This time of the year, I get a steady stream of people calling about ants in the kitchen, laundry room or just crawling around everywhere in doors and out. Ants are also attracted to an area that offers shelter, water, proteins and carbohydrates and protection for their queen and their colony as a whole. The […]
. This summer has been very active for skunk families taking up residences under people’s porches, sheds and decks. The young skunks are now becoming quite active and this means: let’s play with our new stinky spray. Of course skunks are notorious for their anal scent glands, which they use as a defensive weapon. Skunks […]
https://youtu.be/hnFqOLR5IQo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnFqOLR5IQo&feature=youtu.be The age of the super lice has begun and it’s just in time for a new year of school. A study has found a set of three mutations that allow lice to survive the most treatments used to get rid of them, pyrethroids. This is the same insecticide we use to kill ants, […]
Depending on the type of wasp, they can sting with little incitement, especially the bald-face hornet, paper wasps and yellow jackets. These pests will sting when they become agitated; be it a soccer ball hitting the nest, cutting the lawn too close, trimming the shrub that their nest is in etc. and they will seek to defend […]
Here are a few household products that actually work well as organic pesticides. Lemon insecticide: Grated a lemon and add to boiling water. Turn off the heat and allow it to sit overnight before straining the liquid through a coffee filter. Spray on the top and underside of the leaves of the affected plant. Oil spray: To make, just […]
We have all seen or heard about the show hoarders. I’ve now seen several apartments that a hoarder has turned into a major insect infestation. Those people are living in such appalling conditions. There is the mental illness aspect to it, yet they may be hurting their family and pets. These hoarders collect paraphernalia and […]
If the baby skunk or skunks are out of their burrow for extended periods of time on their own, it is likely they will be deserted and will become orphaned and worth trying to catch. Orphans that have been without their mother may have become cold and dehydration. They should be warmed and then offered […]
The world’s most widely used pesticides, neonicotinoid insecticides, may be acting as birth control for male bees, leaving drones with less sperm for their queen. Neonicotinoids kill pests by messing up their nervous systems. Male honeybees called drones, only purpose is to mate with a queen. Poor mating can tax the productivity of a queen […]
The best organics to buy Some scientists say organic produce is more nutritious, helps you build more muscle mass and it burns more fat than conventionally grown food. I don’t believe any of that but one benefit of organic farming is that fewer pesticides go into your body and the environment. Best organic foods are: […]
Most of the bats found in Delta are important for farming because they consume crop pests as a normal part of their diets. Bats are the main nighttime slayer of insects, consuming 100 to 600 bugs per hour. Different species of bats prefer different insects, from mosquitoes to crop insects. Use these tips to […]
The difference between roof rats and Norway rats is all about where they like to live, in addition to differences in physical appearance. Scratching, whining, shrieking and bickering, roof rats brashly publicize their existence in the rafters, attics and kitchens they live in. Norway rats circulate in basements and lower levels of buildings, culverts and […]
The ladybug (Ladybird or Lady beetle or coccinellids) has an average lifespan of 2 to 3 years in the wild and hibernate in the winter? Adult ladybugs are round, semi-circle shaped insects with stumpy legs and antennae. Their dots and the amount can vary from species to species. In some the colouring is reversed making […]
This time yearly, clouds of winged ants arise from their nests for the brief saturnalia known as nuptial flight. The winged ants are the reproductive males and females of a nest, which take flight to mate. The winged ants are the reproductive males and females of the colony, which grow wings for their brief flight. […]
Below are a list of fruits and vegetables, from worst to best, based on the amount of pesticide found on the food. More than 98 percent of strawberry, peaches, nectarines, and apples tested positive for at least one pesticide residue. The average potato has more pesticides by weight than any other produce. A single grape […]
The Vancouver ban on neonicotinoids will come into effect on July 26. is a group of pesticides that is believed to contribute to bee mortality. Neonicotinoids were developed in the early 1990s as a safer alternative to DDT, but they kill bees by dropping their resistance to infection and waning their ability to reproduce. They are widely used […]
Despite what you are thinking, they are not true lice. Their name merely refers to the extraordinary possibility of finding them in old books and paper products. They require sufficient humidity and dampness to survive. Booklice are mostly seen from spring to summer. They are harmless until these pests produce large numbers of offspring, […]
House dust mites are related to the spider family. They live on mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture, carpets and curtains. These miniature pests feed on the flakes of skin that our pets and we shed daily. They thrive in warm and humid environments. No matter how clean a home is dust mites cannot be totally eliminated. […]
Spider beetles are unscrupulous vultures of stored products. They tend to feed on old and mouldy stuff. The adult spider beetles are known to remain active in freezing temperatures. Spider beetles often gain access to warehouses, mills, grain storage facilities, and attics with rodent or bird nests. Since the pests feed on feces and like […]
IPM is simply balancing pesticide use with natural methods of pest control or maximising the methods supplied by nature to help reduce pesticide use. IPM ensures that pesticides are used with correct understanding for the surrounding biodiversity and land, as well as for the health of the user. You prepare to keep pests from becoming […]
The Karni Mata Temple in remote Deshnoke India is infested with more than 20,000 rats and visitors come to worship the rodents; the reincarnated children of celebrated goddess Karni Mata. The rats, called kabbas, are protected by the buildings netting and grills to keep out predators such as raptors. The rodents scamper freely within the temple and eating […]
Cockroaches are among the oldest and most resilient occupants of Delta. They are highly malleable and can live wherever enough food, moisture, and heat exist. These insects enter buildings occupied by us to look for warm, damp environments close to sources of food and water. Cockroach habits range from basements to bathrooms, greenhouses, […]
In the world of insects, mega nests are always possible, yet dealing with competition from other colonies or natural enemies usually limits the size of their nest. Wasps, ants and termites can grow mega mansions if the conditions are just right. The Vespula germanica species of wasps, found in much of the Northern Hemisphere, native to Europe, […]
What do you do when you are in the outdoors and you found, which you think is, an abandoned wild baby animal. Our good-hearted efforts to save a wild animal may actually lessen its chances of survival. Well, it’s best to leave them in their natural habitat, untouched and only watch from a distance to […]
Other than the last couple weeks we in Delta have had an unseasonably warm weather, now finally summer is here. The recent weather has been the perfect conditions for spiders to prosper and become a nuisance in your home. Warmer weather escalates breeding for flying insects, which spiders thrive on. So, with spider population increasing […]
The striped flea beetle, which sounds like a rock band, are coming which means farmers have to change their control methods because this species are different and must be treated as such. They feed most on hot sunny days and attack a wide variety of plants including beans, cabbage, corn, eggplant, potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, lettuce […]
It has long been known that certain animals can show empathy such as dogs, elephants, chimpanzees and dolphins. Now it has been discovered that prairie voles would console one another after experiencing stress. A study team set up an experiment where a pair of voles where isolated from each other and one of them was […]
When watering around your yard, keep in mind that excess water will cause some pests to move into your home and business to avoid the water. Moles, voles, gophers and mice will seek drier locations when they anticipate a lot of rain. After heavy rain falls get rid of standing water including bird baths, potted […]
Summer wasps are right round the corner. A warmer late winter as we experienced this year, causes hibernating queens to appear earlier. There are signs to be on the lookout for a developing wasp nest: watch for wasps around gutters, roof spaces, wall cavities, eaves, sheds, and garages. If a nest appears under the roof […]
These ants like to nest in moist wood or constructions already damaged by other insects. Most carpenter ant nests are found in decaying wood in areas such as windows, chimneys, doorframes and in hollow spaces such as wall voids. Therefore, with damp wood, appropriate temperatures and protection from predators, carpenter ant colonies can thrive. There […]
In the pest control business, we come across raccoons that think that a newly sodded lawn is open season on worms and grubs, underestimating their abilities can result in extensive damage to client’s property. When sod is laid, regardless of the time of the year, the fresh soil underneath coupled with high levels of moisture attracts worms and grubs to […]
It’s small, it’s ravenous and if you splosh it, it stinks. This one is one centimetre in size, it’s brown on it top side and brown or grey on its bottom side. The invasive and damaging brown marmorated stink bug poses a risk to fruit and vegetable crops, vineyards, as well as home owners. Biologists […]
Here is a list of the top 7 things property managers have to deal with. Property managers have a variety of work to do and have to deal with all the residents’ concerns but in the end they want the best possible living situation for all parties involved. Building Maintenance: Property managers are always concerned […]
Pesticides are a long-term stress factor for bees. Honeybees collect their pollen from commercial crops and non-crop plants, which are often laden with pesticides during the growing season. In a 16 week study at 3 locations, pollen was collected comprising of samples from 30 plant families. The results showed that 31 pesticides were found in […]
Researchers are now using rodents to find out how exactly more exposure to cell phone radiation affects tumor growth. They exposed the mice and rats to radiation that are equivalent to the radiation that people get from cell phones. They gave the mice high doses of radiation every day for two years. The rats were […]
Hotter temperatures are arriving earlier this year, moving up the schedule for planting gardens and flowerbeds. As we are creeping ever so closer to summer, gardening here in Delta is picking up. You are reminded to be mindful of bee populations. A few simple steps as a homeowner can make us “bee” friendly to pollinators. […]
Just washing fruits and vegetables is not enough to ensure produce is clean enough to eat. We breathe chemicals, drink them, and we eat them. Food that supposes to be healthy and good for us, in reality, we are also ingesting poisons that can accumulate in our bodies and make us very sick. Pesticides overall […]
The gnats you see inside and around buildings are fungus gnats and dark-winged fungus gnats, they are often mistaken for mosquitoes yet they are actually true flies. They can be an annoyance and harm some ornamental plants and garden crops. Most gnats are delicate looking pests with long wings and spindly legs. Generally they are considered to […]
Common hard ticks found in B.C are black-legged tick or deer tick, the wood tick and the brown dog tick. The one tick we are most worried about is the black–legged tick. Blacklegged ticks cannot jump or fly, they climb onto vegetation and wait till an animal comes along and then they catch a ride. […]
Europeans believed that this insect would crawl into the ear canal of a sleeping person and bore into the brain. Although this is obviously untrue they can bite your skin to defend themselves. The earwig is actually a beneficial insect because it helps in the decomposition organic material and feeds on destructive insects. Earwigs like […]
