| Q1100
I have house spiders that are black with a small body, short legs and it
almost looks like it has an extra leg on one side near the back, and it
jumps......what type of spider is this???? Julie. Creston, BC. |
| Have a look at the
photos on this page:
"What is this pest" You
may see one similar to yours. |
| Q1099
I have been finding one or two of what appear to be some type of larvae on
top of my dresser. They appear in the same area, and I have no idea where
they are coming from. The are cream in color and are about 1/8" in length.
Can you tell me what they are? I am not seeing any other insects in my
home. Mary. Ohio |
| There are many larva
that fit your description. Have a pest professional identify it and
suggest the appropriate treatment. |
| Q1098
We have thousands of cluster flies in our cedar home on the lake. how can
we get rid of them, and how are they getting into the house? Is there a
pesticide we could use? Elfie, Peterborough Ontario |
| There are many
pesticides that will control cluster flies. The secret is which one
to use, where, when and how to apply it. Very few homeowners are
able to achieve maximum control of these pests resulting in a growing
populations every year. The best solution is to call a professional
with the right equipment and experience. One of the best in Canada
is Dr. Bug, at Urban Pest Control in Ontario. Check out his
information on this page:
Dr. Bug. |
| Q1097
I need some information on Clover Mites! Ashley. |
|
There is a good article on this page:
Clover
Mites |
| Q1096
Does Having Silver fish mean you have termites? Patrick. San
Diego |
| There is no relationship
between the two other than the fact that they both like moist conditions.
|
| Q1095
how do you get rid of maple bugs?? Gavin. Salmon Arm,
B.C. |
| Once they have entered
the cracks and crevices in a home it is difficult to get rid of them.
They will all leave in the spring but some may find their way into the
interior of the home. Tree spraying in the early summer will have a
positive result. Read more about
maple bugs (box elder bugs) |
| Q1094
Is it safe at all for young children to play with Pill bugs?
Can you please show a diagram of a pill bug's body? I would like to show
my preschool students what a pill bug looks like. I would like for them to
see id the pill bugs have organs. thanks! Liz. |
| Pill bugs should not
cause any health problems for children. There is a good line drawing
on our Pill Bug,
Sow Bug, Centipede page |
| Q1093
Lately I have noticed numerous scratches or small bites on my ankles and
feet. Along with excessive itchiness. I was wondering if it can be caused
by fleas or bedbugs. I live in an apt. complex and there are a lot of pets
around. Thanks. Arnie |
| Fleas will feed on the
blood of any mammal that is convenient including human ankles. |
| Q1092
How do I trap a squirrel that has taken over the basement? We currently
have a mid sized trap but he/she is too quick for the door once released.
He apparently shimmied down our chimney into the basement fireplace after
arriving there a week before and ran out the front door after the first
week's visit. Please help me... Sincerely,
Scratchy the squirrel's newfound ma |
| Squirrel traps are quite
effective. Be sure you are using the right size trap. You should
also have a screen installed on our chimney. |
| Q1092
Are pill bugs herbivores? |
| Yes. See next
answer. |
| Q1091
How long do pill bugs normally live? Donelle. |
| You will find that
answer and many more on our
Pill Bug, Sow Bug
and Centipede pages |
|
Top of page |
| Q1090
What are centipedes, where do they come from, do they bite, if they do is
their bite dangerous to pets or humans, how does one control them?
Betty. |
| Have a look at this page
for your answers:
Pill Bug, Sow Bug
and Centipede pages |
| Q1089
In Mid-September I cleaned away caulk and rotted wood from the bottom of
my garage door jambs where the wood frame meets the concrete slab. I left
the area exposed to dry out before I restore the frames. In early October
a swarm of winged insects began climbing up the door frame from one of the
rotted areas. Also there is a sandy substance inside the garage near this
area. From what I have read this is the wrong time of year for termite
aletes, also I have not seen tubes anywhere around our house or garage.
Could they be termites anyway? They are only around one of the four door
jambs, but could we have a much larger hidden problem? Dave.
Newcastle, Ontario |
| The winged insects were
probably reproductive ants. Some species swarm in late summer. They
probably migrated into the wood frame when it was wet and rotting.
Just to be safe, you should have a specimen identified by a professionals.
|
| Q1088
We have woodpeckers making holes in the wood siding on the North side of
our house. The wood appears to be soft and somewhat damaged. What can we
do to keep them away once we repair the siding? Rejane. Kansas City. |
| Before you repair the
siding, have a professional inspect for insects in your walls.
Woodpeckers don't make holes just for the fun of it. They are trying
to get at a food source. |
| Q1087
We live in the country and in the past year or so, our white vinyl siding
has been covered with thousands of small black dots. I've been told that
this may be the result of flies. What can I do to clean the siding? I've
been trying bug and tar remover, fantastic, soap and hot water, a pressure
washer, and even scraping with a rasor blade won't remove them. Kathleen.
Red Deer, Alberta |
| This is not a pest
question so we are reluctant to give you advice. Some cleaners can
damage vinyl siding. You should talk to someone who sells the product.
There is some information on this web site.
http://www.onthehouse.com/wp/20000821
|
| Q1086
how is the male tiggy hog distinguished from the female tiggy hog. |
| In Britain, sow bugs,
rolly polly bugs and pill bugs are called tiggy hogs. We have not found
any good information on sex identification. One entomologist states
it is extremely difficult to tell. Most pest professionals don't care.
We do know the female carries her new born around in a pouch on her
underside. |
| Q1085
What is the best insecticide for getting rid of bedbugs inside a house in
one bedroom. It looks like they came in from a sleeping bag used in a log
cabin in the Tetons. We have washed and vacuumed all of the bedding and
bed structures in the one room where they were found. Elaine.
Steamboat Springs. |
| What insecticide you use
is not as important as where you use it. Bed bugs are very skilled at
hiding so you must spend a lot of intense searching with a flashlight
before you spray anything. Double sided sticky tape around the legs
or base of a bed can be quite effective in catching them. Thorough
vacuuming of the mattress, box spring, carpeting and base boards
will also help. Most insecticide sprays will kill bed bugs on contact, but
you will need a residual product to spray suspected hiding places. If you
call a professional, make sure they have bed bug experience. They are
tough to deal with and some professionals are reluctant to guarantee
success on the first service call. You will find links to some good
information on the Bed Bug Page. |
Q1084
We have a large population of Box Elder bugs in the fall. I have a
neighbor who swears her adult son is ill due to the Box Elder bugs. So
much so that she is trying to get our city to cut these trees down. Is
there any truth to this rumor?????? Thanks,
Tree Lovers. Elgin, IL. USA |
| We are not aware of any
human illnesses caused by box elder bugs. Read more on the
Box Elder Bug page. |
| Q1083
Is there a system where the pest control people use a vactor style vacuum
truck to remove gophers and relocate them to a different area?
