Pest Questions 1701 to 2000

Note: The volume of questions submitted is much greater than we are able to publish on this page.
We have selected questions that we feel are of interest to most of our web site visitors.

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Your answer may be on one of these pages:

Ants,
Ant nest photos
Ask the experts,
Bats,
Bedbugs
Bees,
Bee Stings
Birds,
Booklouse
Box Elder Bugs
Bug Identification
Bugs for kids
Canadian Pest Management Association,
Canadian Pest Pros.
Carpenter Ants,
Carpenter ant photos
Carpet Beetles
Centipedes
Choosing a pro,
Classified ads,
Clothes moths
Clover Mites
Cockroaches,
Controlling pests,
Employment ads,
Finding a Pro,
Fleas,
Flies
Get rid of :
     Bedbugs
     Carpenter Ants
Gnats
Grain beetles
Hantavirus,
Home page,
Index page
Indian Meal Moth
Insects,
I.P.M. ,
Ladybugs
Mice,
Millipedes
Mold
Moles,
Moths,
Orchard bees
Other pests,
Pantry Pests
Pesticides
Pest pro Associations,
Pharaoh Ants
Phorid Flies
Pill Bugs
Powder post beetles,
Psocid
Questions and answers
Raccoons,
Rats,
Real Estate & Pests,
Rodents,
Silverfish
Skunks
Snakes,
Sow Bugs
Spiders
SPMA of BC,
Stored food pests
Supplies for pest control,
Termites,
Wasps,
Wasp Stings
Wasp Traps
Weevils
West Nile Virus
What is this pest?
Wildlife pests
Wildlife control products

Just a THANK YOU for your great help with id. and non-toxic control! Jean.
Blue Earth MN

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“NOT IN MY BACK YARD”
Wildlife & Pest management

Your ALT-Text here

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Your answer may be on one of these pages:

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

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

Did you know it's against the law...

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

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

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

Your answer may be on one of these pages:

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

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BRAEMAR PEST CONTROL
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Industrial, commercial, residential,
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Calgary,
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2000 Is a dead mouse toxic if a10 mo. old baby got ahold of it and may placed it in his mouth. what do I need to worry about.
There are many health issues you should be concerned about just having your baby in a location where mice have been present. Read about some diseased that rodents carry in this CDC publication. Pests and health hazards

1999 We are plagued with feral cats from the surrounding farms. Over the last 22 years we have rescued approximately 29 cats. We paid for all the fixing, meds, and even supplied food, litter boxes, and cat carriers free of charge to the new owners. We are now retired and can no longer afford to do this. Is there an electronic device available to repel the cats without harming them? We have two licensed indoor cats will not be effected by this device.
We are not aware of scientific evidence that will support the use of electronic devices to repel mammals. An electric fence will keep them out of the garden and not harm the cats. There are a number of spray repellants but most are just effective for a short time.

1998   Question 1: I have large numbers of Sow/Pill Bugs in my vegtable garden. Is there an effective homemade bait/killer mixture or trap I can make and use to reduce the severe damage these things cause to my veggies?
Sow/pill bugs will only eat vegetation that is over ripe, starting to decay or the very young tender shoots of new plants.   They turn vegetation into compost better than worms so you should ot kill them all. Try sprinkling diatomaceous earth around the base of plants affected.
Question 2: What would be an effective homemade attractant to put in the plastic 2 ltr. bottle trap for Paper Wasps/Yellow Jackets/Large Red Hornets?
In the spring when they are feeding larva, they prefer carbohydrates so anything sweet with a good smell should work. (Soda pop)   Later in the season they may want protein so try a piece of fish.

1997 I have a prob with pill bugs (rollie pollie's) in my bathroom. Is there any way to get rid of them? The house is on a slab, no basement or loft. The outside water faucet froze on that side of the house (winter 06-07) and most likely left moisture in the wall - so I'm sure that promotes pill bug presence.
I see ads for TALSTAR and BIFEN indicating pill bug control. Any other thoughts what might help? Thanks, J. Moser
The pill bugs are just a symptom of the much more serious problem.....moisture in the wall. Pesticides will not solve that problem but drying things out will get rid of the bugs. You will probably also have mold growth an the wood will start to decay.

