Fall is the time of year when Pharaoh’s Ant starts popping up in the kitchen, bathrooms and around the furnace, boiler and hot water heater. These ants will forage and search high and low for any source of food. People try and eliminate the problem using google remedies and DIY retail store solutions. However, the […]

There is a theory that a pair of rats could produce nearly half a billion descendants in just three years, however, the population will always be restricted by food and shelter, disease, natural predation and fighting amongst themselves. But the rapid rate of reproduction amongst rats usually comes as a shock. This is the reason […]

Originating from South America, red fire ants arrived in Florida in the 1930s, attached to the lumber in a cargo ship and spread to other areas. There is an analysis that suggests the ecosystem in Texas and California was devastated by red fire ants, which wiped out two-thirds of local ants. The danger comes from […]

A client that lives in a local apartment complex stated that the entire building was infested with mice, so he bought some traps to catch any that get into his apartment. The instructions on the box of snap traps recommend baiting the traps with peanut butter or chocolate. But what kind of chocolate, it appears […]

This last July 2017 was the 391th consecutive month with average global temperatures higher than the average for the 20th century. Global warming is normally thought of as creating greater numbers of extreme events including droughts, floods and storms damage crops and can cause food shortages. Flooding and other major climatic events are the highly […]

If there is one thing about mice in a house, is that they will always end up in the kitchen. And of course what will you find? Mouse droppings, they are one of the most common signs of mice in your kitchen and this will let you know you have a larger problem on your […]

The first thing most people do when they have a pest problem is first to google the issue and then go out and buy what they need to “do it yourself”. Of course bed bugs are no different so I have accumulated a list of DIY solutions that work and those that don’t. Fact – […]

In the summer, when the air is hot, insects are everywhere. But when temperature drops, the bugs seem to disappear completely until months later, like some kind of enchanted trick they reappear. Where did they go? Some survive as eggs, larvae, or pupae, while others live through the winter as adults. There are three different […]

Muskrats are primarily nocturnal, but can be active during the day and are very sociable animals. They get their name from their likeness to stocky rats and from the musky odor created by their scent glands. Muskrats are aquodic animals that prefer marshes, where the water level stays constant. They find shelter in bank burrows […]

When observing ants, it’s easy to see that it wouldn’t take much to change the population of ants in a colony with a can of raid or the bottom of your foot. So which ants step up and take over duties of the ants you just killed. While we all know that ants have a […]

This year I saw the largest variety of beetles that I would rarely see outdoors, making their way indoors for moisture. In fact, I couldn’t identify several. Beetles belong to the insect order that is the largest of all insects. There are more than a quarter million species of beetles in the world and over […]

People that have rats in their ceilings or walls can be kept awake for hours with the insistent scratching and fighting. Worse yet, when those people finally fall asleep those rats may just end up in their dreams as nightmares. But, new research points at rats experiencing their own dreams that maybe nightmares about us. […]

Let’s forget spiders today and talk about your house and how it could be at risk for a rat infestation as fall sets in. As Delta rain starts to fall, professionals have warned that the rodents could seek shelter and warmth in houses in over welling numbers this year. Although not common, rats can chew […]

This summer has been particularly bad for pantry beetles. Perhaps because of the hot weather a lot of doors and windows have let them in. Infestations of pantry beetles are not particularly seasonal, but can occur anytime throughout the year. When dealing with these beetles, quick action is very important because they not only damage […]

Wasp and hornet numbers are now beginning to rise after a slow start this summer due to the cold winter that led to some confusion among the stinging pests. A delay of about a month changed their usual pattern of appearance and now they are on the search for sugary indulgences. We are now seeing […]

Rats!! Why rats, well they are extremely sociable and clever if they grow up being affectionately touched by their owners. Similar to cats, you pick them up and hold them, place them on your shoulders, and they respond willingly to fondling and care. They also like to play games, learn tricks, and they’re easy to […]

Most people think of fire ants as a mere annoyance but there is so much more to them. They can use their bodies to build rafts and bridges, fly hundreds of meters in the air to mate, and dig massive tunnels for the colony. Fire ants use their jaws to bite or latch onto your […]

At this time of year our garter snakes can be found along streams, rivers, and lakes, marshes, and wet meadows. They spend their days basking in sun yet always prepared to dive under water to avoid predators.  They use the position of the sun to orient themselves, and to be able to find their way back […]

