Tag Archives: summer pest control

How to Find a Wasp or Hornet Nest

Summary: 

  • Wasp vs Hornet 
  • Signs of wasps
  • Wasp nest identification 
  • Where are wasp nests found? 
  • How to get rid of a wasp or hornet nest 

What’s the difference between wasps, hornets and bees?

Hornets – A hornet is a large type of wasp known for its size and aggressive nature.

Wasps – Wasps have sleek and smooth bodies with flashy black and yellow stripes. The most common Canadian wasps include hornets, yellow jackets, mud daubers and paper wasps. 

Bees – There are many different species of bees but generally, they are rounder and fuzzier than wasps, although they share their distinct yellow and black patterning. 


TIP
It’s easy to tell wasps and bees apart, just remember bees are fat and fuzzy and wasps are skinny and smooth.

Signs of a wasp nest 

If you notice a surge in wasp sightings around your home, it is a strong indication that there is a nest nearby. During the summer months, a mature nest can house thousands of wasps. It is best to address the issue early on, when the wasp population is smaller and their aggression levels are lower, to ensure a more manageable and safer resolution.

What do wasp nests look like?

What the nest looks like depends on the species of wasp. In Canada, our most common wasps include hornets, yellow jackets, mud daubers and paper wasps and their nests are described in more detail below. 

Types of wasp nests

Hornets build nests that are covered in a papery outer layer and often located hanging from trees or eves. The wasps create their nest themselves, by chewing wood fibers and mixing them with saliva.

Yellow Jackets also envelop their nests in a papery outer layer, often locating them within wall voids.

Paper wasps build open nests with an exposed honeycomb-like structure. They usually build underneath a surface out into an umbrella shape. 

Mud daubers are a little different from the other Canadian wasps as they build their nests out of mud. These tube-like structures are hard to see from the surface as they are built underground or in old stonework. 

Where are Wasp nests found? 

Different species of wasps prefer to nest in different locations but there are a handful of key locations you should look at when trying to find a wasp nest. 


SAFETY TIP
Be very cautious when searching your property for wasps. Don’t move any leaves or debris around suddenly and wear protective equipment if possible.

  • Trees and shrubs: Many species of wasps build their nests on tree branches, in shrubs, or within tree cavities.
  • Eaves and overhangs: Wasps often construct their nests under eaves, roof overhangs, or in the corners of buildings. These locations provide shelter and protection from the elements.
  • Attics, crawl spaces & wall voids: Some wasp species may build nests in attics, crawl spaces, or other voids within buildings. They may access these areas through small openings or gaps. 
  • Underground burrows: Some wasps such as mud daubers or solitary wasps build their nests in the ground. These nests can be found in abandoned rodent burrows, under rocks, or in other protected areas. 


TIP
To locate a wasp nest pay close attention to the flight paths of returning wasps. You can often follow these paths back to their nest.

Wasp nest

How to get rid of a wasp nest 

Wasps are famous for their dangerous and aggressive defence tactics! If you suspect a wasp nest on your property, it’s best to contact a professional pest control service for safe removal.

If you are only noticing a few wasps it is likely that there is a nest in your neighbourhood but not necessarily on your property. If this is the case, there are steps you can take to dissuade wasps from visiting your home. Check out our article on the topic: How to dine wasp free this summer!


Do you have a wasp problem? Terminix Canada has you covered! We offer expert pest & wildlife control services for both residential and commercial properties with locations across Canada including BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Call us today to get rid of your wasp problem for good!

How to Dine Wasp Free this Summer?

Canada is home to hundreds of species of wasps that are most active from April through September. Unfortunately, this coincides with perfect patio seasons leaving many homeowners annoyed with these uninvited guests. Read on to discover our best tips on how to dine wasp free this summer!

Summary: 

  • How to identify wasps 
  • Risks wasps pose to your family and home
  • How to prevent wasps 
  • How to treat a wasp nest

What are wasps?

The most common Canadian pest wasps are hornets, yellow jackets and paper wasps, all of which sport distinctive yellow and black patterns on their bodies. They can be easily distinguished from bees, just remember: bees are fat and fuzzy and wasps are skinny and smooth. 