1996 It is the beginning of March (snow and ice outside!) and the ants are starting already!!! We have been seeing them for a couple of weeks now. Last summer was our first time having large black ants...not huge like carpenter ants...kind of 'medium-sized'...but really big compared to the little black ants we were used to having...(which also didn't start coming until warm weather, in May/June) These larger black ants are also pretty aggressive and really quick. What can we do???? We are seeing more and more...like 5-10 a day...and I, being a bug hater, am positive that means there are oodles more that we aren't seeing!!! We usually put out 'ant syrup' a commercial product containing borax for the little guys, will this also be effective for these big monsters??? I didn't want to start a swarm in case it wouldn't actually get rid of them...I don't want to attract them :) Also...do they bite??? I have a 2 and a 1/2 year old who is just starting to notice them... Shelley. Canning, Nova Scotia.
It is very likely you have carpenter ants that are emerging from the warm cavities of your home because they think it is spring. It's too cold outside for any ants to be active.. There are about 5 different sizes in a colony, not all are huge. The "ant syrup" with borax will have no effect on carpenter ants. They do not intentionally bite but can pinch with their strong mandibles and could pierce tender baby skin if threatened. Most homeowners who try to get rid of carpenter ants loose the battle, often making the process more difficult and costly for a professional. Call a local professional on this web page for an estimate. Nova Scotia pest professionals.

1995 How do we keep rodents from nesting in our autos both inside and outside the garages?
Ruth. Lubec, Maine
1. Eliminate any food sources in the area that may be attracting them. (bird seed, pet food, garbage, compost) Place a number of traps in protected boxes in the area. You may try putting one near each vehicle wheel. If the problem persists, call a professional. Read more about controlling rodents.

1994 Are pill bugs bad? Do they bite or hurt in anyway?
Pill bugs are not harmful. Like all living creatures they do have a purpose on earth. They eat decaying vegetation and speed up the process of turning it into compost.

1993 Does a sonic pest repeller work with skunks....or how do I get rid of skunks under my house?
Dorothy. California.
We are not aware of any scientific evidence that would support the use of these devices. Dealing with skunks can be a messy job. A professional can solve your problem.

1992 I believe I have what is referred to as Pavement Ants in my home. Can they be eliminated before they arrive if I know the exact entry points? They are most abundant in the kitchen under the sink where the water pipes are although they do show up everywhere. I have sprayed with Raid Ant Killer in excessive amounts which kills them immediately but they keep arriving for about a week after so multiple sprayings are necessary. There is definitely a colony outside my apartment among the flowers and the neighbors have rose bushes next to the ants. I have been told rose bushes will attract ants. True or not? The flying ants are the most irritating as they are in my bedroom entering from under the heat register. This is a very uncomfortable feeling when I am sleeping as I keep freaking out in the middle of the night thinking they are on my bed but thank my lucky stars they haven't been yet. I have had this problem for 3 years now and they keep returning even though I have saturated the entry points. I know there entry points from their obvious presence but they also leave small piles of sand and granules at entry. I hope I don't have to wait for them to arrive to effectively kill them for it is very traumatizing to be infested. Your prompt response and advice will be greatly appreciated as the arrival date is soon and the weather is getting warmer and may spark early arrival. Marc. Vancouver. BC.
At this time of year (February) it is doubtful the ants you are seeing inside your home are pavement ants. They generally live outside and will not be active until the weather gets much warmer.. It is common to see carpenter ants inside as they emerge from warm cavities in your walls, floor or ceiling. Spraying insecticides on the ones you see will have no effect on the nest. If anything it may encourage them to split up the nest making it much harder to find and eliminate. Ants with wings emerging from under the heat register, indicate there is a nest in that area that has been there for at least 3 years. Have a professional do a quick inspection and estimate. As you will see on this page, this is not a do it yourself project. Get Rid of Carpenter Ants.

1991 Ladybugs are coming into my daughters room. Neither of us are comfortable with this. How can I get rid of these Pests? Thank you for your time. Alexandra. Stamford.
The ladybugs entered cavities in the home through cracks last fall. A few will continue to emerge inside until the weather gets warmer and the rest go out the way they came in. To prevent the problem next year, seal up the cracks and crevices on the exterior of your home.

1990 I have raccoons in an unused chimney in my bungalow. They were there last year and I thought they had gone. It is now the end of January and I can hear them again. How can I get rid of them. The chimney has a clean out vent in the basement. The chimney had been connected to an old furnace which is no longer there. Should I get a chimney cleaner and have the chimney capped?
Sheila. Barrie, Ontario
They will have to come out to eat. They can be trapped and re-located. Probably a job for a professional. See this page for professionals in your area. Ontario Pest Professionals.

