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Raccoon Control & Raccoon Removal
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Raccoons are one of the most common animal pests in Ontario. Their natural habitats are mixed forests, but most urban and suburban areas in Ontario include large raccoon populations. Raccoons are one of the most adaptable wildlife pests in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Areas.
Raccoons weigh 5 to 25 kilograms and measure 40 to 70 cm, not including the tail. Most adult raccoons weigh close to 10 kg but some weight significantly more. Male raccoons usually weigh 20% heavier than females. Raccoons have a dense grayish underfur that protects them against cold weather. They have an area of black fur around the eyes, which resembles a "bandit's mask." Raccoons are mostly nocturnal (active at night). Depending on the available food sources, some raccoons may also be active during the daytime. Their omnivorous diet includes plants, insects, and in some cases, smaller animals. Like many other warm-blooded animals, raccoons significantly reduce their activity levels during the winter months in order to save energy. Raccoons start mating in late January and the gestation period lasts close to 65 days. A raccoon litter usually includes two-five youngs. Male raccoons do not participate in the raising of the young. The birth weight is close to 70 grams, and birth length is around 10 cm. The newborn raccoons start hearing and seeing roughly three weeks after birth. Young raccoons begin to eat food other than their mother's milk around four months after birth. The offspring begin to split from their family in the fall. Raccoons are known to carry many diseases that are dangerous to humans and other animals. One of the most deadly viruses that raccoons can carry is rabies. More than 1/3 of all documented rabies cases in some years are found among raccoons. Rabid raccoons are known to spend more time in their denning sites. Raccoons also carry important bacterial diseases such as leptospirosis, listeriosis, tetanus, and tularemia. The roundworms raccoons carry in their feces poses a serious risk to human health. TSR has years of experience in responding to raccoon intrusions in homes and businesses around Southern Ontario. Call 416-268-3408 for professional advice. |
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Squirrel Control & Squirrel Removal
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The Eastern gray squirrel is the most common species of squirrel found in Ontario. It is close to 50cm long and gray in colour. It has a long bushy tail (25 cm long) black or gray with white-tipped hair.
The eastern gray squirrel has four toes on its front paws and five toes on the rear paws. They give birth to two litters a year, with two or three young born each time. They prefer foods that contain protein, carbohydrates and fats like nuts, fruits, seeds, and other forms of vegetation. They usually nest in trees and attics. They build leaf nests on the top branches or make holes in the tree. They are active mostly in mornings and evenings. Squirrels can harbour fleas, ticks and mites. They can also give painful bites. Squirrels can damage gardens and create fire hazards by collecting combustible materials around or on the structure for dwelling. Once squirrels find a way into a house, they begin nesting inside the house and are difficult to evict. TSR has years of experience in responding to squirrel intrusions in homes and businesses around Southern Ontario. We use a variety of exclusion and removal methods that are humane and effective. Call 416-268-3408 for professional advice on squirrel removal and post-removal repairs. |
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Skunk Control & Skunk Removal
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Skunks are members of the weasel family and are notorious for their ability to spray a fluid with a very unpleasant smell. Skunks vary in length from 40 to above 90 cm long and weigh anywhere from half a kilogram to over eight kilograms. The most common skunks are black and white in colour. Some skunks have a single thick stripe while others have multiple thinner stripes.
Skunks are omnivorous, and their eating habits vary with the seasons. Female skunks are known to den together during colder months to keep themselves warm. Skunks mate in early spring and the offspring are born after a gestation period that is sixty-six days long. Male skunks do not participate in the raising of the kits. Skunk kits stay close to their mothers for as long as a full year. Female skunks are very protective of their kits and will spray as soon as they sense danger. Skunks' anal scent glands are a powerful defensive weapon. A skunk's spray can result in skin irritation and temporary blindness. The smell of a skunk spray can be sensed by humans from several kilometres away. Skunks can carry rabies, and rabid skunks are known to bite humans and other animals. Most skunk removal operations should include the construction of prevention barriers in order to prevent the animals from re-entering the affected space. This makes skunk control a technical and effort-consuming job. |
Bird Control & Bird Removal
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These birds, found in and around structures, are considered common pests in Ontario: sparrow, starling, and pigeon.
