Bug Blog
Vaping damages DNA and more – found in mice!
Nicotine used in e-cigarette vapour is not as risk-free as originally thought, although vaping is considered less harmful to overall human health than smoking tobacco. Recent studies with mice have shown that vaping actually does cause considerable damage; although these results don’t necessary directly translate to the same risks in humans. A new study has shown that e-cigarette smoke damages DNA in the heart, lungs and bladder in mice. It was discovered that nicotine in the e-cigarette vapour made cells less able to repair DNA damage, possibly contributing to lung and bladder cancer, and heart disease. Vaping also damages key blood vessels in the heart in a similar way to normal cigarettes. Claims that vaping causes cancer, at this point, is still considered a false alarm or fake news. Many vapers are ex-smokers using e-cigarettes to quit smoking and vaping is still considered than harmful then smoking.
gogreenpestcontrol.ca Ladner Tsawwassen Delta B.C. Randy Bilesky
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/vaping-damages-dna-more-found-mice-randy-bilesky/?published=t
http://www.delta-optimist.com/opinion/blogs/blog-vaping-and-mice-1.23165867
Rats – I help you because you helped me
Rats exhibit supportive behaviour just like us humans. It was discovered that rats are more motivated to participate in grooming with another rat if food was received from it and vice versa. They were found to groom willing food-suppliers more often than those rats that did not share food. As a result, the groomers then received even more food for their efforts. “I help you because you helped me” is the decision rule of direct reciprocity, which was found in those rats that shared food and received grooming as a reward. Reciprocal trading is not limited to large-brained species as shown by bees running their hive or ants in a colony. Until recently, it was thought that the amount of brain power required to do this kind of interaction was over taxing their abilities and unlikely to happen.
gogreenpestcontrol.ca Ladner Tsawwassen Delta B.C. Randy Bilesky
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/rats-i-help-you-because-helped-me-randy-bilesky/?published=t
http://www.delta-optimist.com/opinion/blogs/blog-rats-i-help-you-because-you-helped-me-1.23164744
Do Groundhogs really have a Crystal Ball?
Groundhogs a.k.a. woodchucks, land beavers or whistle-pigs, are large rodents known for their destructive burrowing habits. Groundhog Day is a tradition celebrated here in Canada on February 2 each year. Groundhogs emerge from their burrows and if they see a shadow due to clear weather, they will retreat to their den and winter will persist for six more weeks, and if they don’t, due to cloudiness, spring season will arrive early. This year it’s up in the air, but most of the groundhogs have predicted the extra 6 weeks. Here are a few odd ball facts about groundchucks or woodhogs:
1) The tradition began in Germany when hedgehogs or woodchucks predicted the weather.
2) According to the Groundhog Club’s, the most popular groundhog “Phil” is never wrong – fake news- his accuracy is less than 39 per cent.
3) One forecast takes place in Gobbler’s Knob. Knob is an old word for a hill; Gobblers refers to turkeys.
4) First became popular in Canada in 1956 when groundhog Wiarton Willie started his early February weather predictions.
5) Shubenacadie Sam is reportedly the first groundhog in this country to stick its head out on Groundhog Day.
6) Other groundhogs include: Van Island Violet in B.C., Gary the Groundhog in Ontario, Brandon Bob in Manitoba and Balzac Billy in Alberta.
gogreenpestcontrol.ca Ladner tsawwassen Delta B.C. Randy Bilesky
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/do-groundhogs-really-have-crystal-ball-randy-bilesky/?published=t
http://www.delta-optimist.com/opinion/blogs/blog-do-groundhogs-really-have-a-crystal-ball-1.23162955
Naked Mole Rats diss Gompertz law
Although we don’t actually have mole rats here, they are fascinating and a very weird animal, by my standards. First, they are a cold blooded mammal, because they are unable to regulate their body temperature. Their incisor teeth can move independently of each other and even work together like a pair of chopsticks. They turn into baby-sitters after consuming feces; they can survive for up to 20 minutes without any air. They are more closely related to porcupines and guinea pigs. A colony can consist of 300 individuals and their underground territory can be as large as six football fields. B u t, here’s the kicker, after they reach sexual maturity around six months, a naked mole rat have a one in 10,000 chance of dying regardless of how old they are, some living over 30 year. Because naked mole rats do not seem to age according to the Gompertz law, it’s now believed that they begin aging at a much later point than most mammals.