1989 We have a heated floor in out basement and ants have moved in over the winter, guess I can't blame them, but how can I get rid of these unwanted house guests. Diane. White city Sask.
You must first have the ant species identified before the right treatment can be prescribed. Most ants that appear in homes during the cold winter months are carpenter ants. If that is the case, you would be wise to call a professional to inspect the problem and offer a solution. Spraying them with a pesticide may make to problem more difficult to eliminate. See this web page: Carpenter ants.

1988 Perhaps one of your associates can help me find a better mouse trap for sale. I have a plastic mouse trap with the label: "Safeset. Patent Pending. Made In Canada". I was given it by a Chevron garden chemicals marketing person over 20 years ago. It was designed somewhat like a clam shell with a small bait platform which, when agitated, snapped the upper shell closed. The upper shell is slightly smaller than the lower shell and has a serrated edge which hits the mouse in the back of the neck, holding the deceased mouse in the clam shell. A light coil spring provides the power. I think it is superior to the common mouse traps with a wooden board and a wire that snaps down. It is a little easier to set up and to empty. My problem is that the small plastic protrusion on one side has snapped. (The protrusions, one on each side, act as pivots or a hinge between the upper and lower portion of the clam shell.) Local Hardware Stores and Garden Centers appear to only stock the old board and spring type of trap. Do you know if such traps are still made and where they can be purchased? M.B. (Jim) Jackson

Here is a photo of the Bell Snapper snap trap commonly used by many professionals. There are similar traps available from other manufacturers. This model has teeth on both the top and bottom jaws ensuring a caught mouse will not escape. It is very safe and easy to use. If you can not find these in your local hardware or building supply store, ask a few local pest professionals if they will sell you some. (Click photo to enlarge.)

1987 There is a problem with maple bugs in the whole town and every day there is some in our house. how do you get rid of them? Denise. Maple Creek Saskatchewan.
Box Elder bugs are also commonly called Maple Bugs. You will find control information on this web page: Box Elder Bugs. and also on this Saskatchewan Royal Museum web site:
http://www.royalsaskmuseum.ca/research/faqs/ls_9.shtml

1986 Do termites make an audible sound? Bet. Waterboro, SC.
Yes. It is a faint rustling or clicking sound generated by their chewing.

1985 We have an ongoing problem with mice! We live in the country, and live in an old store converted into a house. When we moved in there we several holes from downstairs (dirt and partial dirt basement) and to the outside, that we have tried to plug with expandable foam (which they seem to just chew through), and also steel wool. It appears that the mice have actually been "pulling" the steel wool through the holes so as to get through again!!!! There is nothing else that has access to the location of these plugged areas, and therefore we know it is the little XXXXXXXX (so what else can we use to plug them)?! They are even chewing through the wood!! I was wondering if a mixture of cement/concrete and steel wool might work? If you could please give me some insight on what to use, I would be very appreciative!!! Thanks so much, Amber. Rimby, Alberta
These symptoms seem to apply more to a rat than a mouse, but supposedly there are no rats in Alberta. Good quality snap traps placed next to the holes should eliminate the problem. Traps are most effective when placed on the route rodents travel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For sealing rodent openings, stuff the holes first with copper stuffing. Pack it in very tightly using a stick or knife. It is available at www.pestsupplies.ca (steel wool rusts and rots quickly in damp environments) and then foam it in place. This makes a tight seal that rodents, including rats cannot get through. If you are sealing outside, once the foam dries, cut excess with a sharp knife and give it a shot of spray paint to protect it from UV which breaks down the foam over time. Glen Robertson. Robertson's Wildlife and Pest Control.
http://www.wildliferemoval.ca/services.html

1984 A few of my peacocks have been infested with sticktight fleas, (Echidnophaga gallinacea). Can Nitenpyram be used with poultry to control this pest? If not, what do I use to control these pests? Carl. Live Oak, Florida.
I believe Nitenpurum was developed for flea control o dogs and cats. If birds are not listed on the label, it would be illegal to use on your peacocks. Birds are more sensitive to pesticides than most other animals. See this web page for information on the product.
http://www.capstar.novartis.us/dog/en/label.shtml?SearchField=product+label

