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PEST CONTROL CANADA
A
special place for Canadian Consumers
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Animal pest questions and answers.
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Other Question and Answer Pages: |
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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.
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Click on the subject of interest |
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| BATS |
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#196
I have been told a story about a bat that was in a friends house and
actually flew toward his face. Is this common? Also what could possible
explain this bat's behavior? Amber. Sydney. |
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Question #81
Need to know all the information
that you have on BATS including health problems related to BATS (guano)
you see I've been living in this house for know 4 years and I have
notice that we've been having problem with these bats in my attic for
these past years an I need to know everything that you can about
BATS. My son has had problems and I need to know if it has any
relation with them. So please help me. Margueritte.
Kapuskasing, On |
We have just added information about bat
related health problems on the page: BATS
You will also find some good answers to your question on the
"Questions about
animal pests" page.
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Question # 43
We have been having a
problem with bats. One even got into the house, we have learned that our
neighbors have also had problems with them and are taking measures to
evict them. I however think that they will return by making new holes. I
have found an electronic pest control product on the American market
that you plug into the electrical outlet and it omits an electronic
interference to the pests. My question is do they work and where in
Canada if at all can you find them. Thank you for your time, Mrs. Bonny --------. |
The best solution to bat problems is to
screen them out. In British Columbia bats are considered beneficial and
are a protected species. Read this short information sheet and check the
links on this page. BATS
It is not likely you will be able to buy an
electronic pest control device from a professional pest control
service business in Canada.
Read also the answers to question # 17 and # 4. |
A word to the wise about this whole group
of "miracle electronic pest repellers"... none of these work..
they do nothing.. except make those who market them a bit richer.
Solving bat problems takes a professional who knows something about
bats. In Canada the two most common species in houses are ... the little
brown bat and the big brown bat.. Those are not merely ways of
describing them, those are the actual common names of these individual
species. The little brown bat does not stay in structures during winter.
They leave and overwinter in other locations. The big brown bat, as I
recall, does stay in structures. A bat specialist can learn which
species you have by checking the bat "scat"... or .. for if
you are lucky enough to get someone who really knows bats, they actually
measure the pitch of their ultrasonic squeaks... and identify them that
way.
If you live in an area where there are lots of mosquitoes you might even
consider installing a bat house on a tree nearby.. The bats do return to
the same location if it is little brown bats. You can prepare for their
return by having a professional learn where they are getting in, and
blocking this area.
There is an excellent resource for bats on the web.. it may even be on
this site. I can't remember the name at this second, but it may be
Tuttle... A small booklet that is available on the net and gives you a
truly complete perspective on getting bats out of your home. If it is
not on this site, I will post the actual location of the book on the web
for you.
Sam Bryks, Manager, Pest Control MTHC, Toronto.
email: sam.bryks@mthc.on.ca
Webmanager comment: Thanks Sam. We
look forward to getting the link to that web site. |
I found the link for
bats.....it is: http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/uh081.html
This is a booklet in PDF format which can be downloaded for free.
Title is... "Guide to Northeastern Bats and Bat Problems."
Most of the principles apply to any location. There is also a good
brochure from BC that is on the links section of the Bats
International. Sam Bryks.
Webmanager comment: Sam is
the Manager of Pest Control Programs at Metro Toronto Housing
Corporation, the largest public housing organization in Canada, based in
Toronto, Ontario. He has been in the pest control industry now for
nearly 23 years and working in the housing area for the last 14 years.
He has the unique situation of being both a pest control professional
and also a client of pest control companies. He is certainly not seeking
monetary rewards here.
We sincerely appreciate his unselfish and knowledgeable input through
his answers to many questions on this web page. Thanks Sam. |
Question # 44
I have a problem
concerning bats. Normally I don't worry about them too much, if they
would stick to their natural Cliffside hangouts. However, some of them
are entering the crevices around the mainsail cover on my sailboat and
are leaving one heck of a mess in the folds of my sail, as well as
scaring the heck out of my crew when we raise the sail and they come
swooping out and their droppings along with them. I've tried moth balls,
and that doesn't work. It's very inconvenient trying to seal them out
with plastic wrap. On average we use our boat twice a week and they come
back every time. They don't bother the neighbor's boats in the yacht
club. We all assume it is because I have a very black sail cover, versus
blue or red, etc. Any lethal ideas? Frank |
| Your problem with bats is a little more
serious than the one below but you may find some answers on the BATS
page or the links. Perhaps you could make a light net cover with draw
strings to cover your sail cover. This is a tough one. |
| BIRDS |
Question #126
In our factory at work we have had pigeons living for some three years now.
They are becoming extremely annoying - what can we do to get rid of them. We
are a metal fabrication company and the birds go to the toilet over sheets
of metal and on the roof of our truck.
Tim. Belfast, Northern
Ireland. |
| You could probably find a local professional
to install bird netting to restrict their access to the roosting areas. This
is the most effective way to deal with pigeons. |
Question # 20
We have found
your item for relocation birds from vineyards. We are interesting about
a system, which will drive away birds, especially starlings (Sturnus
Vulgaris) from area of vineyards (large about 10ha). We turn to you to
get more information about new generation of electronic sound devices.
Which kind of detection is used? Does the system operate automatically?
Can we, please, get more information about prices and technical data?