There is a lot of different ant species in Delta but the best known is the carpenter ant. Most people think flying ants are a unique species, but almost all species of ants send out winged breeders in mating season. This is what they call the nuptial flight, when the ants take to the skies […]

Why are there so many mice out there now? I don’t know, but this summer should be called “the summer of the mice”.  Usually, the house mouse makes its home in farmers’ fields, grassy fields and forests. They usually build nests in areas that are dark and protected with available food around i.e. your kitchen. […]

Sand, surf, sun, swimming, picnics, camping and little pesky stinging pests! Who can take the fun out of a beautiful summer day faster than a sting from a bee, wasps, hornet or a red ant? Almost everyone has been stung by one of these insects at least once in their lives and almost 1% of […]

Mosquito season differs from year to year dependent on temperature, moisture and other conditions. Mosquito season starts slowly in late spring, when warm weather brings out the first of the insects, peaks in summer, and slows down in the fall.  Mosquitoes don’t go away for good until the first freeze, followed by temperatures consistently below […]

Bees that burrow into the ground make up 75% of all the solitary bee population. Ground-nesting bees in your garden are very beneficial because they aerate the soil, pollinate the plants and are predators to damaging garden insects. In fact, they are very efficient and effective pollinators to all flowering plants.  Usually, this bee is […]

Lawn ants are a nuisance to people who want to walk and play on their lawn. They are a bit of horror when their ant hills begin to pop up and someone’s foot is bitten. There are a few types of ants that are common in our lawns, nesting in spaces that have appropriate soil […]

Bats are one of the best at controlling insect populations by consuming hundreds of insects each night, but when they come into contact with humans, and then the problems may begin. Bats that live in social groups are probably the most troublesome type of bat infestation since there can be well over 25 bats in […]

This time of year wasp nest call-outs is steady. So why are people so concerned about wasps, especially when the nest is high up on the roof? Wasp stings are common, uncomfortable or significant pain and irritation, and most people recover quickly.  The initial sensations can include sharp pain or burning at the sting site […]

There are 10 different species of silverfish and only one species of firebrat and both are commonly referred to as bristletails (long appendages attached to the tip of the abdomen). Both silverfish and firebrats appear similar. Firebrats have longer antennae and tend to be a mottled gray color with patches of dark gray and lighter […]

  Foods like peanut butter, chocolate and cinnamon have been used as a bait to lure rats and other rodents. Rats and mice are a problem for agriculture, food storage and processing, and human and animal wellbeing. Now a collection of compounds found in foods is being used to create a long-life rat lures that […]

These termites get their name from the decaying, wet wood that they build their nests in. They rarely nest in the soil but prefer decaying wood; in fact, they rarely touch the soil as their cousins the subterranean termites do. Dampwood termites are most common termite found in Delta and are considered an economic pest. Damaged […]

Spider bites have been associated and blamed for flesh eating disease (necrotising skin infection) in many cases worldwide and now here in our back yard. The Brown recluse spiders also known as fiddleback spiders or violin spiders and the venom from a white-tailed spider are the two spiders believed to transmit the disease. As a […]

There are nearly 200 species of wasps known in Delta. Most are considered solitary wasps and most of these have a comparable life history. They capture and paralyze insects, put the insect in a burrow and lay eggs on them. The eggs hatch and then the larvae feed on the paralyzed prey. Next, the larvae […]

  The Darwin’s Bark spider is appropriately named, because its body look like tree bark. This particular spider is an orb-weaver those assertions two extraordinary titles: the silk they produce is the strongest organic material ever discovered and its webs are the largest in the world. In fact, the silk is twice as tough as […]

51 years of North Delta Family Day The beloved annual tradition began as a parade to celebrate Canada’s centennial https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/51-years-north-delta-family-day-randy-bilesky?published=t  

This insect has a terrifying appearance with long, thin bodies similar to a stick insect. They are found outdoors near water and not indoors as they are incapable of reproducing indoors. The large pincers of the male dobsonfly are harmless but the female dobsonflies use their jaws for protection and can piercing the skin. Dobsonflies do […]

Rats are difficult to control and research because they are one of nature’s most impeccably adapted creatures, yet they are one of the least studied wildlife in cities. Rats are considered pests that spread disease, ruin our food, turn our homes into theirs and even mess with our cars. They live closely amongst us, in our […]