Most wasps are social creatures and live in nests with hundreds or even thousands of individuals, the appearance of such nests changes depending on the species. Some wasps prefer to nest out in the open creating football-shaped hanging nests attached to tree branches, railings or eves. Single-layer nests where the honeycomb shapes are exposed are also common near vents and soffits of the home. Other species prefer to be more secretive and build in protected areas such as tree hollows or wall cavities. 

Tip: Wear shoes when walking in the garden! Some solitary wasps such as mud daubers build their homes in the ground and may attack if provoked.

When are wasps a problem?

Wasps are beneficial to have around as they feed on other smaller insects, however when they get too comfortable near your home they can also pose a great threat. Unlike bees, wasps can sting repeatedly and are especially dangerous to those who are allergic, even proving fatal at times. They are also very territorial, making a nest near your home very hazardous. If there is no nest on your property but wasps are still intruding on your outdoor summer fun try out the tips below to ward off the unwanted guests. 

How to safely remove a wasp nest

Wasp nest removal is very dangerous and it is not recommended that homeowners attempt it themselves. The safest and most effective option is to call in a pest control company. This is not only because of the risks of a wasp attack but also because their nests are often located in hard-to-reach locations sometimes requiring ladders. 

If you do proceed with removing a wasp nest yourself you will need full protective gear, these hard-to-reach locations mean a quick escape is often impossible. As for the treatment, there are two main methods: homemade soapy water or store-bought pesticide spray. Soapy water is a great low-cost option that is effective if the whole nest can be drenched easily, whereas pesticide spray can be more convenient for hard-to-reach locations. Either method should be used around dusk when wasps are the least active and will likely take several days to completely resolve your issue.

How to prevent wasps

Close Holes

Wasps are attracted to safe spaces where they can hide or build a nest. At the beginning of the season clear any clutter on and around your outdoor dining area and close up any holes that you can in the side of your home, shed or deck. 

Avoid Wood

Certain wasps use wood to build their nests and so will return to sources of wood again and again. It’s best to avoid patio furniture and decks made of wood but often that is not a viable option. In these cases, staining or painting wood acts as a good deterrent against wasps and other pesky insects. 

Food 

The number one thing that attracts wasps to your summer BBQ is sweet smells: the caramelizing ribs on the grill, a freshly opened can of soda, the perfume of your guests or the flowers in your garden. Wasps, like many insects, have an extremely keen sense of smell and can pick up on even trace amounts of foods and other odours. After dining make sure to clean up thoroughly, sweep up any fallen food and wash any spills with soap and water.

Pet food can also attract wasps so make sure not to leave pet bowls out on the porch. 

Garbage 

In the same way that food attracts wasps so does the smell of garbage. If possible keep garbage bins away from the patio area, if not make sure to secure them with strong lids to keep the smell in. 

Yard waste can also attract wasps as it rots, so make sure that your yard is clear. 

Grow Wasp Repelling Plants

Flowers and fruit trees are beautiful but give off a sweet smell that not only attracts wasps but also bees and other insects. Instead, decorate with plants that naturally repel wasps such as citronella, spearmint, pennyroyal, thyme, sage, lemongrass, clove or eucalyptus. The oils produced by these plants repel wasps and, as a bonus, many of these plants are delicious herbs that can brighten any summer dish. 

Tip: Wormwood is another effective wasp-repelling plant however can be poisonous in small bodies so is not recommended if there are children or pets around. 

Essential Oils 

Instead of gardening, some of these plant oils can also be bought in stores. Eucalyptus and mint essential oils are commonly sold online and in health food stores. Simply combine some oil and water in a spray bottle and treat areas where you often see wasps. There are also wasp repellants that can be bought from home improvement retailers for the same use. 

Avoid perfume 

Perfumes often give off sweet smells that attract wasps so avoid wearing them when you plan to dine outdoors. This also goes for strongly scented soaps, shampoos or lotions. Instead, try wearing a dab of the above-mentioned oils, which double as a wasp repellant. 