James. Kamloops BC. |
| We are not aware of any
such service. It does not sound very practical or humane. |
| Q1082
Is there any household chemicals that i can mix together to spray on box
elder bugs to get rid of them. Missy |
| You could spray them
with a soap and water solution when they are resting on the side if your
house. An insecticide spray should only be applied to trees when
they are present earlier in the summer. See the answer to the
next question. #1081 |
| Q1081
Please provide us with either an organic, and/or chemical method for
dealing with the Pine Seed Bugs? This area is totally infested with them
and although I have never heard of anyone being bit by one of them, they
are extremely annoying. Thank you for your help. Heather. Chase, BC |
| The pine seed bug is a
typical accidental invader, similar to the better known attic flies, Asian
lady beetle and boxelder bug. The adults wander into houses by mistake in
the fall of the year. They are attracted to the exposed south sides of
houses where they bask in the warmth of the late summer sunlight. After
sunset, they crawl into wall voids and attics through cracks and gaps in
the siding, foundation and eaves, or around windows. Like other invaders,
they do not bite, sting, feed, carry diseases or otherwise cause harm to
people, pets, the house or its contents. They cannot reproduce inside the
house, as egg laying and development are restricted to the host plants
during the summer months. Control is the same as for other
accidental invaders. Seal cracks and gaps to prevent entry. Pine seed bugs
already indoors need only be picked or swept up and discarded as they
appear. Spraying the house in winter or spring is of little benefit. |
Q1080
I live in UAE. Since 1 year i shifted to a new place. I live in central
AC. For some reason my clothes in the cupboard are having some white
colour fungus. Its happening on most of my clothes. I am really worried.
Please answer as soon as possible.
Teena. United Arab Emirates |
| |
| Q1079
We have found these little pests in two areas of our home. One large group
of them was where our neighbors flood resulted in wood trim rotting on the
corner of the common wall and the other is behind our sink on the counter
top (that is also rotten fibrewood). They seem similar to fruit flies..(we
have no fruit for to attract the fruit flies tho) ..but only some have
wings and they have tiny dark bodies. They are getting more active (it
seems) at night. They love my clean dishes....resulting in my having to
put damp dishes in our cupboards to keep them off. Seems to me they like
moisture. Sorry there isn't a pic. Teri. Calgary Alberta |
| Phorid flies are small
like fruit flies. They like a wet environment and are often found in
sink, tub and floor drains.
See the Phorid fly page |
Q1078
I have so many fruit flies, they are in our bathroom, our bedroom,
our freezer, fridge, kitchen everywhere I turn they are there. They have
been around for probably 3 weeks I have put out a fruit fly bottle catcher
but that doesn't seem to work. Is there anything I can do because they are
getting worse and they are ending up in my food when I cook. I have no
food out anywhere. Thank You.
Kristy. Vancouver Island, BC. |
| Fruit flies lay their
eggs in or very close to their food source. This could be a bag of onions,
empty pop or beer cans, or small food scraps under the fridge. Do a
very thorough inspection on your hands and knees with a flashlight or hire
a professional to do it for you. They multiply rapidly and can
spread to many food sources in the home. |
| Q1077
How do you get rid of all pill bugs so they go away forever.
Cynthia. Berkley. |
| Pill bugs have been on
earth much long than humans so I don't think we can make them go away
forever. You can control them in your living space by changing the
damp environment they prefer.
See the sow bug,
pill bug pages. |
| Q1076
I love your site. I have spent several hours here. Anyway, my question
concerns identification of a house pest. I have found rodent feces in the
kitchen and pantry but I noticed several pieces of dog food in my shoes
and in a closet among some coats. Also I found a few cookies moved and
partially gnawed. Can you tell from this if the rodent is rat, mouse or
squirrel. I heard movement in the walls early am and sometimes at night.
Thanks. Ginny. Phila. PA |
| It is most likely a
mouse problem. Mice eat small quantities of food at the source. They
pack it away in their cheeks to hide or store and eat later. Rats usually
just eat right at the source of food. If you use traps, try baiting them
with a little dog food. Be sure to put your dog food bowls away at night.
|
| Q1075
i have maggots in my kitchen under the floor how do i get rid of them
please. Crystal |
| Maggots are the larva of
flies. Get rid of any food source that may be attracting them.
Poor hygiene is usually the cause of fly problems. |
| Q1074
Chipmunks have made their way into our crawl space. We've poured cement
and put screen overtop of the setting concrete. They dig beside to get in.
Help. What can we do? Carol. Petersfield, Manitoba (north of Winnipeg) |
| You could try trapping
them but the best solution is to block the entry points. It is
difficult to give advice without seeing your situation. |
| Q1073
Recently I noticed hundreds of Fly's against a window in my garage. There
were all attracted to the window. I used a "raid" type of spray and killed
them all. However every couple of days they come back and to top it off
they end up dying (probably from the residue of the spray) ending up all
over the ground again and again. The window is clean and so is the garage,
I don't know what to do to keep them away from the window. Sal.
Caladon East. |
| Could be cluster flies.
They are entering the garage to spend the winter. See the answer to Q1063 |
| Q1072
Every fall and winter we get flies in the house that buzz around lights
etc. We don't know where they are coming from, someone identified them as
shingle flies. How can I control them or get rid of them? Bernice.
Charlottetown, PEI |
| Cluster flies will
sometimes crawl under shingles to enter attics where they will spend the
winter. See Q1063 |
| Q1071
Noticed brown spots in the lawn , grass dying on these spots that look
like tunnels -at the entrance is a hole the size of a golf ball..some sort
of underground tunnel that is killing the grass where it goes..not a
straight line path of the tunnel zig zag patterns..all around the lawn..no
piles of dirt anywhere in the lawn..piles of dirt near the house where the
shrubs are located. Is this from chipmunks or moles? how to get rid of
them? thank you. Marilou. Hermitage, Pa. USA |
| You probably have moles.
Check the wildlife page for
information and links to help. |
|
Top of page |
| Q1070
A friend of mine has just inherited quiet a lot of antique furniture, some
from the 18th century, in England. He is going to have them shipped to
Canada but just called me and one of the pieces has woodworm in it. Is
there someone in the Lower Mainland of BC that can treat this worm when
the furniture arrives? If not, is there a way that the furniture can be
treated by my friend. Thank you for any help you can give me. Roxane .
Abbotsford, BC |
| It is difficult to tell
if the beetle larva are still active in old furniture unless there are
signs of new exit holes. The adult beetles will not lay eggs on a
finished surface but they will near the joints or any cracks. It is
possible to have the furniture treated in a pressurized chamber but the
process is quite expensive. This service is available in Seattle.
Borate products applied to the surface of unfinished wood will usually
break the reproductive cycle but larva under the surface can remain active
for years. |
| Q1069
How can I eliminate termites in a condo with something nontoxic to
parrots? Sodium Borate is toxic. Carey. San Diego. |
| There are baits
available for termite control that can be quite effective if applied
properly and in the right locations. A local pest professional should be
able to tell you what is available and offer this service. |
| Q1068
What can you spray on the house to prevent Box Elder bugs from landing and
staying on the walls??? We spray soap & water which kills on contact, but
we want a solution that keeps them from landing. These trees are our
neighbors, so we can't cut them down. Mary. Janesville |
| You would have to spray
a good residual insecticide, concentrating on all the potential entry
points such as around window and door frames, under soffits, etc.