Delta’s soap box derby a second-annual success 45 kids competed to be the fastest soap box racer in the municipality Delta’s second annual soap box racing derby saw 45 kids race down 6th Avenue in Tsawwassen on June 10. Go Green Pest Control’s Rat Rod Roxy cart, a blue 1930s Buick-inspired soap box racer, won […]

Flea beetles are small jumping insects, similar looking to pet fleas, found in home gardens early in the growing season. These pests can cause big problems for many vegetable plants. They damage plants by chewing hundreds of holes in the leaves, which make them look as if they have been shot by fine pellets. When […]

It’s that time of year where most of our furry four legged animals are reproducing. From mice to raccoons, Delta seems to be bursting with new life. A client spotted a patch of brown grass on their lawn and after investigating the dry patch; it turned out to be a rabbit nest foraged underneath the […]

Wild animals rely on three main things for survival: water, food, and lodging, which can attract them into suburban neighborhoods. The most contact between wild animals and people is always in the summer. To avoid encounters with wildlife this summer here are a few tips. Clean up the property, close the gaps and sanitize their property. Cleaning around the […]

Meet the bombardier beetles a super hero insect that can shoot a chemical spray at prey or predator with a tremendous pop. It has two chambers in its abdomen; one contains hydroquinone and the other hydrogen peroxide. When the Bombardier Beetle needs it engage it firing apparatus, the two chambers combine the fluids to create […]

http://www.delta-optimist.com/community/tsawwassen-rotarians-jump-to-raise-funds-to-fight-polio-1.20350994

The most commonly encountered species is the cottontail rabbit. A female rabbit is called a doe, a male rabbit is called a buck and a young rabbit is called a kit (or kitten). Rabbit’s lifespan is on average 10 years. Rabbits are small, furry individuals that are ravenous plant eaters and classified as herbivores. They […]

  There’s a new fruit fly in B.C., the Rhagoletis cerasi. The European cherry fruit fly is a significant pest of European cherries. It was here last summer and its also unclear how it made its way into Canada. The pattern on the wing of this fruit fly can be used to differentiate it from […]

I read a report from the UK that sounds pretty scary and could very well be here but we don’t know it yet. Decorative potted plants from retail nurseries have insecticides levels that could have an impact on beneficial insects and pollinators such as honey bees, mason bees etc. The pesticides included neonicotinoid pesticides in […]

We have dozens of different types of wasps in Delta, some so small, you don’t even see them. Most are both pollinators and predators of pest bugs. Common wasps, including the paper wasp, yellow jackets and bald-faced hornet, yet it’s the yellow jackets that scavenge on our food and garbage. Wasps create a new colony […]

Is a squirrel, a fuzzy tailed rat, nobody knows. Squirrels cause the most damage in commercial tree seed and seedling orchards by debarking branches and eating tree cones and seeds. In Delta, they normally cause marginal damage to trees and seeds, but can completely damage destroy electrical wires, short out transformers and chew holes in […]

The time of year, ant control is an essential when living with food indoors or outdoors. Scientists suggest that there are one million ants for every human on earth. Some ants flourish near moisture, others are enticed to food and water but all ants can enter through small crack or hole in your building’s foundation, […]

Bats are flying creatures no larger than a mouse that can live up to 10 years. A single brown bat can consume over 500 mosquitoes an hour and a colony of 500 bats can eat millions insects nightly. When bats make their homes in buildings they become a nuisance with their presence and the smells […]

The parasitic wasp uses its ovipositor, located on their abdomen, to locate and then inject its eggs next to the larvae of a preferred another wasp deep within a fig (not a fruit but an inverted bunch of flowers). When the fig gives off a perfume that attracts pollinating wasps, the wasp will lay her […]

What has antlers and sucks blood? A moose-quito! In Delta the risk of getting an illness or serious health effects from mosquito bites is very low, although West Nile virus is still out there. Mosquitoes bites, as we know, cause itchiness and irritation, thankfully only the female mosquitoes feed on blood to produce eggs. They […]

The Larder beetle, apply named as a pest of cured meats, will invade your home and moves into the shadowed areas to find its food. Historically a pest of cured meats in Europe, the United States, and Canada, refrigeration has decreased the economic importance of this insect; however, these beetles are still common in museums, […]

Spiders are excellent pest control agents. They do not transmit any diseases and rarely bite humans. Most spiders are nocturnal, shy, and avoid conflict by running away. Their web begins with a single thread, which begins the rest of the structure. The spider climbs to a starting point and releases a thread into the wind. […]