1983 Hello, we live in a condo building and we have a bat that has landed on the balcony and will not leave. It has been very cold the last couple of days so we created a shelter with blankets to try and keep it warm. The other problem is we have a puppy which is the one that discovered the bat and she may have hurt it when she found it. It has been 3 days and the bat is still alive, but still on the balcony. I don't want our dog to get it, and I don't want the bat to die from the cold either. Is it harmful to move the bat to a different outside location, and if not what type of location would be best. Or is it best to just leave the bat where it is. Thanks for your help, Heather. Kitchener, Ont.
Bats that are easy to catch are often sick and caution should be taken when handling them.
You could throw a towel over it then pick it up wearing leather gloves and put it in a box indoors.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have you called animal control? They should take the bat, care for it, and assess it for rabies. If your dog has had contact with it, this should be done soon. Just a thought.
Heidi

1982 How to get rid of pigeons that land on your porch. George. Beaumont, Alberta
The best solution is mechanical. Use netting or spikes strips. See our bird control web page.

1981 What color are rodents more attracted to?
There are literally hundreds of rodent species on our earth and we have no knowledge about most of them. Species that are night active normally have no color vision. The more they are active during daylight, the better they can see colors. Rats, rabbits and hamsters are color blind. The house mouse can see red and yellow.

1980 Do bedbugs go into TV's & VCR's? If yes how do you get rid of them or is it necessary to throw these items out too? Rose Ann.
Yes. Put them in a plastic garbage bag and store in a freezer for a few days if possible. They may also be treated in a chamber by a pest professional.

1979 MY CLOTHES AND BEDDING ARE INFESTED WITH LICE. I HAVE USED HEAD LICE MEDICATION BUT THIS HAS NOT HELPED WITH THE BEDDING & CLOTHES. IS THERE A COMPANY THAT WILL COME IN AND DELOUSE MY APARTMENT IN STRICT CONFIDENTIALITY?
For information and treatment see our LICE web page.

1978 Drain fly has been identified in my downtown home. Could you advise me what to use to get rid of them for good and keeping them away. The house I live has been recently renovated and has a new kitchen, new bathrooms(3), laundry room in the basement and two floor drains (they are covered by carpet) in the basement. Abid
The drains should be cleaned with a special foaming cleaner. It will clean the top of the pipes which is where the phorid (drain) flies may be breeding. See this web page: Phorid Flies

1977 Is there a product sold in retail stores that kill bed bugs. Jamie.
There is no "magic bedbug killer" in a can. There are products available with bedbugs listed on the label. Bed bugs are as easy to kill as most other insects if you spray an insecticide on the adults.. Spraying non residual pesticides will have no long term effect if it does not come in contact with the bugs while still wet. The problem is finding them. They are so thin they can crawl into a very small crack some distance from their food source and stay there without a new meal for months. If you are successful finding and killing all the bedbugs in a home or apartment, hundreds of pest management professionals would like to hire you. Do lots of research before you try to deal with this problem yourself and you will eventually realize it is a job for professionals. Start on this web page: How to get rid of bedbugs.

1976 We are having a terrible problem with stink beetles in our home. We have noticed that the warmer the weather the worse they are. We have tried everything we can think of from spraying pesticides out side the house and in. We just can't get rid of them. Is there anything we can do. We are afraid to think of what will happen when Spring comes. We have thought about calling professionals and evacuating. Please Help!!!!!!!!!!! Cindy
The best solution is to prevent their entry into the cracks and crevices on the outside of your home but this is almost impossible in most homes. You may be able to reduce the population by spraying the vegetation on your property in the summer. Ask you local garden supply for the best time to spray and product to use.

1975 I have a cat in my apt. My apt manager will conduct pest control for our apt in a couple of days. Will this harm my cat? Sarah. San Francisco.
It really depends on what pest is being controlled, who is doing the work and what products they will use. You have a right to have this information. If a licensed professional is doing the work talk to him about your concerns to prevent any problems. In British Columbia, Canada, landlords of buildings with four or more units must have a pest control service license and the person doing the work must be certified in integrated pest management.

1974 Can using a home humidifier at 50% encourage and attract sub-terrainian termites in slab construction? My neighbor's house was pre-treated during construction, but she later had an extension to her patio added, that was not treated. She also has a tree very close to her house and the branches are on her roof. She claims that none of this matters, and that she was just un-lucky and now has termite tunnels inside her house. She seems to think that calling the exterminator one time, will solve the problem. Could they have made another nest in her attic also?
It seems that homeowners who ignore pest problems and conditions that encourage pests are unlucky. Most insects like high humidity. Tree branches should always be trimmed so they don't touch the house. If it's a bad area for sub-teranian termites, prevention steps should be taken for all construction.

