by Sos Wildlife Control | Jul 23, 2021 | Pest Control
This season has definitely brought an unpleasant experience for many Ontarians as a species of caterpillars called Lymantria dispar dispar (European gypsy moth) have begun to take over their properties. These are an invasive species of moth caterpillars that have overtaken many peoples’ properties and stripped trees bare. As they are an invasive species, they can be difficult to get rid of once they have made themselves at home. However, there are ways to prevent these creatures from getting too comfortable and ruining your property. If you are seeking methods to prevent Lymantria dispar dispar (European gypsy moth) from overtaking your yard, continue reading!
Identify Lymantria dispar dispar (European gypsy moth)
In order to appropriately prevent these creatures from invading, it is important to be able to identify them and tell them apart from other critters. When they are in their caterpillar stage, they are identified by the blue and red dots on their backs. They have 5 pairs of blue dots and six pairs of red dots, lined on their backs. When they are adults the females are around 5cm in wingspan, they are white, and they cannot fly. Whereas males are brown, have a wingspan of around 2.5cm and they can fly. When spotting a female, you may also notice egg masses, which are where the females store their eggs, they are tan in colour and appear fuzzy. If you notice the egg sacs it is important to dispose of them as soon as possible and using the correct method. We will further explain those methods below! Identifying these moths early on is important in order to plan ahead and prevent them from running rampant on your property.
Get rid of the Egg masses
If you spot moth egg masses on your property, it is likely you may already have an infestation. Lymantria dispar dispar (European gypsy moth) egg masses will often hatch the following spring. In order to prevent a second infestation the following season, it is important to get rid of and destroy egg masses. These female moths prefer to lay their eggs masses in shaded and protected areas. These areas include stacks of firewood, under picnic tables, lawn furniture, trailers, bases of trees and tree trunks. In order to prevent the return of these moths next season, simply removing them will not be enough. If you have found an egg mass, remove it and place it into a bucket of soapy water. You can also bury them or burn them. Getting rid of these egg masses are important in preventing the return of Lymantria dispar dispar (European gypsy moth) the following season.
Barrier Bands
Lymantria dispar dispar (European gypsy moth) are attracted to the trees on your property, leaving the trees and your property in a complete mess. Barrier bands are a helpful method in order to prevent them from climbing up your tree and destroying its leaves. You can select sticky barrier bands which are wrapped around the trunk of your tree and trap the caterpillars before they can continue to the top. Wrap the bands around your tree at around chest level. Another method is using burlap bands around your trees. The caterpillars will often become caught and tangled underneath the burlap bands. These methods have been effective in trapping and preventing caterpillars from destroying trees. If caterpillars are unable to gain access to trees, they are likely to remove themselves from your property in order to find what they are looking for. You can check daily to remove any caterpillars you may find caught in your bands and add a new band to the tree.
Keep your Yard Tidy
As mentioned above, female moths prefer to lay the egg sacs in shaded and protected areas. If you have any lawn furniture, firewood, tables or other items in your yard causing clutter, it would be wise to clean out your yard. Leaving your yard filled with clutter could be inviting these moths to return throughout the seasons. If you have an infestation, cleaning out your yard will help in preventing female moths from making your yard the shelter and shade they seek for their eggs.
Call the professionals
Lymantria dispar dispar (European gypsy moth) infestations can certainly be troublesome and getting rid of them yourself can be overwhelming. If you are unsure how to prevent or get rid of these caterpillars and moths, contact us at SOS Wildlife control for our Lymantria dispar dispar spraying services and we will do our best to answer your questions and meet your needs. With our expertise and knowledge of pests, we can provide you with our insight and services!