The best solution is to spray the trees before the adult bugs leave, or
earlier when the larva are active.
|
| Q1067
Can i purchase a gallon of chemical i can put in my fogging machine i
brought that sprays for bugs for fleas and ticks, i have 4 dogs and i keep
them in a kennel i built in a big garage and i got hold of a cat who i got
rid of that had a lot of fleas? Edward A. Dorchester, Ma |
| You may be able to buy
it but you would be crazy to use it. Do you know how to mix
pesticides for use in a fogging machine? Do you know how to adjust
the machine for the right droplet size? Do you know how long the
fogger should run? Fogging will not have much effect on fleas and
ticks. Consult a veterinarian about the fleas and ticks on
your dogs. Consult a pest professional about treating the kennel.
Get rid of the fogger. |
| Q1066
Having read the comments re: electronic pest devices. It seems to me
that the most ardent voices saying they don't work are people in the pest
control industry, being a cynic (to these devices and the views) could it
be that the industry is trying to protect its lively hood by saying these
don't work??? After all No pests in the home - No call outs = No
business..... Just a thought (on the other side of the fence - if they are
so effective, why don't housebuilders incorporate the technology into new
house builds ???) Mr. Cynic. London. |
| The best information we
have comes from Dr. Bobby Corrigan, a rodentologist who does consultation
work around the world for governments and corporations. He says electronic
devices are not effective in controlling mice and rats. If they worked he
would recommend their use, especially in sensitive areas where poison can
not be used. Government officials are continually charging
people for fraudulent advertising. Read about this recent case here:
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2002/08/lentek.htm
|
| Q1065
If an individual buys a Mosquito Misting system from outside of Canada,
can they put the insecticide into the system themselves (if the
insecticide is sold with the system to them and they are putting it on
there own home)? Also, do you have to have a license in Canada to sell
Mosquito Misting Systems with insecticide? What about selling the systems
without insecticide (and the insecticide is shipped to the purchaser from
outside of Canada by a licensed professional in the US)? Thank you for
answering my questions. Robert |
| It is absolutely
imperative that any pesticide sold or used in Canada must have a Canadian
registration number. It is illegal to ship to Canada or to import into
Canada any insecticide that does not meet Canadian standards and have a
registration number. |
| Q1064
I have a horrible problem with ants in my apartment and they are through
the entire building. They are in my food, my clothes, in the
keyboard...basically everywhere that I look. i am sick of it. Baiting
hasn't worked and there have been several people who have had failed
attempts at exterminating. Is there anything that you suggest to myself or
for the apartment owners in general? Melissa. London |
| You should first have
the ants properly identified. If they are Pharaoh ants it could take
months eliminating them with bait in an apartment building, especially if
anyone has sprayed an insecticide which splits up the nests. A
successful baiting program will require the experience of a professional.
Read more about
pharaoh ants.
Find an
Ontario pest professional in the
directory, |
Q1063
We are currently experiencing an infestation of flies. (September) During
the summer months we experienced very little numbers of flies and/or
mosquitoes. Since the weather is cooler they are adhering to the outside
vinyl siding of our 100 year old house. The house was completely renovated
with new roof, drywall, floors, electricity and plumbing.
There are cows in the lower pastures, however, the
farmer who owns these animals has double the number at his own home 4 km
from our property, he also has a working barn, a manure pile and numerous
bales of hay. There are no flies on his house or inside of the house.
We have sprayed over the counter bug repellent in the
bathroom but they keep reappearing. We are unable to identify or locate
any possible breeding grounds. It is becoming nerve wracking, every day
the sun in shinning on the house they are out in hordes and by night we
are finding them dead on the floors. We would appreciate your help in
ridding ourselves of these pests, it is really getting out of control.
Thank you. Nancy. Rossway, Digby County, NS. |
The problem is likely cluster flies. They enter structures in the fall in
order to try and over winter. Once inside, while it is cold they remain
dormant. Unfortunately on sunny days, even in winter, they will become
active and end up coming out inside the house. They are often found at
windows because the light from outside is attracting them. Late fall and
early spring are when the flies tend to be most numerous in homes.
Dr. Bug has some good information on his web site:
http://www.drbug.ca/
You may need some professional help. See the
directory of pest
professionals in Nova Scotia |
| Q1062
Something is digging up my front lawn. It is being done at night or early
morning before we are up. There are not any holes just clumps of sod
pulled away from lawn. They are either small patches or long scratches
pulling sod away. Every morning there is a new section dug up. Donna.
Landing, NJ |
| Raccoons and skunks will pull up
sod in search of grubs. |
| Q1061
Do harvester ant bites have any side effects on humans ? Alberto |
| In her new book, Ants at
Work, Deborah Gordon translates an Aztec description of the red harvester
ant: "It is the worst one to bite, if it bites the foot the effect extends
to the groin; if it bites the hand, it extends to the armpit; it swells."
|
|
Top of page |
| Q1060
Both last year and this year we seem to be inundated with European crane
flies in August. Is there anything I can do to prevent damage to my lawn?
Claudia. Bolton, Ontario |
| Some municipalities
prohibit the use of insecticides for cosmetic purposes (lawns). European
crane flies lay eggs in lawns that develop into a larva called leather
jackets. It is this larva that should be controlled. Many of
the pesticides used for lawns are no longer available in Canada. A
local garden shop may be able to suggest alternative methods of control. |
| Q1059
Where can I buy flea bombs, or flea foggers?? Ne suggestions would greatly
be appreciated! Natalie. Keswick, Ontario |
They are not likely
available in Canada, and if they are, I would not recommend using them
because:
1. They pose a potential health hazard to home occupants. 2.
Many homes have been damaged by explosions and fires as a result of
"insect bombs". 3.They are not very effective and you may have to spend more
money to use a different method. 4. It would probably cost less to
have a professional do the treatment properly and safely. |
| Q1058
We have flies in the house, now is not that bad but in the spring is the
worst, please help..........Nadine, Aylmer, Quebec |
| It sounds like you have
cluster flies. Dr. Bug has some good information on his web site:
http://www.drbug.ca/
|
| Q1057
Hello, i have a problem with skunks living under my mobile home. I have
tried moth balls and ammonia and they just come back. What can i do to get
rid of them without paying someone to do it? Dave. Grand Rapids, Mi |
| The best solution to
most wild animal problems is to close off the entry points. Metal roofing
embedded in the ground makes excellent skirting for a mobile home. |
| Q1056
I just noticed a nest on the side of my house, about 8 feet above ground,
that appears to be made out of mud with a opening about the size of a
pencil eraser. The nest is about 2 inches in diameter. can you identify
the likely pest? Helen. Annapolis, Maryland |
| This is probably a
mud-dauber wasp nest. Mud daubers are black and yellow, thread-waisted,
solitary wasps that build a hard mud nest, usually on ceilings and walls,
attended by a single female wasp. They are not social wasps but may be
confused with them. They do not defend their nests and rarely sting.
During winter, you can safely remove the nests without spraying. |
| Q1055
Just yesterday (9/19) a contractor was working on my dormers and needed to
spray a Bee and Wasp killer spray on the side after encountering a nest.
The spray, since he was on the roof, got onto the roof shingles and is now
stained. Does this stain go away or how do you clean it? There is no
warning on the spray can about staining. Kevin. Walpole |
| I am a pest management
professional. If I tried to do carpentry work for a customer I would
probably make mistakes and cause some serious problems. The insecticide
should have been sprayed into the nest, not all over the shingles.
The insecticide used probably contained petroleum products that soapy
water should wash away. J.D. Toronto. |
| Q1054
Our house is surrounded by woods in the back with lots of shade. We have
plenty of spiders and spider webs. How can we get rid of them naturally?