Thank you; Pavel, Kocourkova, Czech Republic |
| Webmanager's note:
Here is a chance for Canadian suppliers to show some true goodwill and
perhaps develop an export market. E-mail
me for contact information. |
Question #10
How can I keep pigeons
from landing on my balcony? Jess |
Most bird control
professionals now use mechanical devices to keep birds from becoming
pests.
You may be able to install netting or wires temporarily and hope the
pigeons move down the street. |
Solving pigeon problems on balconies can
be pretty difficult as this is so often a community based problem. When
a few people feed the birds on the property or from balconies, then the
birds tend to stay in the area, and start to establish nesting sites on
balconies. Your landlord, or if it is a Condo corp, then your
corporation has an obligation to ensure that tenants do not do things
that interfere with other tenants or owners being able to
"enjoy" their homes. As the previous recommendation stated,
netting does work well, but you should check with your landlord or the
Condo corp before you have this installed. The cost of installing
netting can vary from around $100 - $250 or more depending on the size
of the balcony. Installations using wood are no good.... the wood will
get wet and rot eventually, and if your installer damages the cement
floor or the railing, you may be responsible for the costs. By letting
your landlord or condo corp know the problem, you would then have an
approved firm do the installation. A good installation will last for
years, and can be repaired fairly easily. The Bird Barrier site noted by
the previous professional will give you a good idea of the low tech, but
sturdy type of installation. Shooing the birds off by being persistent
and destroying the eggs, and cleaning up nesting material also works
very well, if you do not have many pigeons on the building. It is a
difficult problem for sure....
Sam Bryks, Manager, Pest Control MTHC, Toronto.
email: sam.bryks@mthc.on.ca |
| CHIPMUNKS
& SQUIRRELS |
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#193
I have squirlls or chipmunks in my ceiling. How do I get them out? Thay
are munching on something in the walls you can hear them I am afraid thay
are gona eat through a wire and cause a fire. thay are making sleep
impossible! there is one spot in the house to put a live trap ( were we
have a drop ceiling) there is one there but thay have not gone in yet i
put peanut butter in it I am at a loss. Can you help? Carrie.
Albion, N.Y. |
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Question # 36
Chipmunks, cute little
creatures that they are, get in to my shed and in to the crawl space
under my house. They tunnel everywhere and litter my shed with nuts
etc...I don't want to kill them if I don't have to. I tried moth
balls.....help. Jacob in Manitoba, in the Interlake north of
Winnipeg. |
| You might try buying or renting a live
trap and relocating them some distance away. Use nuts for bait.
They are quite capable of destroying the insulation under homes and this
is a serious problem where you live. You should try to determine the
entry points and screen them. |
Question # 48
We are overrun with
chipmunks at our cottage, and there are several getting into the
cottage. How do I get rid of them please. We also have had red squirrels
in the cottage this year, and we have sealed up any holes we found with
the foam spray can, but the chipmunks don't seem to be in that area.
Peggy, Orleans, On |
| You must find the entry points and screen
them off. Foam will probably not work properly. You may also need to use
a live trap and relocate the chipmunks. |
Question # 59
I have squirrels (red)
climbing a tree that is close the roof of my house - they get on the
roof, go into the eaves trough, and squeeze into the adjoining pieces of
wood at the roof peak and consequently get into the house (attic, I
believe). How can I rid myself of these squirrels. I am having the tree
cut down. However, if they are in the house, can I trap them and with
what, ie food, trap, etc. M.J. |
| Squirrels can be trapped with live traps
(see http://www.livetrap.com/) which pest control professionals in your
area will have available for sale, or rent. These traps are best baited
with peanuts and peanut-butter and animals should be relocated a
significant distance away (preferably crossing a body of water). Sealing
off entry points in the roof will prevent a reinvasion. Jamie. North
Shore Pest Detective. Web
page and e-mail link. |
MJ... live-trapping squirrels can create
some unexpected problems that the homeowner is not aware of. Squirrels
tend to be territorial, so if you take them to another location, there
is a good chance they will not survive. If you trap them when there are
young squirrels inside the attic, you should know that the youngsters
which are blind for a considerable time will die of thirst, and then you
may have an odor problem. Not a nice thing to be responsible for. In
addition, if squirrels have found location in your attic, there is a
chance that others in the neighborhood may arrive there as well. If you
build out the current squirrels in your house, they will still be in the
neighborhood, -- squirrels often have more than one nest, sometimes in
different locations, and while they have been evicted from your home,
they may still hold their own territory and keep others away. If a tree
is too close to your house, it is probably a good idea to take it down,
but there are a number of less drastic solutions - have the tree
branches trimmed so that branches do not overhang your roof less than
about 3 meters in height. Squirrels will jump from tree to house, but if
the height is increased, they may be more encouraged to stay in the
tree. Another strategy is to band the tree with a brown coloured
aluminum sheet about a yard wide, at about 10 feet off the ground.
Squirrels can't manage to scale that 3 feet of smooth smooth sheeting
(the kind used for siding.. but it must be smooth, not textured.). Keep
in mind that squirrels are perfectly capable of climbing up stucco or
brick or wood surfaces without much trouble. I have seen squirrels
running along the surface of a 12 story building that had a stucco
surface - much like the Spiderman of comic book fame. If you choose to
get a wildlife removal company, then choose one which has a good
reputation both in quality of work, in warranty (a one year warranty is
always good -- but the warranties are usually conditional... understand
the specific conditions of the warranty before you sign the contract.
