Falls, Ontario |
| I don't think snakes
cause odor problems. Dead mice do. Air currents caused by forced air
furnaces, exhaust fans, clothes dryers etc. could cause the odor to be
sucked into the kitchen at times. |
| Q829
During the last 3 months I have noticed that cotton/nylon clothing hanging
on the bottom rack in my closet and in my wooden dresser has been "eaten"
(not eaten right through - just looks like it's been "worn almost
through". This is on new clothing as well. My cat is also having
respiratory problems when in the room and clears up when away for a few
days. I haven't noticed any evidence of any insect whatsoever, but
something is obviously causing the damage. What could it be? Kim.
Vancouver, B.C. |
| If you place some insect
monitor traps on the floor in the closet and in the dresser you should be
able to catch whatever is causing the damage. Once it is identified, a
pest professional will be able to offer suggestions for treatment.
Directory of Vancouver pest professionals |
| Q828 We
have a pair or a family of squirrels nesting in our 6" space between our
roof and ceiling. They enter from outside and because it is securely
closed off they can't get into the house just yet. They are noisy at times
and I'm wondering what we may do to get them to move out. We are feeding
the birds and squirrels of course which we will terminate immediately but
I would really like to get them to take up residence elsewhere. Any
suggestions. Thanks. Fred. Morin Heights, Quebec. |
| Live trapping is the
best method to eliminate squirrels, but it can be tricky. There should be
a pest professional in your area that can do it for you. Once they are out
be sure to block of the entry points. |
| Q827 I
live in Renton but my question is about a Texas bug called a blister bug.
I have not been able to find out anything about it. The name of the bug
comes from the fact that when bitten by it, it leaves a nasty blister that
is difficult to get healed. The blister pops and then comes back up a few
hours later. Can you tell me where I can find information so I can tell my
friend how to tend to the after affects of the bite? Jackie. |
| According to the
entomology department at Texas A&M university Blister beetles can cause
blisters on skin if they walk on it because of a substance that they
produce. This substance is very toxic and a horse can be killed if it
ingests 2 or more of these blister beetles. The toxin is still active even
after the beetles die. There are more than one species of blister beetles
that are striped in Texas. Blister beetles come in many colors including
black, gray, yellow, and metallic blue. They can also have a variety of
markings especially spots and stripes. Sorry we do not offer medical
advice for treatment of bites. There is a good photo and more information
on this web site ==>
http://usbiotechreg.nbii.gov/index.asp |
|
Top of page |
| Q826
What is the one thing, or several things a homeowner can do to verify a
termite infestation in their home that would give a concrete answer one
way or the other? Thank you for your professional advise, wonderful site.
Katy. Minnesota |
| The best way to get a
concrete answer is to have a licensed termite control professional do an
inspection. If you want to look for evidence yourself check the
information on the web sites links on our
Termite page.
|
|
Q825 In the crawlspace there is sand
topped with plastic. The outside is cement blocks. There are sometimes 1
or 2 mouse/mice. There seem to be some kind of rodent in the soil, close
to the plastic. The soil is moist, but not wet. I think the only food
can come from worms or something like that. The rest of the house is
clear, also no sign in the other crawlspace which has a concrete floor.
I therefore think its not rats, could it be voles or bush rats. I
suspect they come in under the foundation (estimated 3 feet), sometimes
there seem to be looser earth outside?
South BC, so wet soil in winter. (water
level and ground level almost equal) with occasional frozen topsoil.
thanks William
|
| Moles may have found
their way into your crawlspace. Have you had a problem with moles in your
yard during the summer? They eat worms. |
Q824 I
have a wild cat that's been hanging around my yard for months. The problem
is he's spraying around the outside of the house and it STINKS!! I'm
allergic to cats, so I've been sick because of this. I'm going to call
animal control, but until they catch him please tell me there's something
my husband can spray outside to either get rid of the smell or make the
cat go away. PLEASE!! Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You. Cathy. Lanoka Harbour. |
| If you spray a cat
repellant it may work for a short time but will also make it difficult for
the animal control officer to trap it. Trapping is a permanent solution.
|
| Q823
This extremely hot, dry summer has created an epidemic of "stink bugs" in
our area. How can I get them out of my house, immediate area? Catherine.