Traps

Wasp traps contain a sweet liquid that lures wasps through a hole that they then cannot leave through. These traps should be placed off to the side of an outdoor dining area so that wasps are attracted to the trap and not your family’s dinner. Wasp traps can be quite effective when placed properly but make sure to keep them out of reach of children and pets. 

If you’re still having issues with wasps in and around your dining area it is possible you have a nest on your property that you are not aware of. A pest control expert will be able to safely locate and remove any wasp nests in and around your home. 

Terminix exterminators use the safest and most effective methods to rid your home of wasps for good. We offer expert pest control services across Canada including BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Call us today to learn how we can help.

Which Canadian Ant is Invading your Home?

Canada is home to hundreds of species of ants most of which are relatively harmless or even beneficial. Ants help gardens thrive by tunnelling into the soil bringing oxygen and essential nutrients with them. Some species even consume other pests such as the young of silverfish or moths! However, they can become a problem when they set up nests in and around your house, causing damage to your home, spoiling food, and spreading diseases. Read more about ants.

Correctly identifying the species of ant infesting your house is imperative to their successful removal. As a Canadian homeowner, the ants you’re most likely to come into contact with include carpenter ants, pharaoh ants, pavement ants, and fire ants. Read on to learn how to identify these ant species and how to eliminate each one. 

Carpenter Ant

The two main types of carpenter ants in Canada are red carpenter ants and black carpenter ants. Red carpenter ants have a reddish-brown upper body but are otherwise black, whereas the black carpenter ants are black all over. They are the largest of Canadian pest ants ranging from 6 to 25 mm in length, about the size of a sunflower seed. They are often confused with termites due to their size however, it is easy to tell the difference as carpenter ants have a very slim waist and bent antenna, whereas termites have thick waists and straight antenna. 

Carpenter ants are attracted to damp or decaying wood in which they build their colonies.  If they make their way into your home they can cause serious structural damage. They like to keep their tunnels very clean and are constantly sweeping out any debris, luckily this creates some very conspicuous sawdust piles. The sawdust piles may also contain the bodies of smaller insects that the carpenter ants have consumed. During mating season, late spring and summer, you will likely also see flying ants, these are reproductive males and females looking to breed with each other. 

If you suspect carpenter ants have invaded your home, call a pest control company immediately to prevent any further structural damage. Additionally, don’t disturb any sawdust piles you find before your appointment as inspectors will use them to locate the nest and remove the colony. 

Fun Fact

The giant Amazonian ant is a contender for the largest ant in the world at a whopping 4 cm in length! Twice the size of our Canadian carpenter ants!

Pharaoh Ant

The Pharaoh ant is likely native to Africa and can only nest outside in warm climates.  Despite this, it has made its way all around the world and lives in heated buildings globally. Pharaoh Ants are small roughly 2 mm in length and have a yellowish-brown to red bottom with a darker body. You won’t see these ants flying around; the queens are the only ones in the colony to grow wings but they cannot fly and lose their wings after mating. 

The small size of the Pharaoh ant allows it to get into just about anything, scientific researchers even have a hard time keeping them out of their sanitary labs! They can get into food packaging contaminating it with the microbes they carry on their bodies, they have even been known to transmit pathogens such as Salmonella and Streptococcus. This is why it is so important to keep an eye out for these tiny pests especially in and around the kitchen, in the pantry and by pet food bowls. 

Pharaoh ants nest in odd places: between layers of paper or linens, in trash, or even in appliances and electrical outlets. This makes extermination tricky, instead of combing every crack of the home for nests, baits are typically used to treat pharaoh ants. When the Pharaoh ants come out to forage they grab pieces of the bait thinking it is food and bring it back to their nests poisoning the entire colony. However, it is imperative to select the right bait for your situation! If the wrong bait is used it will stress the ants out before they all die and the nest will scatter, creating multiple satellite colonies and further complicating your issue. 

Pharaoh ant vs Pavement ant
AntWeb. Version 8.76.4. California Academy of Science, online at https://www.antweb.org.

Pavement Ant

Pavement ants are not native to Canada and were introduced to North America from Europe in the 19th century. They are similar in size to Pharaoh ants, roughly 2 mm in length, but are darker in colour with pale brown to black bodies. You may be able to see their stingers, but don’t worry they are not used to attack but rather to leave trails of pheromones for their fellow ants. During the mating season, you will likely see some pavement ants taking flight as they like to congregate in swarms to do the deed.

