In the late summer and early fall when the nights become cold, Asian lady beetles, cluster flies, boxelder bugs, and other insect pests seem to suddenly appear, covering houses and other structures as they search for shelter and warmth. Understanding why overwintering pests do this can help you take preventative action before a minor nuisance … Read more
Pest problems such as mice, cockroaches, and bed bugs aren’t just a nuisance, they’re a health and housing standards issue in Alberta. Who arranges and pays for pest control depends on whether you’re a landlord or a tenant. If you own your home, you’re normally responsible for pest control and Poulin’s can help you. Landlord … Read more
Your property may look perfectly clean and safe, but pests could already be inside. Throughout Alberta’s changing seasons, everything from ants and cockroaches to mice and other wildlife can silently invade walls, machines, basements, storage areas, crawlspaces, and attics, causing costly damage and health hazards before you notice them. Regular pest inspections become more than … Read more
Winter is the season for indoor entertaining and feasts of delectable foods. The last thing you want at this time of year is to spread your hospitality to unwelcome guests from the animal kingdom. You can make your home inviting to humans and clear of pests by taking a few precautions. As an extra bonus, … Read more
As the temperatures drop, it won’t just be you and your family who want a warm place to cozy up for the cold months. To feel entirely at ease in your home, you’ll want to be sure you aren’t sharing it with unwelcome guests. Here are some tips to help pest-proof your home before winter. … Read more
Scientific Name: rattus Common Names: Sewer Rat, Roof Rat, Brown Rat, Norway Rat, Black Rat Color: Colors vary, generally grey, brown, or black in color Size: The length and weight of rats depend on which species we are talking about and young vs adult sizes. Sizes range from approximately 10 to 40 cm in length. … Read more
Now that it’s springtime, the bugs are starting to re-emerge. And among them – cankerworms. You’ve probably heard of these bugs, but how much do you know about them? Here in Canada’s prairies, there are two major groups of cankerworms: spring cankerworms and fall cankerworms. Fall cankerworms lay their eggs in the fall, whereas spring … Read more
The biggest pest problem threatening any populated area in recent years is the bed bug. Their population had declined steadily since the 1930s, to the point of near extinction a few years ago. Unfortunately, due to numerous circumstances, bed bugs have returned with a vengeance, and exist everywhere. Bed bugs have been with us a … Read more
Carpenter ants are one of the biggest insect threats to Canadian homes. They’re found in all areas of the province, and infestations often remain undetected, until repair becomes very costly. Most of the time, when people think about insects causing property damage, they think about termites. Carpenter ants, unlike termites, don’t consume wood fiber, they … Read more
You may have been seeing them – unsightly webs in trees, in parks or around your home. These particular webs are surprisingly not caused by spiders, but instead, caterpillars. The most likely culprits: the fall webworm and Eastern tent caterpillar. In this blog we are showcasing the fall webworm. A bit of a description: Fall … Read more