gogreenpestcontrol.ca Ladner Tsawwassen Delta B.C. Randy Bilesky
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/naked-mole-rats-diss-gompertz-law-randy-bilesky/?published=t
http://www.delta-optimist.com/opinion/blogs/blog-naked-mole-rats-diss-gompertz-law-1.23160378
Super Blue Blood Moon – of the Polecat
This Thursday is the first full moon of February which happens to be a super blue blood moon and more importantly for the discussion of this article – the moon of the polecat; yes the moon of the skunk. This is the time of year when skunks begin their mating ritual. Likely you haven’t smelt any of their noxious spray over the last couple months as they have been napping a lot – hibernating. But, when February rolls around, skunks begin to think about love and romance and lots of putrid discharge. After, the successful females have a sixty day gestation period and give birth to a litter of pups in April or May. Older females become sexually receptive “in heat” earlier in the season than younger females and, therefore, have larger litters earlier in the spring. Typically a litter consists of four to seven pups, all blind and deaf at birth with short, fine fur. They are nursed in the den for about six weeks and weaned (kicked out) by about two months of age.
gogreenpestcontrol.ca Ladner Tsawwassen Delta B.C. randy Bilesky
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/super-blue-blood-moon-polecat-randy-bilesky/?published=t
http://www.delta-optimist.com/opinion/blogs/blog-super-blue-blood-moon-of-the-polecat-1.23158743
Yes it’s a Thing – Cars and cockroaches
I’ve heard about cockroaches in cars but mostly in large hot cities closer to the equator. Recently I had a client call, claiming that there were cockroaches scampering about on the floor and seats of their car. Not one to say no to a customer problems, I approached the situation with a little scepticism. Well lo and behold; the car interior was a recycling bin for every fast food restaurant around. There weren’t just one or two cockroaches but dozens, so in short order I took care of the infestation. No secret here, cockroaches are food-lovers and leaving any food, crumbs, wrappers or pop cans is enough to attract them to your vehicle. So if you don’t want to be carrying around extra six legged passengers, then here are a few suggestions. 1) Avoid eating in your car but if it can’t be avoided then it is important to clean-up afterwards. 2) Clean, disinfect, vacuum and de-clutter the car often, especially the carpets and in-between car seats. 3) Avoid parking near sewage drains and garbage dumpsters. 4) Before leaving the car, ensure that windows, doors and air vents are closed. 5) Avoid using pesticides and gels for cockroaches rather cockroach traps are most effective and safer. 6) Cockroaches are active at night, so if you see them during the day then the infestation is likely extreme.
gogreenpestcontrol.ca Ladner Tsawwassen Delta B.C. Randy Bilesky
https://www.linkedin.com/post/edit/6363790447491584002
http://www.delta-optimist.com/opinion/blogs/blog-yes-it-s-a-thing-cars-and-cockroaches-1.23157787
Winter Vacation? In your home!
Most resilient species of pests have already found ways to dodge the effects of frigid temperatures, regardless of how cold it gets outside. Actually, most of the insects that pester us during the warm months, like spiders, beetles and ants, are prepared for the frosty temperatures and wet soil long before the winter months even come. Those flies, spiders, rats and mice actually love the warmth of your home where they can hunt for food during the colder months. If you think all insects disappear or die during the cold winter months, think again. Spiders will shelter underneath leaf litter for protection, and if we get snow – it actually acts as an insulator and shields them from the cold. Ants survive in winter because they burrow deep into the soil to stay warm, traveling below the frost line. They also seal up their nests and physically lower their body temperature. As for mosquitoes, the adult usual die from cold temperatures but their eggs will survive by entering a state of diapause, during which they slow down their development and basically hibernate. Those foul stink bugs, annoying flies and lady beetles will also head indoors. And of course rodents such as rats and mice, if they haven’t found a house to crash in, they might just use your car. If you suspect or find an infestation during the winter, you can email me at gogreenpestcontrol.ca @gmail.com and have a licensed pest control professional come out and inspect and treat your property.
gogreenpestcontrol.ca Ladner Tsawwassen Delta B.c. Randy Bilesky
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/winter-vacation-your-home-randy-bilesky/?published=t
http://www.delta-optimist.com/opinion/blogs/blog-winter-vacation-in-your-home-1.23156489
Gophers in Delta?