They are not generally found living in the home but often along the outside walls of the home, in garages, along garden walkways or on patios.  They prefer to nest in soil devoid of vegetation which has made them particularly suited to life in urban environments, so look for mounds of displaced solid near the outside of the home or paved areas. However, they will be drawn to forage in the warmth of the home during the cold winter months. Here they can become a hazard as they can get into pet and human food and contaminate it with microbes on their bodies. Pest control professionals can follow ant trails and dirt mounds to trace pavement ants back to their nest and exterminate the colony. 

Fire ant & Fire ant hill
AntWeb. Version 8.76.4. California Academy of Science, online at https://www.antweb.org.

Fire Ants

While less common in urban areas if you own a property in a rural region of Canada you may come into contact with these infamous insects. Fire ants are 2 – 5 mm in length and reddish-brown in colour. If you take a close look you’ll discover a dark stinger but you really shouldn’t get that close because these ants are aggressive and will defend their turf vigorously! They will bite and inject a painful sting on any person or animal that gets too close to their colony, which looks like a dome-shaped mound of sand. Pay special attention in dry fields as fire ants thrive in the sun and if you see one make sure you do not disturb it. 

A fire ant nest close to your home or near a path often walked should be dealt with as soon as possible. The silver lining is that once you’ve found a fire ant nest you are not likely to forget where it is, and exterminators can come in and deal with the issue efficiently. 

TIP

Keep a close eye on children and pets if you have fire ants on your property. It’s also a good practice to always wear closed-toed footwear and socks in case you accidentally stumble across a colony.

If you’re still unsure which ant is invading your home, start by calling a professional pest control company who will be able to identify your ant problem and recommend an effective control option.

Terminix Canada offers expert pest control services across Canada including BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Call us today for residential ant removal or commercial ant removal.

Why Does A Skunk Spray? Our Best Tips To Avoid Getting Sprayed

Why does a skunk spray? Well, imagine a world where no matter what you did, you stank.

Not a faint stink either, but a room-clearing, nostril-quivering smell. You bathe in lemon juice, tomato juice, and vinegar to vanquish the stench, to no avail.

Welcome to the world of skunk spray victims. It can take weeks to rid yourself of the offensive odour, so we’ve compiled a number of ways to avoid such cruel misfortune. Because let’s get serious, the best way to get rid of skunk smell is to not get sprayed in the first place!

Why Would You Get Sprayed By A Skunk?

Skunks use their spray to protect themselves from potential predators. But humans aren’t predatory towards skunks, so why would we ever get sprayed?

It’s simple: skunks are extremely near-sited. Therefore, they often mistake unsuspecting humanoids for wolves, coyotes, or badgers. Additionally, they might not realize they’ve stumbled into an area with humans or pets, until a loud noise alerts them, scaring the stink out of them. If you have skunks living in your home, stomping on your floor when a skunk is nesting in your home will startle the little stinker, causing it to spray as a defense mechanism.

Solution: If you happen to see a skunk, don’t make sudden movements. If you happen to be out walking or lounging in your backyard and a skunk comes to hang out, don’t freak out. Simply start talking or singing softly, but loud enough that it hears you, and everything should be fine. They are very docile creatures and will likely either back away or continue about their business, leaving you alone.

The problems often arise when the skunk is shocked or startled and goes into instant defence mode.

Additionally, watch for spraying signals. If you see a skunk with its tail raised on hind legs, and pounding its front legs, back away slowly and calmly.

Keep Your Dog In Check

If a skunk’s (lack of) vision could make you look like a wolf, think about what it’d make your dog look like. Most stories of people getting sprayed begin with their dog and end with the pungent force of 1,000 unwashed feet. Even the best practices of skunk control go out the door if you let your dog run rampant.

Unfortunately, in most cases when your dog gets sprayed, it’s due to the dog running after or barking at the skunk. If you have a large backyard, make sure to turn on the back light or use a flashlight to shine in the backyard before letting your dog out to do his business in the evenings and at night.

