Thousands of spiders, scorpions, turtles seized from Surrey, B.C., home

September 3, 2019

Charges are pending after thousands of spiders, scorpions, snakes and turtles were found in a vacant Surrey home that is believed to have been involved in trading exotic wild animals.

The animals were found the evening of Aug. 8, B.C. conservation officer Nicole Caithness said.

Conservation officers were called to the home after Surrey bylaw officers, who were inspecting the property for unrelated reasons, found reptiles and turtles on the back deck, she said.

Investigators found three box turtles and three Central American wood turtles, along with about 2,000 different kinds of arachnids and scorpions inside the house. Some animals were dead and others, like the turtles, are illegal to own under the Wildlife Act.

“This is not our first interaction with this individual for unlawful possession of live wildlife, so we are currently working to get charges approved by Crown so that we can take him to court,” Caithness said in an email.

A whip scorpion, also known as a vinegaroon, is one of the animals seized from the house and has been adopted by staff at the Dewdney Animal Hospital in Maple Ridge. (CBC)
‘Horrific’ conditions
Some of the animals are being cared for at Dewdney Animal Hospital in Maple Ridge. The veterinary practice is accustomed to caring for exotic animals, but not this many.

Head veterinarian Adrian Walton is caring for several giant millipedes and a whip scorpion, or vinegaroon, named Carl.

Walton said inside the Surrey house were over 80 scorpions, seven giant centipedes, almost 300 adult spiders, a black widow spider with 500 babies, and almost 1,400 baby scorpions and other spiders and animals.

All living in conditions he called “horrific.”

“There’s a lot of animals there that were suffering from insufficient space, food or water,” he said.

“These containers that these animals were in were basically just deli cups that you’d get your potato salad in.”

Two giant millipedes curl into each other. The insects are among the thousands of animals seized from a Surrey home earlier this month. (CBC)
A large number of the animals found in the home were venomous which are prohibited under Surrey bylaws, Walton said.

Some of the non-venomous animals were saved and some were donated to the Victoria Bug Zoo, he said. But many of the insects and arachnids had to be destroyed.

Shelley Joaquin of the Surrey Animal Resource Centre said that facility also took in some of the animals.
“It was definitely startling to know that there’s that large a number of venomous animals in one home … and just seeing the horrid conditions that these animals were kept in. It was very inhumane.”

Walton said it’s believed the animals were destined for the pet trade. Up to 70 per cent of animals in the wild pet trade die before reaching a store, he added.

“The international trade in exotic animals … is something that we really as a society have to reconsider,” Walton said.

“I do recommend that that house be fumigated, because there was, I’m sure, some escapees.”

 

Pest Control Surrey

The mild, rainy ocean climate has long been the envy of Canadians looking to escape the cold of more eastern provinces. But the conditions that make Surrey appealing to humans are exactly the same that make it an ideal home for pests who wouldn’t be able to survive the cold dry winters further east.

The dense vegetation that covers much of Surrey is home to a wealth of wildlife and associated pests that thrive in the temperate climate. As BC’s primary gateway to Pacific trade, Surrey harbours also offer some unique challenges for pest control and require continuous monitoring and prevention to ensure that infestations don’t take hold.

There’s nothing quite as frustrating as a pest problem. They can become a huge issue, whether you’re a homeowner or a business manager. That’s why Natural Pest Solutions offers pest control services in Surrey and the surrounding areas like Fleetwood, Whalley, Surrey City Centre, Guildford, and Newton. If you find unwanted rodents, insects, or other wildlife on your property, give us a call. We offer flexible hours so you can call us any time of day, any day of the week.