Kamloops, BC. |
| Stink bugs should be
controlled in the summer when they are foraging for food. They move into
cracks and crevices in homes in the fall to overwinter and some of them
find their way inside. There is little you can do to control stink bugs at
this time of year (February) |
| Q823 I
have noticed over the last few years that in September when it is sunny I
have several brown backed winged insects(1/2''long) flying towards the
windows in an upstairs bedroom. They have a woody smell, not disagreeable.
I am concerned i may have some kind of infestation in my home. This winter
for the first time I caught 2 in a downstairs room. They were weak and
easy to catch. What are they? I'd appreciate some advice. Ruth. Delta
BC. |
| Termites with wings
swarm (leave nests) in late summer in your area. Carpenter ants with
wings will swarm from satellite nests in homes January to May. They do
not fly very well and will usually head for windows trying to get
outdoors. Save some specimens and show them to a pest professional for
positive identification.
More
Carpenter Ant Info |
|
Use
the
directory to
find a pest professional near you |
|
| Q822
What is the difference between a sow bug and a pill bug? |
| Many people, especially
science teachers, like to make a distinction between pill bugs and sow
bugs. A pill bug, or roly-poly, is a terrestrial isopod crustacean whose
segmented body gives it the ability to curl up into a ball when disturbed.
A sow bug is any of several similar looking creatures that lack this
ability. In popular usage, however, the names pill bug and sow
bug, along with a number of other popular names, are used to refer to
any of these tiny segmented crustaceans that are often mistaken for
insects.
More about pill bugs, sow bugs, centipedes. |
| Q821 I
have a wasp nest somewhere in my house and have not been able to find it.
I have a sense it is somewhere between the finished sealing in my basement
and the floor joist which I cannot get at, therefore I need to find
something that the wasps will carry back to the nest. At this time they
are moving very slow. I fear this spring I may be overwhelmed with them
if I cannot kill the nest. If I do not kill the next one I see is there
something I can put out that they will carry back to the nest? What is
the best answer to this? Michael |
| Very few wasps live over
winter. When the queens emerge in spring they will attempt to establish
new nests. Be sure to seal off the entry point they used to enter your
home last summer. |
| Q820 I
have a woodpecker pecking holes in my siding on the house, what can I do
to prevent further holes by the bird? Is there anything I can put in the
holes that they do not like? Thank you! Please answer, it is driving me
crazy!!!!! Jean. Spillville, IA |
| The woodpeckers are
likely trying to get at insects living under the siding or in the walls.
They can hear carpenter ants chewing wood for example. A pest
professional should be able to determine what is attracting these birds.
|
| Q819 I
would like an alternative to Diazinon, to control lawn pests such as the
Crane Fly. The alternative product must be safe for children, pets, and
birds. Our lawn is located about 40' from a lake, so the product must be
stable enough to not leach into the lake. Please advise the product name
your recommend. Thank you. Gordon. Allyn, Wa. |
| Many of the "cosmetic"
(garden) pesticides have been removed from the market in Canada. Your best
advice will come from a good garden shop that should be aware of what
products are available in your state. |
| Q818 I
was asked last evening to see if there are any plants that can be planted
near doorways, windows, etc. that will stop mice from going into
buildings, cottages, etc. Alice. Toronto. |
| There has not been any
plant(s) identified that will deter rodents. But there are plants that
will attract them. For example fruit or nut plants should be avoided. Also
any ground cover plants, such as ivy or low dense shrubs should not be
used. Ideally a zone free of vegetation, about two feet wide, around a
building should be set-up. Gravel to the depth of four inches should be
used or for nicer aesthetics river stone can be used. Then the next 10 to
15 feet (if possible) should be mostly cut grass with no continuous hedges
or cover that rodents could use as safe runways. Rodents are always on the
lookout for predators and do not like open areas where predators will spot
them. For more info on rodents please see the rodent page on this site or
visit www.Liphatech.com
. Stuart Charbonneau, Liphatech, Canada |
| Q817
Outdoor insect or bug which comes inside. Continues to come in winter.