1973 We keep getting yellow jacks in our basement, like one a day, when it get warm outside. It's a mid January. The nest is probably between the walls somewhere. How do we find it? How do we get rid of them before spring comes?
It is unusual to see activity in January. Only some queens survive over the winter. Is it possible you brought them into your basement with firewood? The change in temperature will wake up the queens hiding under the bark or in cracks.

1972 We have seen and caught about 12 cockroaches of several species introduced to our home in a bag of potatoes 6 weeks ago, including 3 last week. We are leaving the house to freeze over the next 2 weeks in January having removed all water from plumbing etc and shutting off the electricity to all appliances and electronics. Upstairs windows have been opened. Is 2 weeks long enough to eradicate further stragglers by freezing ? (It works at cottages on Lake Erie over winter.)
You may be successful eliminating the existing populations of adults but cockroaches have amazing survival abilities. You should concentrate your efforts on eliminating the reason you have cockroaches. Usually it is a hygiene problem.

1971 Where do I find spray to get rid of bedbugs. Eileen. Surrey. BC.
There are very few products registered in Canada for bedbug control. Just spraying pesticides will rarely solve the problem because they very capable of hiding. The more you read about bedbugs, the more you will realize control should be left to an experienced pest professional who will take a number of steps before using pesticides. See our web page "get rid of bedbugs."

1970 We found an Eyed elater (click beetle) in our basement. I live in Morgan, Minnesota and am wondering if these are common here. I have never seen one before. Thanks for any information you can give me. Shirley

1969 We live in a townhouse project with a common underground garage. We have mice. Must the entire complex be exterminated in order for us, as an individual townhouse owner to successfully eradicate the mice? Benjamin.
Because townhouses will all likely have the same potential entry points the entire complex should be inspected and treatment conducted where there is activity.

1968 Is there a natural household product that can be used against dog flea problem (puppy)
It is important in flea control to kill or stop the development of eggs and larva. Larva eat adult feces. Cleaning up this feces with a fine tooth comb, vacuum cleaner and good shampoos will help but the most effective control is an insect growth regulator (IGR) mixed with an adulticide. the control information of this page: "Fleas".

1967 After a Quintox packet is eaten into by a mouse, does the packet need to be replaced or will another mouse eat more of the poison? Linda
You can leave the leftover poison but be careful using loose bait. Mice will often transport it to hiding places to eat later. Solid bait blocks are safer.

1966 we live in this old looking house that was made into 2 apartments and lately we have been finding many gross cockroaches. One of the cats ate one and we were wondering if it was harmful to the pets here. It would be greatly appreciated if we knew. Thanks. Krisara. Ottawa.
Eating a cockroach should not harm your cat unless it has been contaminated with a pesticide.

1965 I have a problem with little worms that turn into little brown bugs, they do not fly, they crawl, but they are in my cupboards, and I could see them on my floors, but hide under the fridge and cupboards, what are they? How can I get rid of them? They go into my pots and pans in the cupboards even, and it is very disturbing to see! Can you help me, how do I get rid of them? Charlene.
Most food infesting beetles come from a larval stage that is often found in dry cereals and grain products. You should probably throw out open packages of dry foods and examine closed ones thoroughly. Check dry pet food and bird seed. You can kill the larva by freezing the food. Clean ALL your cupboards with a strong disinfectant. You could have a professional spray the cracks and crevices with a residual product..

1964 Is it possible to import Dermestid Beetles into Canada from the United States for Taxidermy purposes?
Canada Customs will have your answer.

1963 How do we get rid of Pharaoh Ants? Dianne. Sarnia.
The worst thing you can do is spray pesticides. I will make matters worse. See why on our Pharaoh Ant web page.

1962 we have no pets but we seem to have flees. How did this happen and how do I get rid of them. Annette.
Fleas will hitch a ride on many animals including humans. You could have picked them up in many public places. For control information see our FLEA web page.