Solution: Don’t walk your dog after dark or on country roads. If you do, keep the dog on a tight leash and don’t let them go poking their nose in bushes or shrubbery. Skunks are nocturnal, and forage for food on said roads, after dark, returning to their dens by daylight. Keep to well-trafficked stretches of road while the sun’s still out. If you see a skunk, make sure your dog maintains a sense of calm.

Was Your Dog Sprayed By A Skunk?

For many pet owners, this is their biggest fear. For many others, it’s all too common of an occurrence depending where you live. Oftentimes, when a dog is sprayed, it’s late at night when stores are closed, and you’ve got a giant stinky problem on your hands? So what can you do about it?

The good news is, the ingredients used to clean your dog from skunk spray are found in most homes. The most important part of cleaning a dog from skunk spray is to apply the solution to a dry dog. Do not wet your dog!

You’ll also want to act fast. The longer the spray sits on your dog, the more it’ll be able to saturate their fur, making it more difficult to fully remove the smell.

If possible, keep the dog out of the house until after they’ve been bathed. If they bring the smell into your home, your home will continue to smell like skunk for a while.

There are many different home remedies out there for tried-and-true methods of removing that stench from your dog’s coat. Find one with the ingredients you have on hand to quickly wash out that skunk juice before it has time to set in.

Know What A Skunk Den Looks Like

Skunk dens are found under wood and rock piles, buildings, porches, concrete slabs, culverts, rock crevices, and in standing and fallen hollow trees.

Look for a grass-free, smooth, 3-by-4-inch depression containing one entrance and a musky odour. Look for skunk droppings; they resemble cat stool and contain all kinds of food. Be aware of skunk tracks as well, which are similar to those of the domestic cat, except that skunks have five toes instead of four. Their tracks are also staggered.

Solution: This one’s easy. If you see the aforementioned signs of a skunk den, get out of dodge, and do it fast. If you have a skunk den on your property, you’ll want to call in the skunk removal experts. Attempting to get rid of it yourself will end in a smelly mess, and no one wants that.

Using proper practices of skunk control will help keep skunks away and prevent possible burrowing on your property. Don’t leave food and garbage out. If you want to take it a step further, you can install motion activated sprinklers or use household ammonias in the backyard to repel skunks.

Avoid Skunk Spray By Making Your Presence Known

Maybe you’re in a situation where you can’t get away and you’re in a stand-off with a tiny, white-streaked, fetid antagonist. It’s possible you were caught off-guard. Maybe you like to live dangerously. It’s possible you don’t feel like running away from an animal the size of your arm. Either way, you’re not backing down.

Solution: You can repel a skunk by stomping your feet, and talking or singing in a low voice, gently scaring the stinky menace off. In some cases, the skunk won’t be bothered by your presence and will continue cruising along the lawn looking for food. In those cases, it’s safe to continue to go about your business, as long as you give them space and keep singing or talking so you don’t surprise it.

Smell The Roses, Not The Skunk Spray With Terminix Canada

When you need professional skunk removal, Terminix Canada is here to help. Skunks need no introduction. If you can smell skunk, then you might have a skunk problem that requires our skunk removal specialists. Skunks’ infamous spray liquid causes noses everywhere to scrunch up in fear of that potent, unpleasant odour.

The best way to get rid of skunks is to contact a certified pest control company that can humanely remove them from your property. Terminix Canada has a team of skunk removal experts that will not only remove the skunks humanely, but they’ll remove the scent of them from your property and work with you to implement systems and defences to prevent them from coming back.

Why You Need Pool Pest Control In The Summer – 5 Swimming Pool Maintenance Tips

Many people take pest control seriously in the summer, but what about pool pest control? If you have a pool, you know there’s nothing quite as disheartening as putting on your bathing suit and going out for a swim, just to discover a layer of dead flies floating on the surface of your pool

Pool pest control is a very important, but it’s often an under-discussed aspect of swimming pool maintenance. However, without proper pool pest control, your watery retreat could quickly turn into a petri dish of microorganisms and disease.