Pigeon Pigeons are about 35 cm in length, grey in colour, and have black wings. The female pigeons lay their eggs several times a year. They lay one or two eggs at a time, which are incubated for 20 days by both the male and female pigeons. The female feed their young with pigeon milk until the latter are 36 days old. Pigeons nest on the high ledges of buildings, bridges and similar shelters. Pigeons can carry serious diseases like salmonellosis, encephalitis, aspergillosis, and toxoplasmosis. Pigeons can also harbour fleas, ticks and mite, which can enter structures through the pigeon nest, and transmit diseases as well. Pigeons feed primarily on seeds, grains, fruit, and insects. Starling Starlings are around 20 cm in length and black in colour. The female starlings can lay up to two eggs at a time, which are incubated by both males and females for around twelve days. Starlings nest in tree cavities, and any other holes in structures. Some starlings migrate south, others do not. Some starlings carry serious diseases such as fowl cholera, Turkey blackhead, and Newcastle. Starlings are also known to harbour bird louse, chicken louse, mite, which frequently enter the structure through the bird’s nest. These harboured pests can transmit diseases as well. Starlings eat insects, seeds, and grains. Sparrow Sparrows are 15 cm in length. The male sparrows have grey crown, black throat, white cheeks, and a chestnut neck. Females are brown in colour. The female sparrows lay their eggs three times a year. Each time, a female sparrow lays five eggs, which are incubated for 12 days by the female. Sparrows nest in eaves, soffits, attics and awnings. Sparrows can spread serious diseases such as the avian tuberculosis, fowl cholera, turkey blackhead, and Newcastle. Sparrows also harbour chicken louse, and mite, which can infest structures through the bird’s nest. These pests can transmit diseases as well. Sparrows feed on seeds. |
Rat Control & Rat Removal
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A rat is around 40 cm long and weighs 300-500 g. Rats have greyish-white bellies, with the rest of their bodies being brownish grey in colour. It has a hairless tail, which can be as long as half the length of its body. It has four toes in the front paws and five toes in the rear paws. A rat can drop over one hundred droppings each day, which are capsule-shaped and contain hair, and can be as long as 30 mm. The rat teeth grow up to 12.5 cm per year, but gnawing keeps their length constant.
The female rats give 5-8 litter per year. Each litter contains 5-15 blind young, which open eyes in 14 days. Rats have a lifespan of longer than one year. They have strong jumping, swimming and climbing abilities. Rats burrow under buildings, litter, rubbish, and prefer ground levels. They are mostly active at night time. Rats do not like to change routes when travelling, and their travel range is no more than 30m. Habits mostly condition rat behaviour. Rats eat 100 grams of food per day. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rats and mice spread over thirty-five diseases through contact with rodents, rodent feces, urine, saliva, or through rodent bites. Some of those diseases can also spread to humans through ticks, mites, and fleas that have been hosted by a disease-carrying rodent. Diseases that rats can transmit to humans include Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome, Lassa Fever, Leptospirosis, Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis (LCM), Salmonellosis, and many other viral and bacterial diseases. When it comes to rodent infestations, our clients recognize us as the only pest control company in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton regions that offers a complete Integrated Pest Management treatment. Besides offering interior and exterior chemical control using the industry's most reputable products, we also utilize the latest IPM techniques to make the structure as mouse-proof as possible. Identifying and eliminating the rodent access points is crucial if the structure is to remain rat-free in the long term. We will use our computerized scanning technology to locate the hidden roots of the problems. We will develop a custom eradication plan to ensure a complete eradication in the most effective manner possible. Our most valuable asset, however, is still our knowledge and experience in responding to very tough infestation. Give us a call for a free over-the-phone assessment of your rat infestation or to book an onsite consultation. |
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Mouse Control & Mouse Treatment
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Mice weigh around 15-30 grams, are dusty gray in colour, and have a body length of around 10cm. Their tails are as long as their body length. Mice have small heads with large ears. Droppings are dark in colour, 5mm long with pointed ends, and usually contain hair.
The female mice give 6-10 litter per year, each of which contains 5-15 young. The young are born blind and their eyes open about 12 days after their birth. They have a lifespan of one to two years. Mice transmit diseases and contaminate foods with their urine and droppings. Mice cannot vomit. They eat around 3 grams per day. They can eat any food stored at the house. Mice travel no more than 15m. They usually investigate new objects with care before touching them. Mice are more active at night time. They prefer nesting inside floor joints and between walls. They make holes with a diameter of around 12mm. They can gnaw through wood, aluminum and asphalt. Hantaviruses are a group of dangerous viruses that can cause severe health problems in humans. Humans are at risk of contracting hantaviruses from infected rodents. Three types of mice that are widespread in parts of Canada (the deer mouse, white-footed mouse, and red-backed vole) are known to carry hantaviruses. TSR Pest Control specialized in mouse-proofing and rodent-proofing residential and commercial structures. Rodent-proofing forms an important part of our successful Integrated Pest Management Strategy. Rodent-proofing significantly decreases the likelihood of re-infestation. |
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Ants
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Ants are small insects and vary in colour - you may find black, brown, red, or yellow ants in and around your home or business. Adult ants could be as small as 1 mm or as large as 1.3 cm. Most ants found in Canada are not known to be aggressive, but some of them can sting. Ants found in yards and gardens should be tolerated as much as possible because they play an important role in the ecosystem. Ants that invade houses and become a nuisance can be treated through several low-toxicity treatment methods that include barrier treatment and bait treatment. The ant species that commonly invade homes include carpenter ants, the little black ant, the odorous house ant, the thief ant, and the pharaoh ant.