Firms that respect wildlife and do their work without harming wildlife
are the best really. Their ethical values in their treatment of animals
are usually also translated into their good business practices. A firm
that doesn't care about the well being of the animals is not really
going to worry too much about your complaints if you have problems.
Professional and ethical firms will know when the time is right to
exclude the animals and if there are young, they will make every effort
to ensure that the female squirrels get their young out or that the
young are removed, put into a cardboard box on the roof or in another
safe place so that the females can retrieve them.
Sam Bryks, Manager, Pest Control MTHC, Toronto.
email: sam.bryks@mthc.on.ca |
| GROUNDHOGS
& GOPHERS |
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Question # 15
I work on a diary /cash
crop farm. My boss and I have been trying to get rid of the ever so
annoying groundhog (gopher) or the last couple of years. We have tried
smoke bombs, gun and the farm dog without much success. Any info you
might have on some method or product and where to access would be
greatly appreciated. Toby. |
Getting rid of gophers is never easy..
There are a number of products registered for this use. You need to
check to see which products are still available. Some years ago
Phostoxin (phosphine fumigant) pellets were available for this use for
farmers under permit with required basic training. There are also some
other products - which may not require a permit as such - such as a
"smoke" or "sulfur" bomb.. as it is called. Please
confirm that these are still available. Getting any of these fumigant
type of products to work really depends on the use of good application
techniques. Putting in the pellets in mid-day is useless. The gophers
will leave their burrows as they are active during the day.
First step is to survey your farm and identify where all the burrows are
located. Each burrow usually has a a secondary escape hole. Equip
yourself with a flexible plastic hose (the kind used for sump pumps)..
about 3 - 4 feet is fine. Also get some gravel to be able to put into
each burrow. With some of these products (phostoxin for example), the
soil needs to be damp. Then drive to each burrow .. late afternoon or
early evening.. put the hose down.. insert a pellet, withdraw the hose,
and try to fill the burrow with the gravel. The gophers tend to retreat
into the burrow at night, and you may get good results. You need to
check them the next day to see if any have been re-opened... and if so,
then do the procedure again. This works very well. Be sure to read
the label and follow the directions. It is best to do this work as a
team.. good luck...
Sam Bryks, Manager, Pest Control MTHC, Toronto.
email: sam.bryks@mthc.on.ca |
Question # 38
I have an infestation
of groundhogs around my house. They dig holes around my garage and lawn.
How do I get rid of them? Bruce |
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| MICE |
The answer to your questions
may be on one of these pages:
Ants,
Ant nest photos
Ask the experts,
Bats,
Bees,
Birds,
Carpenter Ants,
Carpenter ant photos,
Getting rid of Carpenter ants
Canadian Pest Management Association,
Choosing
a pro, Cockroaches,
Controlling
pests,
Finding a
Pro,
Fleas,
Hantavirus,
Home page,
Insects,
I.P.M. ,
Mice,
Moles,
Moths,
Other
pests,
Powder post
beetles, Raccoons,
Rats,
Real Estate & Pests, Rodents,
Snakes,
Spiders,
SPMA of
BC,
Sow
Bugs,
Supplies for
pest control, Termites,
Wasps,
Wildlife pests
|
Question # 117
Recently, due to the cold weather, our new home has
become a condo for mice. We have a new baby and my wife is positively
phobic. I would like to know what I can do myself not just to destroy but to
discourage them from taking up residence with us. Do you have any
suggestions? David. Windsor, Ontario. |
| There are a number of suggestions to stop
entry and discourage mice on the rodent page.
Understanding their travel habits and food sources will give you some good
ideas. |
Question #112
I have recently discovered that I had some mice in
my house. I checked around the house and found a crack around a basement
window where mice might have been able to get through. I plugged it using
steel wool. I set up a bunch of snap traps and caught 2 mice the first night
and I haven't caught any more since. My concern is that the mice that I did
catch appeared to be deer mice (dark brown with white underbelly). I know
that deer mice are know to carry the hantavirus so here is my question: How
common is the deer mouse in urban areas? I thought deer mice were mostly
just found in rural areas. Also, is it known how widespread are hantavirus
infected mice are in Ontario (Ottawa region specifically)? Marc.
Ottawa. |
| Contact the regional, city or provincial
health health department. They should have records of any testing done on
mice in the area. If the hair on the underside of the mouse tail is
white, it is likely a deer mouse. In some areas deer mice are the most
common species. They can survive anywhere there is a food source and
they especially like bird feeders. |
Question #110
I have used a professional pest control company
that used a poison now I fear the animal has died in my wall due to the foul
odour in my home . is this decay dangerous to my family (hanta) and how long
will the smell last. Krista, Delta, B.C. |
If it is one or 2 mice the smell should
dissipate in less than a week as the carcass dehydrates. A rat could smell
for up to 2 weeks. If you can determine which cavity it is in, cut a hole in
the wallboard and remove it.