You should know that no matter what you do, you’ll end up with the occasional bug in your pool. Just like humans, bugs and other animals are attracted to water on a hot day, and your pool is the tall drink of water that appeals to them.

To prevent that from happening, here are some swimming pool maintenance tips to help you achieve effective pool pest control this summer.

Cover Your Pool When Not In Use For Easy Pool Pest Control

Here is the easiest tip you can employ for proper pool pest control – cover your pool when not in use. By covering your pool when not in use, you’ll be able to easily keep many pests and other dirt and mess out of the water, such as leaves, branches and pollen. This will help minimize the time you spend cleaning your pool, as well as preserving optimal water temperatures, keeping your pool nice and clean for impromptu swims or unexpected guests.

Make Sure To Keep Up With Regular Cleanings Using Proper Chemicals

Periodically treating your pool with chlorine, bromine sanitizers and algaecides are pre-requisites for pool maintenance. It’s also important to skim the pool daily to remove waste floating on the pool, such as leaves, bugs, grass and algae. All of these things can contribute to microorganisms growing in the pool, providing organic material that pests like to feed on. Not to mention, if you have leaves floating on your pool, you’re providing little life boats for bugs to land on, allowing them to safely drink from your pool.

Keep Your Garden Separate From Your Pool For Optimal Pool Pest Control

If you consider your backyard to be your own summer oasis, then the odds are, it can be an attractive oasis for bugs and critters as well. Water, vegetation and light are all things that pests love, just like we do.

If your garden is close to your pool, then it’s a very small leap for pests to go from food to water. By keeping your plants a few feet away from your pool, you’ll have better luck keeping pests out. This includes pests who don’t mean to seek out water, but simply fall into the pool.

If you really want greenery close by the pool, you can. Just be selective about what you plant. Certain plans such as bay leaves, rosemary, marigolds and mint all act as a natural bug deterrent, keeping bugs away.

Pool Lighting Can Attract Bugs

Bugs like lights – anyone with an outdoor light near their door knows that. This extends to any other lights you may use to illuminate your backyard at night. If possible, position all of your lights at least 9 metres or more from your pool. If that’s not possible, you can also look into in pool lighting options, to keep the pool bright enough for swimming at night, without providing warmth to pests.

Be On The Lookout For Ants And Termites

Like all animals, insects are attracted to water, but the pests you really need to be worried about are ants and termites. Both of these nefarious critters will burrow through the vinyl lining in order to get a drink of the good stuff. Unfortunately, in doing so they will cause borderline unrepairable damage to your pool both structurally and also because their drowned carcasses can and will overload your pool filter.

To avoid this headache, you simply need to make use of normal home pest control and residential pest control services to keep these pests off your property entirely. However, home pest control works best when you call it in early, so always be on the lookout for preliminary signs of infestation.

For the top residential pest control available, call Terminix Canada today. Providing affordable pest removal solutions all over Canada and backed by 90 years of experience, we can provide fast, effective home pest control that will keep your swimming pool clear of pests!

Keeping Garden Pests Away This Summer – 6 Garden Pest Control Tips

It’s quite difficult to have a beautiful garden without dealing with pesky garden pests. However frustrating, many have experienced the blood, sweat and tears that go into cultivating a beautiful backyard. Who hasn’t spent weeks planting and watering seeds, tending them carefully, excitedly watching them sprout from the earth only to witness garden pests nibble away the fruits (and vegetables) of your labour.

Sadly, your hard-won garden attracts all manner of summer garden pests eager to mooch off of your hard work. Luckily, protecting your garden is as easy as identifying the garden pests giving you trouble and then finding the appropriate way to combat them.

To help you begin your counter-offensive, here are some great garden pest control tips that don’t require harmful pesticides!

Identifying Common Garden Pests That Require Summer Pest Control

Aphids On Plants

If your plants are starting to look ragged and discoloured, chances are you have aphids to blame. You can often see aphids on plants by looking at the bottom of the plant’s leaves. These extremely tiny plant lice can be found on almost any plant as they simultaneously suck out its sap and infect it with their acidic saliva.

Cabbage Moth & Other Caterpillars

If your produce begins to sport tiny bite marks, or you spot a slimy trail on the leaves, then chances are you have caterpillars, slugs and/or snails in your garden.