Natural Pest Solutions
8260 153A Street
Surrey, BC. V3S 8P9
phone 604-262-2823
https://mynaturalpestsolutions.com/ca/pest-control-surrey-bc/

The Beautiful Areas in Surrey

August 29, 2019

There are many beautiful areas in Surrey, BC. Those areas are places that families or single professionals would love to inhabit. Many features make them desirable. The following list will explore some of the best cities to live in Surrey and the surrounding area:

1. Brookwood, Langley
This area is so desirable that the average price for a home is around a million dollars. They have large lots and excellent drainage. There are also trees everywhere. The city has plans to increase housing and commercial lots on 200 Street. This will mean that there are even more amenities around the neighborhood.
2. Walnut Grove, Langley
This is a highly desirable neighborhood. Those living here spend just 60 minutes in rush hour traffic commuting to Vancouver for work. They can enjoy all the community has to offer on their downtime. This means river trails, shops, and restaurants. It is also close to the fancier community of Fort Langley.
3. Aldergrove, Langley
This area used to be primarily industrial. But now it is up and coming thanks to plans to install a rink and pool. The residents should look to get in before the prices drive too high. A report indicates that in 15 to 20 years this will be a highly desirable community.
4. Guildford, Surrey
While Surrey has had a bit of a negative reputation in the past, this is quickly changing. This particular area is a bright spot in the city. It has large backyards, two park garages, and high schools in the area. That means it is excellent for the kids to roam in. There is also plenty of work in the area for those who do not wish to travel to Vancouver. It is also close to the SkyTrain. There are parks nearby for those who enjoy the active life.
5. Fort Langley, Langley
This area is very well liked and has high property values. The homes are Victorian. They even try to keep the cultural heritage alive from the 1900’s. Many people even like to go here for a weekend getaway. There are also plans to develop the city center here. The city though wants to be careful not to lose the feel of the area in the process though. The agricultural land that is surrounding it though will remain untouched. For those who like small towns with lots of perks like great amenities, then this is the place to buy.

 

Pest Control Surrey, BC

Natural Pest Solutions offers safe, effective Surrey Pest Control services for both residential and commercial properties. Our trained technicians provide the most up-to-date treatments ensuring all customers pest issues are solved in a timely manner. We employ Surrey Exterminators that specialize in rodent control and elimination focusing on pest entry points, ant, wasp, and spider treatments, and proactive measures like our Residential Pest Program. We guarantee our customers amazing results with 100% satisfaction! Services include interior and exterior pest treatments along with wildlife removal and sanitation clean-ups involving rodent and pigeon waste.

 

Natural Pest Solutions
8260 153A Street Surrey, BC. V3S 8P9
phone 604-262-2823
https://mynaturalpestsolutions.com/ca/pest-control-surrey-bc/

Kamloop’s Adventures and Neighborhoods

August 20, 2019

Kamloops is home to a lengthy list of activities for all kinds of explorers. Here’s a list of the top 10 adventures to cross off your summer bucket list.

1. Travel Back in Time
Heritage RailwayTravel back in time with a trip aboard the Kamloops Heritage Railway, a 107-year-old heritage steam train.

2. Get Wet
Stand Up PaddleboardingKamloops has over 100 lakes within an hour drive from the city. Pack up the paddleboard, kayak or canoe and take in the scenery on one of our pristine lakes. Local favourites include Paul Lake, Lac le Jeune, and Heffley Lake. Need to rent? Take SUP lessons and rentals with Paddle Surfit on Heffley Lake or visit Bruker Marina on Kamloops Lake.

3. Ride Canada’s Largest Municipal Bike Park
Bike RanchGet your heart racing while shredding trails in the birthplace of freeride mountain biking. Carve a few turns on perfect singletrack, ride into berms and along rolling hills of sagebrush. If downhill mountain biking is more your style, hit up the jump lines with a jump park at the bottom. One run is all it takes to see why this is the place where it all began.

4. Take a Hike
Hiking – Battle BluffThere are endless hiking trails in Kamloops that are great for all fitness levels. Hike through grasslands, vast canyons, and tall hoodoos that pique your imagination. Stroll along side picturesque lakes and sage-scented trails. Local tip: Head out towards sunset for a scenic, colourful view of the city that can only be described as something you see in a postcard.

5. Golf – Our Kind of Swinging
GolfHave you ever teed off a canyon? Is playing on an award-winning course a bucket list item? Kamloops offers a vast range of golfing terrain where you can swing with no crowds and the vibe is friendly. Play alongside rolling fairways and scenic views that will have you wondering whether you’re playing around or taking a scenic stroll.

