Randy Bilesky BScF CPA RPF

President at Go Green

September 27, 2024

When I pulled out my gas stove to clean, I was shocked by what I found—an area coated in dirt, soot, and biological matter that explained my recurring mouse problem. Despite cleaning the kitchen floor at least twice a week, crumbs and food debris had accumulated under the stove, providing the mice with a feast fit for multiple families.

Now, I’ve made it a point to clean under both my fridge and stove at least a couple of times a month. Leaving food remnants in those hidden spots is just an invitation for unwanted guests!

Signs of Mouse Activity

After eating, mice leave behind small, dark droppings that look like grains of rice. These can be found near feeding areas or along their paths. You might also notice smudge marks or grease stains on surfaces they frequently contact, as well as gnaw marks on food packaging or other materials. If you spot any of these signs, it’s crucial to clean thoroughly and take steps to prevent further infestations.

Health Risks

Mice can carry and transmit several diseases through their droppings, urine, and saliva. Here are some notable ones:

1. Hantavirus: Can cause severe respiratory issues and is spread through contact with droppings or urine.
2. Leptospirosis: Transmitted through water contaminated by rodent urine, leading to flu-like symptoms and potential complications.
3. Salmonella: Mice can contaminate food with this bacteria, resulting in food poisoning.
4. Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCMV): Spread through contact with droppings or urine, it can cause flu-like symptoms and neurological issues.
5. Tularemia: Less common but can be transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their secretions.

To minimize these health risks, maintaining cleanliness and taking preventive measures to control mouse populations in your home is essential. A clean kitchen isn’t just pleasant—it’s vital for health and safety!

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A Clean Kitchen Isn’t What Mice Want to See

A Clean Kitchen Isn’t What Mice Want to See

Ants can be unwelcome guests in your home, and while they generally don’t pose serious health risks, their presence can be a nuisance. Here’s a straightforward approach to preventing and eliminating ant infestations effectively.

Randy Bilesky BScF CPA RPF

President at Go Green

September 25, 2024

Understanding Ant Behavior

What Attracts Ants?

Ants enter homes primarily for food, water, and shelter. Common food sources include:

• Sugary substances: Honey, syrup, and sweets.
• Proteins: Leftovers, pet food, and meats.
• Fats and carbohydrates: Chips, oils, and grains.

Types of Ants

The two most common types you may encounter are:

• Odorous House Ants: Small and often found in kitchens and bathrooms. They are more of a nuisance and don’t cause structural damage.
• Carpenter Ants: Larger and can damage wood by tunneling through damp or rotted materials.

Identifying the species is crucial, as different ants require different control methods.

How Ants Enter Your Home

Ants can infiltrate through:

• Cracks and crevices in walls, doors, and windows.
• Utility lines and trees that touch your home.
• Basements and damp areas.

Ant-Proofing Your Home

1. Maintain Cleanliness

• Clean up spills and crumbs immediately, especially sugary liquids.
• Store food in airtight containers to eliminate easy access.

2. Eliminate Damp Areas

• Fix leaks and dry out any damp spots in your home, particularly in basements and kitchens.
• Regularly inspect and maintain wooden structures like decks to prevent rotting.

3. Set Ant Baits

• Use ant baits that contain attractive food sources. These help eliminate the colony by poisoning foragers that take the bait back to their nest.

4. Avoid Sprays

• Avoid using insect sprays as a primary method of control. They often only kill visible ants and can lead to worse infestations by disturbing the colony.

5. Skip DIY Solutions

• While natural remedies (like cinnamon) may seem appealing, they are generally ineffective. Professional pest control services are best for persistent problems.

6. Enhance Outdoor Conditions

• Keep your yard tidy to minimize food sources for ants. If you have plants, manage pests like aphids that produce honeydew, which ants love.

Conclusion

Ants can be a hassle, but with proactive measures, you can significantly reduce their chances of entering your home. Focus on cleanliness, proper maintenance, and using targeted bait strategies for effective control. If infestations persist, consult Go Green Pest Control who can provide tailored solutions for your specific situation.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-get-rid-ants-comprehensive-guide-randy-bilesky-xujjc

How to Get Rid of Ants: A Comprehensive Guide

Randy Bilesky BScF CPA RPF

President at Go Green

September 20, 2024

Rats may be attracted to your hot tub for several reasons:

1. Water Source: Hot tubs provide a consistent source of water, which is essential for rats.
2. Warmth: The heat from the hot tub can be appealing, especially in cooler weather, as it offers a warm place to rest.
3. Shelter: The area around a hot tub can provide shelter and hiding spots for rats, making it a safe place for them.
4. Food Sources: If there are food scraps or debris nearby, this can attract rats looking for easy meals.
5. Nesting Material: If there are soft materials around, rats might find them suitable for building nests.

To deter rats, ensure your hot tub area is clean, remove any food sources, and consider securing the area to prevent access.

If you have rats under your hot tub, here are some steps you can take:

1. Identify Signs: Look for droppings, gnaw marks, or nests to confirm their presence.
2. Remove Attractants: Make sure there’s no food or trash nearby that could be attracting them.
3. Seal Entry Points: Inspect the area for holes or gaps where rats might be entering and seal them up.
4. Traps: Use humane traps or snap traps to catch them. Place them near their entry points or signs of activity.
5. Repellents: Consider using natural repellents like peppermint oil or commercial rat repellents.
6. Consult Professionals: If the problem persists, it might be best to contact Go Green Pest Control, experts for safe and effective removal.
7. Monitor: After taking action, keep an eye on the area to ensure they don’t return.
8. https://gogreenpestcontrol.ca/rats-under-your-hot-tub-2/
9. https://insectandrodentexterminators.com/rats-under-your-hot-tub-2/
10. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/rats-under-your-hot-tub-randy-bilesky-ayuoc

Randy Bilesky BScF CPA RPF

President at Go Green

September 13, 2024

The nasty smell of a deceased rodent is typically caused by the decomposition process. As it’s body breaks down, it releases gases and compounds that produce a foul odor. This smell can be quite intense and pervasive, especially if the rat has been dead for some time or if it’s in an enclosed space.