Carpenter ants Carpenter ants are among the larger ant species. They vary in length from 0.5 to 2.5 cm long. The most common types in Canada are black or reddish-brown. These large, black or reddish-brown ants are known for their ability to tunnel through wood, which can weaken structures over time. They have a smooth, curved thorax and a single node on their petiole. Carpenter ants can vary in color from black to reddish-brown and may have some yellow or light brown hairs on their body. Behavior Carpenter ants are social insects that live in large colonies. They prefer to nest in moist, decaying wood, such as dead trees, logs, and stumps. They are also commonly found nesting in structures, such as walls, roofs, and floors. Carpenter ants do not eat wood, but they tunnel through it to create galleries for nesting. It takes a carpenter ant around two months to grow from an egg to an adult. The queen of the colony usually lays thousands of eggs, and fertile females go on to establish nearby colonies of their own, hence expanding the infestation. Carpenter ants live in large colonies of thousands of ants. They build their nests by carving wood. Therefore an untreated infestation can over time cause damage to wooden structures, including serious structural damage in houses. Problems Caused by Carpenter Ants Carpenter ants can cause significant damage to structures over time. They do not eat wood, but their tunneling can weaken structures and make them more susceptible to damage from other pests, such as termites. In addition, carpenter ants can become a nuisance when they invade homes and businesses in search of food. Fire Ants Fire ants are a common household pest in many parts of the world. These ants are known for their painful stings and aggressive behavior, making them a nuisance and potential danger to humans and animals alike. Appearance Fire ants are reddish-brown to black in color and are about 1/8 to 1/4 inch long. They have a distinct, segmented body and antennae, with a visible waist between the thorax and abdomen. Fire ants are also easily identified by their large, visible mandibles, which they use to bite and sting. Behavior Fire ants are highly aggressive and territorial, and they will attack anything that they perceive as a threat to their colony. They build large, elaborate mounds made of soil and other debris, which can be up to 18 inches tall and several feet wide. These mounds can be found in a variety of locations, including lawns, gardens, and agricultural fields. Fire ants are omnivores and will eat a wide variety of food, including insects, seeds, and even small animals. They are also attracted to sweet foods, such as honey and sugar, and will often invade homes and businesses in search of food. Problems Caused by Fire Ants Fire ants are known for their painful stings, which can cause a burning sensation and leave behind a red, swollen bump. In some cases, people and animals can have severe allergic reactions to fire ant stings, which can be life-threatening. In addition to their stings, fire ants can also cause damage to crops and other vegetation. They can also damage electrical equipment by chewing through wires and insulation. Pavement Ants / Sugar Ants A pavement ant is around 0.3 cm long and dark brown in colour. It is also known as a sugar ant in parts of North America due to their attraction to sugar-containing foods. Sugar ants, also known as pavement ants, are a common household pest in many parts of the world. These ants are named for their preference for sugary foods and their tendency to build their nests under pavement or concrete slabs. Appearance Sugar ants are small, ranging in size from 1/16 to 1/8 inch long. They are light brown to black in color and have a segmented body with a visible waist between the thorax and abdomen. Sugar ants have antennae and mandibles that they use to communicate and gather food. Behavior Sugar ants are social insects that live in large colonies, with up to several thousand individuals. They build their nests in soil, under rocks, and, as their name suggests, under pavement or concrete slabs. Sugar ants are omnivores and will eat a variety of foods, including insects, seeds, and sugary foods. Problems Caused by Sugar Ants While sugar ants do not pose a direct threat to humans, they can become a nuisance when they invade homes and businesses in search of food. They are often attracted to sweet foods, such as honey and sugar, and will swarm around open containers of food and spills. In addition to being a nuisance, sugar ants can also damage crops and other vegetation. They have been known to damage root systems and feed on plant sap. The pavement ants usually build their nests under pavements and driveways. Pavement ants are among the most common ant species in North America and adapt very well to urban and suburban environments. Pharaoh Ants Pharaoh ants are a common household pest that can be difficult to get rid of once they establish a colony in your home. These tiny ants are only about 1/16th of an inch long, but they can cause big problems if they're not dealt with promptly. Identification Pharaoh ants are light yellow to reddish-brown in color and have a darker abdomen. They have two nodes on their petiole, which is the narrow segment between the thorax and abdomen. Pharaoh ants are tiny and can be difficult to see, especially when they're moving quickly. Behavior Pharaoh ants are known for their large colonies, which can contain thousands of ants. They prefer to nest in warm, humid areas such as wall voids, electrical outlets, and behind baseboards. They are also commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms, where they have access to food and water. Pharaoh ants are very adaptable and can form multiple colonies if the original colony is disturbed. This makes them difficult to control, as killing one colony can actually cause the ants to spread out and form more colonies. Problems Caused by Pharaoh Ants Pharaoh ants are not known to transmit disease, but they can contaminate food and surfaces with bacteria as they forage for food. They are attracted to sweet and greasy foods, so they often infest kitchens and pantries. Pharaoh ants can also be a problem in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, as they are known to feed on blood and intravenous solutions. They can also be a nuisance in food processing plants and other commercial settings. Control and Prevention Controlling pharaoh ants requires a comprehensive approach that includes both chemical and non-chemical methods. At TSR Pest Control, we use a combination of baits, insecticides, and exclusion methods to eliminate pharaoh ants from your home or business. Baits are the preferred method of control for pharaoh ants, as they allow the ants to carry the insecticide back to the colony, where it can eliminate the queen and other members of the colony. Insecticides can also be used to treat areas where baits cannot be placed, such as electrical outlets and wall voids. Exclusion methods, such as sealing cracks and crevices and keeping food and trash in sealed containers, can help to prevent pharaoh ants from entering your home or business in the first place. Odorous house ants Odorous house ants are a common household pest that can be found throughout North America. These small, dark brown or black ants are named for the unpleasant odor they emit when crushed, which has been described as smelling like rotten coconut. Identification Odorous house ants are about 1/8th of an inch long and have a dark brown or black color. They have a single node on their petiole, which is the narrow segment between the thorax and abdomen. Odorous house ants are also known for their distinctive odor, which can be used to help identify them. Behavior Odorous house ants are social insects that live in large colonies. They prefer to nest in moist areas, such as under stones, logs, and debris, and are also commonly found in wall voids and beneath floors. They are attracted to sweet foods, meats, and dairy products, and will forage long distances in search of food. Problems Caused by Odorous House Ants Odorous house ants are not known to transmit disease, but they can contaminate food and surfaces with bacteria as they forage for food. They are attracted to sweet and greasy foods, so they often infest kitchens and pantries. In addition, they can become a nuisance when they invade homes and businesses in large numbers. Control and Prevention Controlling odorous house ants can be difficult, as their colonies are often located in hard-to-reach areas. At TSR Pest Control, we use a combination of baits, insecticides, and exclusion methods to eliminate odorous house ants from your home or business. Baits are the preferred method of control for odorous house ants, as they allow the ants to carry the insecticide back to the colony, where it can eliminate the queen and other members of the colony. Insecticides can also be used to treat areas where baits cannot be placed, such as wall voids and beneath floors. |
Bed Bugs
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Appearance: Adult bed bugs are 4-5 mm long and up to 3 mm wide. They are light brown to reddish-brown in colour. An adult bed bug’s body is oval and flat in shape.