 

Kamloops Neighborhoods

Kamloops is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in Western Canada. Surrounded by mountains, rolling hills, rivers, lakes, and vast natural landscapes, there is something sure to please everyone. Kamloops’ has several proud residents, now just over 90,000, have helped build “Canada’s Tournament Capital” into the great city it is today. With a dynamic and ever-growing economy and infrastructure, Kamloops is quickly becoming Interior BC’s commercial, technological, manufacturing, educational, and tourism hub of tomorrow.

New and seasoned home buyers will enjoy the many different neighborhoods to choose from in the Kamloops real estate market, as well as the variety of houses, apartments, and townhouses available in our listings. Depending on what type of lifestyle you prefer, you could be right in energetic downtown Kamloops, or a more suburban setting close to beautiful parks or near top-rated schools. Regardless, you’ll always be surrounded by Kamloops’ natural beauty.

But don’t take our word for it! Get to know Kamloops yourself by exploring popular neighborhoods like Sahali, Juniper Ridge, Pineview Valley, Dufferin & Southgate, Westsyde, Valleyview, Rayleigh, Sun Rivers, and Westmount, or discover the perfect place for you by using our interactive map of Kamloops. Let River City Realty guide you through our wonderful unique city! When you’re ready, we’re just a call or click away to answer any and all of your questions!

 

Pest Control in Kamloops

Kamloops is abundant with residential communities as well as economic opportunities. The hot and dry weather can drive many unwanted pests into comfortable Kamloops homes. Dangerous pests like rodents and the roaches can be harmful and frightening. Other pests like fire ants and roaches can damage property and landscape. Protect your home from pesky pests and call a recommended exterminator today.

 

Natural Pest Solutions
27-1990 Pacific Way
Kamloops, BC. V1S-1W3
phone 778-765-3337
https://mynaturalpestsolutions.com/ca/pest-control-kamloops/

carpenter-ant

Ant Season in Vancouver: How to Get Rid of Them

July 16, 2019

If ants have invaded your home, it is nothing to be ashamed of. During summer in Vancouver, these six-legged scavengers tend to invade properties indiscriminately looking for crumbs, oil, grease, spills, and other accessible stuff in your pantry. Ants leave an invisible trail that is often followed by another army of their relatives and friends. That means ant infestation grows very fast, a reason you should get ant control services Vancouver for proper inspection and extermination of these pests.

Types of ants

Here are some of the common ants in Vancouver.ant-control

Carpenter ants: Swarms of carpenter ants appear in the summer. They can cause significant damage to both dry and moist wood, particularly wood that has been damaged by water leaks. Carpenter ants rarely come into contact with people, and that means they can compromise the structural integrity of your property long before you realize that the property has been invaded by ants.

Argentine ants: These ants prefer sweet food. They also feed on both live and dead insects, cereals, meat, and damaged fruits. Argentine ants infestations grow fast and can drive all other types of ants from your property.

Fire ants: In addition to destroying plants and being unsightly, fire ants react aggressively and inflict an excruciating sting if aggravated. This is the primary reason you should get professional ant extermination services when dealing with fire ant infestations.

Sugar ants: They are majorly attracted to moisture. Thus, moist rooms such as kitchen and bathrooms are more susceptible to sugar ants infestation.

Why should you hire professional ant  extermination services?

The most challenging thing about handling ants infestations is killing them and panic isn’t the big thing. Ants, particularly carpenter ants, can bring your property down and if not well-exterminated, there is a good chance the infestation will continue to grow. This is because the queen-ants will disperse and re-establish new colonies elsewhere. Therefore, you should hire an expert in pest control Vancouver.

Pest control companies have the knowledge and pieces of equipment required to exterminate ants. They can apply different products to control ants without endangering your loved ones. Another benefit of working with experts is that they can conduct subsequent inspections just to be sure that your property is ants-free.

While DIY pest control seems to be cheaper, it’s always expensive in the long-run as infestations recur.

 

Contributed by: JRG Pest Control – Foremost Experts in ants and other Pests

The Truth About Bed Bugs

June 20, 2019

There are a lot of myths regarding bed bugs. One such myth is after a female bed bug becomes pregnant 5 times, she readily dies. At the university where I work with the experts on bed bugs, we have found out that this is not entirely true. A female bed bug can be inseminated and her eggs fertilized many times by many male bed bugs. The process of inseminating her is what we call as “traumatic insemination”. This happens when a male bed bug climbs onto a female bed bug and thrusts his proboscis (spear-like organ) into her abdomen. Thus, he has injected his sperms into her. We know for a fact that a female bed bug can lay eggs over and over again so long as she is alive (and no, it is not limited to 5 pregnancies only). A female bed bug’s normal life may last for two years. Imagine the number of eggs she could produce within these years!

