​You may have never heard of carpet beetles before, but you may have seen evidence of them. Carpet beetles love to feast on household items and may leave holes in clothing, fabrics, and other things. Here are some questions and answers about carpet beetles and the steps you can take to prevent them.

​What do carpet beetles look like?
There are a few different species of carpet beetles, but they are generally around 3-4 mm long with an oval, domed shape. Carpet beetles are insects, so they have 6 legs and a pair of short antennae. They also have wings and fly. There are different colors, depending on the species, but the most common carpet beetles are black or brown. Some also have a mottled yellow, white, and black appearance. Carpet beetle larvae have a tapered shape like a carrot. The larvae are brown and hairy and can grow up to 6 mm long.

​Cockroaches are very common pests in Toronto and throughout the world. You may spot the occasional roach and not be too worried, but chances are good that where there is one roach, there are probably more. Since they are nocturnal creatures, you may have a roach problem and not even realize it for quite some time. You can get a jump on the problem and save yourself time and money by being able to identify cockroach hiding places so that you can treat them as soon as possible. 
 
Roaches love areas that are dark, warm, and moist. They also like to be within easy access to food. Unfortunately, there are likely several places in our homes that perfectly fit these preferences. The following are a few of the most common roach hiding places you should check. For each area, we will also provide some tips that can help with your Toronto cockroach control efforts. 

Dogs and cats are most associated with fleas, but without proper treatment and control, fleas can multiply quickly and start to become a major problem for you and your family as well. If you do not know the signs of fleas, chances are good that they will not be discovered until you have a full-blown infestation on your hands.
 
Fleas are small, wingless insects that rely on blood from a host animal for their survival. They are most often reddish-brown with a thin, flat body and powerful back legs for jumping. Fleas like to feed on furry animals like dogs, cats, rabbits, mice, rats, and more. They will also feed on humans, if needed. 

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.