Life cycle: Under warm conditions, a bed bug's life span is around 300 days. Female bed bugs usually lay five eggs per day throughout their adult lives. One female bed bug can lay more than 500 eggs in their life span. A bed bug egg hatches in as little as four days and can begin laying eggs of its own in around four weeks. Habits: Bed bugs feed on human blood. They are active mostly during the night and swell after feeding. A bed bug takes about 5-10 minutes to feed on a human host. Bed bugs usually feed once a week. Bed bugs mostly live in the animal and human sleeping areas. They prefer locations where it is easy for them to hide and feed regularly. Their relatively flat body shape makes it very easy for them to hide in very small and tight locations. Bed bugs can trigger allergic reactions, and their bites can become inflamed and infected. Bed bug bites do not affect everyone in the same way. Responses to bites range from no visible signs to severe allergic reactions. This variance can be quite confusing to the residents of bed bug-infested buildings. Those who are sensitive to bed bugs will develop bite marks one-two days after getting bitten. Bed bug bite marks closely resemble those of other insects such as a mosquito and a flea. Bed bugs can invade any home, no matter how regularly and well the housekeeping is done. Bed bugs enter houses and hotels through clothing, luggage, or second-hand furniture. They can also enter a premise through adjacent structures. When bed bugs appear in a residence, it can be hard to eradicate them because most of the time, they hide in deep and hard to reach parts of beds and other pieces of furniture. Bed bugs feed in the nighttime by biting humans and pets and sucking blood. To fight bed bugs, TSR's professional technicians follow an Integrated Pest Management program and use a combination of physical and chemical treatment methods. You can entrust TSR with the job of setting your home completely free of bed bugs. Our non-chemical treatment of bed bug-infested areas includes steam and vacuum treatments. We use professional dry vapour stream machines that do not leave behind moisture. With the steamer nozzle tip temperatures of more than 120 C and high pressure, we reach deep hiding spots of the bed bugs and kill eggs, nymphs and adult bed bugs. We complement the heat treatment with the use of the most powerful HEPA vacuums in order to remove all stages of bed bugs. We also offer bug-proof bags to keep contaminated clothing and bedding items for laundry. TSR offers chemical treatments as part of our Integrated Pest Management program. Our professionals choose the pesticides that are appropriate to the site, the problems discovered during our inspections, and the bug biology. We apply non-residual spray formulations to minimize the unnecessary long-term contamination of the site. |
Cockroach
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The most common cockroach species found in Ontario are the following:
German, American, Brown-banded, and Oriental. Cockroaches represent a serious public health risk for residents and food processing businesses - they are known to carry E. Coli, and Salmonella bacteria, and can cause food poisoning. German Cockroaches They measure between 10 mm and 15 mm long. They can be tan to near black in colour. Despite having wings, German Cockroaches, are barely able to fly. German Cockroaches generally have a lifespan of 125-150 days. The egg-to-adult cycle takes approximately eight weeks in general. Females leave eggs in egg cases of around 40 eggs. An adult female can produce close to 300 eggs in her life span. German cockroaches live in all kinds of human habitats but are more commonly seen in kitchen and bathroom areas. Their optimal living environment is warm and moist. German cockroaches feed on food debris and are attracted to fatty foods. American Cockroach: They are five cm long and are the largest of the four most common cockroach species. American cockroaches are reddish-brown in colour and have a yellowish band around the edges of their pronota (the area adjacent to the head). They are able to fly. These cockroaches take 6 months to 2 years to develop from the egg stage to an adult. An American cockroach's adult life span is generally between 1-1.5 years. Females lay their eggs in capsules of about 15 eggs. The egg capsules are brown in colour and 8 mm long. An adult female lays about 10 egg capsules in her live span. They live primarily in kitchen and bathroom areas, under drains, pipes, appliances, and cabinets. They feed on decaying organic matter, but when facing a shortage of food can eat almost anything. They are also commonly found in restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores. Brown-Banded Cockroach: They are close to 15 mm long. They have light-colour bands around their wings and across their bodies. These cockroaches have fully developed wings and are capable of flying well. These cockroaches develop from the egg stage into adults in 100 days to a full year. An adult life span is 4 to 10 months. In this period, a female cockroach lays up to 15 capsules of up to 18 eggs each. Unlike other cockroach species, brown-banded cockroaches prefer dry environments. Brown-banded cockroaches live inside furniture, closets, and cabinets. They usually hide in places closer to the ceilings and away from water. Brown-banded cockroaches primarily feed on glue, wallpapers and similar material with high starch content. Oriental Cockroach: They are around 2.5 cm in length, and darker in colour than other cockroaches (usually dark-brown to black), and with greasy looking bodies. Females have smaller wings than males. But even males are unable to fly with their more developed wings. They are a relatively lazy species. Oriental cockroaches take 0.5 to 3 years to grow from the egg stage to an adult. Their adult life span is usually 30 weeks to a year. An adult female produces close to 200 offspring in 8 to 15 capsules, each containing around 15 eggs. They live in dark and moist areas, often around sewers, drains, and other damp areas in kitchens, bathrooms and basements, and primarily feed on garbage. They prefer to live in colonies. |
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Tick
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Ticks are small insects - often up to 1 cm long. The most common tick species are red or dark brown in colour. Ticks are classified as soft or hard. The hard ticks reproduce with a much higher rate, and can change hosts frequently. Most ticks feed on blood from humans and other mammals. American dog ticks, deer ticks, and the Lone Star Ticks are among the most common tick species.
