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You can buy traps to control rats and mice just about anywhere. Every big box store carries them. But getting advice on using those traps effectively? Well, that’s a different story.   You don’t just set the traps and are done with it.   Mice and rats are clever. Rats,...

Traveling south to beat the cold? Before dumping luggage for the sun, it’s a good idea to inspect your room for bed bugs.   Why? Bed bugs Suck your blood, leaving itchy red welts and may cause health problems Are found in lodging from luxury hotels to hostels Are easily...

During cold weather, carpenter ants typically enter a state of dormancy. But if you have a nest in your home, mild temperatures (hello, global warming!) and even warmth from central heating can “awaken” them.   You’ll see the ants walking around, moving a bit slow. And you’ll likely find them...

For anyone worried about bed bugs, having overnight guests can be stressful.   What if guests accidently bring blood-sucking bed bugs into your home? The bugs are savvy hitchhikers. They cause itchy, red welts and can be hard to eliminate.   Of course, you could ask out-of-town guests to stay...

Think pests just disappear in winter?    Maybe they go somewhere and hibernate?  Perhaps die off?  Think again.   Pests can be very noticeable in winter.  In some cases, pests are seen more in the cooler months as they are seeking out a warm home in which to overwinter. One of...

If it’s been a while since you last baked goodies – Hello, Covid? – closely inspect ingredients before use.   Why? Items stored in cupboards and pantries may have become infested with common pantry pests, like weevils, beetles or moth larvae. It’s also possible to bring home new ingredients that...

Unfortunately, yes. One mouse in your home can lead to far bigger problems.   Mice are more than inconvenient. They damage homes and gnaw electrical wires, causing fires. They contaminate food and cooking surfaces with urine and feces. Mice transmit pathogens that make you sick.   And they reproduce quickly....

  Rat sightings in Ontario cities like Toronto are getting worse. Often the culprit is the Norway rat, which lives in burrows in the ground.   But a different rat, the roof rat, is really causing problems for homeowners. This rat is an excellent climber. It nests in trees and...

  Hockey and bed bugs don’t go together. Unless you’re busy with a travel team. Then your chance of getting the bugs increases sharply.   Why? You’re playing in different cities, staying in more hotels than the average person. A 2024 survey from Sleep Doctor found 1 in 7 U.S....

Seeing wildlife in the yard is one of the joys of life. Seeing rats outside, not so much.   Visible rats are affecting the quality of life of residents in some Toronto neighbourhoods, which are experiencing a “perfect rat storm,” claims a local official.   Rats carry disease. They also...

  Make your Labour Day free of annoying bugs Mosquitoes, wasps and ants can quickly turn a picnic into an unpleasant experience. To make your outdoor party pest-free, the experts at Pest HQ suggest the following:   Minimize mosquitoes. In the days and weeks leading up to Labour Day, mosquito-proof your...

Finding little flies in your bathroom isn’t just annoying. It’s potentially dangerous. That’s because small flies may transmit disease.   They breed in the decaying muck found in drains and other unsanitary places. Then they may transfer those pathogens to where they land next. Hello, toothbrush? Ewww.   To get...

You’re just minding your own business, enjoying a meal on the patio, when the horde arrives.   The aggressive, black-and-yellow invaders steal food right of your plate and dive-bomb your drink.   Not only are wasps annoying, but their sting hurts… a lot. And they’re potentially deadly if you’re allergic...

What is attacking my plants? It’s summer and the garden is thriving. Until it’s not.   Overnight, flowers and vegetables appear deformed and full of holes. Plants are wilted, sooty and generally unhappy.   Unfortunately, garden pests have found your delectable plants. At Pest HQ, we’ve heard this a lot...

You can drastically reduce the number of mosquitoes on your property. All it takes is a little effort. In return, you’ll swat less and get fewer red, itchy bites from the blood-sucking pests.You’ll also reduce your chance of getting sick. Mosquitoes can transmit West Nile virus, a serious illness that...

It was the worst bed bug infestation an Arizona exterminator had ever seen: “The bed bugs were an inch or inch-and-a-half-deep in the carpet,” he told KKTV News.   The Arizona resident had battled bed bugs in her home for five years without success, living in horrific conditions among “tens...

This spring, it’s more important than ever to be tick aware.   Why? Health Canada says the population of ticks that spread disease in Canada is increasing due to warming temperatures.   Many species of ticks can make us sick but the biggest worry is the blacklegged tick, which transmits...

Doing DIY ant control? Here’s a tip: Carpenter ants like different kinds of food at different times of the year.   This means the ‘food’ – or insecticide bait – that you set out to kill them might not work. If carpenter ants are ignoring the bait, it’s probably time...

It’s okay to worry about finding ants in the house. Some, like carpenter ants, can seriously damage your home. They tunnel through wood timbers, weakening the structure.   Other ants are an unpleasant nuisance. They may appear suddenly in great numbers, trailing across countertops and contaminating your food.   Should...

  When unwanted bugs, mice or rats invade your home, you want to know – Where can I get pest control products near me?   Sure, you can head to the nearest big box store. But there, you’re pretty much on your own to choose the best products and approach...