May’s early hot streak follows the warmest April on record in Delta. May is off to a hot start, with sky-high temperatures shattering records. The warmer weather has created a boom in wasps and hornets. The warmer weather had been “incredible” for wasp breeding. Wasps have been off the scale this year, already I’ve been called […]
If you want to go green with only natural pest control products to keep insects, pests and rodents at bay here are a few ways. Diatomaceous earth is made of hard-shelled algae called diatoms. It kills most of the insects such as ants, spiders, silverfish, wasps, slugs and several others. It can be mixed with […]
I’ve only seen half dozen dampwood termite infestations in Delta over the last couple years. These termite colonies where found in a decaying stumps and where not a threat to the home owners. The presence of these dampwood termites usually indicates an ongoing moisture problem, so unless the foundation of your home is wet these […]
House mice often raise their offspring in a communal nest if they have similar litter sizes yet as soon as the litter sizes differ, there are fewer communal nests. The females want to lower their risk of being exploited. House mice are able to prevent social problems and still collaborate. These mice adjust their enthusiasm […]
These ants have a pungent odour similar to lemon-rotting coconut. Odorous ants move their nests around rapidly to avoid other ants, weather conditions or someone trying to kill them. These ants create large supercolony, with many satellite colonies in the immediate area. Other than being a nuisance, they have been known to contaminate food. They […]
Ideal conditions for creating natural habitat conditions for beneficial insects include plenty of flowers with nectar, weeds and plant shrubs. Happy insects require perennials to give them year-round food and shelter. If you don’t have the conditions for the beneficial insects, the plant-eating ones will make their way in. Beneficial insects come in four categories […]
Exposure to pesticides may increase the risk for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease). ALS, a progressive disease, affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. As the nerve cells that control muscles die, they lose the ability to speak, move, breathe and eat, according to the ALS Association. Three in particular were linked to […]
Bumblebees are large, fuzzy, very hairy insects that look like mini grizzly bears in black and yellow colors. They are considered to be one of the best pollinators. Bumblebees are extremely important foragers. Unlike honeybees, they are able to forage under cold, rainy and cloudy conditions. This makes them excellent pollinators of native plants and […]
Every year homeowners are alarmed by the number of sand dunes that seem to spring up from cracks in their pavement and between paving bricks. Pavement ants nest under sidewalks, driveways, and buildings. They may enter your home through gaps under garage doors, basement walls, or concrete floors. Pavement ants are one of the most […]
House sparrows are considered a pest by gardeners and bird lovers, and such given the nickname flying rats. The sparrow is partly responsible for declining populations of native birds such as the Bluebird, Chickadees, and Tree Swallows among others. House sparrows love pecking seeds and seedlings, buds, flowers, vegetables, and maturing fruits. The English sparrow […]
Many people feel it’s possible to control bugs without the help of an expert. However, doing so will require time and money most people wouldn’t want to invest. Few things are worse than unwanted guests that can become a major headache. This warmer weather brings an increase in pest problems and twice as many insects have […]
Weevils are one of the most destructive pests in the lower mainland causing damage from the agriculture industry to our kitchens and back yards. Weevils like our warm, moist coastal weather. The main reason why weevils live in our homes is to escape cold weather conditions, and feed and breed within stored cereal grain products. […]
With Raccoons in the news a lot lately, I thought I’d write a little safety blurb on them. Raccoons can be quite dangerous if they get too close. If a raccoon approaches you, make yourself appear larger: stand up, shout, and wave your arms. If he continues to approach, throw or spray water, or anything […]
3 Pesticides vs All Endangered Species These three pesticides—chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and malathion—can harm 97 percent of the plants and animals listed under the endangered species act. These three pesticides kill insects by disrupting their brains and nervous systems. They affect animals, including humans, by disturbing the nervous system’s ability to carry signals and are now known carcinogens. […]
Call them what you will; vegan flies, vinegar flies, wine flies, pomace flies or plain old fruit flies, these pesky fly linger around fruit, be it ripe, overripe and rotting fruit. The fruit fly species are considered a domestic species and a general pest. Fruits flies are attracted by the yeast or other fungi from […]
As the temperature continues to warm up, we will see more raccoons looking for shelter and increasing their scavenging ways. Raccoons can be a daily annoyance for many Delta residences. They feed on grubs and larvae in lawns and gardens, get into waste and organic garbage bins, and on the constant hunt for pet food. They […]
I took a call from a lady who had ant hills popping up in her backyard. As it turned out, they were fire ants. Fire ants are difficult to exterminate although these ants can be controlled and managed. They can be controlled by following two steps: baiting in April – May and insecticides in September […]
This hot wave has brought out the carpenter ants in droves and the skies are swarming. Carpenter ants are social insects that live in large colonies of workers, males and queens. Commonly, the carpenter ants that you encountered in the home are the workers and are wingless foragers of food. Worker ants cannot fly and […]
It’s that time again when the insects are hatching and the insect police are setting up their road blocks. Spiders, do you fear them or perhaps dread them. Spiders do not transmit diseases to humans when they bite, although some species have highly toxic venom. Spiders are predatory feeding on almost any living creature including […]
Bed bugs are the world’s best hitchhikers invading pristine homes and are not a hygiene-related pest. Now some have developed 15 % thicker outer shells that are able to resist some insecticides. The bugs use enzymes to break down the insecticides called metabolic detoxification. The cuticle slows the insecticide down giving the enzymes more time to […]
Strawberries for the first time in five years are number one in produce group with the most pesticide residue. Apples are number two, then nectarines, peaches, celery, grapes, cherries, spinach, tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers. Strawberries grown in 2014 showed that 7 percent of the strawberries had levels of pesticide residues considered […]
Rats spread disease, decrease agricultural crop harvests and are a general pest. Scientists at SFU have developed a rat trap that combines synthetic sex pheromones, food scents and baby rat sounds to lure rodents to the bait stations. They say it is 10 times more powerful than traditional traps using the scents of a male […]
A phobia is described as an extreme or irrational fear of or an aversion to something. There are several known phobias; the common ones are fear of rats, mice or spiders. It is now discovered that memories can be transferred to later generations through genetic switches, which turns genes on and off in response to […]
Beneficial bugs are natural predators to the common nuisance bugs that plague particular plants. Of all insect species, 95 percent that are found in lawn and gardens are beneficial or have no effect on the yard. There are two types of beneficial bugs: predatory insects are ones that hunt and kill their prey and parasitoids […]
A bacterial disease that can infect dogs, raccoons, rats, mice, skunks and squirrels is called Leptospirosis. Signs your dog has this disease are fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, severe muscle pain, stiffness, diarrhea, refusal to eat, lethargy, hemorrhage, jaundice and increased drinking and urination. Younger dogs have more complications than older dogs due to their weakened […]
World Rat Day is a holiday designed to distinguish the fancy rat as a wonderful pet and companion animal for people of all ages. The holiday is to honor and promote pet rats as the wonderful companion animals they are. These pets are sweet animals that deserve greater recognition and admiration. There even an […]
There are generally four common flies that we encounter here in Delta: the fruit fly, the house fly, the drain fly and flesh fly. Flies frequently come in contact with humans and some have the ability to spread disease-causing germs. There are about 100 pathogens that are connected to the common flies we see in […]
Ants use their antennae to send and receive messages similar to a cell phone. The ants’ antennae are their chief sensory organs. Their antennae are used to communicate to let their family and enemies by using chemical signals on their antennae. The ants’ antennae act as ears designed to send and receive signals. The bodies […]
The mildest winter for years has given rise to an epidemic of moths and promises yet more misery for those of us trying to eradicate the tiny pests who munch through our garments. Moth populations have been rising over the years, not just because of warmer winters, we have more clothes than any previous generation, […]
Spring is here and next to the damage that the raccoons do to your lawn the moles are worst. Moles tunnel under the lawn and landscaping opening up the soil and allowing air and water to penetrate deeply, promoting plant root development. Of course when they tunnel they create ditches in the lawn and mounds […]
Pesticides, any substance that repels or kills a pest, come in many forms; be it natural or synthesized. The truth is that the skull-and-crossbones emblem should be on your glass of juice or cup of coffee, they all contain naturally occurring pesticides, as do many other foods we consume regularly. The term pesticides include many […]
Stink bugs product a “stinky” odour when crushed or disturbed. Of the 260 species in North America only one is harmful. Adult stink bugs are shaped like a shield. They thrive in temperatures of 21º C or above. Stink bugs are lively during spring and summer, and live in buildings the rest of the year. […]
There are over 50,000 different species of bees and wasps. These black and yellow energetic creatures are actually our friends and a very important part of the earth’s subtle ecology. Honeybees are pollinators and contribute more than 100 million kilograms of commercial honey in North America each year. Wasps play a vital role in regulating […]
Okay, here is a question to ponder. Would you prefer to live in a neighborhood that has a lot of rats or crime? There now is a link between rat infestation and the increased risk of depressive symptoms due to concerns the risk of rats spreading disease. Nobody likes living around rats, they are considered […]
The warm and wet winter has proved the perfect conditions for fleas and there has been a 50% in call-outs to deal with infestations. Fleas typically live outside but are carried into homes by pets or people, particularly those who have come into contact with wildlife such as foxes, rabbits, rodents or deer. Once they […]
Exposure to even small amounts of pesticides is impairing bumblebee’s ability to learn basic skills and preventing bumblebees from removing pollen from flowers. This affects the ability of the bees to both pollinate crops and their own food supply. Bumblebees exposed to a neonicotinoid insecticide can hamper the ability of bumblebees to develop the skills […]
It is illegal to keep raccoon’s as pets in B.C. and by feeding them inside or outside the home, people are in fact harming the animals. A number of people think they are helping raccoon’s by feeding them, sustaining their bad behaviour and inevitably end up killing them with kindness. Others will even attempt to […]
The Pharaoh ant is one of the most difficult indoor pests to control. Pharaoh ants are predominantly aggressive and robust against many store bought control treatments. Pharaoh ants mate in their nests and spread by budding or splitting the colony. They lack nestmate recognition so there is no hostility between colonies. A single colony may […]
