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May 6, 2019 No one wants bed bugs to infest their home. After all, your home is your sanctuary and your safe place! These pests are problematic as they are difficult to eliminate once they take over. At Advantage Pest Control, we believe in taking preventative measures. Here are some tips to help you avoid a bed bug infestation in your home: 1. Be Careful While Traveling Many people bring bed bugs home when they travel. They inadvertently pick these pests up at a hotel or mo

April 22, 2019 April showers can potentially bring May Carpenter Ants to your household this spring. There are two types of carpenter ants commonly found in Canada , the black and red carpenter ant. They are known for their ability to cause damage to wooden structures. They build their nests by burrowing and digging tunnels into wood. Although they do not eat wood, they break it down creating saw-dust like shavings. You’ll typically find these pests indoors near moist or deca

April 8, 2019 Pest concerns have over taken the Canadian export industry within the past month. The biggest news is a disruption in exporting to China . The ban on exporting goods from Richardson International Ltd. (one of Canada’s largest grain producers) is due to concerns of an insect infestation. As a result, this has caused canola prices to take a significant hit. Currently Canada typically supplies about 40 percent of China’s canola imports, worth approximately $3.6 bil

March 25, 2019 Spring has sprung, and the sunshine is finally here! Although, we are not the only one’s rejoicing! The new season also signals the rise of pests too. During this change, both insects and wildlife awake from their winter hibernation and are on the lookout for resources! These include food, shelter and water – exactly what you can provide! Pest control is not just a residential problem, but it can also be a commercial problem too. Springtime pests often include

March 11, 2019 Toronto and the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) are one of the hot spots to live in Ontario. This is not just the case for humans, but for pests too! What kind of pests can you find in these urban areas? From bed bugs to racoons, pests want a warm and resourceful place to live! No matter if you live in a house, apartment or condo – all of these spaces are susceptible to pest infestations. As a homeowner, it is essential to be aware of these pests and take the necess

February 11, 2019 Rats continue to be a significant pest problem in the city of Toronto, and it’s surrounding areas. If you have not encountered these pests, consider yourself lucky! In 2018, Toronto was named ‘rattiest’ city in Ontario four years in a row, as reported by City News . The Toronto Sun recently weighed in on the topic of rat problems and controlling their population. They shared an article discussing the topic of genetic modification, and the role it can play i

January 28, 2019 Based on studies, bedbugs have existed for many years. Archaeologists have discovered fossils of these creatures aged at about 9,400 years old. However, evidence of their behaviour around humans and certain environments during the earlier times have yet to be identified. A closer look at these pests shows that bedbugs are flat six-legged insects that feed on human and animals’ blood. These wingless creatures are known for their irritating bites and a musky

January 14, 2019 It’s that time of the year to be wary of the cold, snow and…mice! During the winter months, mice hunt for spaces that radiate heat to help them survive. This includes your home! While mice need a place to live, they also need other resources, including food. So what exactly do mice eat? We are here to share some insight! In recent news , a mouse was found inside a package of bread in a No Frills grocery store in Hamilton, Ontario. The woman who saw the mouse

December 31, 2018 The New Year is a great time to reflect and reset. There is something so exciting about the idea of a fresh start. So let’s use this time wisely and set some new goals for you and your family. The New Year can also be a great time to take the necessary steps to ensure you have a pest free home. Maybe you have experienced pest problems in the past. Let’s put those pests problems behind you and start off 2019 in the right direction! Take action now and make 20

December 17, 2018 Ants love to carry their food and resources on a day to day basis. However, the truth is that they can also carry harmful pathogens that can jeopardize your health too. According to studies , ants can carry bacteria and organisms that can harm the human body. In one study done at a medical hospital in Brazil, ants were proven as a potential vector for opportunistic and pathogenic bacteria. As a result of this, they pose a risk of causing nosocomial infection

December 3, 2018 If you are bitten by a rat, your first concern is catching a disease. One of the diseases you can catch is known as the “rat-bite fever.” According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rat-bite fever is an infectious disease transmitted by an infected rat. A person can contract this disease from a rat’s bite, scratch and by eating food or drinking water contaminated by an infected rat’s feces. Two types of bacteria are responsible for rat-

November 19, 2018 One of the most common termite species found in Canada are the Subterranean Termites . The western subterranean termites are native to British Columbia. The eastern subterranean termites are usually found in the eastern region of Canada. The subterranean termite is known as the most destructive type of termite in Canada. This termite has saw-toothed jaws that act like shears. They use their jaws to bite off small pieces of wood. Over time, subterranean term

November 5, 2018 If you think ants are not a big pest problem, think again! These pests are small in size, but they are mighty! Ant infestation can happen quickly and can cause structural damage to your home. Ants have a large range of species, totalling close to 12,000 in the world. From this number, 186 ant species live in Canada. The most common ants found in Canadian homes are the carpenter, odorous house, pharaoh, thief, and little black ants. The first step to stopping

October 22, 2018 As the weather changes in Canada , many pests seek refuge in the comfort of our homes for warmth and resources to survive. This fall season, one pest to look out for in particular are mice. Mice can easily become a problem at home. Because mice can multiply faster than rats and this can make them harder to control . They are also a problem because they can spread harmful diseases as well cause damage to your home. They love chewing on wires which eventually

October 9, 2018 Bed bug infestation is one of the worst problems that most people can encounter in their homes, office, and even in hotels, as well as other establishments. In Canada, one of the top ten be bug infested cities is Toronto. If your house or workplace is situated in any of the infested cities, it is important to know how to prevent them from coming or infesting your space. According to a journal published in the Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Resea

September 24, 2018 Rats are found all over the world, and there are more than 60 species of rats that coexist with humans on this planet. In Canada, there are a few common species that are known to infest houses and business establishments. These species are the bushy-tailed woodrat (Neotoma cinerea), Eurasian black rat (Rattus rattus) and Norway or brown rat (Rattus norvegicus). Black Rat: Black rats are smaller than brown rats. They are commonly found in the coastal towns

September 10, 2018 While bed bugs are not known to transmit deadly diseases, they are pests of substantial public health importance. Bed bugs can invade your most private space, your bedroom and your house. They can also stick to you like glue wherever you go, resulting in a spread of infestation. According to the World Health Organization , people who are constantly exposed to bed bugs are prone to become more sensitive and anxious. Apart from inflicting harm through bites,

August 28, 2018 Did you know that ants could fly? Well, most people think that ants only crawl, but there are instances that ants can be seen flying around houses or in the garden. These flying ants are both a sign of mating and infestation. Therefore, if you have spotted flying ants in your home, it is best to seek a pest control services as soon as possible to prevent further infestation. Here at Advantage Pest Control, we can take care of ant infestations at your home, bac

August 13, 2018 Insects’ way of protecting themselves and their territory most often involves a bite. Whether you’re in your house, backyard, hiking in the mountains, or near the ocean, you can encounter insects that might bite or sting as a way of protecting themselves. This summer, there are certain bites that are more common than any other types of insect bites. Some of these bug bites may cause serious medical problems to humans and others may cause minor bite problems. I

July 30, 2018 The social insect termites are sometimes called “white ants” but did you know that they are most likely related to cockroaches than ants? Termites are also considered to be among the oldest insects on the planet. At Advantage Pest Control, we want our clients to be aware of what termites are and understand their pest behaviours! Here are some important facts about termites: Cockroach Ancestor: Termites are categorized as insects of the infraorder Isopteraea . Ac