Cases of Hantavirus infection have been associated with the following activities in and around the home, farm, cottage or while outdoors. Planting or harvesting crops Occupying previously vacant cabins or dwellings Cleaning barns, cottages and other outbuildings Disturbing rodent infested areas while hiking or camping Inhabiting dwellings with indoor rodent populations The best approach for … Read more Hantavirus Guide: Concerns In The Home
The disease is known as Hantavirus-Related Acute Respiratory Disease Syndrome (Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome). There has been an impressive accumulation of knowledge about this illness in a short time, however, many unanswered questions still remain. What we know: The risk is specifically to those individuals who come in contact with infected rodents and their droppings. The … Read more Hantavirus Guide: What Is Hantavirus?
These small (1/8th inch or 3mm) mainly red eyed, golden brown to dull brown insects are usually found in the spring and over the summer months buzzing around any fruit or vegetables in your home. Most likely, you have brought them home with your fruits and vegetables purchased at a grocery store. The eggs, larva … Read more Ask The Expert: Fruit Flies
Unsure of what to do with that half empty bottle of pesticide? Here is what you need to know. Pesticides must be disposed of properly in order to help protect our environment and prevent accidents. Read the product label for specific disposal instructions. Pesticides leftover in the container need to disposed of at a safe … Read more Disposing Of Your Unused Pesticides
Voles are small rodents (6 inches in length or so) that are often mistaken for their rodent cousins, mice and moles. Voles have an ability to do significant damage to your lawn and garden, because they’re very resilient creatures that eat just about any plant material they come into contact with. They reproduce rapidly, and … Read more Ask The Expert: How Do I Know I Have Voles?
Question: What is Diatomaceous Earth? Answer: Diatomaceous Earth is a natural chemical-free powder that can be used to help control crawling insects indoors or outdoors. For those looking for a green product, this may be a good option to look into. Diatomaceous Earth is used for treating slugs, earwigs, sowbugs, cockroaches, ants, fleas, silverfish, bed … Read more Ask the Expert: What is Diatomaceous Earth?
1) How do rodenticides work? Most domestic rat and mouse poisons are anticoagulants; they affect the rodent’s blood, reducing the ability of blood to clot so that exposed rodents bleed internally and die. 2) How long does it take before they die? Rodents that have ingested a lethal dose of single feed anticoagulant bait will … Read more Everything You Need To Know About Rodent Bait
QUESTION: I thought that bugs died in cold temperatures, can insects live through the winter season? ANSWER: Even though here in Canada we can experience some VERY cold temperatures in the winter, we know that bugs don’t all disappear forever—so where do they go? There are some bugs that overwinter, only to come to life … Read more Ask The Expert: Do Bugs Live Through the Winter?
We receive a lot of calls in the fall from people concerned about ladybugs taking over their homes and biting their family members. Ladybugs do not bite! If you are being bitten by an insect that looks like a ladybug, it’s actually an Asian ladybird beetle. Ladybugs, at this time of year, are already likely … Read more Ask The Expert: Do Ladybugs Bite?
QUESTION: How do I know if I have bed bugs? ANSWER: Are tiny bugs crawling on your bed and keeping you up at night? Do these bugs that have six legs, a small apple shape and bodies smaller than 6mm? Do you smell crushed coriander or do you see rusty brown blood spots on your … Read more Ask The Expert: How Do I Know If I Have Bed Bugs