While most soft ticks infest dens and stables, hard ticks usually detect a potential host through carbon dioxide and warmth. Ticks represent a serious public health risk - they carry Lyme disease and a number of other dangerous diseases. |
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Flea
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Appearance: Adult fleas are 1.5 to 3.5 mm in length. They are dark-colored insects (e.g., cat flea is dark reddish brown). Fleas have long legs that they use to jump close to 40 cm horizontally and 20 cm vertically.
Life cycle: A female flea lays eggs in batches of up to 20. A single flea can lay up to 500 eggs in her life time. A flea's life span is usually around 2 to 3 months. Flea eggs take from 0.5 to 2 weeks to hatch and become adults in around five weeks. Habits: Fleas detect carbon dioxide and temperature to locate their hosts. They are parasitic insects that feed directly on human and animal blood. Flea eggs are not sticky, so they can fall from the host and easily contaminate other areas. Fleas can trigger excessive allergic reactions both in humans and pets, and they are known to transmit human diseases. Unprofessional flea treatment (e.g., the use of vacuums) can aggravate the flea problem by triggering the pupa to become adults sooner than expected. |
Silverfish
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Silverfish is a wingless insect, which is gray in colour and is 2.5cm long (body length). It has fishlike tapered body shape, six legs and pair of long antennae.
The female silverfish lays up to 100 eggs in her life time. Eggs take between one and two months to hatch. And it takes from three to twenty-four months for nymphs to grow into adults. The silverfish can live up to five years. The silverfish are active at night time. They prefer warm, humid areas, and can be found in the basement or bathroom areas of buildings. They can also be found near books, documents and inside the storage areas as well. Silverfish feed on human foods, paper, and glue, which they prefer to the flour containing foods. Dust and powder formulations should be applied only in cracks, crevices, attics. |
Centipede
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Centipedes are arthropods and differ significantly from insects. A centipede is not a harmful creature. Centipedes can be a
Centipedes have a flattened body, many body sections, and many legs. Thanks to their longer legs, centipedes move very quickly. When disturbed, they run quickly to their hiding places. They hide in dark places. Centipedes tend to invade overly damp houses. They are more commonly seen in basements, bathrooms, and near drains, or in any other moist and dark area of the house. Another common hiding spot is behind baseboards. Centipedes eat other insects such as spiders, cockroaches, beetles, and ants. Lasting infestations can indicate a serious moisture problem in your home. Physical methods are quite effective in controlling and preventing centipede infestations. Among the most effective steps is to reduce or eliminate moisture retention outside the foundation walls of your building. Foundation cracks and cracks around lower level windows should be sealed periodically. Steps should be taken to control moisture levels and dampness in basements. Dead and decaying vegetation close to the foundation walls should be cleared regularly. TSR's pest experts can help you control centipede problems at your home through chemical and non-chemical pest control techniques. |
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Sowbug
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Sowbugs are less than 0.8 inches long and dark gray in colour. Sowbugs can only survive in moist environments. Within houses, damp areas of basements provide the most optimal indoor habitat for sowbugs. Sowbugs are not known to sting or transmit diseases. They are relatively harmless as a pest. As much as possible, sowbug populations should be tolerated outside your home because they carry out important biological functions in your garden by breaking down organic matter. Large-scale and sudden sowbug infestations could be a sign of high moisture levels in your home.
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Spider
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The two most common spider species in Ontario are the Cellar Spider and the House Spider.