So far they are not in the house. Claudia. Meriden, CT USA |
| Mother nature has a
wonderful way of keeping things in balance. Spiders are predators of
insects. Your cool shady back yard is a desireable place for insects to
breed and live. You will regret killing the spiders when you
start seeing an huge population increase of insects in your yard,
some of them very undesireable. |
| Q1053
I saw pictures of springtails on your website. I am positive I have these
at my house. They started coming out right after we had water in our
basement. They are small and jump about like fleas. They don't live very
long and seem to be drawn to the damp items in my laundry room. How can I
prevent them from coming in and what can I do to get rid of them. Thanks
much. Jennifer. Wolf Mount, PA |
| See the answer to #1051
below. |
| Q1052
I just bought a home that is 7yrs old. I have seen silver fish and
centipedes. I have had the house professionally treated but was told that
silver fish are impossible to get rid of. What can I do? Naomi. Richmond,
B.C. |
| See the answer to #1051
below. |
Q1051
I live in a condo. We have silverfish in the building. I have read about
ways in which I can keep them to a minimum in my unit but I was wondering
if buildings are ever fumigated to rid it of these pests. Lately I have
been finding more and more.
Thanks. Heather. North Bay, Ontario |
| Fumigation for insect
control in residential buildings is a very rare service in Canada.
Controlling silverfish in multiple family buildings can be a never ending
task. Older buildings with high humidity and poor vapor barriers
seem to be more troublesome. If the building managers will not hire
a professional to inspect, make recommendations and treat the problem, try
to keep the humidity in your unit as low as possible. |
|
 |
Q
1050 In response to the claims that electronic pest control
devices are effective against insects and rodents, check out the following
link regarding one manufacturer's products in the USA:
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2002/08/lentek.htm
James. Winnipeg, Manitoba |
| Thanks James. The
unbiased information on the web site linked above, should be good warning
to anyone thinking about buying one of these silly devices. |
| Q1049
Surprised a skunk and it sprayed into our air exchanger. Now house smells
inside not outside. Are there any ways to eliminate the odor. Mary.
Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia
|
The air exchanger parts will have to be washed with
a neutralizing solution. Here is one you can make yourself:
Skunk Odor Neutralizer
1 Quart of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (best if fresh)
1/4 Cup Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate)
1 Tsp. Liquid Dish Detergent
- Mix well (do not shake) and use immediately!!
- Completely saturate pet's fur with the mixture.
- Wait 5 minutes before rinsing with plain water.
- Repeat procedure if necessary.
PRECAUTIONS
DO NOT cap and store this mixture!! It releases oxygen once it is mixed
and will burst the container!
Do not get mixture on your clothing, it may cause "bleaching". This
mixture may bleach or lighten hair / fur.
Avoid getting in pet's eyes (and yours)! |
| Q1048
We recently found some larvae of some insect on our comforter that had
been on the floor due to heat. They were very tiny in a cluster and were
opaque or whitish with black. I had to hold the cloth up close to realize
they were larvae and moving. I also found a cluster of eggs on another
piece of fabric in the same area, it almost looked like black pepper
flakes, but they were eggs, and did not come off easily. They had been
flattened somehow. Any clue as to what they might be?? We did kill a large
moth in the same area. Debbie. Cambridge, Ontario. |
| You could have clothes
moths larva. See the pictures, description and control suggestions
on this page:
Clothes Moths |
| Q1047
I have a basketball size Bald Faced Hornets nest in my apple tree. The
nest is active and i was wondering if there was a way to get ride of it
without calling in a company to remove it. Thank you. Rory. |
| You can purchase an
aerosol can that will spray a stream of insecticide about 10 feet. Read
and follow the label directions. Be sure you spray directly into the
entry hole. Wear protective clothing. Do it at night. Be prepared to
make a fast exit. If you are allergic to stings call a professional.
Wash any apples you pick as they will likely have a little pesticide on
them. |
| Q1046
How many sting does it take to get an allergic reaction? Zac.
Calgary, Alberta |
| Everyone can react
differently to stings. One common fact: the more frequently you get
stung, the greater the reaction. Read more on this page:
Bee
Wasp and Hornet stings. |
| Q1045
Yesterday we noticed little, tiny ants on our kitchen counter. The counter
is just beside our back door. The ants seem to travel vertically up the
corner from the counter to the upper (corner) cupboard. The ants are so
tiny, at first I could hardly see them. Are they babies? We put cucumber
peels down yesterday and bought ant traps today. I have 3 of them just
about a metre apart. It's difficult to see where the nest is (if there is
one) because of the location (corner cupboard. We can't access the lower
section as the dishwasher prevents access to that area. What can we do to
eliminate them? We live in a park model mobile home. Norma. Wasaga Beach,
Ontario |
| They may
be pharaoh ants. Spraying pesticides will make the problem worse.
Have them properly identified by a professional.
Read more about pharaoh ants on this
page. |
|
Q1044
I do not have a
picture of this pest but, I'm being over run with them. They remind me
of a very large mosquito that do not bite. They seem to mate tail to
tail, they resemble a shad fly but are not. There characteristics are
5-6 legs 1 set of wings long body similar to that of a shad fly. Large
ones can have a sitting span of about 3-4 inches just legs, not
body. They live in my grass and shrubs during the day, and fly around at
night. they do not bite, but as I said earlier they look like a cross
between a very large mosquito and a shad fly. Any ideas of what
they can be? Penny Ann
|
| You have crane flies
(sometimes called daddy long legs). They have emerged from the larva
called "leatherjackets" in your lawn. The adults are harmless but they
will lay eggs to start another cycle of larva that could make a real mess
of your lawn. Because of the limited pest products available in
Canada, you may wish to contact a lawn care specialist for some control
suggestions. See photo #180 and more information on the
"What is this pest" page |
| Q1043
How do you tell the difference between male/female pill bugs? It's for a
school science project. -Sarah. Ohio |
| Apparently only pill
bugs can tell the difference. There are no visible differences except when
the female is carrying young in a pouch on the underside. |
| Q1042
We have noticed that we have mice droppings on our wood pile. Is it safe
to still burn this wood in our indoor fireplace, or is it is no longer
safe? Denise. Seattle, Washington. |
| It is safe to burn.
Be careful moving the wood. Do not breath any dust that may become
airborn. There may be a very slight risk of Hantavirus.
Read about Hantavirus |
| Q1041
WHAT SOUND MACHINES ARE GOOD TO KEEP MICE AWAY! Marion. |
| None of them are GOOD.
Some may have a slight effect. Most of them are a total waste of
money. Read the comments from others on
this page. |
|
Top of page |
| Q1040
I have a wasps nest hanging from our third story eavestrough. I cannot
reach it to spray with wasp killer. Is there any other way to get rid of
it? Will the wasps die naturally in the late fall? If so will they build
another nest in the same area next year? If I need a professional how much
should it cost? Rebecca. Ottawa, Ontario |
Some pest professionals
use a long wand to apply an insecticide into high nests. The wasps will
die naturally in the fall. Only some of the fertilized queens will
survive over the winter. Wasps never return to an old nest but will
often build a new on close to the old one.