There is no risk of hantavirus unless you do open the cavity. |
Question
#109
I have recently discovered mice in the attic space
of my house. I am in the process of finding and sealing access points but
have a question about elimination. The attic is insulated and they seem to
live under the insulation which prevents me from using snap traps. I have
begun using poison and a Tin Cat with limited success (none in the Tin Cat
but have disposed of a few corpses from those that have been poisoned), but
am considering removing most (or all) of the insulation to allow the use of
snap traps. I am strongly considering calling a professional to nip this
quickly, but if they are likely to recommend removal of the insulation then
I would like to give that a shot first. What have your experiences been in
dealing with mouse infestations in insulated attic spaces?
D.J. Mississauga, ON |
| Mice love to nest in insulation,
but they must leave for food and water.
They are likely following pipes up from the crawlspace or basement.
Poison is a food that should attract them, so put it in the basement, or
use snap traps if you prefer. Do not disturb the insulation. There is
always a slight risk of hantavirus attached to the small particles that will
become airborne when you move the insulation. In fact, I would stay out of
the attic unless you wear a hepa filter respirator and protective clothing.
Read the information about hantavirus on this page. |
Question #100
We recently purchased a home in the country. After purchase we discovered
that there had been mice living in the house particularly the basement. Over
the past two years we have set traps, plugged holes etc and believe that we
may have the problem under control. Recently we removed that drywall from
the external walls in the basement. It was no surprise to find that the mice
had burrowed through the insulation (the pink stuff) leaving a tremendous
amount of excrement.
We are preparing to reinsulate and drywall the walls. Please advise
whether we should sanitize the walls first and with what ( bleach and
water?). Also can you tell me whether there is an insulation that we should
use that we not allow the mice to nest ( maybe a type of product by Roxul or
foam?). Should we be placing some type of pesticide in the walls in the
event we have mice entering? and if so what type? Thanks for your help. We
are determined to rid our house of these pests!!
Kathryn, Campbellville, Ontario |
| You have done the right thing, plugging the
entry points. You could spray the walls lightly with bleach and water,
(10 to 1 mix) to kill potential Hantavirus and mold spores. Ridged foam
insulation is good for basement walls because it does not absorb moisture
and is not easy for mice to nest in. Use expansion foam to fill
difficult gaps. You should not need to put poison in the walls.
|
Question #96*
I have mice infestation in my house and despite
professional advice and help, they keep coming. I have done everything to
ensure that all the holes, cracks, etc are sealed wherever I detect these
with steel wool, cement, and have used poison recommended by the pest
control professional. All this to no avail. My neighbour has a bird feeder
and doesn't understand that ever since she put this in, mice have been
attracted. I am sure she is overrun as well.
My question is whether or not there is legal recourse. Are there
provincial/municipal bylaws that may help me in having the bird feeder
removed to my neighbour's back yard rather than near our driveway or better
still, have her remove it entirely. They are obviously a great health hazard
and I've ensured all food items and garbage areas are sealed. If anyone can
help with this question, I'd be most grateful. As well who else in the
industry can I approach to help me aggressively to get rid of the pests. My
problems began only a year ago and I've lived in this house for over 17
years! Taz. St. Catharines, Ontario |
This is not an easy situation as it involves
one person getting pleasure from a birdfeeder while this is creating
problems for the neighbour. Birdfeeders are very common, and lots of people
love having them, so taking any kind of legal approach may only create a lot
of animosity without really solving the problem.
I think the best approach would be to speak to your neighbour and
acknowledge that she gets pleasure from the bird feeder, but you are
concerned about the problems it could cause with mice for both of you. The
position of the feeder may have to do with your neighbour being able to see
the birds, so moving it if that is a helpful approach to reducing your
problem should also take into account her wish to see the birds. The other
help is for your neighbour to not overload the feeder... the more seeds the
birds eat the less there for the mice.
The steps you are taking are the right ones. Snap traps are always a good
way to control mice. If they are coming to a garage area you could consider
buying an automatic mousetrap such as a ketch-all or a Tin Cat which will
catch more of them (you could then either take them a distance away 1/4 mile
or so, and let them go, or drown them in your laundry tub..
A good pest management firm will do a thorough inspection of your house
inside and outside to see where there may be a need for more sealing and
blocking of points of entry. Also keep in mind that with the milder winter
weather we have been experiencing in Ontario over the past ten or more
years, this has been very beneficial to mouse population increases.. Last
year was not that cold, so part of the problem could also be related to this
as well. good luck...
Sam Bryks. Business: Manager, Pest Control, TCHC (Toronto Community
Housing Corporation) |
Question #94*
How do I get rid of mice? I have 2 dogs and I don't think I can use poison.
I have trapped 1 and seen another one. So where there is 2 there is more.
What should I do? Jo-Anne, Winnipeg, Manitoba |
Have you checked the information on the
Rodent Page? There are a number of useful
tips.
Read "The three R's of rodent control"/ |
Question #93*
Where do I buy a live trap for squirrels. Andrew. Toronto,
Ontario |
| Phone a few of the professionals listed on
the Toronto page
in our directory. |
Question #82*
We have a mouse problem in our house. We have gone over every nook and
cranny, crawled around to find holes and cannot locate or find how they are
getting in. Is it possible that they could live in the house if they have
enough food stored or is this impossible? thank you....we have been dealing
with this for five years and are going crazy!!! Andrea.
British Columbia. |
| Mice can squeeze through a crack as small as
it's skull size. Any openings around pipes, vents, wiring, fireplaces should
be plugged with steel wool. If you still have a problem, perhaps the
experienced eyes of a professionals will see something you don't.
|
Question # 28
I reside in a townhome.