House does not have basement or foundation. Back - dark brown or black
with yellow inverted V's. Underside rusty red with black streak in middle.
Six legs. Antenna. In late summer it swarms up side of house. Can you
identify and also suggest way to get rid of it. Peigi. Collingwood,
Ontario |
| |
| Q816
Good morning. I believe I may have a problem with powder post beetles.
What can I do to prevent them in my home? Is there something I can mix
from normal household products like epson salt or boric acid? Please help.
Thank you. LaVonne. California |
| Applying an effective
product properly is very time consuming so it is better to purchase
something formulated specifically for this type of problem. Tim-Bor is a
dry powder that is mixed with hot water then sprayed on the the infested
wood. In Canada Tim-Bor can only be sold to certified pesticide
applicators and it is quite expensive. There are others that may be just
as effective if applied by someone with experience. |
| Q815
I've recently purchased beautiful (amish made) Rustic Red Cedar bedroom
outfit. While we love this, we have been finding a beetle of some sort,
maybe not at beetle, but obviously a bug. Its a black bug with two orange
dots. While it is a cute kinda bug, we are wondering if there is some kind
of infestation in the bedroom outfit? We've found around 7 of them so far
in the past 4 months. What is going on ?? I'm going to speak with the
Amish who we purchased this from and see what this could be. Could they
leave the furniture and start a new home in our bedroom ?? Please
advise...Thx Danny. Jackson, Michigan |
| You should inspect the
furniture very closely looking for traces of very fine sawdust and holes
smaller than a round toothpick. Take the drawers out to look at the inside
unfinished surfaces. You should also take a sample of the insect to a
local professional for identification. Wood boring beetles will not lay
eggs on a painted, or finished wood surface so it is unlikely they will
migrate into other wood in your home unless it is unfinished.
|
| Q814 We
are having a problem with our neighbours. Actually, they have a lot of
rats in their house. Since, we live in a semidetached home. They start
coming to our home. Please guide me what exactly we can do to stop this.
Is there any place where we can complaint about it? Actually, my
neighbours are really lazy and they will not do anything from their part.
Please help me! Raj. Mississauga |
| The public health
department in most municipalities can force residents to clean up garbage
and refuse that is attracting rodents. |
| Q813
Hello, I'm almost 100% sure that there's a bees nest in my chimney. I
cocked up the cracks and sprayed to ensure they get killed before more can
come into my house. But what can I do to make sure they are gone forever
and don't come back during the summer or warmer weather??? Any
advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much,
Melanie. Toronto |
There is an expansion
gap between the chimney liner and the brick. Bees often nest in this
cavity and will return year after year if they can get in.
Caulking shrinks and cracks so you should check it again in the early
spring. |
| Q812 I
have pigeons problem on my balcony. I have a high rubbermaid container for
storage and they make their home on top of it. I have pigeon droppings
everywhere on my balcony and on top of my storage. I tried to close the
opening as best as I can but they get through my neighbor's balcony and
camp on my storage bin. What can I do to get rid of them? Susie. Ottawa,
Ontario |
| The best solution for
bird control is netting. Some pest professionals specialize in installing
an almost invisible net that will prevent entry to your balcony. |
| Q811 We
are remodeling our living room, and we have mice coming from the open area
around our floor. no matter how many traps we set (snap or glue) we can't
seem to stop the problem. we are ready to put our baseboard on, but i am
concerned about them living in the walls and chewing wires. What can i do
to get rid of them without stinking up my house? (as when you use rat
poisoning and they die in unreachable places?) Kali |
You are right in not
wanting to seal the mice in the walls. So don’t close it up until the
infestation is under control. First you should do a top to bottom
inspection of the home to find where the mice are living and where they
are feeding. Once these areas have been identified set up your traps and
try to reduce their food source(s). Unfortunately, if the population of
mice is too high snap traps may not be enough. You could try some
multi-catch traps or you may need to use some poison to bring the
population down. If the population is high you may be better served
calling in a professional. For more info please see the rodent page on
this site or visit
www.Liphatech.com .