Another myth about bed bugs is that if you really want to control bed bugs, you could employ spiders because they prey on bed bugs. Some of these are predatory ants, assassin bugs, solpugids, fire ants, crab spiders, and cellar spiders. Well, while it is true that there are several arthropods which are considered as a major help in the control of bed bugs, they cannot be seriously considered as a major help in the control of bed bugs. “Why?” You might ask. The reason is obvious, actually. These biological predators of bed bugs may find and eat bed bugs but they could not be relied upon to finish off the whole bed bug population. Besides, if you were the homeowner, would you have wanted to have a large number of ants and spiders crawling all over your house just to gain control over bed bugs? I didn’t think so. The tendency is that if you have indeed killed the bed bugs, you would have had the same problems in eliminating these ants and spiders.

So what is the sensible thing to do then? Be cautious and check every possible place that bed bugs may dwell. Use streamers, and freezers; be good at maintaining them the cleanliness in your home. There are even such non-chemical methods that will comfort a homeowner. Such materials like mattress encasements, bed bug traps, and Eco Keeper’s new Bed Bug Tent will prove to assure homeowners and customers of refuge from bed bugs. If you think non-chemical means are not enough, then add chemical means like insecticides (Gentrol and Suspend). Although you cannot eliminate them immediately, at least gradually, you are on your way to killing them.

 

Natural Pest Solutions
4096 Ponderosa Ln, Gainesville, GA 30506, USA
+1 770-983-6123
https://mynaturalpestsolutions.com/georgia/pest-control-gainesville-ga/

10 Good Habits to Develop to Never See Flying Roaches Again

May 17, 2019

Next to termites and rodents, cockroaches are probably the most disgusting critters you can find in your homes. Do you want to know what’s even worse than roaches? Flying cockroaches! As if being germs on six legs wasn’t enough, God decided to give them wings to spread their bacteria-infested insect bodies all the more.

Flying roaches are known to make even the toughest, most macho of men run and scream like little sissy girls when they flutter in their presence. Macho or not, if cockroaches are fluttering all over the place, maybe it’s best to call pest control services.

But sometimes, there is no quick fix to a flying roach infestation. The root cause is, ultimately, the habits we develop. An unclean kitchen or room may be the reason why flying roaches have developed a preference for your home amongst others. In order to eliminate flying roaches for good, here are 10 good habits you need to develop.

Habit #1: Cleanliness
Just like any other pest, flying cockroaches are attracted to the scents of improperly stored food and drink. Make sure your kitchen and room are free from food crumbs and stains. Also, store food and drink in airtight containers, so flying roaches cannot infect them. As an added precaution, do store your leftovers in the refrigerator, since cold temperatures repel cockroaches and other insects.

Habit #2: Prevention
Since flying roaches are small, they can fit in through cracks or other openings they may find in your home. Make that all windows and doors leading outside are closed so that flying cockroaches and other pests don’t find their way in your home. Seal any holes you find around your home with screen mesh or cracks with silicone sealant.

Habit #3: Regular Gardening
Flying roaches like tall grass, wet wood, and other damp places they can find in your garden. Getting rid of places where these insects, and other pests, frequently inhabit will reduce their infestations in your home.

Habit #4: Purchasing Roach Motels & Other Traps
If you definitely see flying roaches in your house, one effective way of catching them is purchasing a Roach Motel trap. Place near wall corners (especially in the kitchen) and beneath appliances. Roach Motels attract and trap/kill roaches with glucose bait (laced with poison) inside or a sticky substance inside.

Another effective method to do this is purchase sticky paper and leave them in the same places at night. Chances are, you might find a roach or two the next day.

Habit #5: Get Rid of Cellulose-Based Materials
Roaches and termites love making homes in piles of newspaper, paper bags, and cardboard. Be sure you take these out of your house so these pests don’t have an open invitation to stay in your house.