Cellar Spiders Cellar spiders have tiny bodies (0.2 cm- 1cm long) and long legs (2-5 cm long). They are gray or brown, and can also be recognized from the bandings or chevron-like markings on their bodies. Cellar spiders grow into adults in around 1 year. They usually have an adult life span of around 2 years. Females lay about 20-30 eggs at a time and wrap them in sacs of silk webbing. Cellar spiders build their webs in damp and dark parts of homes and basements. They can also invade warehouses and office buildings. Unlike other spiders, cellar spiders like building webs in close proximity to each other, which makes them a nuisance for homes and businesses. They feed on other small insects. Domestic House Spiders Domestic house spiders can be found in different colours (from off-white to nearly black), and usually have two darker stripes along their bodies. Their body lengths range between 0.5 cm - 1 cm, and their legs are around 1 cm long. Domestic house spiders usually leave around 50 eggs in sacs and keep them in their funnel-shaped webs. A female house spider has 1-2 years of life span and can lay more than 1000 eggs during this period. These spiders use their funnel-shaped webs for hunting insects. Unless cellar spiders, they can be found in more visible areas of homes such as around ceiling and window corners, as well as under tables and other pieces of furniture. |
Earwig
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Earwigs are brown in colour and around 2 cm long. An earwig has a pair of long antennae (up to 1cm) and pincers at the end of their body.
The female earwigs lay about 60 eggs, which take a week to hatch. The nymphs grow into adults in around 70. Earwigs have a lifespan of up to one year. They are mainly garden pests, but sometimes enter houses in search of food sources or when weather conditions change – it becomes too cold or too hot and dry. They are active at night. They eat dead and living organisms, soft fruits, and vegetables. |
Weevil
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Weevils are species of food-infesting beetles.
Rice Weevil The adult rice weevil is brown in colour with red spots. They are 2 mm long, with oval-shaped bodies. The rice weevils are able to fly. The larvae have a folded body with a distinct head, and are legless. The female rice weevils produce around 400 eggs during lifetime. They chew holes into grains to deposit their eggs. It takes four weeks for the hatched eggs to grow into adults. The adult rice weevils live close to five months. Both adults and larvae can cause damage. They prefer whole corn, wheat, and rice. The grain mass and temperature rise are signs of infestation. Bean Weevil Adult bean weevils are brown in colour with linear spots. They are 3mm long and have oval-shaped bodies. The bean weevils are able to fly. The larvae have folded bodies and are legless. The female bean weevils lay 70 single eggs near beans, which hatch in 10 days. The life cycle of the bean weevils is around two months. Both adults and larvae can cause damage. They prefer whole dried foods. They do not feed on grain. Several larvae can bore into a single bean. Several round holes in beans are the main sign of infestation. Granary Weevil The adult granary weevils are dark brown in colour. They are 5mm long and have oval-shaped bodies. The granary weevils are not able to fly. The larvae are white in colour with distinct heads. They have folded bodies and are legless. The female granary weevil produce 150 eggs during an eight-month-long lifespan. They chew holes into grain to deposit their eggs. It takes four weeks for the hatched eggs to turn into adults. Adults live around five months. Both adults and larvae can cause damage. The granary weevil can attack wheat, corn, rye, oats, barley, and sorghum. The rise in grain mass and temperature and increased moisture levels are the main signs of infestation. |
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Moth
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The Indian Meal Moths are 13-20 mm long. These moths have bi-colour wings (usually pale gray and copper or reddish-brown). Caterpillars are white to pink in colour and have brown heads.
Females usually produce around 300 eggs during three weeks. And the egg-to-larva stage takes around two days. These larvae go on to become adults in two weeks to ten months, depending on the environment. Most moths have a life span of about eight weeks. The larva usually provides a silk web for hiding. This moth type is usually active at night. They feed on grains and processed foods. Clothes Moth The adult clothing moth is about 0.8 cm long. The larva measure slightly longer. Their wings are pale yellow-brown, and their heads are covered with reddish hair. The larvae have white bodies and darker heads. Clothes moths are half the size of the Indian Meal Moths. Larva turns into an adult in five weeks to one year, depending on the environment. A Clothing Moth has an adult life span of up to one month. On average, female moths lay 40-50 eggs in their life span. This usually happens within the first week of exiting the larva stage. The moth is considered a serious pest problem at the larva stage when they feed on woollen clothing items and rugs. They usually live in dark closets and avoid light. |
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Beetles
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Beetles are fabric damaging, food-infesting and wood-destroying pests.