Ladybugs are insatiable and proficient predators of insect pests and are our most beneficial insects. And here is even more good news, they do not sting, carry diseases, or infest our food. Ladybugs can live up to three years if the environment is just right. They hibernate in the winter living on stored fat and […]

The Sitka spruce weevil causes extensive damage to Sitka, White, and Engelmann spruce, Mugho pine and blue spruce.  In the spring, the adults climb up to the top of the trees to feed and mate. These weevils spread by flying on warm sunny days. Their eggs are laid in small holes made in the bark […]

Cockroaches have been a pest for millions of years, now residing in restaurants, food facilities, hotels and maybe your home next. Although they have wings, they can’t fly and that’s a really good thing. Cockroaches don’t cause structural damage but they can contaminate food and spread disease. Like us, they will live anywhere there is […]

So what are slugs and snails, well there are mollusks, like clams, mussels and oysters. They are also gastropods, which mean the foot located on the stomach is how they get around. They are rather similar, except that the slug doesn’t have a shell to protect it from dry conditions and the sun. Both have […]

It’s almost that time again when the bloom of the termites hits the skies. Yearly, to spread their colony, termites swarm and piles of discarded wings can be seen in the aftermath. There are three casts in these colonies: reproductives, soldiers and workers. The Pacific dampwood termite leaves large oval fecal pellets in the nest, […]

The Indian meal moth is also known as the Indianmeal moth, weevil moth, pantry moth, flour moth or grain moth (not to be confused with the meal moth, confused?). Its larvae are a common grain-feeding pest, feeding on grains, flours, dried fruit, cereals, nuts, sugar, dog food, and most other stored products in your cupboards […]

Mason bees are our native bee and are named for their use of mud (masonry product) in constructing their nests, which in nature, are made in naturally occurring gaps and holes in wood made by wood-boring insects. They are attracted by spring flowering plants and don’t make honey or even live in hives, but they […]

Blue bottle flies look similar to the house fly but are shiny blue in color. Theses flies are usually found on windows and make brash, energetic sounds. They can spread diseases therefore are considered pests. Blue bottle flies deposit their eggs in decomposing organic matter, so its likely rotting material is close. Examine sewer pipes for […]

Fruit flies can appear to be brown or tan or any time of the year. Although populations tend to increase during the summer, indoor fruit flies are frequently active at all times of the year. They are attacked to ripened fruit and vegetables and fermenting products like beer, wine and spirits. The common fruit fly […]

  Millipedes are long, slim creatures. They normally live outdoors in damp soil under flowerbeds and gardens eating live and dead leaves, soft roots, decaying wood particles, small insects, earthworms and snails. Homeowners find millipedes that have entered through a garage door and are taking up residence in their basements since many are dark and […]

It’s that time again when we start seeing bees and wasps, specifically, the yellow jacket queen. The only yellow jacket member to survive the winter is the fertilized queen. The queen over winters in places such as in stumps, under bark, leaf litter, soil cavities, and man-made structures. She will emerge in early spring, select […]

I’m often asked which insects that we have, that actually bite us. So here are the four main insects that may get into your house and bite you and your pets. 1) Bed Bugs – The adult bed bug are reddish brown, oval, flat and grow to 3 cm long. Bed bugs at night will […]

  Mid-march is a busy time for pests as they leave their winter hiding spots in search of food and water. In the pest control industry, we use what’s called Integrated Pest Management to be effective and environmentally responsible when dealing with pest control issues because it focuses on eliminating the conditions that attract pests […]

A new program, south of the border, called Blue Collar Cats takes feral felines that come in to the shelters and pairs them with rodent infested businesses or homes in exchange for food and shelter. The moggies are cleaner and generally less expensive alternative to pesticides. The cats that are brought in, that don’t show a lot of social conduct towards humans […]

Rotarians set to jump out of airplane Four members of the Rotary Club of Tsawwassen to make the leap in May in fundraiser for the Rotary Foundation Tsawwassen Rotarians Randy Bilesky with Go Green Pest Control, Shane Todhunter and Vicki Paramanathan prepare to take a practice leap off the balcony at the Beach Grove Golf […]

