The Calgary Exterminator’s Guide On How To Get Rid of Pests, Guaranteed!
You know how it is in Calgary – one day everything seems perfectly fine in your home, and the next minute, you’re facing a pest invasion. We’ve got a vibrant diversity of pests here, from nasty bed bugs to those pesky carpenter ants. And let’s not forget the seasonal favorites: wasps in the summer and mice cozying up in your home as winter approaches.
Calgary’s Most Wanted Pests
Rodents
These little critters are notorious for finding their way into Calgary homes, especially as it gets colder. Common rodents that may become a nuisance for Calgarians include:
- House mice: which like to inhabit urban areas, and will try to find their way into your home when the weather becomes cold.
- Deer mice: although they tend to frequent the country, they carry the hantavirus, so should be taken seriously.
- Voles: they are often mistaken for mice but have shorter tails and smaller ears and eyes. They will damage your lawns and gardens.
- Gophers: these outdoor pets will burrow in your lawn and garden, wreaking havoc in yards everywhere.
Bed Bugs
Oh, these guys are the stuff of nightmares, hiding in mattresses and furniture, waiting for a midnight feast on their favorite meal – you!
Insects
From ants to wasps, they all love Calgary’s climate and, unfortunately, our homes too. Some of the most common insects to watch out for include:
- Wasps and hornets: these stinging insects build their nests anywhere they can; in the ground, trees or buildings. They are aggressive and are a threat to those with allergies to stings.
- Cockroaches: these tiny pests are adaptable, and will infiltrate your home, reproducing quickly and contaminating surfaces and your food, which is what makes them a health hazard.
- Ants: there are many different types of ants, like the destructive carpenter ants, that burrow into wood, damaging the structural integrity of your home. There are also odorous house ants, pharaoh ants and thief ants – any time you see ants, call the experts!
Traditional Extermination: A Mixed Bag
We’ve all been there, trying everything from sprays to traps. Sometimes they work, and other times, well, it’s like throwing a pebble at a mountain. Not to mention all those online articles that promise you can get rid of your pest infestations with essential oils, coffee grounds and high frequency devices. Not only will these methods not work, but your problem keeps growing the longer you use ineffective methods. In fact, people need to realize that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution to getting rid of pests in Calgary. You must treat each infestation differently because they really are all unique.
The Downside of Sprays and Traps
Remember that time I used a generic spray for an ant problem in my own home? It was like a temporary fix – they just came back with a vengeance. The reason why pesticides are often ineffective, is they aren’t being used properly. The incorrect amount, incorrect concentration, incorrect pesticide for that particular pest, and incomplete treatments all cause the pesticides to not work effectively, or at all. And what’s worse, is when pesticides are used incorrectly, it causes pesticide resistance.
A great example of this is bed bugs are now becoming resistant to pesticides. When the pests are exposed to pesticides, but not a lethal dose, the bugs that are less resistant will continue to breed, making offspring that are also less resistant to the pesticide.
This is why if you decide to use sprays for your infestation, make sure you find the right chemical for the infestation – not all pesticides work on all pests. Then you need to read all the instructions and follow them precisely. Even if you think the infestation is gone, continue the application as directed. That way, the pesticides will be able to work on any remaining pest that is resistant, so you don’t have a reinfestation later on.
Incorrectly using pesticides can cause pests to suffer needlessly, which is why they should always be a last resort, or only be used by a professional pest control company in Calgary, like Major Pest Control. They have the expertise to know what they are doing and do it effectively.
It’s the same story with traps. They might catch a few, but there’s always the big boss lurking around. There are many reasons why traps are not effective for many who are trying to battle their infestation alone. The first reason why traps can be ineffective is that they are placed incorrectly. They need to be placed in the same areas the pests are moving.
A great example of this is mice tend to travel along walls, and in hidden spots like between the walls in a house. Placing a trap outside of these areas won’t likely work well. You also need to use the correct number of traps, which will change depending on the size of the infestation.