Under a bathroom sink cabinet, the drywall does not fit tightly around
the sink pipe leading out of my home. I feel this is where the bugs are
entering my house, since is the only locate they seem to be. The bugs
are around 1/4 inch in length, and very thin, there are no wings, they
are black in color, their mouth appears to be elongated and bent down at
a 45 degree angle. I find two to three dead bugs weekly, but only in
this bathroom. I've checked the drawings of the different bugs on your
pests page, but can not find "my bugs". Thank you for your
assistance! I'm going to put a foam spray around the sink pipe where it
meets the drywall hoping to keep these insects out of my house!
Coleen |
| Are you sure these are not mouse
droppings? Try stuffing steel wool tightly around the pipe. If there are
no more droppings, you probably have a problem with mice in the walls
and below floor level. |
Question # 52
We just got back
from a 2 month vacation and found mouse droppings all over. On the
carpet, in the cabinets where I keep the pots and I'm sure it's in more
places that I haven't found yet.
I have young children including a crawling infant. Is it
dangerous? How do I clean up properly? vacuum? is washing the pots with
soap and water enough? Should I have the carpets cleaned? And
then how do I get rid of the mice? Thanks. Pnina. |
A list of health hazards related to
rodents could fill this web page. You must take immediate action before
allowing children to play where there are mouse droppings. Anything used
for food preparation that may be contaminated should also be cleaned
with a solution of bleach and water. If the mouse urine was visible you
would probably consider moving out. Read the information on these pages
for helpful tips on control and clean up. Rodents.
Hantavirus.
|
Question # 53
I have field mice
in the house. Are they a risk for the family and what damage can they
cause. Should I trap them or what? Judy. |
| All mice in a residence can be a health
hazard. Mice are suspected as the cause of many fires when insulation is
chewed off wiring. See the answer to question # 52 above |
Question # 58
We live in a 25 year
old 3 story apartment block in Vancouver. Just this year we have been
experiencing mouse problems. Many apartments have seen them. We have
been putting down poison and glue traps and wrapping up food. Is there
anything else that we should be doing? Are mice a cyclical problem?
Thank you. Deb. |
Mice can be a cyclical (or seasonal)
problem. When the whether cools, as it has recently at night in
Vancouver, rodents begin to seek a warm place to live out the winter.
One needs to be sure to put out a sufficient amount of bait, so that the
mice will not outbread the baiting program (one breeding pair can
produce up to 144 pups in a year and the young can reproduce within 2
months). In order to prevent the problem from being cyclical the goal
needs to be finding the potential entry points for the mice and sealing
them. Additionally, you might benefit from an ongoing external baiting
program in order to deal with the rodents before they make their way
into the apartment complex. Feel free to click on our link to discuss
this more.
Jamie. North Shore Pest Detective. Web
page and e-mail link. |
Question # 67
I am staying in
xxxxxx Towers at Toronto. On 13th Sept. 2001 the XXXXXXXX
Pest Control personal came in to the house and left a few yellow packets
of poison for the mice inside my house, based on my request. On 15th
evening the only mice which I am keeping a track ate the poison. It
continued to eat every day. Today is 20th and the mice is still alive.
It is active damaging the wall, paint, thermo cool, wood, etc. My
question is whether the mice is immune to the poison applied ? Is there
any strong doses available for application which is not harmful for the
residents. Are there fictitious chemicals in circulation ?
Thank You. Sreekumar |
| Mice rarely live alone. The building you
live in could have many mice that have discovered the food (poison) that
has been placed for them. The poison is likely killing all the
mice that eat it. If poison has not been placed in other critical areas
of the building, it may take some time before they stop coming to your
apartment. |
One of the major problems with mice in
high rise buildings is travel between units. If you are on higher floors
and are having problems, it likely means that the problems exist in a
lot of locations. For your own unit, it is very useful to check all the
possible points of travel for the mice such as where your rad pipes go
into walls, plumbing pipe passages (especially under sink), and other
potential hiding places. If you plug these with steel wool to reduce
ability of mice to travel, it is a big help. You might put rodent bait
in a more solid form into the openings before you plug them. Within your
own unit the best device for mouse control is the snap trap. These are
inexpensive and if you check out the best way to place them, you will
destroy any mice in your own unit. The landlord also has an obligation
to ensure that pests are being kept out and eliminated from the
building.
Sam Bryks, Manager, Pest Control MTHC, Toronto.
email: sam.bryks@mthc.on.ca |
Question #104
I would like to know if the pest control act would allow to put Quintox
(grain formulation ) in dishes along the walls of a restaurant kitchen .
When I said dishes I refer to the small black dishes made for this only
purpose. Thank you very much. Luis. Oakville, Ontario |
This is really not a great approach. The
cheap little plastic trays for mouse bait is an antiquity that should be
tossed in the garbage.
Mouse control really requires a good overview to see where the mice are
gaining entry, and if there are points at which they can get inside walls.
Good storage practices, and good housekeeping are important as well.
Mechanical trapping using snap traps or automatic mouse traps is far better
than bait. If you must use bait, Quintox is a good product, but put into a
plastic bag and then inside a proper tamper proof bait station.