Guess who moved into the neighborhood, gophers! I’ve received two calls about moles that have turned out to be gophers. Gophers do not hibernate and their excavations continue throughout the winter. After examining the shrubbery in the immediate area, I discovered ragged tooth marks etched on fallen limbs and the bases of the shrubs. These gophers appeared to have traveled above ground for long distances based on the industrial area they were in, although they usually tunnel into new territory. Similar to moles, gopher mounds also are roundish but if you look at them from above they have a horseshoe shape. You’ll also find a plug near the center of the mound. Gopher tunnels can be up to 60 cm below the surface and leave no indication that they are down there. Tubers, roots and bulbs are a large part of the gopher’s diet this time of year, so your garden beds are not safe. Gophers also gather surface vegetation, often pulling plants down through the soil into the burrow. These rodents eat as much as one half their own weight each day and bring home extra food to store.
gogreenpestcontrol.ca Ladner Tsawwassen Delta B.C. Randy Bilesky
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/gophers-delta-randy-bilesky/?published=t
http://www.delta-optimist.com/opinion/blogs/blog-gophers-in-delta-1.23154835
Bird feeders or Rodent feeders?
Bird feeders or Rodent feeders?
Birds are part of the wildlife experience in Delta. Attracting birds with a bird feeder invites that outdoorsy vibe into your yard. While birds love feeders, they are chaotic eaters and a lot of the seeds end up on the ground. Now some people may think that the wildlife kingdom they created has hit nirvana when the squirrels have arrived but the nocturnal rodents, mice and rats, will be there too. Again, to some they are nice additions to the assortment of creatures, but mice, rats and squirrels are cunning at finding ways into your house, garage and sheds. Most of the seed that hits the ground is collected by rodents and they like to stockpile food for the cold months, and some of that may end up in your house. And well, I don’t need to get into the whole discussion of rodents and diseases, fire hazards, damage, smells and noise. So if you’re in love with your bird feeder, ah rodent feeder, here are a few suggestions to help stop or at least reduce the likelihood that you will attract rodents. Add a seed catcher to your bird feeder. Fresh unused seed should be kept in sturdy containers preferably tucked away from any rodents. Keep the area under the bird feeder well maintained by regularly cleaning up unused seeds. Lee Valley has a few bird feeders that are squirrel proof and are designed to keep the feed in the feeder. For more information you can always email me at gogreenpestcontrol.ca @gmail.com and I can send you a full list of bird feeder safe options.
gogreenpestcontrol.ca Ladner tsawwassen Delta B.C. Randy Bilesky
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/bird-feeders-rodent-randy-bilesky/?published=t
http://www.delta-optimist.com/opinion/blogs/blog-bird-feeders-or-rodent-feeders-1.23154790
When do Bed Bugs Bite
Bed bugs are attracted to heat and carbon dioxide emitted by us when we go to bed. They mainly feed on the blood of humans but can also use cats and dogs to get their fix. As a rule of thumb (a broadly accurate guide based on experience rather than theory), bed bugs usually feed when it’s dark at night, for their own safety. Of course there is an exception to that rule; bed bugs will come out any time of the day if they are very hungry. Normally, adult bed bugs only feed once a week and females need to feed before they reproduce. But as a young bed bug, called a nymph, when they go through the stages of development (instar stages) they need to feed daily. However, the adults can fast for as long as 60 weeks if conditions are just right. The young bed bug nymphs are a lot more depend on a relatively constant supply of blood. Bed bug nymphs need to feed more often to help complete their life cycle, but again they also can survive without a blood bath for several days. Bed bugs can only survive on blood, unlike most insects that eat a varied diet. Bed bugs are unable to feed on leaked blood rather they need a live host because the blood needs to be at the right temperature and be under pressure. Bed bugs have a limited distance to which they will travel, so roughly speaking, each bedroom or territory will have its own set of bed bugs.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-do-bed-bugs-bite-randy-bilesky/?published=t
http://www.delta-optimist.com/opinion/blogs/blog-when-do-bed-bugs-bite-1.23152912