The cost of hiring a professional can vary widely depending on the
difficulty in reaching the nest. Phone one or two and ask for an estimate.
|
| Q1039
For the last two weeks the entire town has billions of small flying
insects swarming everywhere, thick hordes which resemble walking into a
dust storm. They attach themselves to skin and clothes and are now coming
indoors. They are the size of a fruit fly however have lime green rounded
bodies and long, narrow, clear wings which taper back from the body. A
black dot is visible which must be the eyes. Lyne. Wilkie, Saskatchewan |
| |
| Q1038
I have taken pictures of a nest i found in a tree at the back of where i
work in Scarborough .. the bees or wasps .. im not sure what they are,
were black and white .. very much like a wasp .. and i have been trying to
find online what kind they are.. but can not seem to find anything similar
to what they are online aside from wasps .. but these were fuzzy like bees
but looked like wasps .. i was wondering if you could help me ... the nest
looked identical to that of a Paper Wasp's nest... but its not a paper
wasp according to the pictures of the paper wasps i found online ... thank
you .. Kimmi |
| It is probably a bald
faced hornet nest. There are photos and a description on our
wasp and hornet control
page. You are welcome to send a photo for our
"What is this pest" page. |
| Q1037
Is there any natural way to deter bats from coming to your home at night.
Outside our front door we have this two storey porch which is not enclosed
and a bat or two seem to come every night and the droppings are on my
porch in the morning. We see them sitting there at night in the top four
corners of our overhang. Is there any scent which will deter them from
coming. Anne. Oakville, Ontario |
| You could try hanging
some fine bird control netting to stop them from getting to the roosting
area. This netting can be almost invisible and is easy to staple into
place. Check our bat
page |
| Q1036
I have been seeing a strange bug in my house. It's about an inch long,
very skinny, black, and moves very quickly. I haven't been able to
identify it, any ideas as to what it might be? Pamela. St.
John's, Newfoundland. |
| It may be a centipede.
Have a look at the information on this page:
sow bugs-pill
bugs-centipedes |
| Q1035
This is absolutely the best web site on the internet for practical pest
information. I especially like your
"What is this pest" picture pages. Why do you give priority to
questions from Canadians. I live in the USA and think we have many
of the same pest problems that you do in Canada. Abraham J.
Miami, Florida. |
Thank you for
your compliments. When I first started this web site there were no
good web sites that were dedicated to pest problems in Canada. There
are still none that offer diversified and comprehensive but practical pest control help.
There were many focused on pest problems in the USA. Because of the
growth in the size and content of this web site we are now attracting millions of
visitors world wide. We welcome input and questions from anyone and will
publish those questions of interest to our Canadian visitors. We
have some expansion plans for the fall to address the specific interests
of our American friends. Please keep coming back and watch for the
announcements.
Thank you for your support. Larry Cross.
Webmanager@Pest
Control Canada.com |
Q1034
A great website - hats off -
I know I'm not a Canadian, but I am soooo curious about what these very
very small bugs I have are. The are greenish/greyish - kind of blend in w/
everything. They are an average about 1 mm. Their size does not deviate
much. I found them in the kitchen, living inside a cabinet, but my food
was not infested, that I could tell. They die extremely easy, and are so
small that they can just go wherever they want. I tried to take photos,
but they I just could not get a good one because they were so small. I
encountered maybe a couple hundred when I found the main pool of them.
Cant seem to find anything like this on the site. Thank You! -
Jeff Z |
| You may find a photo with the
identification on this page: "What
is this pest". |
| Q1033
The other day, I noticed a cluster of tiny black and white or clear larvae
that seemed to be hatching on my comforter, which had fallen on the
carpet. At first glance I thought it was tiny burrs from the dog, but when
I held it up close I could see they looked like tiny worms, sort of opaque
with black and they were moving around!!! We sprayed the room with Raid
and washed all the bedding in hot water and used the dryer. The next day I
noticed another batch of what looked like tiny black eggs, (they were
squished on the edge of material in the same vicinity) about the size of
ground pepper. Any idea what they could be or how to control them, after
extensively trying to id them via the internet I have come up empty.
Debbie. Cambridge, Ontario |
| |
| Q1032
How can I get rid of bats that are in my attic and the walls? Katrina.
Denison |
| The best way to get rid
of bats is exclude them by closing off their entry points. This can
be a bit tricky so you may want to call a professional that is experienced
in bat exclusion.
See the Bat page |
| Q1031
I have black squirrels entering my home by eating through screens on my
external doors and windows. Is there such a thing as a squirrel-proof
screen? Louise. Ottawa, Ontario |
| Most window and door
screens are now made of nylon. Replacing them with wire screening
should make it a little more difficult for the squirrels to chew. |
| Q1030
I recently discovered there were small reddish brown worms coming out of
stuffed animals in my home. What are they, what caused them, and how do I
get rid of and prevent them from coming back? Christine. Lowell,
Massachusetts, USA |
| You should try to have
one of the larva (worms) identified to help determine it's source.
Put the stuffed animals in a plastic bag and freeze them for a few days.
This will solve the existing problem but there may be another source in
your home. Talk to a professional and tell them where you got these
animals and where they have been stored. |
| Q1029
We recently purchased lakefront property and are plagued with what are
called "fish flies" - more so in the month of August. Although they are
harmless, and seem to deter the mosquitoes, they are a nuisance and leave
quite a sticky mess on the windows and ledges. This residue is very hard
to remove - takes much soaking and scrubbing. Is there a way to deter
these "fish flies" from coming around? Any suggestions on how to remove
this sticky residue without ruining the paint and overextending muscles
from scrubbing? Dawn. Buena Vista, Saskatchewan |
|
Fish flies are also
known as May flies. The first appearance of fish flies means the
water quality is good. May flies are gill breathers and very sensitive to
low oxygen in the water. Low oxygen usually means some sort of enrichment,
such as sewage. The fish flies emerge from the bottom of lakes where they
have spent up to two years maturing. They will mate in the air during a
ritual called a swarm. After mating, the male fish fly quickly dies.
Females land on the water surface where they lay eggs before dying. The
eggs drop to the lake bottom, become larvae and two years later the cycle
is repeated. To keep the swarms away turn off your lights. Fish flies,
like many flying insects, are attracted to street, traffic and porch
lights.
|
| Q1028
I'm being invaded with box elder bugs. I have a box elder tree but I don't
own the property. The owners refuse to do anything about it. Is there a
way to kill off the tree so they will have no choice.. Also, I didn't have
them last year. Do they usually come back every year or can it happen
every other? |
| We will certainly not
suggest any method to kill the tree. Some effective control can be
done by spraying the tree at the right time of year. A local garden shop
should be able to tell you when to have it done in your area. Box
elder bugs are not usually much of a pest in the summer but can be a real
nuisance when they leave the tree in the fall.
More about box elder bugs |
| Q1027
Every summer, as it gets warm, tiny insects appear in our bathroom. More
than 20 surround the tub ledges, inside the tub, and around the sink
everyday. They are gray and vary in size, all relatively small (smaller
than an ant). They have antennas with strips on the back. They have the
ability to jump, and after household pesticide use (store bought), they
seem to come back stronger. It seems that they crawl into the tap and even
appear when the bathroom is unused for a long period of time (i.e. 2
months) What type of insect could this be? How could they be rid of? Thank
you. Michelle. Toronto. |
| When it gets dry in the
summer, insects will seek out any source of water. Some of them find it in
our bathrooms, especially under enclosed bath tubs and shower stall bases.