The other way is very sloppy and the bait will get spilled and likely get
damp .. Not a very good way to do it at all.
That kind of placement could also be a violation of local legislation about
safe rodenticide placement. In most locales, it would be forbidden in any
area where food is being prepared.
Sam Bryks
Business: Manager, Pest Control TCHC (Toronto Community Housing Corporation) |
| |
| MOLES |
Directory of Pest Management Professionals
|
|
# 165
Both this spring and last, when the snow melted we have damage done to our
lawn by what we have been told are Voles. They are leaving long
indentations in the grass with mounds of soil and sod at one end with a
hole about the size of an egg in them. The indentations are anywhere
from a couple of feet long to 10 to 20 feet long. The pile of soil that
they leave behind is very sandy looking almost like that of an ant hill.
I have not seen any of these rodents so I am not sure that this is our
problem or not. We live in Middle Sackville, Nova Scotia and I have
driven thru our neighbourhood and I cannot see any other lawns which seem
to have this type of damage. Can you let me know if in fact this is the
work of Voles and how do I deal with them. We have spent a considerable
amount of money landscaping our property and we do have a lawn service
looking after it. Unfortunately I am right across the street from a
playground so I can not use pesticides. Anything that you can suggest
will be greatly appreciated. Also do you know anywhere on the internet
that I can find a picture of a Vole so at least I know what to look for.
I have done a few searches myself and cannot find a picture.
Thanking you in advance for
any help you can provide.
Bev , Nova Scotia.
|
There seems to be some confusion between
"voles" and "moles".. Please see Question 187 for more details.
What you are describing sounds like moles.
Here is the distinction.. "Vole" is another term for a type of mouse also
called a "meadow mouse". These are larger than house mice, have a short
tail, and can be mistaken easily for a juvenile rat at first glance. Moles
are in a different group, and a a burrowing animal- largely blind - and they
tunnel under grass searching for insect larva which they feed on. Mice do
travel under snow or under things like discarded pieces of plywood panelling
or cardboard, creating a depression in grass. Moles travel "under" the
grass.. creating tunnels. If you have moles the control is quite different
than voles. See response 187 for more details.
Sam Bryks, Manager, Pest Control MTHC, Toronto.
|
Question #142
How do I get rid of a vole living in my small front yard? It has never been
seen nor caught by our cats. It has entrances in the grass and two in
perennial flower bed near Japanese maple and veronica, all within 6 feet of
each other. I have used rat and fire ant poison, filled hole with water,
rocks, and dirt. Debbie. Atlanta. |
I am not sure if you are talking about a
vole or a mole. A vole is a kind of mouse - also sometimes called a meadow
mouse. You could eliminate this with a glueboard - perhaps placed inside of
a small bait station. Caution is advised as you have a cat. I don't suggest
using bait as your cats may eat the vole and the bait too, and then you will
have a bigger problem than the rodent. If you are talking about a MOLE, then
it is a totally different situation. You need to get a mole trap. I don't
know where you are located, but you might be able to find these in a farm
supply retailer. The traps are pushed into the mole tunnel and then set. The
mole triggers it when it runs along the tunnel, and goodbye mole. Goodluck...
Sam Bryks
Manager, Pest Control TCHC (Toronto Community Housing Corporation) |
Question # 124
A mole or vole has
entered my basement through a small opening in the outside wall about 7 days
ago. I set a trap for it using peanut butter on a piece of bread. It was
able to get the food without triggering the trap. This happened within a
day. I reset the trap with additional bait 6 days ago and there has been no
action detected. There are no apparent escape routes. I have searched the
basement thoroughly and cannot find any sign of the animal dead or alive. Is
it possible that the animal has died in that time because of the lack of
water? Thanks for help.
Chester. Rochester Hills Michigan |
Moles and voles.. the names rhyme but the
similarity really ends there (excepting of course that both are mammals).
Moles are burrowing mammals that feed on insects and one another (if two
males meet in a tunnel, they are going to be in a rather disagreeable
conflict and one may end up being dinner for the other). I think that the
chance of a mole being in a basement is remote. They burrow just under the
surface of lawns. Not really known to enter houses - or that I have ever
heard of. (always good to learn new information).
Voles are a type of mouse - also known as Meadow Mouse. Larger than common
housemouse.. shorter tail. Not usually found as pests inside houses though
they may sometimes be found near homes.
If you haven't seen any evidence for 7 days, it may be that the "critter"
has vacated the premises. Housemice do not need much moisture and can
survive on finding food sources. If it got in through a crevice, it will
find its way out.
If you want to confirm that it is gone, you might take some baby powder and
dust it in the basement where you thought it came in, and other locations in
basement at perimeter (at wall). Sprinkle a fine dust layer so if the rodent
is there, it will in fact leave tracks on the talcum dust. You will need a
flashlight to shine on the dust at an angle to create shadowing of tracks.
The most probable --- house mouse or deer mouse.
good luck..