March 20-30 is Pesticide Action Week. The goal is to raise awareness of the pesticides, promote changes and build a pesticide-free world. This international event has been around for 11 years and takes place in the first ten days of spring when agricultural pesticide use resumes. We are all exposed directly or indirectly to pesticides […]
Rodents didn’t kill off primeval primates 50 million years ago. Mysterious events led to the extermination of many species of primitive primates in North America, before a rise in carbon dioxide and average temperatures. A new study of fossilized molars shows that competition with rodents likely wasn’t the cause of these primate losses. Dental clues […]
Canada’s Pesticide Management and Regulatory Agency (PMRA) have decided to end the regulation that required testing pesticides on animals. Canada follows the US which made changes that which reduced its year-long testing requirement to 90 days. Health Canada regulations forced the pesticide industry to conduct year-long toxicity tests on beagles. The beagle’s docility makes it […]
Here is some handy advice on keeping rats out of your garden this year. And remember if you put out food to encourage wildlife (bird feeder), rats are wildlife and will be looking for things to eat. 1) Clean up any bird food spills before nightfall. 2) By cutting back overgrown hedges, shrubs and bushes […]
The black carpenter ant invade homes in search of food. These ants excavate moist, rotting wood and other soft materials to make satellite nests. The presence of large, wingless or winged ants inside a home is usually the first sign of an infestation. This does not necessarily mean that a nest is present indoors. The […]
Dormant oil can prevent insect damage to your landscape from bugs emerging in spring. Dormant oil needs to be applied when the temperature is above 5 degrees and no chance of freezing usually in March. It needs to be applied when the trees are still dormant, before they open their leaves. The oil works by […]
Although centipede means 100 legs house centipedes only have 30. House centipedes are not true insects but relatives of spiders that can live up to seven years. And as we know spiders keep other insects in check, so keep this in mind before you smash that centipede you find scampering across the crawlspace floor. Centipedes […]
What’s the best thing about bugs? Bugs such as ants can taste like lemon, crickets are nutty and grubs can resemble the flavour of bacon. Pestaurants are popping up all over the world serving such mouth-watering delights as Grasshopper Burgers, Chocolate Chirp Cookies and Boston Clorm Chowder. Do appetizers such as panko fried meal worms, […]
Ant problems usually remain unseen until the problem has become quite large. Ants make their homes in dark unseen areas, walls, ceilings and floors. Many homeowners may not realize that they have a problem until it’s too late. Ants assault homes and apartments searching for food, warm dry refuge and removing them once they have […]
Barn cats can be a treasured benefit to help control rodents, which keeps your family and farm animals healthy. Rodents have been around since farming began and cats are the first line of defense. Rodent droppings can contain salmonella which can infect the farm animals, then cause illnesses in people when the meat or eggs […]
Why are raccoon’s nicknamed “trash pandas”, well it’s not just their ability to knock over trash bins and crawl their way in, it’s also because they have a scorched-earth approach to all the local wildlife they can fit in their mouths wrecking ecosystems (and your lawn). Raccoons also consume all kinds of worms, fish (in ponds) […]
Termites can cause a lot of devastation which is why you should not delay dealing with them. Of the several different types of termites, subterranean termites are the most destructive. While it may be difficult for a homeowner to know which type of termite they are dealing with, an expert pest control officer will know. […]
Gas analyzer for bed bugs Bed bugs remain one of the most infamous and hostile domestic pests. When these miniscule insects have invaded your home, it can take weeks or even months to get rid of them and there’s always a good chance they’ll return. Bed bugs are increasing in number throughout the Lower Mainland […]
Silverfish don’t drink: they absorb water from the atmosphere, up their bottoms. Cat’s prefer to play with mice rather than kill them, sometimes. Mice don’t need to drink water A “rat king” is when a group of rats become intertwined by means of their tails getting stuck together by a combination of faeces, blood and general […]
Wasps are amazing creature that have evolved into simple yet very sophisticated insect. Wasps takes picture of the landscape around it so it can find its way home later. The venom that wasps have has a pheromone in it that causing other wasps to attack the stung individual. So if you do get stung, move […]
Strawberries are one of the dirty dozen, one of the 12 fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide residue. Strawberries are irresistible to pests, especially soil-borne pathogens. Most pesticide comes before the crop is even planted in the form of soil fumigants. These pesticides can drift into schools. Then in 1987 the first organic strawberry […]
Cuba has added organic honey to its list of agricultural exports. Because it is pesticide free, Cuba’s organic bee industry could act as protection from the problems hitting other honey exporters. Organic honey has become Cuba’s fourth most valuable agricultural export. All of Cuba’s honey is certified as organic and has a very specific, typical […]
The concepts that pesticides are safe based on the claims of laborious scientific assessment are false. And now, Canada’s Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development has found lapses in the strictness of Canada’s pesticide assessment process. Pesticide use is managed by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA). The PMRA is required to reassess the […]
The Vancouver Rat Project (VRP) was developed in 2011. The VRP’s goal has been to improve the understanding of populations and the harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites circulating among the rats. Archeologically, city rats have been the source of a number of infectious diseases such as the plague. Very little is known about city rats […]
Bed bug bites are unpleasant and itchy, and the bugs are tough to eradicate, usually requiring several applications of insecticides. After decades of declining populations, bed bugs have made a resurgence due to resistance to pesticides. Now, researchers have decoded the genome of the bed bug, which could lead to new ways to combat the […]
Now that the winter is almost half gone, different pests will attack your home. More insects and rodents will be trying to make your home their home. These pests will be looking for sources of food, safety from the elements, places to breed, and safe sanctuaries to raise their young. Understanding where pests hide and […]
Tier 1 Bait Station I’m often asked about putting poison inside ones house to kill vermin. Rats will get into your attic and walls then burrow into the insulation and begin making their nests. Once people hear the scratching sounds many people go straight to their hardware store to get poison to kill them […]
Bed bug are now 33,333 times more resistant and increasingly immunity to neonicotinoids, or neonics, and pyrethroids. According to a report in the Journal of Medical Entomology, bed bugs have developed a resistance to neonics, the most widely used group of insecticides for controlling them. After testing, researchers have found that it took several thousand […]
A report from the Vancouver Rat Project states that rats carry more disease-causing bacteria than was previously known. These bacteria include E coli, the super bug MRSA and a potentially fatal fever called leptospirosis. Rat bites and scratches can result in disease and rat-bite fever. Rat urine is responsible for the spread of leptospirosis, which […]
Researchers have found that bed bugs that were allowed to feed after being treated with insecticides had a greater rate of survival. “Our results indicated that post-treatment feeding significantly reduced or slowed down bed bug mortality,” the researchers wrote. Bed bugs that feed after being sprayed with the same insecticide had a mortality rate of […]
In the US, Honda owners are suing Honda for using soy-based wiring that attracts rodents, and then refusing to repair the vehicles. In one case, the owner of a Honda 2014 CrossTour took his vehicle to the dealer, who found a rabbit still chewing away on wiring. After $765 for the repair, the dealer said […]
Rodents, rats in general, pose grave health threats to the public and farm animals. Rats quickly pick up diseases from one area and transport them to another. Most at risk are humans and poultry. In a recent Canadian study, fecal dropping from rats contained Escherichia coli which are known to be toxic to poultry and […]
Growth regulators have helped out big time with pests this last year. They successfully control a range of pests including bed bugs, ants, roaches and fleas. They work for battling fleas both indoors and outdoors. Growth regulators work because they disrupt the life cycle of insects. That means that when you kill the parent pests, […]
Some home pest control procedures can lead to concealed bodies that are only recognized by the smells they discharge as they begin to decompose. Obviously, identify the source of the stench is most important and then disposing of it. Dead rodents are often located within walls or rafters. If this happens, it may be necessary […]
This cold weather drives insects indoors to seek heat, food and water. Ants, flea, spiders, silverfish, and many others, are making your home their household. Do you want a bug free zone; several procedures can be used to decrease their occurrence. Examination of the outside of your home: remove any piles of leaves, firewood and […]
Delta’s human inhabitants aren’t the only ones looking at the thermostat and wishing to hunker down in a warm place for a while — the tri-city’s (Tsawwassen, Ladner N.Delta) rodents are on the hunt for a cozy place to snooze, too. Until last month, Go Green Pest Control in Delta has been fielding on average […]
Bed bugs are mostly found in your bedding, the mattress, on the headboard and in the bed frame and box spring. Due to their size and night-time nature bed bugs can easily go unnoticed. Dark spots and small blood stains may show the manifestation of bed bugs. They also give off a sweet mouldy smell […]
The wet weather is creating big problems for some drivers, but it’s rodents that are doing the damage. In the past five years, there’s been an uptick in cars going into have their vehicles inspected due to gnawed parts, and especially when it rains. And it’s partly due to automakers got away from petroleum-based products […]
There seems to be no end in sight to the boom in Delta’s rat population. According to the Chinese zodiac, 2016 is the year of the monkey, but there is no monkeying around with the current epidemic of rodents in Ladner and Tsawwassen. In Delta, according to pest control companies, 2015 was the year of […]
This last Christmas, I was called out to seven ant issues. All resulted in the discovery of Pharaoh ants in the households. Why are these pesky ants coming out at this time of year? Pharaoh ants can take advantage of artificial heating in buildings to survive the winter. Once the weather became so cold, the […]
Squirrels in times of food shortage, will choice to gnaw on roots or removing the bark of trees looking for food. Maples’ winged samaras and acorns keep squirrels from destroying saplings. Planting a variety of seed producing trees ensures if one “crop” fails; another will provide sustenance for hungry squirrels. Those who want to feed […]
A woman in Ohio had most of her arm amputated this summer after getting bit by a raccoon. Melissa Loomis had groundbreaking surgery after losing most of arm to rabid raccoon bite. After 16 hours, doctors had the challenge of rearranging the nerves in what’s left of Melissa’s right arm. By doing this procedure, they’ll eventually […]
Following a skirmish between a rabid raccoon and two bullmastiff dogs inside an Animal Services vehicle on Dec. 2, officials will drop 45,000 vaccine baits by footy and helicopter in a raccoon rabies blitz campaign. The vaccine baits were ordered after a raccoon tested positive for rabies following a skirmish it had with a two […]