Habit #6: Call Your Exterminator for Regular Inspection
Because let’s face it, when all the D-I-Y methods don’t work anymore, it’s time to call in specialists to deal with your flying cockroach problem.

Habit #7: Have a Water Spray Ready
Generally, cockroaches fly when they are disturbed. This is why is it terrifying to try to kill them because the slightest irritation could lead them to take flight. However, the very first thing you could do to make sure that they don’t fly is to spray them with water or, better yet, to douse them with a small cup of it. Cockroach wings are very light and they cannot function if it is drenched in water. When the roach cannot fly, it will be vulnerable and you can kill it easily.

Habit #8: Keep the Temperature Low
Cockroaches tend to fly more often when the temperature is hot. The Chairperson of the Biology Department of the University of Texas, Srini Kambhampati, said that “Because of the extreme heat, they may be trying to find a more comfortable place in which to live”. In search of said place, they desperately scour for it which why they resort to flying.

If ever your preventive measures have failed and you see cockroaches inside your home, then try to keep the temperature low so that they don’t fly and become difficult to kill.

Habit #9: Minimize the Amount of Wood Around Your Home
Primarily, you want to minimize the amount of wood in your home to discourage termites from infesting your home. However, for flying cockroaches, you want to minimize this amount that is outside your home. This is because most of the roaches that are capable of flying are of the wooden variety. These types of roaches prefer to live outdoors, moist sources of wood such as wood piles, inside decaying logs, and under the loose bark of trees, logs or branches.

When it comes time to mate, these critters will find their way into your home. Once they do get to reproduce inside your home, they will quickly infest your space.

Also, be careful when bringing in firewood from the outside. These roaches may hitch a ride on these pieces of wood and get to enter your home. When you have the time, seal any holes and openings in your pile of firewood.

Habit #10: Use Dimmers and Keep the Brightness Low
From wood roaches, the males are the more active flyers. The males have also been shown to be more attracted to light than females. When they see bright sources of light from your home, they will try to find cracks and openings so they can enter and find this source. To prevent or minimize this, use dimmers on your lights or don’t open too much light at night.

 

Natural Pest Solutions
8771 Lansdowne Rd, Richmond, BC V6X 3X7
604-242-1457
https://mynaturalpestsolutions.com/ca/pest-control-richmond-bc/

Cockroaches

Cockroaches: Americans versus Germans

May 2, 2019

There are thousands of different species of cockroaches, and the two more easily identifiable, and the two more popular ones from the 55 species found in the US, are the American and German cockroaches.

It is thought widely that these roaches immigrated with sailors when they brought over plants, spices, animals and other insects from different parts of the world.

How do you tell the two apart?

The largest species of cockroach would be the American cockroach, which can measure up to 3 inches (not counting the antennae’s length). They also have the longest lifespan for a cockroach, which in cockroach terms, is considerably long at up to 2 years.

The American cockroach is a reddish brown color. They are a flattened, oval shape. They also have a very distinct pattern on their backs, just below their heads, that looks like the number 8. Immature roaches don’t have wings, but adults do, and while they are capable of flight, they’re not regular fliers and prefer to scamper across the ground with their 6 legs at very fast speeds (up to 3 miles per hour, which makes them one of the fastest insects out there).

Like most of its species, they can feed off a lot of things, from trash to other dead cockroaches.

The German cockroach also has a distinct pattern on its back – but where the American cockroach has a figure 8 pattern, for the German cockroach it’s two dark stripes on their back that are parallel. They’re tan or brown in color, and are known as the most common cockroach found in residential homes in the US and in the world. These roaches are smaller than their American counterparts at about half an inch, and they only live for about 200 hundred days.

While they have wings, similar to the American cockroach, they’re also not regular fliers and prefer to move on the ground instead.

They have been observed to eat common household toiletries like toothpaste, soap, even things like glue. Where the American cockroach will eat another dead cockroach, the German cockroach has been known to kill a live one to eat in more extreme cases of hunger.

Both species can survive several weeks without any food, but will die without water or moisture for more than two weeks.

It is often said that when you see one cockroach, there’s likely a whole colony of them, or as it is more formally known, interestingly enough, a cockroach intrusion.