The turkey vulture is a scavenger; its main goal is to cleanup animal carcasses. Its head, the colour of exposed flesh, is featherless and tapered perfectly used to tear apart its meals. This bird can detect mercapton, a gas produced by carrion decay, from more than one and a half kilometers away. Turkey vultures have […]

Starting January the Corporation of Delta has required anyone seeking a demolition permit to ensure the property is free of mice, rats, squirrels, skunks and raccoons. Frustrated by a growing rodent problem in North and South Delta, the corporation wants to keep rodents at bay because this is a public health and safety issue. Property […]

Since the early ’90s, reported cases of Lyme disease have tripled and 2017 will be a particularly risky year for the disease. Symptoms of Lyme disease include red rashes or a fever. Mice are efficient transmitters of Lyme disease and infect up to 95 percent of the ticks that feed on them. An individual mouse […]

Our majestic goose can pose a costly nuisance for many property owners. Canada Geese are large water birds with a long neck, large body, large webbed feet, flat bill, black head with white cheeks and chinstrap, black neck, tan breast, and brown back. The birds graze on submerged aquatic vegetation by reaching under the water […]

There’s no end in sight to the boom in Delta’s rat population. So far this year, rat call-outs have outstripped other critter complaints from last year by a large margin and this trend may just continue. Previous mild winters have been fueling Delta’s rat boom. Yet, this year the cold weather has the rats hunkering down, clinging to […]

Blue Herons spend nearly 90 percent of their time stalking for food. These large birds are a common sight along ditches on Delta farmland, where they hunt for moles, voles, mice, rats, amphibians, and fish. Standing about a meter tall, these s-shaped necked birds can bend their necks backwards, coiling onto itself and then extending […]

Scientists have discovered that the gene responsible for the social organisation of colonies of the fire ant is likely to have evolved via a single event. Red fire ants can have colonies with a single queen while other colonies contain dozens of queens. There is a supergene version responsible for colonies with a single queen, […]

Parabiosis is the cooperation between two species that is a mutually beneficial relationship, and in this case, sharing a common home where they both gain. One is a massive black ant and the other is a tiny brown ant. But together they form a perfect team to build, guard and keep a healthy shared nest. […]

While conducting a cancer study scientists stumbled on a game-changing weight-loss solution in two common cancer-fighting drugs causing a significant weight loss in obese mice, even when the mice continued excessive consumption of a high-fat diet. Two chemotherapy drugs – methotrexate and cyclophosphamide could be used to completely reverse obesity even in mice without cancer. […]

Coyotes are crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk, although they can be seen during the day as well. They are omnivores so they eat small mammals, pets’ food, insects and fruits and berries. They’ll rid your yard of rodents but coyotes don’t have a bias when it comes to small animals, so smaller dogs […]

Several thousand years ago in China, cats were attracted to ancient farming villages by small animals, such as rodents that were living on the grain that the farmers grew, ate, and stored. Since then the relationship between humans and cats was started. Not yet domesticated, these cats lived close to farmers, and the relationship was […]

  Carpet beetles (Dermestid Beetles, Skin Beetles, Larder Beetles), this time of year, yes and they are hungry.  Measuring up to 4 mm they have oval-shaped black, white and yellow patterned bodies. The larval stage is this beetle’s damaging stage. Although the adult beetles feed on seeds, plants and flowers, the larvae consume fabric, fur […]

Aphids or plant lice, cause more damage to cultivated plants than any other insect. There are over 1,350 species of aphids damaging garden plants, houseplants, coniferous and deciduous trees, and decorative shrubs. Aphids feed on plant sap and prefer new plant growth. They often feed in large numbers and can quickly destroy gardens and flowerbeds. […]

  According to scientists, wasps have exchange buddies and compete for the best trade agreements. Female wasps have the first choice of cooperative partners. Dominant wasps even negotiate hours with the workers to guarantee they can spend time in their nests. A study looked at wasps across multiple nests monitoring how they apply the economic […]

A study used two strains of mice, and set them up as roommates in different combinations. They studied the effects by measuring difference traits such as wound healing, body weight, anxiety and depressed mood in both mice. They found that each mouse affected the outcome of its roommates in healing, weight, anxiety and depression. The […]

  There has been an outbreak of the dangerous Seoul virus, after contact with infected fancy-pet rats. Seoul virus is carried by rats and is a species of hantavirus that can cause a form of hemorrhagic fever. Symptoms can include fever, headache, back and abdominal pain, chills, impaired vision, redness of the eyes, or rash. […]