It’s the season: Turducken, piecaken, salaoup, teaffee and now the latest hybrid a Rouse? But this new hybrid is not to be eaten at Christmas, Easter or Thanksgiving this is a new super rodent that has been breed to withstand invasive animal testing. Years of genetic engineering, countless misfires and finally a rodent that can […]
The first case of raccoon inflicted rabies in Ottawa has struck in almost a decade. Animal services officer picked up two bull mastiffs after they escaped their owner’s yard and placed them in cages in a van with a sick raccoon. Somehow, somehow? the raccoon and one of the dogs got loose from their cages […]
The keys to successful Situational Pest Management are all about knowledge and experience. Learning how to identify the key pests in your area and learn their habits and preferred living conditions. Teaching ‘SPM’ or Situational Pest Management is a problem-solving process. Professionals are taught the components of the process, and then are taught how […]
Are the chemicals used in the rat bait boxes warfarin? A. No, warfarin has not been used for years. The newer generation chemical used is called Bromadiolone, at a concentration of 0.05%, and is described as “We got a kinder, gentler, Machine gun hand” Will the poison that the rats eat from the bait boxes […]
The recent rain and cooler temperatures tend to drive bugs and rodents into your house. If you seeing traces of those home invaders and have realized that those hardware store insecticides, pesticides and rodenticides can be both dangerous and often useless, then hire someone to handle them, but do your research. As the saying goes, you usually get […]
Does Bowen Island have a skunk or grow-op problem? As many B.C. residents will attest to, it is rather hard to distinguish the difference in smell between exhaust produced by a marijuana grow-operation and the odorous spray produced by a frighten skunk. Skunks are naturally a slow-moving animal and their only defense is to spray, […]
When threatened by a predator i.e. your foot, ants instinctively form a single entity by becoming a highly organised superorganism. Depending on their location, individual ants react very differently yet in a coordinated fashion, if trouble is brewing. Ant colonies are incredibly complex and intensely cooperative, which is why they are often referred to as single superorganisms. […]
Sustainable living is a myth created by corporate organic trade groups. Statistically, the people most likely to buy organic food and bulk against biology are ignorant of real facts and fight science with the health of themselves and their children. It is a fact that we grow more food than 50 years ago with less than […]
Rats as big as Rottweilers once walked the earth with us, as well as, adorned the rotisserie over a spit fire. Signs of burns and cut marks on the rat bones suggested humans were indeed consuming them for food. The largest rodents once weighed over 5 kgs, about 10 times larger than rats that haunt […]
Unlike human road designs, there is no single ant having the big picture. The striking thing about ants is that they build their networks without any central planning. There are mathematical patterns that trigger their “on-the-fly” behavior, dispersed network-making ants build complex, resource efficient networks with no central planning—that’s definitely something humans can learn a […]
Bubonic plague is a bacterial disease often carried by mice and rats and their hitch hiking friends the flea. Bubonic plague was widespread in barbaric days and was rare in modern history. In this day and age, there seem to be several cases documented on a yearly basis. Recently, a girl was infected during a […]
It is now feared that super rats have been chatting with their long lost relatives the “mice” and passed along trade secrets. The chemical used to eradicate rats have been changed out over the years as they have become resistant to the poisons used. Now it appears that mice too have breed their way to […]
The grandmother of two children moved out of the rental house last week after finding the property infested with rats. Previous tenants had moved out of the house because of rodents. There is a growing problem around the Thompson-Okanagan over the past five years and municipalities have so far done very little about the problem. Rodents […]
Cooler weather is coming and so are critters; the smaller creature the creepier they seem to be. As the temperature drops, rodents and other pests are looking for a meal and cozy place to stay. One rodent can quickly turn into a full-blown infestation and then the household financial plague. Some of your landscaping will […]
There is not a guide book that describes how to approach carpenter ant problems and therefore each pest control company approaches it differently. Locating the nest, albeit a difficult task, is the key to stopping the ant issues. The nest could be as close as a stump next to the house or a tree three […]
Jack FM morning show DJ’s Kiah & Tara Jean talk to Randy Bilesky, owner of Go Green Pest Control, about happy raccoon’s that act like their just too cute for words until you realize they have canine distemper and a keen desire for human blood. Their producer read the blog in the Delta Optimist that […]
The Common Garter Snake is the most abundant snake in Canada. There are three subspecies of the Common Garter Snake are found in British Columbia. If captured, the snake will try to escape by releasing a smelly mix of musk and feces or flatten their heads and strike aggressively. Common Garter Snakes spend the winter […]
It’s that time of year, when we get bombarded by ads for pumpkin-flavored everything, and the unending battle of removing fallen leaves. This fall, consider recycling some of your leaves back into the soil before hauling them all away. The process of shredding the leaves back into the turf causes mycelium or fungi to grow […]
It’s the time of year you may encounter a raccoon family ordering take-out in your garbage or compost recycling bins. As usual, avoid, retreat and secure your garbage next time. But here is where the advice changes, if one of those raccoons is playing cute; acting like it’s your cat or puppy dog then run […]
“The main advice I have for customers to find a professional is to use a trusted source. They can check licensing status of a perspective business with the Ministry of the Environment. But mainly, they should find a company that has good reviews” With so many pest control companies offering services in the Delta area, […]
We all have seen ants marching in the pantry or doing a safari looking for crumbs left under your couch after an Xbox marathon. Well, don’t fret as Reader’s Digest suggests the best common household items that they suggest will rid of your ant problem in your home. This is actually laughable and inadvertently meant as a […]
Mice, too, can stutter while they are squeaking. Millions of people worldwide stutter when they speak, and it turns out scientists have found that multiple species, including rodents, are susceptible to verbal hiccups too. Stuttering has long been linked to a mutation in the gene Gnptab, which maintains basic levels of cellular function. The verbal impediment […]
Naked mole rats, they’re neither moles nor rats nor hairless. They live their lives underground and when it gets cold they form a huddle and heat each other. They don’t get cancer, can go without oxygen for a half an hour, never see the sun, almost blind and don’t feel certain kinds of pain. One […]
Yes, it is almost Halloween and the spider webs are hitting the street lamp posts lights like a graffiti artist sees a newly painted wall. But wait, those webs are real. Thanks to a wet fall, insect activity has increased and brought with it a plethora of araneaes – spiders. Webs can be found adorning […]
New study reveals 1 in 10 rented homes infested with rodents. Rodent infestation is a major problem in privately-rented properties, according to new report. A study done by Housing charity Shelter said that rodent (rats and mice) issues where reported that was the equivalent of one in ten privately rented properties. The same study also […]
Nano technology has come up again in the world of pest control and pesticides. In Iran scientists have designed an eco-friendly nano-pesticide. The new nano-pesticide can be applied to such crops as decorative plants, tobacco, pistachios and cotton. This photodegradable and biocompatible pesticide supposable uses nanotechnology to enhancement performance killing pests and hopefully decreasing the […]
Bumblebees are now being recruited for the position of pest control techie. A new system uses the bees to help deliver pesticides and fungi directly to plants with pin point accuracy. As opposed to broadcast spraying, the bees deliver product every single day, to every single bloom. A tray filled with a patented mix of […]
As part of a nationwide campaign to stop grain being devoured by rodents; Bangladeshi farmer, wins $250 and named national hero for killing 161,220 rats in one year. Mirbohor hired mostly women volunteers to kill the rats in paddy and wheat fields then submitted the tails of the dead animals to the regional agriculture office […]
Cockroaches are adaptable and hardy insects, remaining active for a month without feeding and surviving being submerged under water for 30 minutes. Most species of cockroaches are nocturnal and avoid light. They will feed on almost anything in your house. Bacteria, protozoa and viruses are commonly found on cockroach bodies and legs which in turn can […]
In Cambodia, Gambian giant rats are being used to find the nearly two million land mines spread out across the country. African giant pouched rodent, cat sized have bad vision but an extraordinary sense of smell, especially TNT. These rodents are light enough to walk over the mines without setting them off, and use […]
A new ant discovered in Western Kenya, species Carebara Lilith, has an enormous head. Most ant species have only two castes: reproductive and the worker ants. The workers of some ants are built for defense, a subcaste known as soldiers. Soldier ants are usually larger and more muscular than the workers. The Phragmotic ants have soldiers […]
Researchers found they were able to bring infertility to mice by giving one shot of a very specific antibody. Both males and females become infertile by the antibody; males stopped making sperm and females halted egg production. Within two months after the mice received their injection, they were unable to reproduce with zero side effects. […]
Yes, ants can invade your car. Twice this past summer I have sprayed customer’s vehicles because carpenter ants have set-up shop. When ants get into your vehicle, they become a nuisance and become dangerous. The distraction of ants crawling across your gas petal foot can drive you to stomp – the gas petal – […]
Scientists have discovered a new mammal that they have named the hog-nosed rat. This rat is different from any species, or even genus found in a high-altitude jungle of Sulawesi, Indonesia. What makes the rat different are its very small mouth, large white front teeth, big ears and noticeably long pubic hairs. It also has […]
Rodents are everywhere this time of year, all looking for the same things: food, water, heat and shelter. Don’t kid yourself; my house is bullet proof against mice and rats. They are lined up to get in. Arboreal rats have no problem jumping on to the house, moving in, and finding their way to your […]
Where are all the silverfish coming from? You may live in an older house or a brand new building and the silverfish are climbing the walls any time of the year. Latest data points to local schools that harbor the insects and use your children as transportation. Schools and school boards do not want pest […]
Yes it’s fall but there are a few stinging bugs hoovering around. Approximately 1 percent of children and 3 percent of adults will develop a severe reaction when stung. Here are my tips: Wasps can crawl inside; do not drink directly out of open cans. Keep your food covered. Barefoot on grass is a no […]
Bedbug foggers can be hazardous if used incorrectly. The most common side effects are headaches, nausea, and coughing – tended to be minor and short-lived. Tests on three popular commercially available foggers: Hot Shot, Spectracide, and Eliminator showed that these three products were virtually useless at fighting bed bug infestations. The mist of chemicals doesn’t […]
https://gogreenpestcontrol.ca/bug-blog/ The majority of pre-clinical studies involving laboratory animals require the animals physically restrained causing stress. A new handling technique used on rodents which avoids the use of physical restraint. The new handling method resulted in the rodents being in a more positive affective state, lowering their stress hormone levels by around 50 per […]