Ants and Phorid flies are common in damp areas. Control can often be
achieved just by repairing any leak problems around tubs and showers.
If you need more help contact a
professional
in Toronto |
| Q1026
I work in a meat slaughter facility and we use a spray called C plus C
Poulins for killing flies. I was wondering if you have any video tapes on
pesticide safety and application equipment & Techniques we could purchase?
This would be gratefully appreciated & any contacts I could get these
videos from? Thanks Pat . Alberta |
| The pesticide you are
using sounds like a private labeled product from Poulin's Pest Control.
The label will state the exact contents in the container and there will be
specific instructions on it's use. There are very strict laws
regarding the use of pesticides in food processing plants. This
should only be done by a certified applicator. It is not something you can
learn by watching a few video tapes. The Alberta Ministry of Environment
can provide more specific information. |
| Q1025
We have cedar siding on our house. We also have a problem with woodpeckers
digging holes into the shakes/shingles. What can we do to deter these fine
feathered friends? Peter. |
| They are pecking away at
the wood trying to reach insects they can hear, likely carpenter ants or
wood boring beetles. You should have a pest professional do a thorough
inspection. |
| Q1024
I have been finding very small reddish brown flat beetles in my carpet. i
cannot find a picture or a proper description any where of them can you
please tell what they might be and if they bite. Sherry. Nova
Scotia. |
| Collect a few samples
and have them properly identified by a pest professional.
Braemar Pest Control should
be able to tell what it is and offer suggestions to eliminate them. |
| Q1023
Wasps (yellow jackets?) seem to be eating the stain off our wood patio
furniture. We can't eat outside because they are constantly all over the
set. They seem to be scraping the finish off right to the wood and the
whole set is turning from the stain color to streaks of white wood. How do
I prevent this? Michael. Montreal, Quebec. |
| Wasps gather bits of
wood which they turn into paper to construct their nests. They
usually choose unpainted items like old fences. It unusual for them to
remove paint. A fresh coat of stain or paint will discourage
them. |
| Q1022
We live on a ranch and have a problem with moles. They seem to have
preference for our lawn. Can you recommend a good solution for getting rid
of them. Anthony. Langley. B.C. |
| There are no registered
poison baits available to consumers in Canada. Fumigation may relocate
them but it is not usually effective. The best methods is trapping
but it requires some skill and knowledge of these pests. There are
some very skilled pest professionals who deal with moles in the Fraser
Valley. Ask your local farm supply for some references. |
| Q1021
Will a velvet ant sting have the same affect as a bee sting. Tamera.
Crown Point |
| The sting of the velvet
ant or cow killer can be severe enough to make someone think that it could
kill a cow! Hence, the name "Cow Killer Ant" came to be. (They do not,
however, kill cows.) In most cases, these insects are not generally
considered as pests. They can occasionally invade residences, schools and
other buildings in large numbers. When left alone, no harm is done. But if
a child (or adult) tries to play with this insect or accidentally steps on
one, the resulting sting will remind the offending human how this insect
got its name. See photo #131 with more information on
the "What is this pest" page. |
|
Top of page |
| Q1020
I am finding little brown worm like bugs around my condo (everywhere).
They are about an inch long (maybe shorter), they have a white belly with
about 100 legs (hair-like) and a black head with antenna? What are
these little critters? Kathryn. Abbotsford, BC. |
Centipedes and
millipedes are prevalent in well watered gardens and landscape areas in
the hot dry months.
More
information about sow bugs, pill bugs, centipedes and millipedes
Have a look at the photos on this page:
"what is
this pest" |
Q1019
We have been infested with "beer bugs". What are they and how can
we control them? Ken. St. Marys, Ontario
|
 Beer
Bugs: We have had a number of questions about
beer bugs from people in Ontario. This is either a new creature on
earth or someone has renamed an insect that probably drowned in his glass
of beer. The only reference we can find for "beer bugs" is
this mobile fashioned from used beer cans. They do look like bugs but we
don't think this is the information you are looking for. Sorry.
If you send us a digital picture we will
publish it on our page.
Someone may recognize it and be able to provide the proper name.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Beer bug" is a common term for a little, beetle-like insect that infests
campgrounds and back yards all across Ontario. They are black,
hard-shelled, and have small, yellow to yellowish-brown spots on their
backs. They fly and, in some cases, bite! They are quite small - measuring
less than 1/4" each. As soon as you touch them, the drop and "play dead".
I, too, came here to find an answer to this problem. It seems like we have
been overrun with them this year. I've actually seen swarms of them -
completely covering screen doors and gazebo awnings. I never remember an
infestation such as this. Can anyone help with a deterrent for these
annoying little creatures? Tracy. Ingersol, Ontario. |
| Q1018
I found a lot of white worms in my garage especially inside garbage bin.
They are about 1cm long. I don't know what it is. Can someone teach me how
to kill them? Yee. Mississauga, Ontario. |
| Flies are likely laying
eggs in the garbage bin. These develop into maggots that look like
white worms. The garbage bin should be thoroughly cleaned with a
bleach and water solution. You may have to have it steam cleaned if
it is large. |
| Q1017
How to get rid of skunks without killing them or hurting other animals
like dogs and cats. Louise. Green Field Park, Quebec |
| If the skunks are not
bothering you, just leave them alone. If they are nesting under your home
or decks you will have to block them out. They can also be trapped
and re-located. Read the answers to questions #998 and #1001
below. |
| Q1016
I have an acreage just outside Edmonton and am wondering the best way to
kill ant hills in the open fields. The ants look red. Marco.
Edmonton. |
| Why do you
want to kill these ants? If they are thatching ants
they are considered quite beneficial predators of undesirable insects and
are actually protected in some parts of the world. Read about controlling
thatching ants on this page . |
| Q1015
I have seen a insect the other day that looked like an ant, and I am not
sure of what kind it might be. It looked all hairy and red, and it was
really big. My dad says they are Cow killers, but I saw a picture
of a cow killer and the picture showed red and black. This of what I saw
was all red. Can you tell me what I saw and provide a picture or tell me
where to look it up at? Sincerely, Christina. Haines
City |
| Have a look
at picture #131 on
our "What is this pest" page.
See answer to next question. |
| Q1014
Is there such a thing as a cow killer wasp or is someone trying to
fool me? If they do exist, how dangerous are they and where do they
live? What do they look like? Josh. Toronto, Ontario. |
|
Yes. The common name, "cow killer," is thought to
describe the painful sting these insects can inflict to man and animals,
although it is doubtful that many cows are actually stung. They are
predators of ground nesting bees. See picture #131 on our
"What is this pest" page.
There is also a link to more information about this interesting wasp.
|
| Q1013
How can I get rid of in-ground yellowjacket nest. I have tried
spraying ,but it made no difference. Is there something that foraging bees
can take back to infest the nest? Ann. Crofton, B.C. |
| It is very difficult to
kill a wasp colony by feeding them poison. Aerosol sprays do
not penetrate ground nests very well and they have little residual effect.