Sam Bryks
Manager, Pest Control TCHC (Toronto Community Housing Corporation) |
Question # 18
Got shrubs and garden
damage ,we been using traps and pellets poison (put in tubes to keep
birds from eating them) but it look's like almost no difference is seen
in the amount of damage. Some say they are volds. We been baiting them
with peanut butter to some success. is there anything else we can do?
thanks Lawrence |
Hi: I would continue to trap them with
peanut butter, but I would add a few drops of Almond Extract to the
peanut butter. Hope this Helps. Ken. Olympic Pest Control, Victoria
olympicpest@home.com |
Question #7
How do I get rid of
moles off my lawn??? Ron C. |
There are specialized mole traps sold to
control these pests. If you are handy, these work well. The trap is
basically driven into the path of the mole by being inserted into the
burrow and set. The mole comes to the trigger when it is running in its
burrow and the trap kills it. You may need two or three or four of the
traps depending on the extent of the problem.. or.. you could hire a
professional mole hunter. There are some individuals that specialize in
this area, but many communities do not have enough mole problems to
merit this kind of specialization. Good luck...
Sam Bryks, Manager, Pest Control MTHC, Toronto.
email: sam.bryks@mthc.on.ca |
Question # 39
I have a mole or
moles uprooting my flower gardens and lawn. I've tried the juicy fruit
gum and they love it, although it just seems to fatten them up, they are
still digging. They have moved from the back gardens to the front now.
What can I do to eliminate them before all of my plants are destroyed?
Please help!!! Sharon |
| Moles eat insects. Try to determine what
is attracting them to your gardens. You may be wise to have a
professional treat your yard for leatherjackets. |
Question # 63
We aren't sure if
they are moles or voles. How can we tell? What can we do about them?
They are digging up our lawn and garden at our cottage. Our cottage is
deep in the bush with no neighbors around. A good place I guess for them
to trot around and play and make a mess. Can you make any suggestions on
how we can get rid of them? I look forward to your ideas. Thank you, Nicole |
Nicole.. Your description doesn't tell the
kind of damage you are experiencing. Voles - also called meadow mice,
are not generally known for tearing up lawns. Many rodents may burrow
to make nests, but not many actually tear up lawns. Moles, however, are
specialized to live in tunnels. They have poor vision, and very highly
developed front feet with claws that dig quite rapidly ... Mole damage
would show up as a kind of tunneling through your lawn. There are mole
traps available. And there are a few specialists who actually do this
kind of work, but not many.. You might check some of the retail firms on
this site to see if they sell mole traps. If the damage is more in the
form of lawn being actually "torn up".. this is not moles. It
would be either skunks or even raccoons digging up the sod to get at fat
and juicy and (I am told) very tasty June "Bug" (they are
really beetles) grubs (larvae).. If that is the case, you may wish to
treat your lawn next spring with an insecticide to kill the grubs.
Sam Bryks, Manager, Pest Control MTHC, Toronto.
email: sam.bryks@mthc.on.ca |
| OTHER
ANIMALS |
Question #95*
I live in an older home in the country. The back
room of my home which is unheated but attached to the house lately has had
some kind of major digging going on. This is happening under the stair into
this storage room. A lot of soil is being dug up from the dirt floor. We
first knew we had a problem when the dog food container (which is a plastic
bucket tightly sealed) was chewed to pieces. Not just a little entry hole .
We have kept the pet food in this location for years with never a problem.
We tried putting poison right into the pet food container but it now doesn't
seem to touch the food laced with poison. We have placed a rat trap, but
nothing. The trap actually was buried over with the digging. The digging is
still going on; we can actually hear this creature digging and scratching.
Does this sound like a rat problem to you or possibly some kind of weasel. I
have seen an ermine in the past. This is a large tunnel or den which is
being dug.
Rhonda. Oshawa, Ontario |
It certainly sounds like some kind of larger
burrowing animal, but I don't think it is an ermine .. wrong location. There
are other suspects depending on the size of the hole. Rats are burrowing
animals, but the burrow won't be that large, and rats are not that loud in
general. You might be dealing with skunks, or if it is a very large burrow -
a groundhog. If it is skunks, you will know that soon enough from the odor.
You may wish to contact a company specializing in wildlife management. Good
companies will not charge you for an investigation visit to basically advise
you what they can do and how much it may cost. Depending on the location,
and what the animal is, it could cost around $150 - $300 to get rid of it.
If you do see what it is, you might ask professionals here again for advice.
If not, then best to get a professional. You can spend a lot of time and
energy without solving this kind of a problem without the services of a
reliable, ethical wildlife management firm. Good luck...
Sam Bryks. Business: Manager, Pest Control, TCHC
(Toronto Community Housing Corporation) |
| RACCOONS |
Question # 24
Short of shooting it.
how do I get rid of a raccoon?? Bev. |
| Eliminate any food sources that may be
attracting raccoons. You may have some success using a trap and
"re-locating it". It took me a long time to learn the tricks
of trapping this smart little beast while they enjoyed fresh chickens
from my hen house. Use a variety of bait in the
trap but usually the food that attracted them works best. In B.C. they
are considered a protected fur bearing animal. You can only deal with
them on your own property unless you have a trappers license.
Calling a professional might save you a lot of time, frustration and
money. Larry www.nobugs.ca |
Question #79*
Raccoons are ruining my lawn. What can I do to get them
to move along? There are about 5 or 6 of them. I border on woods. I
tried using mothballs. Larry. New Brunswick. |
This question is very similar to # 63 and
there is a good explanation of the problem and solutions in moles category
above.