Another sign you have them in your home is if you see their egg capsules, which are dark brown or a very dark red, which they leave behind glued to walls or other surfaces near sources of food, and many people report a musty smell when there’s a heavy cockroach infestation in an area.

 

Contributed by: Watchdog Pest Control – Experts in Cockroach extermination

Watchdog Pest Control
3542 East Altadena Avenue
Phoenix, Az. 85028

(602) 842-5290

What You can Do to Keep Out Termites

What You can Do to Keep Out Termites

December 31, 2018

There are plenty of different types of pests that you can get when you are a homeowner but one of the most destructive are termites.  These tiny little creatures can destroy your home of you don’t catch them soon enough.  Termites can be extremely hard to detect since they build their nests underground and pretty much any home is free game for termites to come and invade.  You need to have a plan in place to manage termites or they will eat the house out from underneath you.  While wood frame homes are the most susceptible you can take steps to protect your home.  Here is what you can do to keep out termites.

Avoiding a Termite Infestation

  • Have a well-ventilated subfloors it will help keep termites from breeding in your floors.
  • Have your home inspected on a regular basis. If you have an older home that is constructed with wood then this is a must.
  • If you have a crawl space you need to get in and out unobstructed, it will allow you to see if they are getting into your home and it is easier to clean them out.
  • Make sure that you have a proper drainage system to keep all of your subfloors dry. Poor drainage means water on site and that will attract a variety of different pests not just termites.
  • Make sure that your timber framing has been treated it will help protect it from termites. You can do the same for patio furniture, decks and anything else that is made of wood.
  • Put in a termite barrier, this along with regular maintenance and inspection will do wonders for keeping termites at bay. Contact an exterminator to help you with this.
  • Keep decks and balconies separate from the house so termites have a harder time traveling and infesting your home. They are attached to your home but not necessarily part of the construction.
  • Talk to a pest control company about the best way to keep your home termite free. If other homes in the area have had termites or you have an older home then you need an inspection right away.  Termite damage can get costly pretty quickly, you want to get a jump on it right away.

Termites are more than just bugs on your property, they cause real and expensive damage to your property.  If you even suspect that you have termites then you need to get someone in right away to inspect.  Termites are perfectly capable of eating your house right out from underneath you and causing thousands of dollars in structural damage.  Make a plan to keep them out.

Why You Need to Get an Exterminator and not Try DIY

Why You Need to Get an Exterminator and not Try DIY

December 26, 2018

As a homeowner there are some home repair and maintenance issue you have to deal with.  You will at some point have to deal with blocked drains, getting the gutters cleaned out and at some point you’re going to need an exterminator to deal with pests.  Pests will invade with our warning and you will likely try and handle the situation on your own.  This isn’t always the best idea and often you can spend months trying to get rid pests rather than calling an exterminator and getting rid of the immediately.  Here are some other reasons why you need to get an exterminator and not try DIY.

It is Safer

First and foremost it is safer than trying to do it yourself.  Even pest control products that you buy at your local Home Depot have toxic chemicals in their ingredient lists.  A professional exterminator is well versed on safety guidelines and they have products that are both safe and effective.  You have the option of choosing products that will be safe for your home as well as the environment.

Customized Plans to Make Sure Pests Don’t Return

You need the right solution for the pests that have invaded your home and one that works for your family.  Having pests and kids is a factor in the type of chemicals or traps that are used in your home.  There really isn’t a single solution to pest control each home is unique and a pest control company can put together something that works for you.  Not only that, they can help make sure that your pests don’t return.

It Costs Less in the Long Run

You may have gotten a quote from a pest control company and thought it was maybe a bit high.  However let’s look at the cost of not getting rid of pests.  First they can be dangerous to your health and that is priceless.  Secondly, DIY pest control methods rarely work and you can spend a fortune on products that didn’t work.  Pests can cause structural damage to your home.  Rodents can chew through wires and start fires, termites can cause thousands in damage.  Pest control is far cheaper than just hoping that the problem goes away.

It Can Take Time

This doesn’t mean that you have to live with pests for months but sometimes the pest control company may have to come and spray more than once to make sure that they get everything.  If you are trying to do DIY you may not have the time and that means that the pests come back.