Bug Blog
Organic Pesticides – Go Green
Homemade alternative to harmful pesticides
Make your own homemade pesticide alternative:
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons of biodegradable liquid soap
- A quart of water
- A few drops of lemon or orange juice
There are currently more than 17,000 pesticide products for agricultural and non-agricultural use on the market. Pesticides are designed to kill unwanted garden visitors such as bugs and weeds. Though effectively killing off pests with harsh chemicals, pesticides also pose risks to humans. Exposure to these chemicals can result in nausea, headaches, twitching, trembling, excessive salivation and tearing, inability to breathe because of paralysis of the diaphragm, convulsions and at higher doses, death. Humans end up ingesting the chemicals through drinking the chemical-infested water and eating the pesticide coated foods. Commonly eaten fruits and vegetables such as apples, grapes, green beans and pears are among the most commonly pesticide-contaminated foods. To avoid these pesticides, buy certified organic products when grocery shopping
Using organic pesticides can reduce farmer and consumer exposure to toxic chemicals and negative effects on the environment. Not only does going organic decrease the risks, there are greater nutrient density in organic foods, and higher levels of polyunsaturated fats (the good fats) in grass-based, organic livestock. Organic farms are less susceptible to drought, use 50 percent less energy and create more jobs than toxic chemical farms. Food is full of synthetic chemicals and that over 80 percent of what we buy in grocery stores contains genetically modified ingredients (GMOs).
Wasps released to kill ash beetles
Experts to release wasps to kill emerald ash borer beetles.
Where did the emerald ash borer beetle come from, the theory is the beetle hitched a ride in some wood being shipped to the U.S. from east Asia and it went undetected. Years later, the infestation has killed millions of ash trees. So to control the ash borer population, there will be a introduction of a stinger-less wasp that will kill the beetles’ eggs. This could be the best shot in a long, widespread control. Adult borer munches on leaves, while the larva eats the inside trunk of the tree. The larva creates these curved pathways up and down the inner bark, which will eventually kill the ash tree. If it is a healthy tree, it could take three to five years for the tree to die. By placing pill bottle-looking contraptions (each bottle that contains about 50 wasps the size of a pepper flake) around the infested area should help eradicate the borer. The tiny insect will leave and find EBA eggs and begin to do its work on killing the growing population. These wasps won’t bother humans or any other insects ( it is theorized at least). They were screened and tested in labs and went through a rigorous process to make sure they won’t go for anything other than Emerald Ash Borer. Go Green Pest Control Tsawwassen Pest Control Delta Pest Control Ladner Pest Control Randy Bilesky
Kids worry about pesticides at school
British Columbia should be watching what California does once again. Change is coming due to growing concerns linking long-term pesticide exposure and increased risks of cancer, reproductive and developmental issues. California regulators are developing the first statewide restrictions on pesticide use near schools to protect children from potentially dangerous chemicals used to grow agricultural products. By the end of this year new rules will require growers to have buffer zones, notify parents and school administrators of nearby pesticide use or limit their use of certain application methods. Pesticide use near school zones isn’t just an isolated health risk, it’s been an ongoing environmental justice issue across the lower mainland of British Columbia. Taking steps to finally curb pesticide exposure at schools is a start! http://grist.org/list/california-kids-may-not-have-to-worry-about-pesticides-at-school-anymore/ Pesticides pesticides pesticides Go Green Pest Control Delta Pest Control Tsawwassen Pest Control Ladner Pest Control Randy Bilesky
Pesticides on your plate peak
Among pesticides, weedicides have come to be used in large quantities. 75 per cent of the pesticides being used belonged to the yellow category, meaning the most toxic of the permitted categories. Shortage and the high cost of labour are forcing farmers and householders to resort to the use of weedicides. Increasing incidence of life-threatening diseases have been linked to pesticide residues in agricultural produce. However the use of chemical pesticides in food crops has come down drastically with eco-friendly methods, including bio-controls, have found acceptance among farmers. The peak in pesticide consumption could be because of the increasing use of such chemicals in non-food crops. The costs of new pesticides are prohibitive and farmers tended to use cheaper pesticides. Yet there is an increasing tendency among farmers to use the safer Green category pesticides. Go Green Pest Control Ladner Pest Control Tsawwassen Pest Control Delta Pest Control Randy Bilesky
Integrated Pest Management
Integrated pest management, a series of escalating methods to control bugs and weeds. Various methods from hand weeding to biological and chemical controls are all part of the plan. Alternatives to pesticides; goats and ladybugs. While the goats are perhaps the most visible pest control method used, eating the seed heads off of weeds in parks. Vinegar works especially well in areas with hard surfaces, like park paths or the cracks in your driveway. With the vinegar, if it’s a really hard surface, put some salt down as well. It kind of smells like salt and vinegar chips. Corn gluten, an agent that actually coats the weed seeds preventing them from sprouting, as well as using a rolling machine over park trails that spouts hot steam over weeds. pest Go Green Pest Control Delta Pest Control Ladner Pest Control Tsawwassen Pest Control Randy Bilesky
PEST PROOFING YOUR HOME
Now that the heat season is almost here that is going to bring the bugs out. If pesticides are so dangerous, why are they even legal? I have been asked that. If they are used correctly and carefully, they are okay. You can control your own pests by pest proofing your home so you won’t get any pest infestations. Install door sweeps on all outside doors, garage doors rarely close tightly, so I recommend putting some food grade diatomaceous earth (DE) on the floor in the corners of the garage near the doors. Any insects or other arthropods that sneak it will walk through the DE, which will kill them. DE isn’t a pesticide. It kills insects by scratching their outer body making them lose moisture and dying from dehydration. It is safe for pets and kids.