Moles are sometimes blamed for the damage raccoons cause. |
| RATS |
Directory of Pest Management Professionals
|
Question # 40
We just bought a house
in downtown Toronto. The contractor who is doing some renovation told me
that every morning when he arrives there are rats present. We also found
rat poison deep in a kitchen cupboard. Should this have been disclosed
by the seller? Also our contractor called an exterminator who said for
$250. he will come out and put more rat poison. I am looking for a more
complete approach to the problem, does one exist? Please
Help!!! Jennie |
| Laws regarding real estate disclosure
statements vary from province to province. You should contact your real
estate agent or lawyer in this regard. It seems likely the vendor was
aware of a rodent problem if there was rat poison in the cupboard. The
$250 quoted to just place poison seems out of line. I suggest you
personally contact some pest control professionals and ask what services
they can offer and what they charge. Most professionals will do a
thorough inspection to locate entry points and food sources. They will
make recommendations regarding changes that should be made and some may
offer to make these changes for you. (Block off entry points) Using
poison may be just part of the solution. If there is a rodent problem in
the area you will probably want a service program to continue until the
problem is resolved. Talk to the neighbors.
You will find listings for pest professionals in your area on this web
page. Toronto
Professionals Phone 2 or 3 of them and ask a number of
questions. |
Question # 49
I have what I
think is a rat on my boat. I have tried spring traps, glue board traps
and now all of them , five at once. The rodent chews up cushions,
rubber, plastic, foam and roach hotels but will not go near the rat
traps. Can you advise me? Sincerely; Renee' |
Most rat traps have a wood base that
readily absorbs odors. Rats have a very sensitive nose. Be sure your rat
traps have not absorbed the odor of something the rats will shy away
from such a gasoline, dish soap, shaving lotion or anything that does
not smell good to eat. Place a small piece of apple beside the trap to
confuse the rat's smelling ability. Determine the route the rat is
taking and place your trap with the trigger end directly in that path so
the rat has to move over it. If your boat is tied to a dock there
are probably many more in the area.
Larry. www.nobugs.ca |
Try baiting -- perhaps you'll be more
successful. Don't use Warfarin though, many rodents now have a high
tolerance and will not be sufficiently affected.
Jamie. North
Shore Pest Detective |
| |
| SKUNKS |
Question # 23
There is skunks
smell all over between two apartment's on this side our apartment is
fenced but the other is not at all, so what do you do against skunk's
smell because the people cannot sleep at nights people have to close
their doors and windows there is big skunk smell problems? over
here. M.
Jacobson |
| |
Question # 72*
I have skunk living in
a patch of ivy next to my house and I want to get rid of the skunk
without getting rid of the ivy and not having to bathe in tomato paste,
so how do I get the skunk without doing these
things???????? Lucky |
The best way to get rid of the skunk is to
set a live trap (a cage with a spring loaded door) baited with a couple
of eggs. After capturing the skunk release it a good distance from your
home (prefferably across a body of water). You will want a shield of
plastic around the cage to prevent the skunk from spraying. It might
also spray/mess in your vehicle during transit. IF you do not want to
deal with these risks, hire a local pest control professional. Ivy
is natural habitat for rats and mice and can do structural damage when
allowed to grow nest to buildings.
Tomato paste?
Jamie. North
Shore Pest Detective.
Web
page and e-mail link. |
| SNAKES |
#194
my sister has a den of snakes making their home in her garage, in
the middle of March is there something to use to rid her of this
problem?
Barb. Boissevain, Manitoba |
| |
Question # 30
Greetings: Can you
please clear up a controversy? I have always understood there were
snakes in the Drumheller area and, although not curtailing any outdoor
activities, have always kept an eye open. Am I wrong? Are there NO
snakes in the area? Diane |
| SLUGS |
Question # 57
What is the best way to
get rid of garden slugs? Wanda |
This question may be more appropriate on a
"garden" web site but we can make a suggestion.
Pick up all the larger visible ones and throw them in a bucket of soapy
water. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the plants they are
eating. It is much safer than slug bait. |
Slugs can't resist old cans (like tuna)
recessed in the soil and partially filled with beer. Sounds half-baked I
know, but it works. Just be sure to empty the cans frequently.
Jamie. North
Shore Pest Detective |
| |
| Worms |
Question # 34
In reference to
question #3, I also have trouble with dew worms or night crawlers or
whatever they are called here in southwestern Manitoba. By early July
their little earth pushups can
be felt in the lawn and by mid to late August it is virtually
impossible to walk across the yard in bare feet, these little dirt piles
are so hard and numerous. I realize they do a world of good for the soil
but this is too much. If we keep our lawn well watered, to the point of
too wet, the worms stay down in the ground, but this isn't good for the
grass or the water table. I'm looking for some way, chemical or
otherwise to control these little brutes, so my kids can run across the
yard again without becoming disabled. |
Question
#3
My mom has
problems with dew worms. She has asked me to find out what I can
to help get rid or control them. Could you please get back to me so that
I can pass on the information. Thank you kindly.
Tammy R. |
Tammy.
Earth worms are beneficial insect and as far as I know there are no
products registered for the destruction of worms. Have
to ask, why are worms being a problem? Is your lawn a Golf Green? Worms
airate the soil and allow for moisture to penetrate deep into the soil.
They recycle the earth and digest organic matter. If
you don't have worms you have a poor soil.
Ted B.,
Environmental Pest
Management , Niagara Falls |
| |
|
|
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