Here’s what you can do to address the problem:

1. Locate the Source: Try to find where the rat is. Common places include attics, walls, basements, and under floors. You might need to look for signs like droppings, nesting materials, or other indicators.
2. Remove the Body: If you can locate the dead rat, wear gloves and use a tool (like tongs or a shovel) to remove it. Place the rat in a sealed plastic bag and dispose of it properly according to your local regulations.
3. Clean the Area: After removal, clean the area thoroughly with disinfectant. This helps eliminate any remaining odor and bacteria. Make sure to ventilate the area well.
4. Odor Neutralizers: Use odor-neutralizing products to help with any lingering smell. Options include activated charcoal, baking soda, or commercial odor neutralizers. Place them in the affected area to absorb and mask the odor.
5. Inspect for Entry Points: Check for and seal any entry points where rats might have gained access. This helps prevent future infestations.
6. Consider Professional Help: If the smell persists or if you’re unable to locate the source, it might be worth calling a pest control professional. They can help locate and remove the dead rat, as well as address any ongoing pest issues.

The foul odor from a deceased animal, such as a rat, is due to a mix of gases and compounds produced during decomposition. Here are some of the key contributors to that unpleasant smell:

1. Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S): This gas has a distinctive smell of rotten eggs. It is produced by the breakdown of proteins in the body.
2. Putrescine and Cadaverine: These are biogenic amines produced by the bacterial decomposition of amino acids. They have strong, unpleasant odors often associated with rotting flesh.
3. Methane (CH₄): While not as pungent, methane is produced during the decomposition process and can contribute to the overall odor.
4. Ammonia (NH₃): Ammonia is released from the breakdown of urea and other nitrogenous compounds. It has a sharp, irritating smell.
5. Skatole and Indole: These compounds are derived from the breakdown of tryptophan and other amino acids. They can contribute to the characteristic “fecal” smell.
6. Fatty Acids: Decomposing fat produces short-chain fatty acids, which can contribute to the rancid odor.

These compounds are released as bacteria and other microorganisms break down the tissues in the animal’s body. The smell can be quite intense and pervasive, making it important to address the source of the odor promptly.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/nasty-smell-deceased-rat-your-house-what-causes-can-done-bilesky-0jzuc

Nasty smell of a deceased rat in your house? What causes the smell and what can be done.

Nasty smell of a deceased rat in your house? What causes the smell and what can be done.

Randy Bilesky BScF CPA RPF

President at Go Green

September 12, 2024

Adult mice can be tricky to catch for a few reasons:

1. Speed and Agility: Mice are very quick and agile. They can dart around and change direction rapidly, making them hard to catch.
2. Small Size: Their small size allows them to squeeze into tight spaces and evade capture. They can hide in tiny crevices or behind objects.
3. Nocturnal Behavior: Mice are primarily active at night, which can make them harder to catch during the day when they are more likely to be hidden and less active.
4. High Sensitivity: Mice have keen senses, especially their sense of smell and hearing. They can detect human presence or disturbances and often avoid areas where they sense danger.
5. Sense of Smell: Mice have an excellent sense of smell, which they use to detect food, danger, and other mice. They can pick up on very faint odors, which helps them locate resources and avoid threats.
6. Hearing: Mice have sensitive hearing and can detect high-frequency sounds that are inaudible to humans. This helps them pick up on the sounds of predators or other mice, aiding in their survival.
7. Touch: Mice use their whiskers to explore their environment. Their whiskers are highly sensitive and can detect tiny changes in their surroundings, helping them navigate in the dark and avoid obstacles.
8. Taste: Their taste receptors are also finely tuned, helping them identify and avoid potentially harmful substances while seeking out food sources. These heightened senses contribute to their ability to evade traps and avoid detection.
9. Learning and Adaptability: Mice are intelligent and can learn to avoid traps or catch methods if they’ve been exposed to them before.

If you’re trying to catch a mouse, using baited traps and placing them in areas where you’ve noticed mouse activity can be effective. Eliminate their food sources and potential nesting sites to make your environment less hospitable to them.

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Adult mice – very hard to catch

Adult mice – very hard to catch

Randy Bilesky BScF CPA RPF

President at Go Green

If you have had a wasp nest in the attic that was sprayed, several things might happen that could lead to wasps continuing to enter the house:

1. Delayed Effect: Insecticides often take some time to kill the wasps. If you spray a nest, some wasps might still be alive and active for a while afterward, even though the queen has expired. The larvae may continue to hatch and begin searching for food.
2. Disruption: Spraying can disrupt the nest, causing disoriented or panicked wasps to leave the nest and fly around in search of a new place to go, which might lead them into the house.
3. Entrances and Exits: Wasps might use other entry points to get into the house, especially if the attic is not perfectly sealed. If there are gaps or openings, wasps might continue to come in even after the nest is treated.
4. New Nests: If the nest was not completely destroyed or if some wasps survived, they might establish a new nest or find a different place to live.
5. Attractants: If the house has food or sugary substances, it might attract the remaining wasps looking for food.

To prevent this issue, it’s important to thoroughly treat the nest and ensure all entry points into the house are sealed.

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At the end of wasp season, why do wasps continue to come into the house?

At the end of wasp season, why do wasps continue to come into the house?