Another problem with traps is the wrong type is being used. I helped a homeowner in Calgary once who was using live capture mousetraps. They would capture about ten mice a day and would release them in the field behind their house. Well, those mice were most likely running back to their home, especially since they hadn’t yet patched up the holes where the mice were coming in.
With the wide variety of mouse traps available, like snap traps, live capture traps, bucket and disposable mousetraps, homeowners need to pick the right traps for the size and type of infestation they have, and then check and replace them often enough. Mice can smell if another mouse has died somewhere, so if someone is using a trap repeatedly with success, they may think the reason they’re catching less mice, is because there are fewer mice. When the reality is the mice are simply avoiding the traps that have been used before.
A multitude of other factors can cause traps to be ineffective such as:
- Failing to check (and empty) traps regularly. Traps that have been triggered, or that have pests in them will not catch more pests. And dead pests themselves become a health hazard when left.
- Failing to wear gloves when setting traps. Pests and mice especially will avoid traps with a human scent.
- Improper or old bait in the trap. Ensure the trap is baited with something the pests want to eat. A common myth is that mice love cheese. And while a mouse will eat cheese as a last resort, they actually prefer food like nuts and seeds, fruit and peanut butter. Check the bait often and replace when needed, to ensure the bait looks and smells appetizing.
- Not addressing the root cause. Don’t start setting traps if you haven’t yet figured out or addressed what caused the infestation in the first place.
It’s always crucial to use the traps effectively from the start. If you have any questions, expert pest control companies like Major Pest Control will be happy to answer all your questions about getting rid of your infestation.
The Game-Changing Secret Extermination Method in Calgary
Now, here’s how all these parts work together to deal a destructive blow to your infestation. It’s not just about eliminating pests; it’s about understanding them, their habits, their dislikes, and using that intel to our advantage. When you call us for help, the first thing we do is a full inspection of the property inside and out. We look at the yard, the exterior buildings if there are any, to find the extent of the infestation, and where it’s concentrated most. We ensure we have the full picture before creating our pest eradication game plan.
Of course, the first step is to fix how the pests are getting in. This works with mice, ants, beetles and spiders for example. When you remove the entry points, you won’t be getting new pests while trying to get rid of them, frustrating your efforts. We painstakingly ensure that any vents these pests can get into are covered, filling up holes with steel wool and caulking. Fixing the gaps in doors and windows, using filler in cement and foundation cracks.
Next step, we make the home as inhospitable to the pests as possible. Removing food sources, eliminating clutter, that makes it easy for them to hide. Each pest and infestation will be different. For bed bugs, we make it hard for them to reach their food source, by moving beds away from the walls and other furniture and ensuring that bedding doesn’t drag on the floor. For mice, we put all food into glass or metal mouse proof containers. For ants, we fix any plumbing leaks, ensure food spills are wiped up promptly, and avoid leaving pet food out all day, for example.
And while these efforts are important, the single most important aspect of any pest elimination is you must be persistent. Many homeowners aren’t as persistent as they need to be, giving up after a few weeks, or forgetting to check and reset traps. I get it – we’re all busy, and it’s tough to have to spend so much of your time and energy checking, emptying and resetting traps. But that’s the way to ensure you eliminate these pests – for good!
Knowing When to Call the Experts in Calgary’s Secret Extermination Methods
It’s about recognizing that some problems are bigger than your average DIY fix. This is where the professionals come into play. It’s a lot of information for the average person to have to know. What type of pest they have, how large the infestation is, what pesticides and traps are best, where to place them, and how to ensure they don’t have a reinfestation.
While we are more than happy to answer all questions to help Calgarians get rid of their pests, we are the experts with thousands of hours of experience dealing with these pests. And best of all, our services are guaranteed! So there’s no risk in getting us to help you tackle your pest problem. Call Major Pest Control Calgary today – you won’t be sorry you did!