Stuart Charbonneau, Liphatech, Canada |
|
Use the
directory
to find a pest professional
near you |
Q810 No
professional exterminators have been able to eradicate bedbugs that my
daughter brought home from Europe over a year ago. Do you know if they die
below a certain temperature? Have you heard of tenting to get rid of them?
We are desperate!!!
Thank you for answering. Beth, Boston. |
| Bed bugs are a real
challenge for pest professionals and in Canada there are few products
available for treatment. Re-treatment is often necessary and can be quite
time consuming if the inspection is done properly. There are links to good
information on the
bed bug
page |
| Q809 I
don't really have a pest control question i just have a general question
about snakes i have been searching the net trying to find out what are the
bylaws or laws of snakes in Oshawa such as what size or what kind or if
they are even allowed in Oshawa, Ontario could you please tell me if you
know thank you in advance...Trevor |
| There are many laws
about exotic pets in some municipalities. Phone city hall for the by-laws
in your area. |
| Q 808 i
have these little black bugs that look like little mouse turds, an they
move, they were in my laundry basket, an i noticed that my quilt was eaten
on the ends, the whole quilt has been eaten on the edges, please tell me
what they are. thank you, for your help. Russell. Duval, Wa. |
| You may have carpet
beetles in your home. The larva can cause serious damage to natural
fibers. Read about them on the
carpet beetle page. |
| Q807 I
have moths in my front closet. I have washed everything that can be
washed. I am cleaning many of the other garments. I put hats and garden
gloves etc outside in below 0 temps. I am spraying and disinfecting. Will
the temp destroy eggs and larvae? Do I need to spray the items outside
when I bring them in? Sandra. Collingwood. |
| Below freezing
temperatures for a few days should kill the eggs and larva. |
| Q806
how do you produce a noise that will annoy a dog enough so his owner has
to do something about his continual barking. Oliver, Miami |
| The best noise you could
make is the phone ringing in your local city hall. Most municipalities
have a noise bylaw and an animal control officer. |
| Q805 I
have a multi-res property which has a problem with Pharaoh Ants. I have
had them treated for just over a year, and they stopped showing up for a
while. Now lately they are back again. The main problem that I have
noticed is that the baits, (sugar and protein) do not work well. I have
spent time an actually sat and watched as ants just walked by these baits.
Is there anything else that would be useful for these ants? Also would
"fumigation" be any good in getting rid of these ants? Tom. Kitchener ,
Ontario. |
If the pharaoh ants have
ever been sprayed with an insecticide they have probably split up their
nests and spread throughout the building. Baits are the only effective
treatment for these pests, but it can take weeks or months of regular
treatment and often requires using different types of baits.
Fumigation is not a solution. |
| Q804
I
found several tennis ball size spheres attached to wood joists in my
attic. They are grayish white, solid with some 5mm diameter holes in it.
When squeezed, they crumble into powder. It is uninhibited now. Are they
some kind of nest? Thanks for
answer. Raymond. Caltech.edu |
| These are probably paper
wasps or yellowjacket wasp nests. They may contain overwintering queens.
You can safely remove them in the winter. |
Q 803
Please can someone advise how to get rid of mouse urine and feces smell
out of the cupboard where they made a nest. We have set down traps and
caught a few mice but the smell is bothering me more that the mice. Please
help. it is becoming embarrassing. thank you
Vanessa. South Africa. |
| You should first
determine how the mice are getting into the cupboard and block it off.