Don’t leave any debris lying around the house. If you have firewood, stack it away from the house as it will attract black widows. If you don’t want bugs in your firewood, stack it where there is a lot of sunlight and then drape some black plastic over it. The heat from the sun on the black plastic will discourage anything from hiding in the firewood.
When you have branches touching the house or roof, it will allow ants, odorous house ants and carpenter ants access. You should trim them back and keep them from touching your home during the warm months. Also, you should sweep down any spider webs anywhere around the outside of the house.
If you have any pest questions, you can contact me at randy2263b@gmail.com, call me at 778-886-4111or visit my website at gogreenpestcontrol.ca
pest pest pest Go Green Pest Control Delta Pest Control Tsawwassen Pest Control Ladner Pest Control Randy Bilesky
Ash Borer headed to B.C.
Ash borer Invasive pest
This shiny metallic green insect kills all ash trees and is one of the most destructive tree pests ever seen. It’s only a matter of time until it’s found in B.C. Removing hardwood firewood, ash logs, wood chips and ash trees is the only way to stop the spread of this invasive pest. Most Ash Borer infestations have been started by people moving infested firewood, nursery plants or sawmill logs. The adult beetle also can fly short distances, approximately 2-3 kms. Now is the treatment window for soil-applied treatment measures: soil injection, soil drench or granular application has ended.
Trunk sprayed with dinotefuran can be applied until mid-June and are most effective for trees less than 46 cm diameter of the tree’s trunk at breast height, roughly 1.4 m above the ground. Trunk injection remains a Ash Borer management option, as this method can be done when the tree has a full canopy of leaves (now through August), provided there is good ground moisture. Go Green Pest Control Tsawwassen Pest Control Delta Pest Control Ladner Pest Control Randy Bilesky
Wasps and your home
What are the main types of wasps around homes during summer?
Now with all this warm weather you’ve probably noticed more wasps around your home and maybe even the beginnings of a couple of wasp nests. Randy Bilesky from Go Green Pest Control explains the different types of wasps you may find around your home this summer.
Paper Wasp
– these wasps tend to be a dark brown or can be banded with yellow and black. They build an open paper nest on almost any structure including trees, rocks, eaves, ceilings or soffits.
Mud Wasp
– these wasps build a hard mud nests on the exterior walls of the home. They are not very aggressive.
Yellow Jacket Wasp
– tend to be more aggressive than other wasps. They will easily sting if they feel threatened. They are considered scavenger insects and are attracted to sugars like fruits and proteins. Now that barbeque season is in full swing these are the guys pestering you.
Hornets
– hornets are very common here in B.C. They build paper nests that are enclosed in a gray, papery shell. These nests can get bigger than a basketball. These nests can be built high on branches of trees or on exterior structures.
Go Green Pest Control Ladner Pest Control Tsawwassen Pest Control Delta Pest Control Randy Bilesky
Ontario loves bees, not B.C.
Ontario has a new regulation to reduce the use of seeds treated with neonicotinoid pesticides (“neonics”): these pesticides have been implicated in the global decline of bees. Ontario is the first jurisdiction in North America to regulate restrictions on the agricultural use of neonics.
Based on European countries’ experience with neonic restrictions healthier pollinator populations and sustained crop yields are expected in years to come.
Neonics are lethal to honeybees and cause a range of harmful effects on other important species such as wild bees, birds, butterflies and earthworms. Current widespread and indiscriminate use of neonics threatens ecosystem functioning.
Italy banned the use of neonic-treated corn seed in 2008.The following spring, the number of cases of sudden bee die-offs in corn-planting regions dropped to near zero, hives were flourishing again. bees bees Go Green Pest Control Delta pest Control Tsawwassen Pest Control Ladner pest Control Randy Bilesky
Pests & Strata Management
Pest infestations must be taken seriously by the strata corporation and the strata council. If an owner, tenant or occupant can be determined to have caused the infestation, the strata corporation can always proceed against the owner to recover the claim. Unfortunately communities tend to spend valuable time debating the cause, when their first course of action should be to contact a pest control company to address the problem immediately. Rats in a building system can cause a horrendous amount of damage in a very short period of time. Electrical systems, mechanical, plumbing, insulation, and ventilation systems are all at risk, and the costs can be uncontrollable if the infestation is left unchecked. In addition to the bylaws of the strata corporation, the Strata Property Act also provides a provision for the strata corporation to do whatever is reasonably necessary to remedy a contravention of its bylaws or rules, including doing work on a strata lot , the common property, or common assets, and recovering the reasonable costs of remedying the contravention. In addition to the standard bylaw, it is beneficial for the strata corporation have bylaws that address items such as damages that relate to property damages or loss due to negligence of maintenance of a strata lot, or the actions of an owner, tenant or occupant that result in a loss or expense to the corporation. It is crucial for a strata corporation to address an infestation as soon as possible to eliminate the pests before the spread can cause damage to property and risk to health and safety. Strata corporations should also seriously consider the control or restriction of seed based bird feeders, the feeding of animals, and composters if those areas are likely attracting pests. Vigilant maintenance of garbage and recycling rooms, and immediate clean up of pet waste on the grounds, are also critical. Pests can range from silver fish and cockroaches to bears and deer in the province, and the duty is as much ours to be responsible to maintain our living environment to avoid attracting animals, as well as maintaining a pest control program as part of our annual building maintenance and operations, for the benefit of protecting our investments, our families and our pets. If an owner was responsible, you will know soon enough and the strata can elect to proceed with an action to recover the costs. pests pests pests go green pest control delta pest control tsawwassen pest control ladner pest control randy bilesky