The unique appearance of the owl makes it very distinguishable with its large head and enormous eyes. The owl is a ferocious and powerful hunter and will only consume live animals. Owls are independent birds and do have predators to worry about. They are considered to be top food chain elements. Here are a few […]

  In the face of danger, opossums go into a catatonic state or playing dead, in self-defense. A nocturnal marsupial, they can recognizable by their pointed snout and rodent like tail. They are solitary creatures living in areas near bogs and marshes. Opossums are omnivores and change their diets as the season’s changes. They eat […]

The rabbits most commonly found in Delta are cottontails and hares. Being herbivores, rabbits eat grasses, clover, herbs, lettuce, peats, dandelions, and the leaves of saplings. But in the winter, their food includes the bark of birch, oak, maple, and dogwood trees, along with twigs, stems, and buds. They are mostly nuisance pests and can […]

Feral cats are the offspring of domestic cats that have never actually belonged to a person or had any socialization with people. Feral cats are mostly fearful and have trouble acclimatizing to humans. They readily adapt to their environments and prefer to live in colonies. Feral cats can live on garbage, pet food, rodents, birds, […]

South Delta seems to have lost the birds of prey to land development. Where have they gone and why? Most likely answer would be the reduction of farm lands hence the reduction of rodents. If you travel along highway 17 near highway 99 you now can see thousands of birds milling around, drawn in by […]

The number of cockroach infestations reported in the lower mainland last year rose by nearly 69% according to figures recently released. This is the twelfth year in a row in which pest control companies have seen a rise in the number of complaints received relating to these pests in B.C.  Cockroaches pose a risk to […]

 The unintended consequence of car manufactures going green makes them taste way too good! There are several systems in the new vehicles that can be damaged by rodents: electrical wiring harnesses, air conditioning and heating ducts, seat cushions, trunk and storage area carpeting and various fluid containers. Many composition materials that are eaten will contain: […]

Mice skin cells are predetermined to be sweaty or hairy, and their fate is determined by competing signals, during the embryonic growth. Mice have different skin cells that develop hair follicles on their back and designated skin cells that develop sweat glands on their paws. The mice skin cells differ from their hairy backs to their […]

  As I sit eating my toast with butter and honey, I reflected on those hot summer days this year and how many bees and wasps (hornets) I encountered. When we think of honey bees we think of honey, when we think of wasps or hornets we think about being stung. Of course both will […]

In an experiment, surgeons injected cancerous mice with microscopic probes to locate the tumor. The nanoscale (highly interdisciplinary in nanoscience and nanotechnology) fluorescent probes that turn on when encountering cancer which help remove tumors in mice without harming healthy tissue. The switching on behavior is unique to nanoscale technology, which is measured in billionths of […]

Masked Hunters you ask? These insects are true bugs, a collection of bugs with sucking mouthparts. When they make their way into homes, they frequent attics and crawlspaces where they can easily camouflage themselves and hunt for food. Thankfully, bed bugs and carpet beetles are their favorite food sources, although they will also feed on […]

Why not, if you can get an organic tree then you know that the environment is better off because the tree was grown without pesticides. Organic farming makes sense, those people that grow and harvest the trees are not subjected to the harmful side effects of pesticides, be it insecticides or herbicides, and it’s better […]

Rules #1, if you see a chaotic, twisted web, do not stick your finger in it or you may lose it. This spider is one of the most infamous spiders. The female Black Widows are the ones with the plump black abdomen with a red hourglass (or red spot) on the bottom. These widow makers […]

Once mice have invaded a home, the residences are on high alert for noises and the little messes they leave behind. It’s that time of year again. Rats little brother the mice are infesting homes across Delta and people aren’t happy about it. This fall, I have received countless reports of mice invading homes all […]

Scientists have discovered that injecting young (18 year old teenager) human blood plasma into older mice (12 months old) helps to rejuvenate their bodies. The blood plasma made the old mice perform like young ones, running around in open spaces much like the younger mice. But that’s not it either; their power of memory and […]

Now that our style of winter weather has come, rats and mice often seek shelter in homes and commercial buildings where they can stay warm and well-fed throughout the season. When it comes to rodents, it’s important for home and business owners to remember the importance of year round maintenance. During this colder weather, rodents […]

