Monthly Archive February 19, 2025

Randy Bilesky BScF CPA RPF

President at Go Green

February 18, 2025

Dealing with mice in the kitchen is definitely frustrating. Here are some ideas to address the issue:

1. Seal Entry Points

• Inspect your kitchen for cracks, holes, or gaps in walls, windows, and around plumbing pipes. Seal any potential entry points with caulk, steel wool, or weather stripping.

2. Set Traps

• Snap traps: Classic and effective for quick results.
• Catch-and-release traps: If you prefer not to kill them, use humane traps.
• Glue traps: These can catch mice, though some people find them less humane.

3. Use Natural Repellents

• Peppermint oil: Mice dislike strong smells. Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them around areas where mice are active.
• Cloves and cayenne pepper: These can also act as natural deterrents. Sprinkle them around your kitchen or near known entry points.
• Ultrasonic repellents: Devices that emit a sound that’s irritating to rodents but inaudible to humans.

4. Clean Up Attractants

• Tidy up: Mice are often drawn to crumbs, food scraps, or unsealed food containers. Make sure the kitchen is spotless, including under appliances and in cabinets.
• Seal food: Store food in airtight containers and keep pet food or any leftovers covered.

5. Professional Help

• If the problem persists, call Go Green Pest Control, pest control experts. We can address not only the mice problem but also inspect for any underlying issues you might miss.

6. Use a Natural Predatory Deterrent

• If you’re comfortable with it, having a cat can be an effective, natural solution to keep mice at bay. Just make sure your cat doesn’t become a bigger nuisance in the kitchen than the mice!

7. Consider a Rodent Repellent Spray

• There are sprays available that are designed to deter rodents from entering or lingering in areas where you don’t want them.

Mice droppings in the kitchen?

Mice droppings in the kitchen?

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/mice-droppings-kitchen-randy-bilesky-x92ec

Randy Bilesky BScF CPA RPF

President at Go Green

February 5, 2025

Rats are sneaky, fast-breeding, and incredibly adaptable, making them a serious nuisance for homeowners. In Canada, two species cause the most trouble: Norway rats and roof rats.

• Norway rats stick to the ground, often burrowing under homes, sheds, and garages.
• Roof rats are more common on the west coast of British Columbia and prefer higher places like attics, trees, and rooflines.

How to Tell Them Apart

• Norway rats are great swimmers and tend to live in basements, crawl spaces, and lower levels of buildings.
• Roof rats are more agile climbers, often found nesting in trees or high-up spaces like attics and rafters.

Why Norway Rats Are More Common

Norway rats are better at finding and eating food, allowing them to reproduce faster and push roof rats out of many areas. Although roof rats arrived in North America first, Norway rats spread quickly after being introduced on ships. In places with limited food, you’re more likely to only find Norway rats.

Roof Rats Can Survive the Cold

Despite being originally from warmer climates, roof rats have adapted to survive in cooler regions—even in places where temperatures hover just above freezing. In colder months, they may burrow into warm spots, like inside walls or attics. With climate change and rising temperatures, roof rats may expand their range into more areas of Canada.

What This Means for Homeowners

• Stay vigilant year-round: Rats don’t take a break in winter. They’ll find ways to stay warm—often inside your home.
• Seal entry points: Both species can squeeze through small openings. Check for cracks, gaps, and holes around your home.
• Keep food secure: Rats are excellent scavengers. Store food in airtight containers and clean up crumbs to avoid attracting them.
• Trim trees and bushes: Since roof rats like to climb, overhanging branches can act as a bridge to your home.
• Monitor for signs: Look for droppings, gnawed wires, or scratching noises in walls or ceilings.

If you suspect a rat problem, act quickly! The longer they stay, the harder they are to remove. Consider contacting a professional pest management provider (PMP) to handle infestations effectively.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/dealing-rats-what-homeowners-need-know-randy-bilesky-klowc

Dealing with Rats: What Homeowners Need to Know

Dealing with Rats: What Homeowners Need to Know

Randy Bilesky BScF CPA RPF

President at Go Green

February 4, 2025

Yikes, a mouse in the kitchen can definitely be unsettling! Here’s a quick guide on what you can do to deal with the situation:

1. Stay Calm – First, try not to panic. Mice are usually more afraid of you than you are of them.
2. Contain the Mouse – If possible, try to contain it in one area of the kitchen. Close doors or block off access to other rooms to prevent it from scurrying away.
3. Remove Food and Clean Up – Mice are usually attracted to food. Make sure to clear any crumbs, spills, or food scraps from countertops, tables, and floors. Store food in sealed containers and remove any garbage.
4. Set Traps – If you’re comfortable with it, you can use traps to catch the mouse. Snap traps, live traps (if you prefer a humane option), or even glue traps can all work. Place them along the walls where mice tend to travel, as they usually avoid open spaces.
5. Seal Entry Points – Mice can sneak in through tiny gaps. Check for any cracks, holes, or openings around windows, doors, and even pipes. Seal these up to prevent more mice from entering.
6. Call Pest Control – If you’re not comfortable handling it yourself, or if it’s a recurring issue, it might be a good idea to contact Go Green Pest Control Corp. We can help with a more thorough solution.

Mice can carry a variety of diseases and cause significant damage, which is why it’s important to address the situation quickly. Here’s a breakdown of potential risks:

Diseases Mice Can Carry

Mice are known to carry several diseases that can be transmitted to humans (zoonotic diseases), usually through urine, droppings, saliva, or bites. Some of the most common ones include:

1. Hantavirus – Spread through droppings, urine, or saliva. In rare cases, humans can become infected by breathing in dust particles from dried mouse waste.
2. Leptospirosis – Can be transmitted through contact with water, soil, or food contaminated by mouse urine. It can lead to severe liver or kidney damage if untreated.
3. Salmonella – Mice can carry the bacteria in their feces. If they contaminate food or surfaces, you could ingest it, leading to food poisoning symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.).
4. Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV) – A viral infection that can cause flu-like symptoms, and in severe cases, lead to neurological problems like meningitis.
5. Plague – While rare today, mice can carry fleas that transmit the plague, which caused pandemics in history. This is mostly a concern in certain rural or wild areas.
6. Toxoplasmosis – Can be spread by handling contaminated mouse droppings, though it’s more commonly associated with cats. It can cause flu-like symptoms and, in rare cases, more severe issues.
7. Rat-Bite Fever – Though more commonly associated with rats, mice can sometimes spread this bacterial infection, which causes fever, rashes, and joint pain.

Damage Mice Can Cause

Besides the health risks, mice can cause a lot of physical damage:

1. Chewing on Materials – Mice have a constant need to gnaw. They can chew on wires, insulation, pipes, drywall, furniture, and even food packaging. This can lead to costly repairs and pose fire hazards, especially if they chew through electrical wires.
2. Contaminating Food – Mice can spoil food by contaminating it with their urine, feces, and hair. They can also damage food packaging, making it inedible or unsafe.
3. Structural Damage – They can create nests by chewing through insulation or even walls, causing damage that can be expensive to repair.
4. Damage to Stored Goods – Mice are often attracted to paper, cardboard, fabrics, and even books, which they might gnaw on for nesting or food. This can lead to damage to important documents or other materials you store in the kitchen or elsewhere.
5. Pest Infestation – Mice can lead to a larger infestation if not dealt with quickly. If they have access to your kitchen, it’s possible other pests (such as fleas, ticks, or lice) could follow.

There is a mouse in your kitchen!!!

There is a mouse in your kitchen!!!

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