Also remove any food source. The best solution to disinfect and clean the
area is one part household bleach mixed with ten parts water. |
| Q 802
How can we stop raccoons from pulling up new sod and eating the roots? We
have tried wire mesh weighted down, but they crawl under it anyway.
Wendy. Vancouver. |
| Raccoons roll or pull up
freshly laid sod in search of worms and grubs. Usually, the most practical
alternative is to remove the raccoons. Cage or boxtraps are generally the
most practical removal devices. |
Q 801
why shold we look after bats? why shold they be a protected speces? why
shold we try to conserve and protect their habitat
Martin. Belfast. |
I sounds like you are
doing an important school project Martin. Here is some information that
may help. Bats are beneficial and gentle creatures but occasionally they
become a nuisance and get "too close for comfort". If this occurs, DON'T
PANIC! All the negative stories and tales you've heard about bats are
greatly exaggerated. Read all about these flying mammals on our
Bat
page.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi i just wanted to comment on the bats. You should have some bat boxes
built and put in trees outside your home. Bats are very good creatures
they eat a lot of mosquito's which carry west Niles so they are good for
our environment. They help keep the mosquito population down. So you might
not want to get rid of the bats. Just live trap them if they are in the
house but not outside around your house.
Tammy. Toronto |
Q 800
We have recently moved into a new townhouse. Unfortunately, 4 out of 6 of
us in this row of townhomes have realized that we have a problem with
Carpenter Ants. Who is liable for this? Should the builder or the new home
warranty program be liable? Could this be a legal case?
Liane. Ottawa, Ontario |
| Sorry we do not give
legal advice. A number of facts will have to be considered. How old is the
building? How long was it under construction? Was there rain during
construction that may have resulted in wet areas that were not allowed to
dry before being closed in? Was the building site properly cleared of
stumps, roots and other wood or was some of it buried? If ant activity was
noticed during construction was a professional called or did someone try
to solve the problem with a typical insecticide spray? Do new municipal
bylaws prohibit the use of pesticides in multiple dwelling structures? Was
the building "pre-treated" by a professional to discourage insect
problems?
It is strongly recommended that all 4 owners agree to
have one professional treat all the units and inspect the other 2. If one
owner decides to treat the carpenter ant problem himself, it is likely the
ants will eventually be back in all the units. Get estimates from 2 or 3
professionals in the Ottawa area.
Directory of Ontario Pest Management Professionals. |
Q 799
Well we started with mice in the house and after catching 14 of them we
have not seen one in over a week. But for the past 6 nights I here very
loud scratching noises in my ceiling of my upstairs bed room. I have a
peek roof and the top peek is almost impossible to get to. I have been
guessing a roof rat? Also the noise is mostly about 4:30 to about 6:00
a.m.. Please help I am losing a lot of sleep as it is my bedroom.
Sue. Victoria. |
| Mice can be quite loud
at times, especially in the quiet hours of the night. It it is a rat, any
mice in the same area will leave. Rodents often follow plumbing through
the various levels of a home after entering the basement or crawlspace.
Try eliminating them by using bait or traps at the lowest level. They can
not stay in the attic without food and water.
Pest Professionals in Victoria. |
Q 798
Is there a safe or natural way to rid a Canadian pine log home of powder
post beetles or old house bores?
Shannon. Douglasville, Georgia. |
Fortunately it would take many, many years for these
beetles (larva) to cause serious structural damage to a log home. The
appearance of small holes with fine sawdust coming out of them can be a
big concern for owners. Log home seem to have more problems with insects
than conventional construction. We have found a web site that every log
home owner should use as a reference for everything you need to know about
restoration, maintenance and protection.
http://www.loghomecare.com/preservatives.html This is an excellent
web site. |
Q 797 I
live in a 1930's converted warehouse with the original cement floors
beneath a raised wood floor. 4 years ago, the whole floor had to be
removed, cleaned, and replaced because of rat infestation. I also had
someone patch any holes around the exterior of the bldg.
