News & Articles

How Is Pest Control Helpful 

Posted on October 11, 2019

Halloween features pictures of creepy crawlies entering homes and businesses. Well, there is actual creepy crawlies that do try to enter your home when October temperatures drop. Sometimes it is hard to know what to do about them.

That is where a professional pest control company like Martin’s Pest Control can help homeowners. We are familiar with the pests that are native to the area and what their habits are. We know where to locate them in the home, and understand the proper chemicals and methods of eliminating the pests.

In the Calgary area, there are some insects that homeowners commonly find invading their homes or businesses in fall. Some are beneficial, some don’t do much harm, and some will cause problems. Below is a look at common insects that make their way into a home and why you should have them removed.

Ladybugs & Common Insects

Ladybugs often hibernate under leaf cover outside for the winter, or they are attracted to the light and warmth of homes and make their way inside. They excrete a pheromone that signals their friends to stop by, too. Ladybugs are great predators of aphids. If you have just a few, catch them in a jar and put them back outside. Asian ladybugs have been making their way across Canada, and they can be more of a concern as they can bite, so precaution should be taken when catching them, or call a professional pest control expert to deal with the problem.

Boxelder bugs that collect around maple and elder trees can make their way under siding for the winter, and on warm days you might find them active on the south side of your homes. They sometimes make their way into homes through cracks and light sockets. They are black and red but with a long oval body and wings.

It is not recommended to kill them in the walls as they attract beetles that feed on their carcasses. If they get in the house, vacuum them out and dispose of the vacuum bag outside. They are not harmful, but if they are in the house, you may want to call an exterminator to consult what to do.

Flies, The Nuisance Of Every Home

Flies are a pest that enters homes in the fall, as well. They leave spots on walls, mirrors, windows, and their loud buzzing can keep you awake. Flies are attracted to the lights and are generally a nuisance. Furthermore, they carry disease, so they should be eliminated as soon as possible. They lay eggs in warm moist areas and can lay up to 500 eggs that hatch in 12-24 hours. When temperatures are colder, they become sluggish, and a fly swatter can usually kill small numbers. Large infestations should be dealt with by a professional pest control company, who will have the correct pesticides and methods to eliminate them. Rural areas often have large populations of flies that can invade barns, animal shelters, and garages.

There are other types of flies like fruit flies and fungus gnats that feed on organic matter. They also can be challenging to remove from home environments. Keeping foodstuffs in containers and cooking soil before repotting indoor plants can be helpful. Put about a 2lb of soil in a plastic bag in the microwave. Heat on high for two to five minutes; take the soil bag out of the microwave, seal the bag, and let it completely cool before repotting plants.

Spiders

Some people think spiders come in from the cold in the fall; however, arachnologists say they are probably brought into houses or are on the move because October is prime mating season for spiders. They eliminate many pests and are good for the environment. Some people leave them inside, to do that near the doorway and in basement shadows. However, there is a chance they can get into clothes and bedding. Their bites can be severe, so catching them and putting them outside is a better idea. Though they aren’t really found in the Calgary area, wolf spiders and black widow spiders do have poisonous bites. If you think you’ve seen one in your home, have an expert identify and catch then for you.

Bees & Wasps

Some homeowners have found that bees and wasps winter in their attics and between walls. Colin Butler of CBC news reported on Ontario homeowners that had 100,000 bees in their home this September.

With bee populations decreasing, relocation of the bees is important, and beekeepers and pest control professionals can help address those problems. Less frequently, wasps nest in homes, and professionals should deal with removal. Both will sting if disturbed. There are 800 types of bees in Canada, and some are mistaken for wasps. By consulting a licensed pest control company, homeowners can be sure of the proper removal procedures and safety precautions to clear their homes of bees and wasps.

How do these insects get into your home?

Some insects are attracted to house lights and fly through open windows or doors; others enter through vents, cracks, or holes in siding. They can also get in under doors with no weather strips. Homeowners can deter them by sealing holes where they could enter, apply good weather-stripping around doors and windows and calking window, door jambs and baseboards.

How to deter insects from coming in during the fall?

Check firewood, stored boxes and plants brought in from the garden for pests. Submerging a plant in water for several minutes, then allowing the water to drain through, can help eliminate pests from potted plants.

If you have a pest you want to get rid of, give Martin’s Pest Control a call. We can assess your home, find the likely entrance point, and take steps to keep pests out of your house.