Some pest professionals may have an insecticide dust that can be injected
to effectively reach workers in the nest, the queen, and any workers that
return after foraging. You could try pouring boiling water into the nest
at night but be prepared to make a fast exit. Read more about
controlling wasps. |
| Q1012
For last 2 weeks we discovered some carpenter Ants in our Kitchen area.
first we only saw 5-6 ants everyday and I sprayed some Ant Killer powder
but didn't help. We noticed that they were on our Cupboards. So we cleaned
all the cupboards and made sure there is no open food left but still we
see ants there every day. This morning we saw almost 20 ants close to our
sink. How can we get rid of them and do they bite? Thanks! John.
Maple Ridge, B.C. |
Killing carpenter ants
outside the mother or satellite nests will have no effect on the colony.
In fact it just makes the task more difficult.
The nests must be located and eliminated. This is a task that most
homeowners will find quite difficult. Read all about
carpenter ants on our featured pages
and you will probably realize it this is a job for professionals. It
may cost less than trying to do it yourself and failing to locate all the
nests in your home. Consider it an investment in the future value of the
property |
|
Directory of pest
professionals in Vancouver and the lower mainland. |
| Q1011
Great website! Very helpful! I have a question regarding the sow/pill
bugs. We moved into our house about a year ago. I have been finding
pill/sow bugs everywhere along the sides of the carpet in our downstairs
living areas and also underneath cabinets and our couch. I understand that
to have these bugs we are dealing with a moisture problem in our home.
However, the bugs that I find are all dead - I hardly ever see a live one.
Could it be that they die inside the house because there is not enough
moisture after coming from another place in the house/vents/outside mulch
that does contain a lot of moisture or do they just have a short life
span? Should we lift up the carpet to see if that might be the problem? I
would like to deal with the source of the problem and see where they are
coming from and where the moisture is most severe. I appreciate your
feedback! A.L. IN |
| Thank you for the
compliments. The sow bugs are dying because they have left the
moist environment where they could breath through their gills. The
finished walls inside the concrete basement walls are likely trapping
moisture. It takes about a year for a new house to dry out,
especially basements. You should probably talk to a contractor to correct
the situation. |
| Q1010
Help! Our house seems to be contaminated with ants. They appear quite small
and are of a reddish-brown colour. We traced them back to a very small
crack between the foundation of the house and the concrete slab in the
basement. So far we have only investigated the undeveloped areas of our
basement however we have seen signs of them in the developed areas as well
primarily where floor meets wall. We have been very careful about
foodstuffs in the basement and we don't understand what "draws" them into
the basement. Can anybody offer us any advise as to how to handle this
problem? Bob. Devon, Alberta |
| It is important to
properly identify the species of ant before any treatment is done.
(See the answer to #1006 below) A local pest professional should be
able to help. They will also be able to advise you whether the ants
should be treated with baits, pesticide sprays or just modifying the
environment. See our directory of
Alberta Pest Professionals. |
| Q1009
I am in earwig hell! I apologize for my bluntness, but I am
surrounded! Please, someone, is there anyone who can tell me how to get
these thing eliminated from my home? PLEASE! Dee. Toronto,
Ontario |
| It sounds like you may
be in Earwig Heaven. They love a dark, damp environment with
decaying plant matter. Practice sanitary conditions around your home by
removing leaf litter, stacks of firewood, decaying matter and other items
which attract earwigs. They are easy to trap. Apply a drop of oil or
peanut butter onto a section of newspaper. Roll it up and place in the
problem area. Earwigs will collect in the paper. Drown them in a bucket of
hot water. Environment Canada has some good earwig control information on
this web page. |
| Q1008
How do I get bumble bees out of my house siding? Every time we
block where they are getting in they find a new entrance. Help, I am
desperate. Thank You. Judy |
| The nest could be some
distance away from the entry hole so it is difficult to apply an
insecticide. Some pest professionals have a dust that can be
injected. It will penetrate better than an aerosol spray and has a better
residual effect. The only dusts registered for wasp or be control in
Canada can only be sold to certified applicators. |
| Q1007
We have bats in our unused fireplace chimney. Thank goodness the damper is
closed so they are not getting into the house. How do we get rid of these
animals? Hillary |
| You will have to put a
screen over the chimney flu after they leave at night to go hunting for
food. More about bats |
| Q1006
Question regarding Pharaoh Ants. I have been fighting for a
year now, and still going. I thought I had won for the last 2 months, but
now noticed they reappeared. A few month ago I caught the 3 Mother Ants,
and I basically took them on a piece of paper and either killed it or
threw it outside. Is this the right thing to do or should I leave the
mother ants alone even if they are obviously transferring to another place
in the house? Danny. Toronto, Ontario |
| Pharaoh ant control
requires persistence and patience. If you have used any insecticide
sprays, the problem will be even more difficult because the colonies bud
(split up). An extensive baiting
program, combined with exclusion and sanitary practices, is the best way
to manage pharaoh ant populations. Be sure to distinguish pharaoh
ants from thief ants which are similar looking but not as easy to control
with baits. See our
Pharaoh Ant web page.
|
| Q1005
I purchased an oriental wool & silk carpet last November. Within the past
few weeks I have discovered a few small, flat, white diamond-shaped bugs
around the area. Some are dead, others are "pulsating" in the center. Do
you know what they are? I have looked at pictures of moths, but they are
all triangular-shaped, not diamond-shaped. Please advise. Also, if I need
to use camphor, I am concerned that it might be toxic to my two cats.
Thank you. Deborah |
| |
Q1004
I have a three storey Victorian brick home and just in the last two weeks
pigeons have started landing (and staying) on the evestroughing. This is
especially true on top of the downspout where it leaves the roof and
angles down - they tend to sit there at night. I have never had a pigeon
problem and don't know why this would have started all of a sudden. I have
been spraying them with a garden hose when I see them but they continue to
return. Should they be trapped or should I have the gutters spiked? Thanks
for your opinion
Jeff. Toronto |
| Someone else had your
problem and they probably installed spikes or netting. The pigeons
have decided to make your home their new home. If you install
devices to deter them they will move on. |
Q1003
They are going to tent our buildings for termites. What are the toxic
effects on clothing, bedding, dishes, paperwork, computers, etc? They want
to do five buildings in tandem. Should it be spread out? We are
worried about returning to permantly toxic homes.
David. Florida |
| Tenting and fumigation
of residential buildings is not allowed in Canada except under special
circumstances with a permit. (heritage building etc.) so most
Canadian pest professionals are not familiar with this method of control.
As a tenant you have a legal right to have answers to all your questions.
The company doing the fumigation will likely be pleased to provide the
information you want. If you have a problem contact the
Florida Pest
Management Association. |
| Q1002
We have a pest they are called "Earwigs' i don't know if that's there real
name of not. Someone had told me to use dish-liquid diluted in water and
spray around the outside of your house. they say it works but i was just
wondering how you diluted this mixture? or do you have any other
suggestions? Debbie. Charlottetown , P.E.I. |
| Dish soap mixed with
water is a good control solution for many garden pest insects.
Dilute about 10 parts water to 1 part soap. See the answer to #1009
above. |
| Q1001
We had a skunk that decided to make our home his home. One morning the
sensor light went off and startled him and he sprayed the front of our
house on the front porch, which is cement. I have tried bleach with lemon
juice, tomato juice and ketchup to no avail. Please help. It is
embarrassing when company comes over. Dianne. Wheatley,
Ontario |
| Mix 1 liter of hydrogen
peroxide with half a cup of baking soda and a little dish soap.