There is a particular odour that I am now detecting again. I can't imagine
having to remove the floor again - and then they return. I was wondering
how effective the electronic pest control devises are with rats and very
important, are there any side-effects to humans and dogs. They, of course,
claim on their advertising there is none. I would be more inclined to
believe private studies. Thanks. Any thoughts on how to solve this would
be much appreciated. Mary. Gibson's Landing. B.C. |
| The worst side effect of
electronic pest devices is: The consumer has to spend money to find out
they don't work. The ultrasonic sound they emit is like a wide beam of
light. It only has a short term deterrent effect if the rodent is
directly in the beam of sound. They soon get used to it and find other
routes to move around a building. Try to locate any new entry points to
the space below your floor. Use traps near the entry points. If you use
poison they may go inside and die. There is no easy solution to the
existing odor problem other than trying to ventilate the area with forced
air. (fans) |
| Q 796
HELP, MY DAUGHTER LOST HER HAMSTER AND I BELIEVE IT WENT IN MY HEATER VENT
IN THE BEDROOM BECAUSE IT STINKS BAD EVERYTIME I TURN ON THE HEATER THE
SMELL GETS WORSE WHAT DO I DO PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP. THANKS FOR YOUR
HELP. Janan. Arvada. |
| You may be able to
remove it with a very long vacuum hose attached to a shop vac. (Put the
shop vac outside and run the hose through a window. You could call a
commercial furnace vent cleaning service. |
| Q 795
Hi. My family lives in the Seattle area. A few years ago we had a problem
with carpenter ants. We hired a exterminator but they have returned. I am
seeing small black ants and winged ones entering thought cracks in the
walls. The cracks are located near the ceiling by our florescent lights.
These lights are located in the kitchen. Although it is winter we are
having about 10-30 a day coming through. The majority are the winged
buggers. I am wondering if we have a full-fledged nest here. We have
firewood stacked up about 50 feet from the kitchen. It has been there for
4 and a half years. Could this be the source? We have also seen them at
ground level beneath our deck. No wings down there. Do I have have more
then 1 nest? Are the ants in my house a nest or a colony? Should i get rid
of the firewood? Is this a problem i can handle alone or should i get
professional help? Any advice would be greatly helpful! Marc. Seattle,
Washington. |
| The only ants likely to
be seen in the Seattle area at this time of year (January) are carpenter
ants. The small winged ones will be male reproductives (photo)
that have been pushed out of a satellite nest by workers. The ceiling area
above and near the lights will be warm, tricking the ants into thinking
winter is over and it is time to begin the reproductive cycle. During the
next few warm weather days you may see some larger winged females emerge.
These are reproductive future queens. Winged ants indicate the nest has
probably been in the ceiling for at least 3 years. Carpenter ants usually
start satellite nests in a home close to ground level, then make new ones
in the walls above and eventually the ceiling. You probably have more
than one nest. The firewood may be the location of the mother nest but
more likely it is located in a tree stump or roots underground where the
queen(s) will not freeze. The emerging males will starve to death outside
of the nest in a few days. They do not know how to feed themselves.
Spraying pesticides on any ants outside the nest will not do any good. It
will just destroy the symptoms of the larger problem and make it more
difficult to locate the nests. If you read every piece of carpenter ant
information written by entomologists, you will arrive at the conclusion
that you should let a professional deal with this pest. There are links
to good information on our
carpenter ant pages. |
| Q 794
You didn't mention in your articles what bat urine/droppings smell like.
My attic has a strong odor of "cabbage cooking". Could this be bats? It
seems to be near a wall that has a forced hot air vent in it. Thanks,
Beverly. |
| Most experts describe
the odor as musty and alkaline but some bats produce smells lik |
