Pest Control West Vancouver BC manages unwanted organisms that damage property, spoil food, and affect hygiene. Generally, it involves trapping, baiting, or killing the pests.

Biological pest control uses natural predators and antagonists, such as ladybugs for aphids or soil-based parasitic nematodes for fleas, grubs, and cockroaches. However, it can also use microbe-based solutions engineered from bacteria.

Rats are a common pest that can be found in many types of environments. They especially like to live around people as they can easily access scrap food and garbage. They can cause serious health problems by contaminating food, water, and other substances and by transmitting parasites and diseases to humans and pets.

Rat infestations can be difficult to control since they are natural survivors and highly adaptable. They can even develop resistance to poisons, so trapping and other methods are best left in the hands of a professional.

Keep garbage and waste inside bins with tight-fitting lids to reduce the risk of rats. Ensure that bird feeders are brought indoors at night, and that fallen fruit is picked up daily. Keep compost areas well-sealed and away from structures that can serve as shelter. Also, be sure to place food scraps in plastic liners or refuse sacks rather than directly into bins, as this will prevent the smell from attracting rats. This is particularly important for restaurants and other businesses, as spotting a rat can be disastrous for the restaurant’s reputation.

Mice

Mice can cause serious damage to your property, leaving droppings and chewing gnaw marks everywhere. They also spread diseases to humans including hantavirus, salmonella and lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV).

These pests are very active throughout the year and nest in dark places such as insulation or wall voids. They are omnivores and will eat anything they can find. They can easily climb walls and wires, and leave trails of pheromones to mark their routes.

The best way to prevent mice is through good sanitation and mouse proofing. Mice are very good at climbing, so you need to make sure your home is properly mouse-proofed and that all entry points are sealed.

Properly securing foods and food items in containers will also discourage these pests. Regular cleaning will remove crumbs and stains that attract them as well. Trimming overgrown vegetation will help deter them as well, as they can use this as cover to approach your property. Using traps is another great method of controlling mice. These are usually placed near areas that they frequent at night and can be baited with peanut butter, cheese or other palatable substances.

Birds

Pigeons and other nuisance birds create a mess, are noisy, and pose a safety risk. Their feces are high in uric acid and can eat through roof materials, erode paint on vehicles and structures, block security cameras and vents, and cause other damage. In addition, the dried droppings can carry bacteria and fungi like histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis.

Pigeon and bird control can be accomplished through a comprehensive pest management plan that includes inspection, habitat modification, deterrents and exclusion methods. Deterrents include sonic units that broadcast a mix of alarm sounds and terrifying predator calls that scare the birds, and spikes that prevent them from perching and roosting on ledges or street lighting. Exclusion methods such as installing netting and structural modifications also discourage the birds.

Some bird populations require physical removal, including humane live trapping and capture. In this case, the pest control expert will sanitize and remove the birds while keeping the health and safety of employees, guests and neighbors in mind. These services can be incorporated into the overall pest control plan and are often more cost-effective than traditional chemical options.

Ants

Ants are insects of the order Formicidae, and many species live in complex social structures. They are important in their natural habitats, aerating the soil, removing weed seeds and other plant matter, and preying on other pest insects. But they can also damage structures and contaminate food, especially when nesting in wood. And some ants have painful stings.

Many ant problems are best controlled through sanitation outside and keeping all foods tightly sealed inside. Often, ants enter homes in search of food and moisture, so proper drainage and maintenance is critical. Inspect for and repair leaky faucets and pipes, faulty grades, and areas where water can accumulate.

Ants that forage indoors can usually be controlled with granular baits that are premixed with the insecticide. Worker ants carry the bait back to their colony, killing the queen and preventing reinfestation. Sprays and dusts, however, should be used with caution because they can irritate the lungs and leave chemical residues on indoor surfaces. Instead, use enclosed, tamper-resistant bait traps containing hydramethylnon, boric acid, fipronil, or sulfluramid.

Beetles

Many different types of beetles are found around homes and gardens. They are opportunistic pests that seek out access points like torn screens, cracks around windows and doors, and bare spots in the yard where they can wreak havoc. They damage crops (Japanese beetles alone cause $460 million in crop damage annually), wood products, natural and synthetic fibers and fabrics.

Beetles have a good sense of smell and long, sharp front jaws that vary in shape to fit their particular diets. Some beetles living in water eat algae, while others with specialized mouthparts catch and eat flying insects, grubs, and snails.

Indoors, beetles hide under furniture, in closets, and in basements where it is cool and dark. A homeowner can often detect beetle infestations by noticing the presence of beetle droppings, which are small and black in color. In addition, a homeowner may see skeletonized leaves on plants or find beetle eggs under rotting bark or in spider webs. To control beetles, a homeowner can plant herbs such as catnip, chives, garlic, odorless marigold and nasturtium that repel beetles.

Wasps

Wasps are a common garden pest. They can be aggressive, especially if disturbed while scavenging or pollinating. They are also predators and parasites, killing their host insects and laying eggs on them to provide food for the wasp larva. Almost every pest insect is preyed upon by wasp species.

Regularly inspect for new wasp nests in wall cavities, sheds and garages. If you find one, treat the area with residual liquid pesticides at night when the wasp population is low and less active. Shine a flashlight carefully over the nest opening so you don’t startle the wasps and cause them to fly away.

If you have a large yellowjacket or paper wasp nest in your yard, it is best to call a professional. The best way to safely remove these nests is to use a wasp/hornet spray that has been specifically formulated with elimination of these pests in mind. A professional will be able to access the nest in places that you can’t, thereby reducing your risk of getting stung and potentially having a life-threatening allergic reaction (epinephrine autoinjector recommended). If an allergic reaction does occur, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are tropical insects that thrive in environments rich with food, water and warmth. They enter homes and other buildings to find these same conditions and are often attracted to kitchens, basements, and rooms containing sewer pipes or plumbing. Being nocturnal, they are most active at night and may be seen scurrying across the floor. In addition to being unsightly, cockroaches can also pose health threats. They produce allergens that can trigger asthma symptoms in humans. Other signs of a cockroach infestation include droppings that look like ground pepper, stains from their feces (which appear as black spots or smears), and shed skins (they often shed after reaching maturity).

To help prevent cockroaches, keep kitchen areas clean and free of food scraps and trash. Seal garbage cans and remove woodpiles, leaf piles, and overgrown weeds from around the house. Use perimeter and barrier treatments containing residual pyrethroids around the home, and apply gel baits in outdoor harborage sites. Indoors, use flushing sprays to clean crevices where cockroaches hide. For more extensive infestations, enlist the help of pest control professionals to implement sanitation, exclusion and other treatment methods.

Silverfish

Silverfish are tiny, long-lived pests that cause damage by chewing on paper, textiles, wallpaper and other materials. They can live up to 8 years and reproduce frequently. They also attract other pests above them in the food chain, including spiders, earwigs and centipedes.

To help control them, keep areas like basements, laundry rooms and bathrooms clean and dry. Install dehumidifiers in damp spaces, and fix leaky pipes and dripping faucets. Periodically vacuum and sweep, and clear away clutter like books, papers and magazines. Store foods like pasta, cereal and pulses in sealed containers. Powder diatomaceous earth is one of the best weapons against them, as it can pierce their exoskeletons. Sprinkle it in attics and basements, and apply to cracks.

Store-bought chemical traps and natural repellents like cedar oil, peppermint and eucalyptus can also be effective. Our technicians know how to use them all and will design a strategy just for your home, taking into account any unique factors. They can even use strong insecticides in specialized spots to deal with severe infestations.