Children’s cancer rates are on the rise, leaving parents wondering what’s behind the trend. A new report sheds light into one avoidable risk: household pesticides. Children exposed to insecticides have a 50 percent higher risk of developing certain cancers in childhood. Indoor exposure to insecticides was associated with higher rates of leukemia […]
Ladybugs are useful in controlling unwanted pests in home gardens and the agriculture industry. Predator and parasitoid insects, including the ladybug, play a major role in reducing pest damage by suppressing insect pests. Native species of predators and parasitoids, like the ladybug, contribute at least $4.5 billion annually to crop pest control. Farmers include native […]
The Draize test was developed in 1940s, used by the cosmetic industry, is the procedure where a test substance is applied to the eye or skin of a restrained, conscious animal, and then leaving it for set amount of time before rinsing it out and recording its effects. The test is still used in India […]
We humans have been test mice to the many unregulated chemicals that are part of our everyday life. In today’s society, chemicals are deemed safe until there not, with sometimes grime results. In North America, 80,000 chemicals are available for manufacturing but only a couple hundred are tested for safety. One example is BPA or Bisphenol […]
One way to restriction pesticide use is to find suitable biological control agents to take their place. Parasitic wasps can be used by ranches, farmers and horse owners instead of pesticides to control fly populations. Filth flies, like house and stable flies, disturb horses and spread disease. Parasitoids have been proven an effective fly-management tool. […]
Which countries produce wines with the least amount of fungicides? Pesticides are used on grape plants to kill fungus because grapes are vulnerable to rot from powdery and downy mildew. Humid places like Bordeaux and Champagne rely heavily on chemical spraying with wines from around France showing a trace of pesticides traces in every bottle. […]
September is the best time of the year to treat fire ant issues. By handling fire ant issues in the autumn you can help eliminate those furious insect biting ants and have fun in your yard next spring. Control programs use IPM or integrated pest management approach that use a combination of prevention and pesticide […]
Students at the University of British Columbia are developing a probiotic designed for honeybees’ digestive system. Suitably named pro-bee-otic, the ground-breaking microorganism mixture could demonstrate a prevailing defense against the negative effects of pesticides. These probiotics for honeybees protect honeybees from neonicotinoids and the current colony collapse disorder. The UBC students have designed this scheme […]
An important food source and breeding ground for monarch butterflies is the milkweed plant, which has been diminished do to pesticide use. These butterflies are pollinator which we require, as we do bees. The milkweed is the only place female monarch butterflies lay their eggs and the caterpillars feed off it. In February and March, […]
In the 1940s and ’50s, farmers had been spraying DDT and heavy metals like lead and arsenic on their orchards. Since these sprays have been banned, there has been a trend towards an ever-greener pest management. It is thought that pure alkaloids have the power to defend against bugs and a few herbivores yet is […]
Erik the Red, a.k.a. the cat, is put to retirement after years of being a rodent control officer. In 1999 Eric the cat was rescued off the streets in 1999 and has been patrolling the harbour ever since. He was the official rodent control officer aboard CSS Acadia at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. […]
In early 2014, Redditor had a brief comment on a photo of a raccoon: “Raccoons = trash pandas.” The description stuck, and now the term “trash pandas” has permeated across Reddit, Imgur, and Instagram alike. There is now a subreddit devoted entirely to “trash pandas.” The online community members include owners of domesticated raccoons as well as obsessed fans of the new word for raccoon. Let’s dive into […]
Summer officially ends on September 23 but many rabbits think it here now. Rabbits eat the bark of trees and shrubs primarily during the fall and winter months. New research shows that rabbits are some of the world’s worst invasive species causing changes for the biodiversity of any land they frequent. Invasive species of rabbits are […]
Once they start to invade your home, property destruction and disease will follow. If you think you have mice or rats in your property, then it’s likely you are right. Rodents are prolific breeders that thrive in indoor surroundings. Besides disease, rodents can also carry germs and parasites that can be hazardous to anybody, but […]
The second-largest rodents in the world, the beaver is only just smaller the guinea pig. The world’s largest beaver dam, located in Alberta, is 2,790 feet long was started around 1975. Although the dams can cause extreme flooding situations the net result also create fertile soils, mitigate the effects of drought, reduce evaporation, and filter […]
The fear of bugs or fear of insects is known as Entomophobia. Insects and bugs often appear disgusting, due to their shape or colors. Flies, mosquitoes and fleas are also associated with the spread of diseases and infections. In some cases this fear becomes a mental illness where the patient feels constant ‘prickling, tingling, creeping, […]
There are now over 12,000 different species of ants, they lived in the Jurassic period and have been evolving and adapting to their environment. It is estimated that ants may withstand forces up to 1000 times their body weight. The ants’ necks ruptured at forces 3,400 to 5,000 times their weight. Their neck tissue structures […]
A research company, the Centre for Economics and Business Research, released research showing the pressures posed by pests. The study found that upwards of 90 percent of all businesses surveyed suffered at least one pest infestation in the several years or one infestation every 20 months. Businesses suffering a pest infestation incurred increased maintenance, repair […]
Mice have been found to sing to each other in a courtship ritual worst then the movie Pretty Lady. Scientists only recently found that female sing back to their perspective suitor. We can’t hear the mice singing sweet nothing as their voices register in a range beyond our ability to hear. A mouse registers at […]
Bats provide a service worth an estimated $1.33 billion globally by controlling pests on corn crops. Yet, bat populations are under pressure as a result of habitat loss and the spread of diseases. One disease, the white-nose syndrome cause visible symptom of white fungus on the animal’s nose, but it can also appear on its […]
Every autumn, wasps bold as brass, suddenly seem to be everywhere. They are one of the most successful types of animal on the planet. All wasps have a narrow constriction between the chest and abdomen and a stinger. The stinger is used to paralyse other insects and is taken as living food for the wasp’s […]
The relationship between plants and pests can give us clues as to how to create new pesticides. Case in point, caterpillar poop could be used as a pesticide. Plants have sensors that can identify when the plant is in trouble and respond with defense mechanisms: for an example, the relationship between the corn plant and […]
This agile family of harvest mice have acrobatic abilities as they attack fruit crops. Harvest mice are often pictured clinging onto hears of corn, they are one of the smallest rodents, measuring just two inches in length. With prehensile tails used as a flexible fourth limb, the tiny mice are able to swing and hang […]
Pesticides are a necessary evil to guarantee that the tomato seeds you see in your salad are not worms. Pesticides come with many health defects, pollution and overall destruction of non-targeted species. Many scientists have been looking for an alternative or substitute for pesticides; and this maybe in the form of targeting the building blocks […]
One of the worst pest control problems are bed bugs. These vampire like creatures bite, spread quickly and when an infestation breaks out it can be difficult to eradicate. Bed bugs are the small insects that live in beds and mattresses but despite of the fact that they are small in size, they are […]
Earwigs are nocturnal and often hide in small, crevices during the day, and are active at night, feeding on a wide variety of insects and plants. Damage to foliage, flowers, and various crops is commonly blamed on earwigs. Adult earwigs are 14-23mm long, dark brown in color and have forceps at their hind end. The […]
As if bees need another reason to look over their shoulders to see what wants to kill them next. Researchers have discovered another reason why the honey bee population are diminishing. Argentine ants carry a virus that attacks bees. The virus is identified to be actively reproducing in Argentine ants is a known threat to honeybees. […]
Yes, the fleas have been terrible this summer. Though the most fleas will likely do is leave your pets, fleas can pick up plague from infected rodents and pass on the bacterial infection to people. Fleas infected with tapeworm larvae can pass this on to dogs or cats that ingest such fleas — something […]
1 Always read the label first and follow the directions to the letter, including all precautions and restrictions. 2 Only use the pesticide on pests indicated on the label and don’t use more pesticide than directed by the label. 3 Use protective measures, such as wearing impermeable gloves, long pants, and long-sleeve shirts. Change […]
Should you consider hiring the company that offers the lowest price and cut out the highest priced? Should you consider hiring the company that is locally owned and operated? Pests are present everywhere and when they invade your home; the outcome can be pretty dangerous for those who are living in it. Ants, wasps, […]
Mice are harder to control than rats, therefore complete control may take a longer period. Rodent-proofing your home: Look for droppings both rats and mice inside and outside of your home. Remove sources of water, food and housing from your closets, attics and gardens. Keep trash bins covered. Remove wood piles, junk and garden debris […]
Scientists compared ordinary lab mice with mice genetically engineered to lack capsaicin receptors. The guts of ordinary mice responded noticeably to a capsaicin-like drug. Those on a high-fat diet did not. In mice without capsaicin receptors, diet made no difference in these gut-level responses. Capsaicin – the chemical that gives chili peppers their kick […]
A certain hormone called leptin, nicknamed the “satiety” hormone, has been found in mice as another ingredient to a runner’s happiness. It is called “fat hormone” as this is generated by fat cells. Increased leptin level sends a signal to the brain indicating you are “full” thus resulting in increasing the metabolic rate. However, when […]
Rats like penguins, huddle for warmth and when they do, the collection of bodies acts like a self-organizing “super-organism.” The members of huddling mass rotate, so that outer rodants are brought into the warmth of the center before rotating back out. Rotation helps to regulate the group’s temperature so none become too hot or […]
Yes, fleas can carry the bubonic plague. Fleas have tested positive for plague in Pueblo County, Colorado. This plague, caused by bacteria called Yersinia pestis, is transmitted from rodent to rodent by infected fleas. Infected fleas pass plague to animals or people through bites. Plague is characterized by periodic disease outbreaks in rodent populations, some of […]
Wasps can tell when a parasite infiltrates their body, and to get rid of the unwelcome organism they seek out a type of nectar that’s not only a sweet source of food, but a pretty potent anti-parasite medicine, says Discover magazine. The collection of compounds responsible for the decline in parasites (including nicotine) can cut the infection by 50%. […]
Adult opossums are about the size of a large cat. They prefer to establish a home in hollow logs, garages, under buildings, inside burrows and squirrels’ nests. The opossum is an omnivore, so it will eat anything. They reproduce one time per year and the partially developed babies live in the mothers pouch for three […]
Ants are efficient, sustainable, safe and pest controllers says British Ecological Society’s Journal of Applied Ecology. Here is why they say that ants are special Ants exist on every continent, other than Antarctica, with 12,000 species of ants worldwide. Ants are really good predators. They can lift up to 20 times its’ own body weight. […]