1961 We discovered bed bugs in our apartment last week and told our landlord immediately, hoping she would offer to get pest control ASAP to prevent them from spreading any further or coming back if they were coming from elsewhere. She said that I should call pest control. I called a few places last week and when I finally found one I could almost afford, she told me that instead they would have their pest control company come but since we "brought them in" we would have to pay for it. Can they do this? We are in Ontario. Thanks. Amy
We do not offer advice on landlord/tenant issues. It would be difficult to prove how the bedbugs got into the building but if you are the only tenant with the problem you are the most likely cause. See this web page for legal information on landlord/tenant issues: http://www.canlaw.com/tenants/tenantinfo.htm

1960 I have been getting bites that mostly just show up during the mornings/daytime. I have been getting the most of them and my husband some. They usually are in multiples of at least 2 bites in the same area. They started around my ankles and now are showing up on my upper thighs, back, hands. These bites are extremely itchy and I have prescription strength anti-itch cream that is not helping. They are developing into dark spots on my legs and throughout. I thought they were bedbugs, and thus, I have covered my boxspring w/ a plastic cover that cover the top of the boxspring and the entire mattress. I have vacuumed the seams of the mattress, boxspring, we have no rugs in our master bedroom. But I have vacuumed every square inch of our bedroom and change our sheets weekly. I am a clean-freak and germophobe and can't understand where this is coming from. We do have spiders in the house and sometimes little brown ants in the cracks of our bathroom, but when I see these, I seal up the joints with caulking. I'm at a loss of where to go and what to do. Please help with what you think this might be or where I can go in the Toronto area.
Thank you very much for your attention to this email and I very much look forward to your response. Vivian
If you do have a bedbug problem you have taken some steps that could reduce the population but there are numerous locations where they could be hiding, not just in or near the bed. Most people who try to get rid of this problem themselves fail. Even the professionals have difficulties in some situations but they will eventually solve your problem.
Phone 2 or 3 for information and service charge estimate. List of Toronto professionals.

1959 how to get rid of hobo spiders threw out the garage and yard. without spending so much money on pesticides, .maybe a home remedy! Frank.
Reducing trash and rubble around the house and sealing windows and door jams will help to reduce the numbers of most spiders and other arthropods that can gain access into the home. In the garage (a well-known haven for spiders), use plastic bags tightly closed to store all gardening apparel (gloves, old shirts, boots) and sports gear (baseball mitts, roller skates) that is used only sporadically. Remember that this will minimize encounters with spiders, but not eliminate. Typically, pesticide control of spiders is difficult unless you actually see the spider and are able to spray it. It is just as easy and much less toxic to crush the spider with a rolled up newspaper or your shoe. Sticky traps placed along floorboards out of the reach of pets and young children offer a noninsecticidal way to trap spiders as well as provide an idea of population levels in the structure.

1958 During the night we are hearing scratching noises in the attic above us. I have some Christmas gifts up there, which includes some packaged Christmas candy. I am also hearing the crinkling of bags. I usually don't hear the noise during the day. Any suggestions? Thank you. Joe
I suspect rats have decided to join you for Christmas. They like candy and will enjoy opening the gifts with their long teeth. Read about rodent control.

1957 Can you use a solution of bleach and water to kill termites? If so what is the ratio of bleach to water?
Bleach may kill the termites that come in contact with it but this will not eliminate the colony which may be underground. If you value your home, call a professional. You should read more about termites

1956 We have been using "Boot Hill" mouse poison pellets, what happens to the mice after they eat the poison? Will they die inside the house? Tammy. New Brunswick.
Quite often they die somewhere close to where they were nesting. If the populations is large you will have an odor problem and probably flies. Be careful using poison pellets. Mice will transport it to other locations where it cause a problem for other animals or children. Bait blocks and bait stations are much safer.
Have you read the three "R's" of rodent control?

1955 I have had a few ladybugs over the last few weeks coming into my house. They are progressively getting worse and we are out of options. We have sucked them up with the vacuum cleaner, but the more we do that- the more they come. Any suggestions? Katie. Alabama
There is not much you can or should do once they have found their way into the cavities of your home to spend the winter. Spraying pesticides will not have any effect on those in the wall cavities. (They will leave in the spring). They are not intentionally coming into your living space. Your vacuum cleaner is a good and environmentally friendly pest control tool.

1954 We are having a problem with hundreds of lady bugs, or what looks like lady bugs, clinging to our house and doors. How can we eliminate this problem? Cassaundra. Warrensburg, MO.
The earth friendly solution is to spray them with soapy water before they crawl into cracks and crevices where they will spend the winter.