Although these caterpillars and moths can be difficult to prevent once they have taken over, there are methods to ensure that they do not return next season. Ensure that you are able to identify the caterpillars and moths, keep your yard clean, get rid of egg masses and use barrier bands. At SOS Wildlife Control we are trusted for safe and effective pest control and wildlife removal for Toronto and the surrounding GTA. If you suspect an infestation or need assistance in effectively removing wildlife from your space call us locally at (647) 995 – 9453 or toll free at 1-800 – 981 – 0330 for all of your wildlife removal needs.
by Sos Wildlife Control | Jul 4, 2021 | Cockroaches, Pest Control Tips
Finding a cockroach in your living space is certainly an unpleasant feeling. Cockroaches are considered pests that are particularly dirty, as they will feast on anything including feces, waste as well as dead skin. These pests are known to be dangerous for your health due to their unhygienic habits that can be passed along to humans. We at SOS Wildlife Control understand that a cockroach infestation can be a scary situation due to the health risks associated with them. If you suspect an infestation, call the professionals to asses and solve your cockroach problem.
Diseases
Cockroaches are known to carry diseases and spread bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, as well as parasitic worms. They are can also be carriers of diseases that impact the intestines such as typhoid fever, cholera, dysentery and diarrhea. These diseases can be passed along if you and a cockroach have shared the same food or in some cases if you come into contact with them.
Allergens
Cockroaches have an impact on individuals with allergies as well as asthma. They can trigger allergies and asthma as they are among common sources of indoor allergens. It is believed that the enzymes that are produced in a cockroach and excreted through shedding, eggs, saliva and excrements can cause allergic reactions among humans. There are some way to try to remove cockroaches by yourself, but its best to leave these to professionals as you never know where they are hiding.
Coming into Contact
Coming into contact with cockroaches can potentially pose a risk to your health. Although they do not bite, they can scratch. They have heavy leg spines which can pierce the skin and become infected. They could also transfer any diseases they may be carrying onto you.
Cockroaches and Your Pets
In most cases cockroaches view your furry friend as a threat and will typically flee to avoid contact with your pet. However, in some rare cases, if cockroaches are desperate for food, they may feed off of the skin of your pets. Your pet may have some discomfort and itching from the bites. They also may potentially get infections from the bites as well. Keep in mind that although it is rare, it is still possible.
If you are concerned that you may have a cockroach infestation, it is best to call the professionals as cockroaches can carry diseases which can be transferred to you, your family and potentially your pets. Here at SOS Wildlife Control we care about our customers and their satisfaction with our work. Our experts have the skill and experience to provide effective and efficient solutions for your pest problem. We pride ourselves on our work and the positive feedback we receive from our clients. If you suspect that you may have a cockroach infestation or require professional assistance in effectively removing an infestation call us at (647) 994-9453 or 1-800-981-0330 for all of your pest removal needs and we guarantee your satisfaction.
by Sos Wildlife Control | May 29, 2021 | Pest Control Tips, Termites
Termites are difficult pests to manage. Once you have an infestation you may feel as though you are unable to control the situation. Here at SOS Wildlife Control we want to offer some of our tips that may be helpful in managing termites if the situation is not too escalated. Continue reading to find a tip that may work for you!
Liquid termite barrier
Liquid termite barrier is a type of liquid poison. In this method you spread the liquid outside across the perimeter of your home, near the base and the foundation. Once a termite is impacted by the poison it is slow affecting, meaning the impacted termite can spread the toxicity to other termites in the colony before it dies. This slowly works through the colony. However, this method can be costly considering the amount that needs to be used across the perimeter of your home. It also is not an effective method for drywood termites or for infestation inside the home as it is meant for the outside of the home. It also could pose health risks to your family or pets if you are not careful.
Chemical Treatment
If you are struggling with a termite infestation inside the home, you may need to use a direct chemical treatment. Many are offered as foam which is much more effective for termites than spray. This method also kills both subterranean and drywood ants. However, there could be health risks involved if exposed. Additionally, this method is unlikely to be effective to kill the entire colony.
Poisonous Bait
Bait is a great way to attract termites towards their doom. When termites are attracted to the poisonous bait, they bring it back to their colony where the rest of the termites feast on it until their demise. However, although this may sound simple, it is not effective against drywood termites. There is also the risk of poison that is associated with poisonous bait. We recommend being very careful with poisonous bait, especially if you have any small children or pets.