Mice that are fed a poor diet along with E. coli and bacteroidetes bacteria, develop malnutrition and symptoms of environmental enteropathy; a disease of the intestine, especially the small intestine. Researchers at UBC, using complex science such as; the hypot-imechular sub-division of the manifold, have produced the first mice model with symptoms of gut bacterial […]
Butterfly larvae manipulate their ant attendants by secreting a nutritious and mind altering nectar to keep attendant ants close by for protection. Butterfly larvae can control dopamine secretion in ants by supplying them with nectar. Lycaenid butterflies and ants are representative examples of mutualism, in which different species benefit from the activities of the other. […]
Scientists are genetically engineering moths to self-destruct. To this end let us discuss an invasive species, the diamondback moth that was once a minor nuisance. It became an agricultural headache in the late 1940s as chemical pesticide use exploded. The moth, the first crop pest to evolve resistance to DDT, multiplied as feebler competitors died off. […]
There are over 900 species of bats worldwide with approximately 40 of these residing north of Mexico. Most bats are insectivores, feeding on insects at night yet some species that prefer other foods such as fruits. Bats can either live in colonies or live alone. Bats emerge in the early days of spring and leave their overwintering […]
Pest control companies are reporting a 50% rise in call-outs, here are some of the housemates you could be sharing your home with… Vermin Often found in attics (causing fire hazards by chewing electric cables) and kitchens (where they’ll eat virtually anything that’s on offer, but are especially fond of cereal), telltale signs include droppings, […]
Latin roots, pest=pest and cide=killer or act of killing so the name literally means pest killer. Pesticides include herbicides (weed killers), insecticides (insect killers), fungicides (fungus killers), and even bactericides (bacteria killers), antimicrobials (household disinfectants). A class of insecticides that are derived from plants, the most common being manufactured today are Pyrethroids. These products are […]
The red imported fire ant arrived from South America in the port of Mobile in the 1930s. Early attempts of extermination efforts failed due to the ant’s ability to rapidly reproduce and their biology. Imported fire ants disrupt native habitats and our homeland, and have created an enormous impact on our economy. Autumn is the […]
The city council of Coquitlam is finally going to put their collective foot down on rats and try to shed the nick name “Compton”. Coming soon, anyone wanting a demolition permit in Coquitlam will have to prove buildings on the site are free of pests, most especially rats. Metro Vancouver rats are becoming a greater […]
Buying a home is an exciting and stressful time for home buyers with hundreds of things to do. Go Green Pest Control warns people looking at buying new home that neglecting to have a professional pest inspection on properties is a potentially costly error, sometimes costing thousands of dollars to fix a new property. “We understand […]
There is a species of ant which can self-medicate on poisonous hydrogen peroxide. Colonies of collective insects like ants and bees are vulnerable to disease. One way to accomplish this is toingest otherwise harmful substances to fight infection. At a University in Finland, have now shown that Formica fuscaants choose to eat hydrogen peroxide if they have a […]
Monsanto’s, the biotech seed giant, tried unsuccessfully for the fourth time to buy Syngenta for $47 million. Monsanto claim to fame is making transformational solutions for agriculture. Syngenta’s massive range of pesticides would have made Monsanto into a one-stop shop for farmers. Merging with Syngenta would have moved Monsanto to the U.K., where corporations are […]
Mice may enter your home uninvited and it can be hard to locate where their nest is, it could be somewhere in your home underneath your floorboards, or they may be living close outside. Mice are very intelligent rodents with high levels of communication, both vocally and fervently. They can sense other mice’s feelings […]
Researchers are examining the potential impact of agricultural pesticide run-off on lobsters in the Northumberland Strait. Lobster populations in the Northumberland Strait have been collapsed for a number of years, and no amount of fisheries measures have improved that. The conclusion is that there are other influencing factors that are not coming from the strait […]
It’s that time of year when worker wasps have finished tending to their queen are now left to fly around aimlessly, eating fermented fruit, which makes them “extra bold” and want to fight. Pest controllers say they have been swamped this summer, as thousands of wasps descend on the lower mainland because of the dry […]
A single wasps nest consumers anywhere between 240 to 270 flies per hour and like to eat mosquitoes. Wasps generally forage between 200-400 metres within their nests and tend to build their nests in protected areas. A favourite location is under an eaves trough and close to a water source such as a pond […]
MOSQUITOES B.C. is home to the mosquito types Aedes and Anopheles, which can transmit diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and chikungunya. But the parasite that causes malaria is not present in B.C. There has been a low population of mosquitoes this year due to the dry weather. Certain species have found “great havens” in […]
Wood frogs have been able to change certain genes when exposed to environmental pressure, a process known as phenotypic plasticity. They have resorted to different mechanisms to cope with their changing environment. It was discovered that several wood frog populations which lived closer to agricultural lands could quickly switch on genetic resistance to carbaryl […]
Do we have the real reason for the beepocalypse? There a new link between pesticide usage and honeybee colony decline. Scientists examined large-scale pesticide usage and yield observations of oilseed rape fields and compared this with data on honeybee losses between 2000 and 2010. The number of seeds treated with imidacloprid rose from less […]
Scientists are growing a pest to feed a pest that will spread to kill the original pest. The University of California Intermountain Research and Extension Center is growing a pest called cereal leaf beetle to feed its predator, the parasitic wasp T. Julis, will grow, too. The more beetles you have, the more wasps you […]
The recent resurgence of bedbugs can be traced back to the ban on DDT, which had virtually eliminated the pests. After DDT was banned because of the harmful effects on humans and the environment, bedbugs began to reappear, and their comeback was aided by several other factors. The elimination of DDT overlapped with the […]
Well, let’s talk about voles. A vole is a small rodent resembling a mouse but with a stouter body, a shorter, hairy tail, a slightly more round head, smaller ears and eyes.. Sometimes known as meadow mice or field mice; there are approximately 155 species of voles in North America. They can have five to […]
The chafer beetle has ravaged lawns throughout Delta this year. Usually its newly seeded lawns or fresh tuff that fall victim to raccoons, skunks and crows searching for beetle larvae to feed on. The life cycle of the chafer beetle is such that from late June until early July they are underground as larvae, and […]
Is washing fruit effective in reducing exposure to pesticides? As it turns out that yes, your standard household tap water will reduce the amount of pesticide on your produce. By washing your produce you are able to rid the surface of most the residual pesticides but not the pesticides that have already been absorbed into […]
Now that school is approaching, us parents have one more concern for our children. New research warns head lice are becoming harder to kill because they are becoming resistant to ingredients found in over-the-counter remedies therefore we have a new super-bugs. Whatever reason they’re not dying, they pass that on to their offspring and […]
Rats have strong teeth that allow them to chew through glass, cinderblock, wire, aluminum and lead, it’s almost impossible to proof your home from them. Now, National Geographic has shown how a rat can easily slip into grates and manhole covers, leading them through sewage into the residential pipes of homes. Then the rat […]
Many wasps paralyse caterpillars or spiders, lay their eggs in them, and seal them alive as ready-to-eat meals for their larvae once they hatch. The larvae of a wasp known only by its scientific name Reclinervellus nielseni, makes the orb-weaver spider spin a special web for their own cocoons. The wasp climbs up spider’s web […]
Buying a home is the largest single investment for the average Canadian family today. Rising costs of labor and materials make it imperative to protect your investment from structural damage by wood-destroying organisms, especially the carpenter ants. Carpenter ants are among the most costly of all the insect pests affecting structures. The best way to […]
Bubba Watson called in a rules official in an attempt to take relief from an ant hill, ants are “burrowing animals.” Bubba (to caddie Ted Scott): “It’s a burrowing animal. It’s digging a hole, so either way you look at it …” Rules official:”It’s not fire ants or anything. There’s no relief from them. That’s a […]
Scientists have created super-intelligent mice that are less anxious and scared by genetically modifying an enzyme called phosphodiesterase-4B (PDE4B). The researchers say the mice that can chill and relax or chill-lax could provide the basis into new treatments of cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia. These brainy vermin could learn faster, remember events […]
Fancy rats are specifically bred as pets where your regular street rat that you see in the garbage or a snap trap are considered wild vermin. Domesticated rats are physiologically and psychologically different from their wild relatives. Fancy rats have their origins as the targets for blood sport in 18th- and 19th-century Europe. Specially bred […]
Some people say finding one is less likely than getting hit by lightning. Most folks will go their lives without glimpsing a white raccoon. The odds of spotting one have been estimated at 1 in 500,000, or even 1 in 750,000, making the encounter less likely than getting struck by lightning. They are secretive creatures […]
Tsawwassen Sun Festival Parade August 3rd – 2015 This year’s Sun Festival theme is ‘Get Your Kicks on Route 56th’. Our popular festival attracts over 12,000 annually during the BC Day long weekend. Go Green Pest Control has two vehicles entered into the parade this year. Go Green Pest Control’s owner, Randy Bilesky’s is driving his 1966 AC […]
Tulips are treats for squirrels, moles, deer and other animals but they avoid daffodils, which contain lycorine, a bitter alkaloid that’s toxic. Lycorine is a toxic crystalline alkaloid found in various Amaryllidaceae species. Other plants such as cultivated bush lily and surprise lilies produce lycorine. It may be highly poisonous or even lethal, when ingested […]
An Australian news reporter was bitten by a bull ant and could not continue her script as the excruciating pain of the bull ant’s bite takes over. The clip was filmed a few months ago but never been aired and has now surfaced after being posted on an Instagram account. Australian bull ants, which can […]
Rodents can cause damage to property beginning with attics and crawl space, create unsanitary living conditions and even carry diseases that can make you and your family sick. Rats can climb pretty much any surface and get wherever they want to go. They can squeeze through amazingly small holes and gaps. Sounds of scratching or […]
In Pittsburgh the annual raccoon rabies vaccine program has begun. Since 2002 the County health officials have used fishmeal cubes containing rabies vaccine to help reduce the rabid raccoon population. Since the inception of the program, there has been a severe reduction in rabid raccoons from 23 in 2002 to only 2 found the previous […]
If you put out trash, raccoons will come. The masked critters can wreak havoc for residents. Proof to show this is not a new problem, online reviews of apartment complexes show the raccoon problem has always been with us. The smell of food coming from human garbage, compost, and recycling is irresistible to raccoons. It […]
