As the snow melts away in western Canada and the signs of spring are appearing, so are thirteen-lined ground squirrels and pocket gophers. The 13 stripped Richardson ground squirrel can easily be identified by its thirteen stripes on its back and its golden brown fur. The pocket gopher has no stripes and is golden brown … Read more
As the temperatures are starting to rise and the snow is melting, you may be seeing many grass laden tunnels appearing in your grass. This year’s vole population will likely be very high due to the heavy amounts of snow received in Manitoba and other certain parts of western Canada. Voles look like a house … Read more
Cockroaches have been on this planet for hundreds of millions of years and are expected to be here way after the human race has left. Fossil evidence shows early forms of cockroach present in the record from approximately 280-320 million years ago! Here are five interesting facts that you didn’t know about the cockroach. Cockroaches … Read more
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
Scientific Name: Columbidae Common Names: Pigeon, Dove, Rock Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, Rock Dove Color: Varies Weight: 9 – 16 ounces Length: Between 12 – 15 inches Wingspan: 20 – 26 inches FACT: Pigeons have color vision, a hearing range very close to that of humans and have poor senses of taste and smell. Pigeons cannot … Read more
QUESTION: Where do bugs go in winter? ANSWER: Insects can adapt to survive many different climates and changes in weather conditions. Insects will go through behavioral and/or physiological changes to adapt to cold temperatures and increase their chances of survival during the winter. Many insects maintain a low level of activity during winter months while … Read more
Scientific Name: Siphonaptera Common Names: Flea Color: Reddish Brown Weight: Average approx. .19mg – .34mg Length: Adults range from 1.5mm – 3mm long FUN FACT: Flea circuses were extremely popular in the nineteenth century. These circuses featured fleas dressed as humans or pulling miniature carts, chariots, or cannons. Fleas were selected to be in circuses … Read more
Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season filled with joy and laughter, may you have many successes and prosper in the new year!
The Indian Meal Moth (IMM) Plodia interpunctella, can enter the home via a wide variety of foods and animal feeds. The IMM can be mistaken for a clothes moth as they are flying around as adults. The main distinction between the two is that the IMM has two toned wings unlike the clothes moth. Identification … Read more
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius Common Name: Bed bug Color: range from yellowish –white – 1st instar to a brown to reddish-brown, adult stage Size: 4 – 5 mm long (3/16 inch) FACT: Bed bugs do not transmit any known human diseases. Some people will react to the saliva from the bite and have an allergic … Read more