1953 we have centipedes and pill worms in our basement...i didn't think it was damp at all, as we run a dehumidifier all summer...when i looked up the solution i'm confused on this suggestion...CONTROL: Controlling these pests should start with reducing the moisture and humidity in the basement, then using household sprays....WHAT HOUSEHOLD SPRAY??? SHOULD I USE?? Shirlee. Oakbank, Manitoba.
Any insecticide spray labeled for crawling insects should kill the visible populations but long term control will require reduced humidity year round. Read more about centipedes

1952 I would just like to know if bearded dragons consume the beetles, that are typically flying around this time of year to come in from the winter,...is it harmful to them? Nad. Syracuse
Bearded Dragons eat insects but not being reptile experts we can not tell you what they prefer and what may be harmful. Check this web site for some expert advice: http://www.dachiu.com/care/abeard.html

1951 Are yellow jacket color blind, or what color attract yellow jackets.
Bees and wasps are much less sensitive than humans to long-wave light, and have difficulty discriminating among shades that we perceive as red. And there are colors that they can see - those between 300 and 380 nm -that are invisible to us! So flowers that are visually attractive to bees may not be as noticeable, attractive, or easily distinguishable to birds, and vice versa. Many bee-pollinated flowers are yellowish and bird-pollinated flowers are often red or orange. Flowers pollinated by moths are usually white to pale yellow, while bat-pollinated flowers are usually white to brown. Butterflies are often attracted to yellow or blue flowers. Luis. Elmont NY

1950 I live in Victoria, B.C. and have many spiders around my house, particularly in my shed. Looking at your web site, i can identify that the spiders that mainly occupy my shed (which i endlessly have to empty, clear away spiders, and replace everything) are large European spiders and grass spiders. I use spider sprays all the time but they do not seem to work on these larger spiders. I was told that a good deterrent is to spread walnuts around as it will deter spiders from entering. Is this true? Are there other things that may work better? I would rather not try this method if it wont work as it may also attract mice. Please let me know what you think is best. Mark.
There are many home remedies for pest control and some of them are effective but walnuts. chestnuts and citrus fruit do not deter spiders according to Rod Crawford at the
Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture, University of Washington. Read his comments at: http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/spidermyth/myths/skineggs.html
You will find a list of spider myths on this web page"
http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/spidermyth/index.html

1949 I had a mouse infestation in my apt. April/06. Was told mine was the only unit (out of 48) who had mice! Impossible!!! Apartment owners are slow to remove garbage and old furniture left by tenants at the dumpster site - breeding ground for rodents. It's getting cold again and the mice want to come inside. Have asked for pest control to investigate apt. bldg. and fill up any holes, etc. to prevent mice entering building. No cooperation from landlord. What do I do next? Cheryl. Edmonton.
Sorry. We do not give advice on landlord / tenant issues. You are right, the mice will be moving in as the weather gets cold.

1948 WE require a company for spider eradication on exterior of highrise condominium building 24th to 34th floors (no balconies) at these levels in Toronto
Nature should eradicate your spiders, especially at this elevation when the temperature drops to well below freezing later this month (November) or in December.

1947 we have centipedes and pill worms in our basement...i didn't think it was damp at all, as we run a dehumidifier all summer...when i looked up the solution I'm confused on this suggestion...CONTROL: Controlling these pests should start with reducing the moisture and humidity in the basement, then using household sprays....WHAT HOUSEHOLD SPRAY??? SHOULD I USE??
Most crawling inset sprays will probably work but you should read the label and be sure the pest you have is listed. (It's the law).

1946 Is there more recent info on freezing bed bugs? Soon it is winter, but I also may have access to a walk in freezer that begins at -23 and reaches -40 in cycles. What amount of time to freeze stuff?
Loretta.
We are not aware of any recent studies on freezing to control bedbugs. It is important that the temperature has to be well below freezing for a period long enough to penetrate to the center of the object infested. One week should be sufficient.

1945 Are the electronic pest devices safe for pregnant women? Do they harm the baby in any way?
These devices have little or no effect on mice and rats so they should be safe for humans. If you are thinking of buying one don't waste your money. Buy your wife some flowers. See the answer to question #1930

1944 We recently bought a house and our contractor found rat bait poison in the attic. Evidently, the people who lived there before us had had a problem a year or so before selling and had put poison in to handle it. My question is, can this poison be removed, if so, how safely, and are there any professionals who offer this service? Glyn
No special care has to be taken to remove rodent poison except to see that it is disposed of safely.