In the U.S. the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is recommending new standards for pesticide applicators who apply “restricted use” pesticides, requiring: increased level of training, a minimum age of 18 for applicators, and basic literacy. Interestingly the general public in the U.S. can buy those same pesticides that are restricted for purchase here in Canada. […]
Pest birds are capable of spreading diseases to humans and livestock. Pigeon faeces often contain the fungal disease histoplasmosis which is especially dangerous to people with compromised immune systems. The droppings of most pest birds create aesthetic problems. They can also create drainage issues by nesting in the small crevices, drains, and gutters of buildings. […]
Got Fleas? The cat flea is the most common flea in North America. Adult fleas are parasites that draw blood from their host. Larvae feed on the feces of adult fleas, which contain undigested blood. Fleas feed on animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits, squirrels, rats and mice. Flea’s eggs are hatched on the ground, in rugs, carpet, bedding, upholstery […]
We all know raccoons are crafty creatures, washing their food using their opposing thumbs while watching for predators. Raccoons are able to squeeze into locked garages, open secured garbage cans, unzip tents, and pry up lids; urban raccoons are the new urban cowboys. Extremely adaptable and smart, they’re expert problem solvers, evolving faster than we […]
Two species of squirrel found on the West Coast are the native Douglas Squirrel and the Grey Squirrel. The grey squirrel is the more common of the two species found locally in the Lower Mainland. In the early 20’s the grey squirrel first arrived at Stanley Park. The grey squirrel population remained relatively contained until […]
Spiders are nature’s natural pest control agents. But with the use of some pesticides these natural insect predators become less aggressive when subjected to certain insecticides. This insect naturally fills the role that the pesticide is designed to fill. Males exposed to insecticide were able to continue to capture prey as they had before, but “lost” […]
This summer has set many records for temperature and lack of rain. The only water sources for wasps are manmade such as water features in public and private gardens. These are magnets for wasps. Open water attract paper wasps which can congregate in large numbers to drink and collect water. They use the water to […]
Silverfish consume dead leaves, dried meat and skin, seeds, book bindings, cereal, cornmeal, cotton, flour, glue, linen, paper, photographs, rayon and even their own dead. Starches are their particular favorites. Older, hardback books are an especial treat for silverfish because of the glue used in their binding. A silverfish is 8 to 20 millimeters long […]
The National Institutes of Health laboratory in Montana made “humanized mice” by implanting the mice with tissues cut from human livers and thymuses taken from babies at 17 to 22 weeks gestational age. The production of TKO-BLT mice to obtain healthy mice with high level reconstitution of human cells and tissues requires specialized methods that […]
Kounis syndrome, caused by wasp stings, may potentially triggering heart attacks in those with underlying heart conditions. When stung, the body’s white blood cells overreact and attack the body itself, causing the airways to swell. This can starve the brain of oxygen, all in as little as a few minutes. Three in 100 healthy adults […]
Mosquitoes are becoming resistant to insecticides and changes in global warming. This will affect anyone out on a warm night, trying to avoid both mosquito bites, and the itchiness and disease those bites might bring. It is estimated that upwards of 20 percent of the mosquito genome had undergone recent changes to insecticides and weather […]
Researchers connected the blood vessels of young and old mice, so that two animals shared a blood supply. They found that, following an injury, the older mice saw greater improvements in the repair of muscle and bone compared with older mice not connected to younger mice. Older mice that were exposed to young blood […]
Small raccoons love milk so much that they literally dive into a bowl of cereal and only surface to get a breath of air before going for another milk dive. Baby raccoons should be fed kitten milk replacement formula. If they are dehydrated when you get them, feed a rehydrating formula for the first 2-3 […]
Certified Organic means that the farmer doesn’t plant genetically modified crops and can only use a few approved kinds of chemicals and fertilizers but if it’s contaminated with unwanted pesticides from the adjacent field then you are getting certified organic produce laced with pesticide residue. When, not if, a crop duster passing close to an organic […]
Ants can switch between individual and collective action when it comes to teamwork. Ants understand when to be part of the collective muscle and when to play an individual scouting role. When an ant that was part of a team realises there is a problem will transform into a highly individualistic leader and her colleagues […]
To avoid being stung, do not swat or run rapidly away from a wasp or hornet, as quick movements can provoke an attack. Instead, if you have nerves of steel, remain calm and motionless and then move slowly away from the area. Reduce the chances of attracting these pests by covering all food and beverages […]
Scientist uses a remote-controlled brain implant to control the path taken by mice. The implant alters the neural networks of the mice using wireless signals, allowing researchers to study neural stimulation. The “optofluidic” implant was developed with the hope that it could one day be used to treat a range of neurological disorders in humans. The battery-powered device […]
How does intelligence of raccoons compare with other species? Raccoons bested the abilities of cats and dogs, most closely approximating the mental attributes of monkeys. Raccoons had attracted interest because they flourished, rather than receded, in the face of human expansion. Davis and Cole (two research scientists) claim: that the animal possessed ideas derived from complex […]
Canadians eat about 1,500 mg per person per day of natural pesticides, which is 10,000 times more than we eat of synthetic residues. It is estimated that a person ingests annually about 5,000 to 10,000 different natural pesticides. Every species of plant contains its own couple dozen set of different toxins. Tens of thousands of […]
Go Green Pest Control is a member of the British Columbia Chapter of the Canada Green Building Council. We at Go Green Pest Control look forward to the opportunity to meet green building experts, develop local green building initiatives and access local green building resource opportunities. Go Green Pest Control is looking forward to transforming […]
Pyrethrins are one of the oldest known insecticides and are derived from dried and crushed flower heads of two species of asters: Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium and C. coccineum. Synthetic pyrethroids are a mixture of six chemicals that are toxic to insects. Pyrethrins are commonly used to control mosquitoes, fleas, flies, moths, ants, and many other pests. […]
For ants cleanliness is a matter of survival. Dirty antennas don’t pick up scents, and that’s how ants, navigate and communicate. The cleaning mechanism that is found at a joint in each front leg of the carpenter ant was a precise and efficient process geared to pick up particles of different sizes. When the ant […]
Hawai’i County Council passed the first reading of a bill that would provide $90,000 to the county to help battle the Little Fire Ants problem on island. The money would go towards the purchase of equipment and supplies to help battle the pests. Little fire ants are tiny red-orange ants one-sixteenth of an inch long, or […]
Wasps are predators, feeding insects to their young. What makes them beneficial is that they prey on many insects, including caterpillars, flies, crickets and other pests. What makes them a pest is in late summer and fall they alter their tastes and go after sweets. Wasps should only be controlled when they become a problem. […]
Pesticide exposures are harmful not only to the bees and insects, but to humans. Researchers are looking at how exposure to the chemical neonicotinoid in pollen inhalation could be harmful to us. 62 Bee keepers volunteered to give samples of the honey and pollen they collected from bees and more than 70 percent contained neonicotinoid. […]
As a homeowner your anxiety about a nest of feral raccoons must be palpable. Raccoons carry diseases like rabies and roundworm. They are also strong, smart and aggressive creatures that can damage ductwork, wood and electrical wiring. Clearly, these are not welcome house guests that you want camping out in your home. You need to […]
A novel insecticide targets a specific gene in a pest, killing only that bug species and avoiding collateral damage to beneficial insects caused by today’s pesticides. Pest Management Science describes how the RNA-based insecticide can be effective for at least 28 days when sprayed, a finding that dispels previous concerns that the genetic material would […]
A camera man in Tucson caught an interesting video showing a raccoon stealing a rabbit from a fox. The fox had stashed a dead rabbit in this cave and this raccoon came along and took off with his dinner. https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=87741124305&href=https%3A//www.youtube.com/attribution_link%3Fa%3Def2KEx-nqqs%26u%3D%252Fwatch%253Fv%253DG7hwTUVd3Pk%2526feature%253Dshare&display=popup&redirect_uri=https://www.youtube.com/facebook_redirect https://twitter.com/intent/tweet/complete?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FG7hwTUVd3Pk&text=20150725%20095817&latest_status_id=624990434587086848&related=YouTube%2CYouTubeTrends%2CYTCreators&via=YouTube https://www.tumblr.com/widgets/share/tool?shareSource=legacy&canonicalUrl=&posttype=video&content=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DG7hwTUVd3Pk&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DG7hwTUVd3Pk&caption=&sequence=preview
Fire ants are an aggressive species. If you disturb the nest, they will come after you, biting and attaching to your skin with their jaws and then stinging you from their abdomen. The venom the ants inject causes red marks that soon turn into white pus-filled bumps. About one percent of the population is severely […]
Did you know that rats can distinguish between some colours, but not others? The Pied Piper of Hamelin, July 22, 1376 was the day the rat-catcher led the children out of the town of Hamelin, Germany, as the town refused to pay him for ridding them of rats. 3. In Victorian England, Jack Black who […]
There are seven different species of raccoons. The name raccoon comes from the Indian word “arakum” meaning “he scratches with his hands.” The tail is used as fat storage, for balance when climbing and as a brace when sitting up. Adults may weigh up to 40 pounds. Their average lifespan in the wild is anywhere […]
In Australian feral pigs are an enormous problem so military grade drones are used to fly above the 500 metres altitude ceiling covering some serious ground and fly at night with thermal grade military cameras. The infrared camera lets them locate the invasive pest animals by their heat signature. The drone passes the vision in […]
Mice displayed an earlier onset of breast cancer and weight gain when there was a disruption of natural light-dark cycles of day and night. Shift work is necessary in many professions and provides them with some conveniences but straying from the natural cycle of sleeping at night and waking during the day has serious health […]
Need ant control, try pouring molten aluminum (temperatures of around 1300 degrees) into an ant hill. You’ll get an aluminum sculpture and eliminate those pesky ants. The procedure begins by melting 19 or 20 pounds of scrap aluminum to create a bucketful of shimmering liquid then start the process of creating nature-inspired sculptures. The creation of the […]
Colorado Department of Public Health reported Friday that bubonic plague has been confirmed in a Chaffee County resident recently. The unidentified individual was hospitalized and has survived following antibiotic treatment. The family dog became ill with symptoms consistent with plague a few days prior to the onset of illness in the dog’s owner. The dog […]
In New Zealand wasps can kill native chicks, insects and honeydew, leaving little food for birds. Wasps have few natural predators and after their mild threatening public safety after a mild winter. New Zealand’s Department of Conservation has run trials of a common insecticide, fipronil, in bait stations targeted at wasps. They aim to create pest-control techniques […]