There is now convincing evidence that pain can be transmitted socially. Rodents communicate distress and are affected by the distress of others. Pain odor signals may be transferred from one rodent to another by compounds left in the air. Odor may function as a signal that can transmit pain sensitivity from one animal to the […]

How do pesticides get into our compost? Well, composting of pesticide-treated plants. We have laws that restrict the use of pesticides that should make compost safe from pesticide contamination. But, we still apply synthetic pesticides in our gardens and lawns (although we are not allowed). Many pesticides like herbicides, insecticides and fungicides will break down […]

Weevils, these small vexations, are one of the most destructive pests across Canada; having a vast influence on our agriculture industry, food supplies, and ornamental plant life. They can defoliate and severely damage entire crop yields. They eat plants, grains and other stored foods and lay their eggs once they have done. They invade our […]

                         New study shows that the Zika virus shriveled male mice’s reproductive parts by 90 per cent, severely reducing fertility. Zika virus ravages the testes of male mice, reducing sperm counts and fertility. The virus attacks the body structure where sperm are made and reach maturity. Experiments found output of useful sperm fell by three […]

Adult carpet beetles are often carried into houses on plants and flowers. Black furniture carpet beetles cause the most damage during the larval stage, and the first signs of an infestation are adult beetles on windowsills. Their larvae can be detected by irregular holes found in carpets, fabric, clothing, and furniture. Carpet beetles tend to […]

Cat-scratch fever, typhus and the plague can all be transmitted by fleas. They inflict painful bites that can leave itchy welts that last for days and the scratching can easily lead to open wounds, sores and infection. Fleas are little parasitic hitchhikers that survive on their hosts’ blood.  Flea bites on humans swell up because […]

When considering the four legged wildlife we have in the Delta region, the animals (considered to be pests) that I encounter most are raccoons, skunks, squirrels and rats. Each has their distinct territories, life spans and unique social life characteristics.     -Raccoon’s life expectancy in the wild is between 1 to 3 years. Territorial sizes vary […]

Between climate changes, new home construction, old abandoned homes and more people and trash- the rats are getting the upper hand.  Old houses or rundown, abandoned properties are popular rat reservoirs of rats. When those buildings are demolished, there’s a rat exodus. Then they’ll try to colonize other homes in the neighborhood.  Plus, warmer climate […]

  As Halloween approach, we are seeing more insects invade our homes as they get out of the weather. Some are small and terrible, sending adults and children into a screaming fit or nightmare. Here are a few:  1. Twisted-wing parasite larvae eat their mother. When the babies are ready to come out, they eat […]

Okay, one day you get back from work and there is an off smell in your house. You walk around the house but you can’t identify where the smell is coming from. Then it hits you, literally, the smell is coming from the crawl space and you been fighting rats (or mice) for the last […]

    Rodents use ultrasonic songs to claim territory and attract mates with high-pitched love songs. It has been discovered that mice and rats don’t use vibrating vocal folds in their larynx to make ultrasonic sounds but they do it in an unusually different way. Their singing method is similar to that of a jet […]

The combination of fall rains and warmer weather has helped encourage the wasps and rat populations to flourish. The last several summers have been rather warm and dry which has changed the comings and goings of pest. The sudden abundance of food and water this late summer, early fall has meant an increase in many […]

The Stoat is a small mammal in the family which also includes weasels, mink, otters, ferret, badgers, and skunks. The Stoat is also known as the short-tailed weasel and they can live up to 7 years of age. Stoats have a long, tube-shaped body and neck, short legs and a lengthy tail. Stoats prefer lowland […]

As the weather cools and days lengthen, your attention may be turning to cleaning up the leaves and re-organizing the shed. It’s time to take inventory of all the pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. You should check the labels for expiry dates (to toss out) and take note of the all the chemicals with multiple formulations […]

The great horned owls are super predators. They are the single most successful predator on the planet Earth and can live as long as 28 years. Their talons are the dangerous thing, with five hundred pounds per square inch of pressure that they can exert on their prey; similar to a golden eagle, or to […]

Is it global warming, is it more space, is it better food, changing ecosystems, who knows but raccoons are moving north. They are as adaptable as any species of mammal and are very capable of using what’s available. Raccoons greatest strengths is its skill at finding and digesting a wide variety of food, from hunting and […]

Over the many years of experimenting with lab rats to help cure cancer and thousands of other research projects, rats have been subjected to alcohol. They have learned a lot about the consumption habits of these rodents. It is believed that rats do not get hangovers. It takes almost a thousand genes in rats DNA […]