Boric Acid
Boric acid is a powder and it is not as poisonous or toxic as the other options mentioned. This is also a low-cost method for dealing with termites. It impacts the termites by affecting their digestive system over the course of 3 – 7 days. Simply spread the powder around the impacted area. However, this method does not last very long and needs to be reapplied often. If using this outside it is important to remember that if it rains it must be reapplied as the rain will impact the effectiveness. It also is not very effective in dealing with a large colony of termites and will likely be ineffective in the long run if the colony is large.
Diatomaceous Earth
This method is the best choice for natural removal of pests and is completely non-toxic. It works by impacting their exoskeletons and leaves their bodies dehydrated which will eventually lead to their death. Simply spread the dirt around the affected area. Although it is a great way to manage a small colony, it will not be effective for a large infestation. Additionally, it is only effective for above ground termites, not subterranean termites.
Beneficial Nematodes
This is another method that is natural and non-harmful for humans. These nematodes are small roundworms that destroy harmful insects by invading its body and feeding off of it. They breed and multiply while they are feasting on the termites, which means more nematodes to destroy the termites. This particular method can only be used outdoors and cannot be used on termites that are inside the home. They are also unfortunately not effective on drywood termites.
Cardboard Trap
A simple and cost-effective way to manage a termite problem. With a couple large strips of cardboard, wet them and stack them on top of the affected area. The termites will be attracted to the wet carboard and feed off of the cellulose. Once the cardboard is overtaken with termites, bring the cardboard to a safe area and burn it. You may need to repeat the process multiple times to make a dent in the colony. Although this method may not be effective for removing the entire colony, it is a quick way to remove many termites at once.
Use Sunlight
If you have wooden items or furniture that is infested, you may be able to salvage it by placing it outside on a very sunny day. Termites thrive in darkness and humidity; therefore, the heat and the light of the sun can kill them. It is best to let the item sit in bright hot sun for 2 – 3 days. Although this method may be effective for salvaging an item, it is not effective for getting rid of large infestations.
Freeze Termites
If you are not in a sunny place or the season is off, freezing termites may work just as well. The freezing temperatures can kill of the termites that are feeding off of your wood item or furniture. However, this method does not work for an entire termite colony. In fact, termite colonies are not dormant in the winter, they typically hide underground and remain active in the winter. Be careful not to assume because it is winter that your termite infestation will go away.
Call the Professionals
Although there are different methods to get rid of termites, not all of them are necessarily effective, long lasting or particularly safe. It is important to consider the health and safety of yourself and your family when looking at treating termites. You also need to consider the effectiveness of the treatment to avoid increasingly difficult infestations that can completely destroy your home and pose safety risks to you and your family.
Termites are capable of causing real damage to your home. This puts you and your family’s safety at risk. Although we may want to take care of the situation ourselves, the methods are not always effective and are not always effective. It is important to catch termites early to avoid infestations becoming too severe and dangerous for your family. We highly recommend that you hire an experienced exterminator who has knowledge and experience in this field. SOS Wildlife Control cares about the health and safety of our customers. We use eco-friendly materials to remove the infestations in order to counter any adverse effects of chemicals. We provide long term benefits that prevent future pest infestations, all while keeping your and your family’s health in mind – pets included! If you are concerned that you may have a termite infestation in your home or your office, contact us for safe elimination that does not jeopardize your health and safety.
Call us at (647) 994-9453 or 1-800-981-0330 if you have any questions regarding pest removal.
by Sos Wildlife Control | Apr 20, 2020 | About Wildlife
Are animals retaking the planet now that humans are the ones behind the cages? Wildlife activity are picking up all across Toronto and beyond, and people are noticing. Toronto Star reports, aside from Toronto residents sharing their wildlife encounters on social media, there’s unfortunately also a large increase in pest invasions.
Sherwin Baghani, our operational manager at SOS Wildlife Control, was interviewed to comment on the current situation. Check out the full [Toronto Star article]
And if you spot an animal invading your home, be sure to let our professionals take care of it for you.
by Sos Wildlife Control | Jul 3, 2019 | Raccoon Removal
Did you know that in 2016, the city of Toronto spent around $31 million to combat a raccoon infestation? These masked bandits were just everywhere. They infested the attics. They rummaged the bins. They pooped on porches. It seemed that they took over Toronto.
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