Despite its name, the cabbage moth actually feeds on many different types of fruits, vegetables and crops. However, it’s not so much the cabbage moth you need to fear, but the offspring. Cabbage moths lay their eggs on cabbage and other vegetables, which then grow into little green caterpillars called cabbage worms that feast on vegetables such as kale, broccoli, brussels sprouts, collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens, and their namesake, cabbage.

Rabbits & Larger Garden Pests

Many think of insects when they think of garden pests, but there are also larger critters that can cause serious harm to your garden. Sadly, the most dangerous summer pests are also the cutest: rabbits and hares are voracious little monsters that will eat you out of house and home if you give them half a chance.

You may also have mice, rats, gophers, squirrels or other rodents terrorizing your garden and lawn. While rabbits have no issues sitting around munching on your greenery, other rodents are more likely to dig up seeds or pull out seedlings to nibble on. Some signs that you have mice or rats in the garden, as well as the aforementioned pests would be holes in the soil where you’ve previously planted seeds, dug up seedlings or small plants from the roots and tunnels in the ground connected by small holes at both the entrance and exit.

Black And Yellow Spider, Yellow Garden Spider & Other Garden Spiders

Spiders are a little more complicated when it comes to whether or not you choose to classify them as a garden pest. Garden spiders don’t eat your plants, in fact they’re actually likely to eat some of the other garden pests you’re dealing with.

However, they can make it difficult and potentially painful to weed, trim, and otherwise manage your growing garden. Not to mention, you’ll want to be careful reaching into a dark corner of your garden to collect any vegetables or fruits, as coming into accidental contact with a garden spider of any kind to result in a nasty bite.

Fortunately, wearing gardening gloves and long sleeves can help prevent any nasty bites. This allows both you and the garden spiders to coexist peacefully. After all, you do both share the same goal – getting rid of other garden pests.

Tomato Worm

Tomato worms aren’t actually worms, however their real name is tomato hornworm. They are green caterpillar pests, similar to cabbage worms, that fest on tomato patches and other plants in the nightshade family. This includes eggplants, potatoes, peppers and tobacco. They can be hard to spot, as tomato plants grow quite large. Additionally, these pests are very good at blending in with their surroundings. The problem is, these tomato worms can basically feast non-stop, leaving holes in both the fruit and leaves.

Looking For The Best Garden Pest Control? Call The Experts.

Dealing with aphids naturally can be difficult as there are many of them, they’re minuscule, and can spread very quickly. One of the best ways to get rid of aphids is by planting things that will attract their predators. Luckily, one of aphids’ primary predators are ladybugs who you can attract with dill, Queen Anne’s Lace and other plants. A less certain solution is to plant strongly scented herbs, like chives and basil. However, it’s not as effective.

Dissuading caterpillars, slugs, snails and other soft-bodied insects can be accomplished by spreading eggshells around the soil. This is essentially daring them to traverse a minefield if they want to munch on your lettuce.

Lastly, to keep rabbits and other rodents away, you need strong garden fencing. Similar to the kind they use for a chicken pen or on a farm. These pens need to be dug in deep around the garden. If they’re not deep enough, critters will simply burrow underneath. Additionally, planting garlic or spraying garlic-infused water on your plants might keep rabbits and other rodents away. The smell irritates their noses, however this is not a guaranteed solution.

If your garden is beset on all sides by garden pests and summer pests, trust Terminix Canada. We will protect your prized crop with humane, effective pest control solutions. Contact us today to protect your garden.

Wondering How To Get Rid Of Birds? Our Best Bird Removal Tips

It might seem funny to some to read a blog on how to get rid of birds when there are so many people looking for tips online to attract birds to their bird feeders and other bird amenities. For many, birds are seen as beautiful, elusive friends whose songs compliment your afternoon activities perfectly.

We actively put out food for them, build them baths and try to return stray eggs to nests in the spring. As thanks, some of these birds feast on mosquitos and other nuisance insects that we’d rather not have congregate on our properties.

