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January 30, 2017 We’ve written about warning signs of bed bugs, how to prevent them and how to be cautious when travelling. The truth is, there is so much to know when it comes to these pests. This week we are talking about their stages of life and how to be spot them as they grow! Bed bugs are nocturnal pests feeding on the blood of humans and also other warm blooded animals. (Maybe your pets too!) They are wingless insects, but they cannot jump. They move by crawling and cl

January 24, 2017 Trying to avoid bed bugs? It may be time to redecorate. Here’s an extra step you can take, according to an article published in Global News , bed bugs are more attracted to red or black bedsheets. A new study says that they tend to be attracted to these colours and avoid yellow and green. These tiny bloodsucking insects are quite the nuisance! It is possible for anyone to end up with these pests regardless of their income or household. The bugs can leave itch

January 17, 2017 According to recent articles in Metro News and CBC news , there are an overwhelming amount of mice and rodents reported on both the east and west coasts this winter. Although they are thriving in these regions of Canada, the city of Toronto is still at risk. Fall is a peak period for rodent problems, but sometimes it takes a few weeks (or maybe just a return from the holidays) to realize how bad the problem actually is. The mild winter may be part of the blam

Across the city, the cold winter has set in, forcing people to retreat indoors. – But what pests have followed you in search of warmth and comfort inside your home? Here are some pests to be aware of this winter: Rodents You are sitting in your house, cozying up by the fire – the last thing you want is to share your warm spot with a rat! They can cause major damage to your home and put your family’s health at risk! They would have entered your home by squeezing through small

December 19, 2016 Carpenter Ants are another home owner pest to be aware of in Toronto! Their swarming season is just around the corner! As a pest problem, sometimes they are confused with termites . Similar to termites, they are known for their ability to damage wood structures. Although carpenter ants do not actually eat the wood, they mill it by breaking it down for their nests. Physically, their antennae are bent which help make them more distinctive. So why the concern?

December 12, 2016 Bed Bugs are sometimes misconceived to only be in public spaces – hotels, airports, and even public transportation. However, these days it is more common to find these pests making their way home with you, especially into high rises in Toronto. Over the past two years, the bed bug incidents in high rises have skyrocketed. Many hotels and businesses have professional programs in place, where as in apartments, the problems are easily neglected. The management

December 1, 2016 As temperatures continue to drop, pests are looking to move indoors! What pests should you be aware of this winter? One in particular, is the spider! They have finished their summer feast of an endless supply of bugs and are on the lookout for shelter. Although the majority of spiders found in Toronto homes are typically harmless, their infestations are not a pleasant sight. Sometimes if you have an abundance of spiders in your home, it may also indicate a hi

November 22, 2016 Quickly darting up walls or across your bathroom floor, the centipede can be one of the most creepy pests to invade your home! They are attracted to damp and moist areas, which makes them linger in basements, bathrooms or even laundry rooms. The house centipede is about 1 1/2 inches long and move up to 420mm per second. Although house centipedes are typically not harmful to humans, they are definitely unwanted! A few actions can help to reduce these pests in

You are sitting down for breakfast, about to pour your favourite cereal, and notice an uninvited guest! Although we have been experiencing an Indian Summer, the cold season is right around the corner. Along with it, come these uninvited guests looking for a bed and breakfast to crash! As summer ends, so does the food source for many pests. These bugs begin to search for alternatives to help them survive the winter months. Your snack pantry is the ideal sweet spot! An infinite

November 7, 2016 One of toughest and oldest insects in the world, is the cockroach. These insects have existed for about 400 million years, but they have adapted to survive around where human’s live and with manmade structures. The cockroach has superior survival capabilities which allow it to survive in various climates. The most common cockroach found in the GTA is the German cockroach. It is common for cockroaches to seek heat and look for heated structures to escape the c

October 3, 2016 Although fall has officially started, this year it is a much warmer season than we are used to! With the milder temperatures, termite season has lasted longer than expected. Last week we discussed the signs of termite infestation. This week we are talking about what home owners can do when cleaning up for autumn: 1. Minimize Wood Debris Outside in your yard, wood debris should be minimized as much as possible. The debris needs to be removed to a minimum depth

September 26, 2016 With termite season upon us, it’s important to know the warning signs of these pests! Last week, we talked about the different types of termites to look out for and precautions you can take to keep your home protected. Here are some signs that termites are making their way through your house: – Cracked/bubbling paint or termite droppings – Wood damage from below (may sound hollowed out if tapped) – A swarm of winged insects in your home (or outside, near so

September 20, 2016 Termites are destructive eusocial little pale coloured insects. They have been known to feed on dead plants, dead wood and soil. They got their reputation as “silent destroyers” because they can be hiding in your home or backyard without any immediate signs of damage. There are six different types of termites. They are the dampwood termite, the drywood termite, the formosan termite, subterranean termite, conehead termite and desert termite. The most common

September 15, 2016 In the last few months of warm weather, right up until the first frost, the bees are all the buzz! You’ll notice them on your front porch, on your walks at the park, and sometimes they are wandering from your backyard into your home. Bees such as honeybees are typically friendly, looking to pollinate wild and home garden plants. They are protected species and it is illegal for them to be killed. However, their cousin, the wasp can be much more aggressive. C

August 31, 2016 Summer is the season for bed bugs! And while it’s time to almost go back to school, the heat stays upon us. The hot summer months are a prime time for these pests to reproduce. We should all be extra aware of keeping tabs on them. It is common to think of bed bugs while travelling and staying in hotels, or keep to even keep eye out for them at home; more importantly it is becoming more relevant in today’s news to be aware of them in public places too! From fin

August 24, 2016 From park picnics to invading our homes, we have all had to deal with ants! Ants can be particularly annoying to get ride of, especially once they have set up their homes. Specifically, urban ants have their own risks and challenges. The more you understand about these challenges and preventions the easier it will be to protect your home! Facts about urban ants: The Sweet Life Just like us, ants have a sweet tooth too! Junk food, sugary and high carb foods are

August 15, 2016 If you are a homeowner, at some point you may run into some uninvited guests. Mice and rats are drawn into homes because of the comfortable living spaces, warmth and availability to food sources. It’s important to keep tabs on whether these rodent’s are claiming your abode. They are known disease carriers and can multiply very quickly (8 litters a year of 4-8 pups!) They also reach maturity at 8 weeks old! Look for small holes in walls or cabinets, monitor you

August 8, 2016 During the summer BBQ season, the mosquitos are out and ready to chow down! You may be running to grab your citronella candles, but it’s important to know how these pests operate. Here are a few tips to note: Blow them away! Any wind or breeze makes it difficult for mosquitoes to fly. Using plug-in fans are a great way to keep them away. Usually these pests fly low to the ground to avoid wind. Keeping fans directed downward to the lower half of your body will h

August 1, 2016 Canada’s bed bug problem is worse than ever! The frequency of reports have increased 20% over the past year. Initially bugs were more commonly an urban problem. However, they’ve spread to rural and less-populated areas in recent years. A common misconception is that bed bugs are associated with socioeconomic status. This is definitely not true! The peak season for bed bugs is during summer months, when the weather is warmer. During this season, from June – Octo

June 27, 2016 How do you protect your bed from bed bugs or stop getting beg bug bites from an already infested mattress? The simple answer: High Quality Bed Bug Proof Mattress Encasements. While an unprotected mattress has many attractive crevices and ideal hiding areas for bed bugs, fully encased mattresses and box springs do not. Lab-tested bug proof mattress covers have no cracks and crevices and are gleaming white, so bed bugs can be seen much more easily. Bedbugs only ne