Mosquito bites are itchy and annoying, but they can also be dangerous. In fact, mosquitoes kill more humans in a year than any other animal. Here in Canada, West Nile Virus is the most concerning mosquito-borne disease. While the chances of being infected are still slim in our part of the world, taking precautions to prevent mosquitoes and avoid bites, benefits everybody.  

Summer is the time of year when ticks are most likely to transmit Lyme disease to humans. The blacklegged tick is the only one in the Toronto area that transmits the specific bacteria that causes lyme disease. Being able to identify these ticks and prevent them will be a huge advantage as you get out and enjoy nature this year.
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Identification
Blacklegged ticks (ixodes scapularis) are small, anywhere from less than 2 mm to around 5 mm, depending on the life stage. Ticks are flat and oval-shaped with 8 legs, though newly hatched larval ticks only have 6 legs. Female ticks are orange and brown with dark legs, and male blacklegged ticks are reddish-brown in color. The nymphal stage occurs during the summer, and these are the ticks that cause most of the infections in humans. Nymphs are about the size of a pinhead. Ticks rely on blood to live and grow, so they are always on the lookout for an animal or human to feed on.

​Signs of bed bugs can be hard to detect at first, and even more complicated to treat once you do find them. They are disgusting insects and having them in your home can be extremely unpleasant. Knowing the signs of bed bugs can help stop an infestation from getting out of hand, or even occurring in the first place. One reason it may be difficult to know whether or not you have bed bugs is that their bites can easily be confused with other biting insects like mosquitoes or fleas.

Many people are unaware of the major differences between bees and wasps and consider both of them equally formidable. This, however, is not the case. Despite looking similar in color and in physical characteristics these two insects are very different.

​Rats are much less picky when it comes to food. Rats are scavengers that have been known to eat everything from meat and grain to garbage and sewage. Norway rats, in particular, are often found in sewers and landfills. To avoid rats and mice, keep your yard free from food, trash, and debris. It is also a good idea to keep pet food and water inside at night so that you don’t attract 

With the arrival of spring comes a major increase in insect and pest activity. Eggs are laid, babies are born, and creatures are in search of water and food after a long winter. Oftentimes, this search brings them into contact with your yard and home. While there are many different springtime pests, here are three that our customers often have problems with:

Wasps can be major pests, ruining your outdoor events and causing anxiety. Wasp control during the late Summer and Fall can be difficult because the nest grows quickly during the warmer months. Wasp control in the Spring, however, can be extremely valuable because if you eliminate the queen before she builds her nest, the colony will not develop any further.

Argentine ants are frustrating household pests, but apart from just causing aggravation, they can also cause devastating effects to the ecosystem. They do this by displacing native plant and animal species. In fact, Argentine ants spread so rapidly into new areas that they are listed among the 100 worst invasive species. Learning to identify and control these little pests can make a beneficial difference to your family and to the environment.

Argentine ants are a small species of ant that typically grows from 2-3 mm long. They range in color from light to dark brown and may sometimes appear shiny due to their hairless bodies. Argentine ants have 6 legs, 12 segmented antennae, and a well-defined waist like other ant species. ​

​Ants can be extremely difficult to get rid of. Killing just the ants that you can see will do very little towards eliminating the colony. You may have tried every product in the store and scoured for helpful tips on the internet, but despite your best efforts, your ant problems remain. This could be because you are inadvertently attracting ants to your home. Learning what specific things attract ants will be key to keeping them away.
 
Like all living creatures, ants need food, water, and shelter to survive. This may seem obvious, but limiting access to these three things will do a lot to keep ants and other pests away.