1943 How can I get rid of a smell in attic of dead mice or birds. I cant find how they get in but it seems every year I have this problem. I need something that will take the smell away as it stinks for about 4 to 6 weeks. Mary. limerick. Ireland.
Mice and rats often follow plumbing from basements and crawl spaces up into the attic. There is no food source for them in the attic so you should not put poison there, It will only attract them. You should attract them down to the basement to eat poison or food on a trap. To get rid of the smell get rid of the dead animal or use a fan to improve the ventilation.

1942 I've noticed several Asian Flying Cockroaches in my condo. Not only is it freaking me out - these things are huge AND they fly - I have an acute phobia of bugs! I'm a very clean person and am confused as to what they are trying to get at. I've noticed them primarily in my bedroom and one or two in my living room. Are there exterminators that specialize solely in eliminating this species of cockroach? I'm assuming because I live in a condo, the possibility of getting rid of them may be difficult -- but I'll do whatever it takes. Any advice?? Thanks in advance. Denise. Los Angeles, CA
Most pest professionals in your area should have experience with Asian cockroaches. Phone a few and ask them if they are able to offer control using bait rather than spraying pesticides.

1941 Just wanted to drop you a line and tell you thank you folks for an outstanding site. I guess you could call me an amateur entomologist in South Carolina and I have been using your site for my little "taxonomic quiz of the week". I do have one question though...I recently found one of my collections that is contaminated with Dermestid beetles. I threw in a couple of moth balls and will begin assessing the damage in a few days. Is Naphthalene the best prevention/cure for this, or is there something better? Thank you! Bryan
Re: dermestids infesting insect collections - Mothballs (naphthalene) are problematic at best for deterring these beetles. Paradichlorobenzene (PDB) is generally more toxic to them than is naphthalene, but it will react with and melt some hard plastics, such as polystyrene and Styrofoam. Also, other plastics may soften and melt following prolonged contact with PDB. If feasible for you, place any infested collection in a freezer for a couple of days. This will kill any dermestids present, but obviously, it will not prevent future infestation. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV

1940 Which Has a 3 Stage life Cycle Ant-Bee-powderpost beetle -Drywood termite .What Does 20-23 -25 percent moisture reading mean in structural pest control
Termites undergo an incomplete metamorphosis, with three developmental stages:. Egg; Nymph; Adult. In structural pest control the percentage of moisture usually refers to a measurement of the amount of moisture in wood.

1939 I have noticed for the last 3 days that I have white worm like things on my kitchen ceiling. We remove them but in no time they are back. We can't see where they are coming from its like they just appear. We did have a leak about 3 months ago in the bathroom upstairs and I'm wondering if that my have something to do with it. Susan. Toronto.
If you check the dry foods in your cupboards you may find more. Indian meal moth larvae will often leave their food source climbing walls and across ceilings. Look in everything that is not sealed in an airtight container. They somehow manage to get into new unopened crackers, cereal and pasta. See this web page: Indian Meal Moth

1938 My companion has a house in the country that has had a fly infestation problem for 13 years. The flies are in the attic and in the walls. They show up in large numbers on the windows every day and especially in the heat. I have suggested to have it fumigated, but he is concerned of the problems breathing the pesticides afterwards. Please help. Carol. New Brunswick
These are cluster flies. Total elimination is almost impossible without spraying or fogging some parts of the home with a short term fast knockdown insecticide. There should be no health risk if the professional follows guidelines for such treatment and the owner vacates the home for the prescribed period of time. (Usually 6 to 24 hours).

1937 We moved out of our house two months ago and there is nobody living in it. A family member went into the house (bedroom with old carpet) and indicated that the house was infested by what he thought were fleas. He is not sure which room they came from, he is assuming they came from the bedroom. Small black bugs, they either fly or jump very quickly, he noticed them on his clothes (mainly pants) when he was leaving the house. I did not notice any bugs when we were living there...and he said he noticed " a lot of them" we had a dog and he was in the house often, but he is now living with someone else and was just groomed and does not have any fleas. and he has not been in the house for at least 7 weeks. we are pulling the carpet upstairs and painting the room anyway, but there is another carpet downstairs...
1. Any guesses as to what they are..?
2. Since we are pulling the carpet...will that help?
3. Will steam cleaning the other carpet make a difference..?
4. We don't live in an area with good access to pest control either..
5. what would be my best course of action..
FLEAS. Read the answer to qu

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