Carpet beetles are fabric damaging pests. Four carpet beetles species can be meet in Ontario. Black carpet beetle: Adult – 4mm long, black colour. Larvae – 6mm long, long hair at the end of body, reddish-brown color. Lay 50 eggs in clothing or furniture, which hatch in 10 days. The Larva stage lasts 10 to 20 months. Adult black carpet beetles live around 2 months. The total life cycle is around 420 days. Only the larva of black carpet beetles causes damage. They feed on feathers, hair, fur, and woollen materials. They can be found around windows and other areas that get sunlight. Adults feed on nectar and pollen from flowers. Common carpet beetle: Adult – 3mm long, black colour with orange and white scales. Larva – oval, reddish-brown colour. Common carpet beetles lay around 90 eggs in clothing or furniture, which hatch in 10 days. The larval stage lasts 10 to 20 months. Adults live for around 2 months. The common carpet beetle’s total life cycle is approximately 420 days. Only the larva of the common carpet beetle can cause damage. They feed on feathers, hair, fur, and woollen materials. They can be seen around windows and other areas that get sunlight. Adults feed on nectar and pollen from flowers. Varied carpet beetle: Adult – 2 mm long, black colour with brown and yellow scales. Larva – oval hairy body, three long hairs at the end of body. The varied carpet beetles lay around 70 eggs in clothing or furniture, which hatch in 10 days. The larvae last 10 to 20 months. Adults live for around two months. The total life cycle is around 420 days. Only the larvae cause damage. They feed on feathers, hair, fur, and woollen materials. They can be found around windows and other areas that receive plenty of sunlight. Adults feed on nectar and pollen from flowers Furniture carpet beetle: Adults – 5mm long, black colour with white and yellow scales. Larvae – 3mm oval brown hairy body, long hair at the end of body. The females lay 40 eggs in clothing or furniture, which hatch in 10 days. The larval stage lasts 10 to 20 months. Adult furniture beetles live for around 2 months. Total live cycle is 420 days. Only the larvae can cause damage – they feed on feathers, hair, fur, and woollen materials. They can be seen around windows and other areas that receive plenty of sunlight. Adults feed on nectar and pollen from flowers. Wood Destroying Beetles Furniture beetle The furniture beetles are black and brown in colour. They are 4 to 6 mm long. The females deposit their eggs on hardwood or softwood, which hatch to larvae in 2 weeks. The larvae then bore into the wood to feed, and create 2-3 mm diameter holes. The furniture beetle emerge from wood as adult beetles, and can go on to re-infest structural pieces of wood. The larvae digest cellulose. They prefer sapwood and seasoned hardwood. This type of beetle is common in Ontario. The pellets that look like frass are signs of infestation. Long-Horned beetle The long-horned beetles are black with white spots. They are around 8 mm long. The female long-horned beetles deposit their eggs on fallen trees, which hatch to larvae in 2 weeks. The larvae bore into the wood to feed and grow into adults in three years. The adult lifespan of the long-horned beetle is about 60 days. They emerge from wood as adult beetles and can go on to re-infest the structural wood. The larvae digest cellulose. They create oval holes. The long-horned beetles prefer sapwood and seasoned hardwood. This type of beetle is common in Ontario. The coarse-textured frass tightly packed in holes is a sign of infestation. True powder post beetle The true powder post beetles are brown in colour and are around 7 mm long. The females lay their eggs in pores on seasoned hardwood or sapwood, which hatch to larvae in 2 weeks. The larvae bore into wood pieces to feed and can spend years inside the wood. They create 2-3 mm diameter holes. They emerge from wood as adult beetles and can go on to re-infest the structural wood. The larvae cannot digest cellulose. They prefer sapwood and seasoned hardwood. This type of beetle is common in Ontario. Flour like frass is a sign of infestation. False powder post beetle The false powder post beetles are brown in colour and are around 7 mm long. The females lay their eggs in pores on seasoned hardwood or sapwood, which hatch to larvae in 2 weeks. The larvae bore into wood pieces to feed and can spend years inside the wood. They create 2-3 mm diameter holes. They emerge from wood as adult beetles and can go on to re-infest the structural wood. The damage done by this kind of beetle is caused by the larvae. The Larvae cannot digest cellulose. They prefer sapwood and seasoned hardwood. This type of beetle is common in Ontario. The Coarse powder like frass is a sign of infestation. Food Infesting Beetles Rice Weevil The adult rice weevil is brown in colour with red spots. They are 2 mm long, with oval-shaped bodies. The rice weevil is able to fly. The larvae have a folded body with a distinct head, and are legless. The female rice weevils produce around 400 eggs during life time. They chew holes into grains to deposit their eggs. It takes 4 weeks for the hatched eggs to grow into adults. The adult rice weevils live close to 5 months. Both adults and larvae can cause damage. They prefer whole corn, wheat, and rice. The grain mass and temperature rise are signs of infestation. Bean Weevil Adult bean weevils are brown in colour with linear spots. They are 3mm long and have oval shaped bodies. The bean weevil are able to fly. The larvae have folded bodies and are legless. The female bean weevils lay 70 single eggs near beans, which hatch in 10 days. The life cycle of the bean weevils is around 2 months. Both adults and larvae can cause damage. They prefer whole dried foods. They do not feed on grain. Several larvae can bore into a single bean. Several round holes in beans are the main sign of infestation. Granary Weevil The adult granary weevils are dark brown in colour. They are 5mm long and have oval-shaped bodies. The granary weevil is not able to fly. The larvae are white in colour with distinct heads. They have folded bodies and are legless. The female granary weevil produces 150 eggs during an eight-month-long lifespan. They chew holes into grain to deposit their eggs. It takes four weeks for the hatched eggs to turn into adults. Adults live around five months. Both adults and larvae can cause damage. The granary weevil can attack wheat, corn, rye, oats, barley, and sorghum. The rise in grain mass and temperature and increased moisture levels are the main signs of infestation. Black Flour Beetle The adult black flour beetles are black in colour. They are around 5mm long and have oval-shaped