Spray the area. Let it soak then rinse off. You may have to do
this twice. |
|
Top of page |
Q1000
From reading your site information, I am quite sure we have carpenter ants
nesting in our roof. Just now we are overrun with the flying ones - and
definitely use the "squish" other than the "follow" suggestion. The
suspicious area is above the roof beam - ( we have an open-beam home with
cedar 2X6 ceiling, topped by styrofoam and then asphalt shingles.) There
are little puffs of light-colored material showing between some of the
planks, where they meet the beam. Also the new winged ants seem to fall
from that area on occasion.
Are they chewing holes in the styrofoam? in the cedar? in the fir beam?
Obviously there is no attic to for us crawl into and seek out the nest. We
hope we do not have to tear off shingles and insulation to reach it.
My question: is there something we could literally inject into those
cracks where the boards meet the beam? Would a borax solution work? We
have plenty of used syringes, because a family member is diabetic. Is this
feasible?? Marilylle. Ferintosh, Alberta |
The carpenter ants are
chewing galleries in the styrofoam, and possibly the 2x6 cedar. They
may also cause damage in the ends of some of the beams. Injecting a
residual insecticide into the cavities through small drilled holes will
reduce or eliminate the problem. If you value your home, it would be
wise to hire a professional who has the experience, proper insecticides
and application equipment. Borax will not work.
Read more about Carpenter ants. |
| Q999
My wife was doing some yard work on the weekend and was attacked by
several ants. These ants were hard to brush off and their bites
burned and made her skin red. The next morning she had over 40 blisters on
her leg. Is there a possibility that we have fire ants this far
north? I have looked at these ants under a microscope and they all
have a stinger. Also when my wife went to the doctors to see what
had bit her they could not explain the bites. What kind of ants
could these be and are my kids in danger? Dave.
Windsor, Ontario |
| Stings from ants often
closely resemble those of wasps and bees, although with less tissue
destruction and less severity. Harvester ants inject venom containing a
hemolysin. This sting frequently creates a redness area surrounding the
sting site. Some species of field ants bite with the mandible and spray
an acidic toxin into the wound without injecting venom. Ant stings
cause generalized reactions less often than stings from wasps and bees.
Fire ants fiercely guard their territory and attack intruders in large
numbers, inflicting thousands of stings and bites to victims unable to
escape. Fire ant venom is 95% alkaloid, which is unique among ants. A fire
ant typically bites with its mandibles, then swivels its abdomen and
stings repeatedly in an arc about the bite site. Their stings develop into
sterile pustules and then rupture, leaving crusted wounds that may become
infected secondarily. Fire ants are found in South and North America in
areas where mean high temperatures are 15°C or higher. We have
not seen any reports of fire ants in southern Ontario, but have heard
stories of other Ontario residents who were attacked by ants similar to
your wife's experience. |
| Q998
We have a small back yard behind our townhouse. A skunk family has taken
up residence under our porch. Moments ago we saw a mother and one young. I
am no sure how many there are and am concerned for not only my wife any
myself but for several grand children who visit almost daily. What are my
options to get rid of them? Sure would appreciate any help you can give.
Tom. Aurora, Ontario |
Except for their odor,
skunks are no worse to have around than feral cats. To discourage
them from nesting under decks and porches put a bright light in the area.
When they leave, block them out with wire fencing or screen.
Here are some interesting web sites with good information about skunks.
Neutralize Skunk Spray: http://www.humboldt.edu/~wfw2/skunkspray.shtml
Living with skunks:
http://www.humboldt.edu/~wfw2/livingwskunks.html
|
| Q997
I have large holes being dug in my back yard by a wild animal. There are
multiple holes in the yard- near one another- as if it is an elaborate
tunnel. How do I know what animal is digging these-- and how do I get rid
of it? I see rabbits frequently in the back yard- any chance these are
rabbit holes? Sean |
| The natural habitat for
rabbits are burrows. Use traps to control them. Contact your municipal
animal control department for instructions on what to do with the trapped
rabbits. Releasing them some distance away may cause serious problems for
someone else, especially if they are carrying any disease. |
| Q996
We have a brownish bug that looks like a flea, but does not act like a
flea. It does not jump or fly. It simply walks around my bathtub in my
master bathroom. The XXXXXXXX (business name
removed) man did not know what they
were, but sprayed and so far some die and some live. I usually find at
least 15-20 dead in the tub and 5-10 alive. But I want to know what they
are and why they are haunting me. Please help and Thank you! Trisha |
| It is surprising that a
technician from such a large organization would spray an insect that he
did not first identify properly. Pesticides can only be used legally for
the pests listed on the label. His actions were very unprofessional.
Take a sample of the insect to the manager of the business you dealt with
and have it properly identified. Spraying pesticides may not be the
appropriate treatment. |
| Q995
I wanted to start a termite and pest control company. I need to know how
to get started and what other licenses I need. other than 7a 7b Core. Also
can I run this type of business out of my home. Bill. Sicklerville,
New Jersey |
Canadian regulations are
much different than in most of the States. To be sure you meet all
the legal licensing requirements and follow good ethical business
practices, you should contact the New Jersey Pest Management Association.
(http://www.njpma.com/nj)
You should also consider working for an existing business
to gain practical experience. Anyone can spray pesticides. Controlling
pests with minimum use of pesticides is the objective of well trained and
experienced pest management professionals. |
Q994
We have a wasp nest in our attic. They seem to be eating at the ceiling as
the drywall is very thin in about a 4" diameter and we can hear them
hitting the ceiling. We have identified the entrance to the attic from the
outside and are going to spray a foam spray at that entrance tonight
around 10 p.m. Will this effectively deal with the wasps? Should we repeat
every day until we see no more come out? Will they eventually come through
the ceiling if nothing works? Thanks, anxious in Delta. Lynn
P.S. The pest control company can't come for 1 week as they are so busy. |
The wasps may be chewing
the drywall paper backing and some of the gypsum to make their nest. The
first thing you should do is tape something on the ceiling to prevent them
from coming through into your home. A piece of aluminum foil may work.
Spraying insecticide foam into the entry point will only work if it
reaches the nest, and even then it may not kill many of the workers or the
queen. Going into the attic to spray the nest directly could be
dangerous. Injecting a pesticide through a small hole in the ceiling may
be safer. Some aerosols come with a small straw. Wear
protective clothing and close all the doors to the room where the nest is
located. You may find a professional that can come sooner.
Contact a few listed in our
directory on this page.
This business offers good service in your area:
A-Target Pest Servies.
|
| Q993
We have recently build a new house in the Okanagan in B.C. and we have
little black fly-like insects flying around and annoying us. They look
very similar to fruit flies but they are completely black and don't have
translucent wings. I know we have found these on plants before but I am
not sure what they are called. They are on all 3 levels of the house,
loft, main floor and basement. It almost looks like you are seeing a
little black speck in your line of vision they are that small. Sorry I
have no picture for you. Can you help me identify this pest and how can I
get rid of them? Many thanks for your help. Judy |
| Black flies are a common
household word in northern Canada. For some reason they seem to be a
common pest in many southern regions this summer. The ministry of
Agriculture has a good web page of basic information.
Black flies (Simuliidae) |