However, the problems arise when these birds become too comfortable, hanging out in large packs on roof tops, nesting in inappropriate areas of our homes and leaving us presents on our cars, pathways and sometimes even our heads.

Not only is their mess unsightly, it can actually present serious health issues. Bird excrement can not only harbour serious bacteria, but it can also corrode roofs. Additionally, bird nests built where they don’t belong, such as vents and eavestroughs can block airflow and become a fire hazard.

Popular Nuisance Birds

Pigeons

Pigeons have become the unofficial mascot for many urban cities, thriving in areas packed with skyscrapers and human traffic. These birds are highly dependent on humans for both room and board. They rely on us for food and rely on our buildings to nest. They feed mostly on discarded human food and bird seed.

House Sparrows

House sparrows are tiny songbirds that can be found all over North America. Did you know that they are actually the most widely distributed bird on Earth? Technically these birds aren’t actually sparrows, instead Old World Weaver Finches. You won’t spot these birds in dense forests or grasslands, similar to pigeons, they prefer to be around people and urban settings. They feed mostly on grains, seeds, ragweed, crabgrass and crops.

Starlings

Starlings weren’t initially native to North America. They actually came over from Europe in the late 1890s. However, in that time they’ve become very comfortable here, increasing in population and spreading across most of the continent. Their black, glossy feathers and metallic/iridescent sheen is quite stunning and identical for both sexes. They feed on fruits, seeds and insects.

LEARN MORE: 4 NASTY DISEASE AND VIRUSES SPREAD BY STARLINGS AND PIGEONS

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Birds In Or Around Your Home

Some easy things you can do around your property to dissuade birds from coming around are removing all outdoor water sources, such as bird baths or other outdoor containers housing old rain water.

If bird feed isn’t readily available, many birds will resort to human food, munching out on garbage and green bin waste that is accessible, so these containers should be properly sealed and frequently emptied.

You’ll also want to ensure birds can’t easily get into your home by sealing any crevices, openings or entrances.

The Best Bird Control Utilizes Different Methods Of Physical Exclusion Such As:

Netting

Bird netting can be expensive at the onset, but it works, and it works well. Use nets to cover any area where birds may gather or nest, such as roof tops, vents, eavestroughs and more. If you have a roof top air conditioner that collects water around it, it’s recommended to screen in the area to keep birds away.

Spike Strips & Wires

Spike strips and wires can be used to dissuade birds from roosting on ledges. They can work quite well and are easy to install, however they are useless if not placed properly.

Sound Devices

There are various sound devices that can be used to keep birds away, such as propane cannons, whistling or pyrotechnic pistols. You can also get sound generators that can mimic predators. However, these options are intended for commercial or farming use, away from housing. They are not suitable for residential areas.

Visual Scare Devices

There are various visual devices you can purchase to scare away birds such as flash tape, scare-eye balloons and streamers. However, these devices only work on certain species. Other effective scare devices include stuffed owls and hawk silhouettes which are readily available on the market these days for home use. These devices aren’t a permanent solution and you must reposition them around your property frequently in order for them to work.

Flashing Lights & Mirrors

If you want to go this route, you have to purchase both the lights and the mirrors. The mirrors only work in sunshine, whereas the lights only work in the dark. They are effective at dissuading starlings and solar powered options require little maintenance. However, similarly to visual scare devices, you must reposition these lights and mirrors around your property frequently for them to be effective.

How Not To Get Rid Of Birds

When trying to remove birds from your property, it’s crucial that you do so in a way that complies with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. This means you cannot use any poisons or adhesives that kill, injure or capture wildlife.

You must find a method that is effective and humane, which is why many people prefer to hire a pest control company. A proper pest control company will be able to humanely remove the birds from your property, relocate them and set up proper exclusion methods to ensure birds don’t return.

Terminix Canada Knows How To Get Rid Of Birds  

Terminix Canada has been effectively, efficiently and affordable removing birds from homes and businesses across the country for over 90 years.

Our three-step bird removal system works by first inspecting the infestation. Then we devise a unique removal plan we then implement to get birds out and keep them out. If birds come back, so do we. Trust Terminix Canada to alleviate your pest problems properly so you can safely enjoy your space.