bodies. The black flour beetles are able to fly. The larvae are white and 7mm long. Female black flour beetles produce around 400 eggs during their two-year-long lifespan. Eggs take around two weeks to hatch. Both adults and larvae can cause damage. The black flour beetles prefer to feed on damaged grains but they will also attack intact wheat kernels, feeding first on the germ and then the endosperm. The Nauseous smell, greyish colour and mass and temperature rise are signs of infestation. Red Flour Beetle The adult red flour beetle is brown in colour. They are 4mm long and have oval-shaped bodies. The red flour beetles are able to fly. The larvae are white in colour and 7 mm long. The female red flour beetles have a lifespan of two years and produce 400 eggs during that period. The eggs take two weeks to hatch. Both adults and larvae can cause damage. The red flour beetles prefer to infest damaged grains, but can also attack the intact wheat kernels, feeding first on the germ, and then the endosperm. A nauseous smell, greyish colour, mass and temperature rise are signs of infestation. Confused Flour Beetle The adult confused floor beetles are reddish-brown, and around 4mm long. They are able to fly. The larvae are white in colour and are about 7mm long. The female confused floor beetles have a lifespan of two years and produce around 300 eggs in that period. The eggs take ten days to hatch. Both adults and larvae can cause damage. The confused flour beetles prefer damaged grains but will also attack intact wheat kernels, feeding first on the germ and then the endosperm. A nauseous smell, mass and temperature rise are signs of infestation. Cigarette Beetle The adult cigarette beetles are brown coloured and 3mm long with oval-shaped bodies. These beetles are able to fly. The larvae are hairy and have a distinct head and a folded body, and a pair of legs. The female cigarette beetles have a lifespan of three weeks and in that period, produce around 100 eggs. Both adults and larvae can cause damage. The cigarette beetles damage dried leaves, furniture, pepper, ginger, rhubarb, dried insects, dried fish, dried meat, fish meal, rice, figs, yeast and a wide variety of other dried products. Frass is the main sign of infestation. Larder Beetle The adults are dark brown coloured and about 9 mm long. The larder beetles are covered with dense hair. The larvae of the larder beetle are about 15mm long, dark brown coloured, and hairy. The female larder beetles produce around 100 eggs in a ten-day-period. They feed on dead insects, feathers, dried meats, fish, and cheese. |
Flies
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Flies have a pair of wings, lapping mouth and compound eyes that help to detect even the slightest movement. Flies are disease-transmitting insects. They can transfer bacteria to food or food preparation areas. The most common domestic flies in Ontario are the House Fly, the Lesser Fly, the Cluster Fly and the Blow Fly.
House fly Adults are 0.8cm long. The female are slightly larger than the male. The house fly has a yellowish gray coloured abdomen with four longitudinal dark lines on the back. It has red compounded eyes. The female house flies lay up to 9000 eggs in their life time. They deposit their eggs in high protein containing substances. The larva emerge from hatched eggs and pupate in two weeks, and the pupa grow into adult in three days. A house fly’s life cycle is eight days long. The house flies feed on semi-digested liquid substance. The house flies are transmitters of up to forty bacterial diseases. Lesser fly Adults are 0.5 cm long. The lesser flies have four brown strips on thorax and yellowish abdomen. The larvae are 0.15 cm long and have a lateral projection. The lesser flies lay their eggs on decomposing vegetation, decaying and moist substances. The larvae emerge from the hatched eggs only two days after the eggs are laid. The lesser fly may survive over winter as larvae or pupae, and emerge into adults in March. The adult lesser flies live up to two months. Cluster fly Adults are 0.8cm long and dark gray in colour, and have golden coloured hair on their upper bodies. Their wings overlap when they are not flying. The female cluster flies, like other flies, can lay their eggs inside houses or outside, in the soil. The flies emerge from soil as adults in a month. They can give off odour when disturbed. They tend to invade houses between August and September. They cluster together to overwinter. Blow fly The adult blow flies are 1.5cm long and shiny metallic in colour. The larvae are less than 2cm long. Their most common egg deposit sites are garbage and carrion. The blow flies’ lifecycle is around 25 days. They are usually found in homes during winter and early spring. The blow flies are attracted to light. Their buzzing is noisy. |
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Wasps
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Wasps are hairless, brown with yellow marks and 1.5cm long.
They mostly feed on sugar-containing substances, such as fruit nectars. Wasps are also a major pest for restaurants, because they are attracted to meat and other food items. Nests are smaller and can be found attached upside-down to trees, eaves, and fences. When queens die, old nests are abandoned. A few dozen adults live in a single nest. Only female wasps sting; they can sting repeatedly. Wasps do not sting unless they are disturbed. Hornets Hornets are around 3 cm long and have hairless bodies with black and white rings. Hornets are social insects. The hornet nests are much larger – contain thousands of hornets – and can be found above or below the ground. Only the female hornet stings. Hornets can sting repeatedly. Hornets do not sting unless they are disturbed. European Hornets are the most common hornets in Ontario. They are brown in colour and up to 3 cm long. Their nests are smaller than those of other hornets, and can be found in the wall voids of structures. They are active at night. The bald-faced hornets are black and white in colour, and under 2cm long. Bees Bees are social insects; unlike wasps and hornets, bees are hairy. Bees pollinate crops. The feed on nectar and pollen. Only female bees can sting. Bees do not sting unless they are disturbed. There are two common bee species in Ontario. These are the honey bee and the bumble bee. The honey bee is brown in colour with black marks and is up to 1.5cm long. The female can only sting once. The bumble bees are black and yellow coloured and are up to 2cm long. They have a distinct buzzing. The bumble bee nests can be found below and above the ground level in lawns and debris. |
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