Capybaras are the world’s largest rodents, which can grow to be about 150 pounds, they are friendly and once you get their scent glands removed, can be amorous pets. The capybaras kind of look like a gerbil on steroids and are herbivores, so they don’t see us as prey or predator. If you are interested […]

Moles will attack your lawn and tunnel throughout it until it looks like a scene from a battle field in WW I. They are not necessarily dangerous, unless you capture one live then watch out for their teeth, they bite! Their submarine like bodies and potent front claws allow the moles to swim through dirt. […]

Maple, ash, oak, and pine you are not safe. Damage wooden furniture and wet or rotting wooden structures are the main target of this species of wood-boring insect. Unlike other wood damaging insects these critter leave behind a trail of fine wood sawdust. Although they are very strong flying pests, they are usually introduced to […]

I have received literally hundreds of calls about ants this year. Yards, houses and people’s lives have been attacked by these somewhat beneficial eusocial insects. Some yards have been invaded with not only hundreds but thousands of ants. I have seen driveways, pools, walkways and walls coated with ants. And to add insult to injury […]

Rats can follow wind and other airflows with just a sniff and a tic of their whiskers. New research helps explain how the rodents can do everything from find food to predict weather. The term whisking is a phenomenon used with regards to tracking wind flow. Whisking is when whiskered animal moves its facial whiskers […]

These insects have leaf-like enlargements found on their hind legs. The pests feed on tomatoes, numerous nuts, citrus fruits, and ornamental trees and shrubs. Leaf-footed bugs can also damage crops as they feed. If you are a gardener, may notice withered, warped, or emaciated seeds where the Leaf-footed bugs feed. These insects can also damage […]

Two rat mating couples can, over an 8 to 12 month life span, generate 15 million descendants. The mating couple guards their territory from neighboring tribes who would invade if there were a sudden drop in population, the cause of poison’s rebound effect. A new birth control for rodents, particularly rats, could soon be available. […]

It is true that wasps are beneficial since they do pollinate, although less than their furry cousins the bees do. Wasps also help gardeners because they capture garden pests, including caterpillars, maggots and larvae of other insects. Their prey is returned to the nest in large or small portions, chewed and fed to the larva, particularly in 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 […]

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 […]

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 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: […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

This is the season where the birds are nesting and if your house looks inviting to new flying tenants then read on. There are many means of getting rid of these attic dwellers. Exclusion is one of the simplest ways of keeping the birds out; this mechanical removal of birds and their nests is a […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

A new study suggests that the quality of the air has a role in fat gain. In the study, rats who breathed dirty air weighed significantly more than those that breathed filtered air, and after two weeks they weighed 15 per cent. The weight gain was due to body fat, heavier lungs and livers. The […]

I looked down yesterday at my arm as I felt a mild sting. A mosquito was extracting my blood for its food. Of course there was a stagnant pond a few feet away which I assumed the mosquito had arisen from.  The most common way to prevent mosquitos is to eliminate breeding sites. Mosquitoes breed […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

It’s spring and the battle against those pests that turn your yard and landscaping into a war zone has begun in earnest. Let’s take a look at who is capable of damaging your yard and what you can do. Raccoons are out of in numbers now looking for their evening helping of bird seed and […]

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 […]

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 […]

Some say squirrels are rats with fuzzy tails. Yes they are larger than the average rat and their behavior is not at all like a rat. Squirrels build leaf nests and nests in tree cavities. They may breed twice a year, January and June, and have a 30-45 day gestation. They can have two or […]

  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 […]

That fly that has been bugging you means spring is here. From ants and spiders to rodents and birds, once they’re in your home it’s hard to get them out. It’s time to start your pest control now before the season is in full swing. With the right safeguards in place, year-round pest control is […]

The barn owl is a highly effective predator that can easily hunt down and eat over a dozen rodents a night. A nesting pair of owls with say four juvenile owlets in a nest, they can eat anywhere from 36 to 70 rodents every evening. By erecting a barn owl nesting boxes atop 20-foot poles […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Have the local rodents found your compost bin? Here are a collection of tips that will help keep those mice and rats out of your compost. First of all, keep the compost bin in the open, away from walls, ditches, and any other areas that hide rodents. Then… 1 Items to avoid putting into your […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]