Social wasps colonies, established annually are small but grow quickly, these are the guys that cause most wasp stings. They seem to be everywhere, under eaves, above doors, in bushes and playground equipment. Their characteristic paper nests are quickly and violently defended if you get too close, they can sting more than once. True yellow […]
The humble bumble bee The bumblebee would be working to gather pollen for the queen bee of the hive. The bumblebees work as a team, and they work together to keep their colony in order. The queen bee locates their nests in thick grass, bird houses, lofts and in trees. The nesting of bumblebees soon […]
Scientists are looking to increase the efficacy of pesticides to better control insects using nanotechnology. Nanoscience and nanotechnology are the study and application of extremely small things and can be used across all the other science fields, such as chemistry, biology, physics, materials science, and engineering. Biological engineers are testing the use of nanoparticles (particles […]
Chinese researchers have successfully created artificial mouse sperm, when implanted in an egg, grow into healthy mice. By modifying two of the genes in the sperm, they were able to get success up to 20 percent. Researchers make artificial sperm by removing the nucleus of an egg and replacing it with one set of DNA […]
A new invasive fruit fly species feeds on cherries and berries before they ripen. Because of the warmer weather; it’s one of the fastest spreading invasive pests seen in B.C.. The spotted-wing fly was first spotted five years ago, and has quickly become a threat to B.C. cherries. This fly doesn’t wait until the fruit […]
Flying ants are taking to the skies as the seasonal climate marshals in pleasant sunsets. The winged insects are ants that are sexually mature queens and males. This time of the year, they leave their nests and swarm looking for mates. Known as the nuptial flight, male and female insects join together in the sky. […]
Kamloops City Council votes in favour of a complete ban on cosmetic use of pesticides for residential lawns and ornamental gardens. Effective the beginning of 2016, Kamloops residents will be prevented from using pesticides for cosmetic use although they still are able to spray fruit trees or use pesticides in their gardens or driveways. Interestingly, […]
Bio-insecticides are less toxic than conventional chemical insecticides, and have the advantages of no pollution, no residue, and high efficiency. With people raising awareness of pesticide residues in food, environment protection and sustainable development, the application of bio-insecticides have a great breakthrough in the past years. Bio-insecticides will have a good prospect in the future. […]
Some insects are our allies in pest control, they are referred as beneficial. The solitary wasp can be added to the list of familiar such as: the lady beetles and lacewings. The sand wasp is about 5/8 inch long with distinctive yellow markings on its abdomen. The female builds her nest in tunnels in sandy […]
In the U.S., a new lawsuit is advising the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to require pesticide companies to reveal dangerous pesticide additives, even if they’re not designated as the main, “active” ingredients in a product. Manufacturers mix additives with the product’s active ingredient that are designed for specific pests. These additives make pesticides easier to spray, […]
Mice like to chew on a car’s wiring if it includes soy-based insulation. Soy-based insulation is used extensively in automotive wiring. Automakers have moved to biodegradable, soy-based wiring insulation in the past 10 years. It won’t last forever in landfills, like older plastic wiring. The problem seems more common in cars that sit for extended […]
July 14th, Kamloops City Council will make a decision to ban domestic cosmetic pesticides. Kamloops residents have a chance to vote in support or decline the proposed ban. If the proposed bylaw passes, both residents and professionals will not be permitted to spray synthetic chemical products: used to improve the appearance of landscapes by maintaining […]
High-fat foods actually change the bacteria in your gut and make it so that we’re unable to detect the sensation that we’re full. A team of scientists took 50 rats and fed some of them balanced diets with proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Others had diets with a higher fat content, which had previously been proven to […]
Climate change is adversely affecting bumblebees and it is harming them and their homes more so than pesticides. Like other insects, bumblebees are not moving to cooler climates. Butterflies, in contrast, will migrate to greater elevations or farther from the equator when their native location becomes too hot. Bumblebees leaving their homes when it’s too […]
Gardeners and property owners consider the house sparrow a pest. Being an invasive species, they are somewhat responsible for diminishing populations of native birds. Sparrows damage gardens by pecking seeds and seedlings, buds, flowers, vegetables, and maturing fruits. They also disfigure buildings with their nests and droppings. Although not that common, they have been known […]
Without bees, the diversity in the food we eat would not get pollinated; many common fruits and vegetables would go extinct, including apples, strawberries, onions, and carrots. Beginning as early as the 1970s, the honeybee population in Canada has been in decline, with some beekeepers reporting losses of up to 70 percent. Many of the […]
Mice and rats harbor 35 diseases which transmitted to humans, including rat-bite fever and HPS (hantavirus pulmonary syndrome). When you spot rodent droppings or other signs of a mouse or rat, help is needed immediately. You need to be very careful when it comes to your home, as a mouse or rat only needs a […]
Fueled by unusually lush vegetation and hot conditions, rabbits have been doing it like rabbits, increasing the risk for what normally is a relatively rare bacterial disease. Rabbit fever, tularemia, can be contracted by human. Health officials are urging doctors to keep the disease in mind in diagnosing patients, and warning homeowners to take precautions […]
A marine cone snail has sleep-inducing venom that could be used to treat sleep disorders. Scientists who discovered the compound say it shows promise for therapeutic use to treat sleep disorders. The sleep-inducing compound was discovered by a team of two scientists from the Indian Institute of Science during an attempt to isolate and identify […]
Due to pesticides used for killing stink bugs in rice paddies, Japan’s honeybees are dying in mass. This is not new news when pesticides are sprayed on paddies near beehives causing large-scale honeybee deaths. Japan has some 9,300 beekeepers.After an increase in research results at home and abroad on the influence of pesticides on deaths […]
There are several species of pantry moths that can infest your home, but the one most frequently encountered is the Indian meal moth. It is small and colorful. The wings are gray toward the body and have dark bands near the tip. They will feed on a wide variety of dried foods, including cereals, […]
Increased temps mean more ticks With climate change upon us, the temperatures continue to rise and so does the growing threat of ticks. With predictions for days of 35+ degrees rising 20-25 days annually by 2050, we should be ways to address climate change. These radical environment variations increase favorable territories for ticks to […]
Fire ants provide a fascinating case study due to the confinement enforced by the foraging tunnels in which they move. A key factor in the motion of fire ants is the requirement to stop and communicate with each other, leading to traffic jams and blockages along the 50m long underground superhighways in which they […]
Your ant-infused gin is now being served. Anty Gin is a bottle of gin loaded with the distillation of red wood ants. According to its creators, every bottle contains “the essence of approximately sixty-two wood ants”. The ants are dispatched with in ethanol at the point of picking. The ants have to be ‘happy ants’ because […]
Deer mice on the Gulf Islands off the coast of Vancouver are also twice the size of those living on the mainland. The rodents have also developed an unusual carnivorous behaviour, preying on live and dead chicks that nest on the island. The great majority of extreme sized island rodents were extremely big – 42% […]
Here are the signs that indicate a sick rabid raccoon: Staggering gait Oblivious to noise or nearby movement Erratic wandering or circling Excessive drooling Disorientation Wet and matted hair on face Repeated high-pitch vocalization Self-mutilation, biting or snapping If bitten or scratched by a raccoon that is seen acting strangely, wash the wound thoroughly with […]
Raccoons can be found throughout southern BC and along the coast in a wide variety of habitats including forests, marshes, and farmland. They are opportunistic omnivores, eat just about anything edible. Some preferred foods include nuts, insects, berries, clams and bird eggs. Usually solitary animals (except for females with young) but they will congregate if […]
They will only defend themselves when cornered or attacked. They have poor eye-sight and often just backing away slowly and quietly will avoid an encounter. Skunks eat insects primarily also fruits, nuts, and small rodents. Skunks will den in tree cavities, brush piles, old stumps and abandoned burrows. But in urban areas, porches, sheds, crawl […]
Bookworm – an insect that feed on material in books — the paper, the glue, the cloth binding. The lists of insects in the bookworm category include some beetles, cockroaches, silverfish and booklice. In general, the types of beetles that end up damaging books do so because the books are stored close to a food […]
Fire ants bite your skin with their mandibles, hang on tight, and then jam the stingers on their abdomens into your flesh. The site of the sting hurtsfor several minutes. It then swells into a bump that eventually turns into a pustule that can last for days, sometimes becoming infected and requiring further treatment. The venom […]
Misconceptions about pesticides stem from ignorance. “A lot of people don’t educate themselves about pesticides and become paranoid and scared. They think that applying all pesticides is dangerous because of miss-information,” states Randy Bilesky of Go Green Pest Control. Health Canada administers endless studies on the products used to ensure that they are safe. Pesticide formulations, […]
In some pets, their bites can cause extreme skin irritation and infection. They can multiply until you’ve got an infestation in your house or yard, and once they’ve multiplied, they can be difficult to exterminate. Ticks can cause diseases that pose a serious threat to your dog’s well-being, and some are contagious to humans as […]
DDT was a commonly used pesticide all over America. The DDT pesticide was banned in 1972, yet studies show many are still reaping the consequences of unrestricted use of the chemical over 40 years later. DDT was not used as a pesticide until World War II. It was during this time that farmers started using […]
The main reason for bee colony death, it is speculated, is Varroa mite not the effects of insecticides and other pesticides on honeybees. There is no conclusive link between pesticide use and the widespread deaths of honeybee colonies. Honeybees suffer from myriad parasites, diseases and other stressors that are more commonly associated with the death of […]
Pest control industry is very attractive; offering a blend of high margins and good growth forecasts. North America showing lucrative business opportunity mainly due to the warmer climates. Pest control market has seen exceptional growth in the recent five years, which is attributed to the increasing population of pests, growing customer awareness about the health […]
One of the creepiest side effects to the rains we’ve seen in the past couple days is the mounds of fire ants, sometimes floating mounds, which have become common in back yards since the rain saturated their underground homes. When their homes underground become saturated with rain, the ants come up to the surface and […]
An Ant With the Right Coat for 158-Degree Weather. Silver ants of the Sahara leave their underground nests for only 10 to 20 minutes a day, and they do it when the heat is peaking. The surface temperature can reach 158 degrees Fahrenheit. The ant, just three-eighths of an inch long, survives because of a unique coat of […]
