Monthly Archive June 19, 2025

ByRandy Bilesky BsF CPA RPF

Mice in your garage?

Randy Bilesky BScF CPA RPF

President at Go Green

June 19, 2025

🐭 Why So Much Poop?

  • Mice defecate constantly, up to 50–75 droppings per day per mouse.
  • They poop wherever they go—especially along walls, corners, and travel paths.
  • A garage provides food remnants, hiding places, and nesting material, encouraging mice to settle and reproduce.
  • The more mice, the more droppings—so large amounts of feces usually mean an established infestation.

🦠 Diseases from Mice Droppings and Urine

Both feces and urine can harbor dangerous pathogens. Here are some known risks:

⚠️ Diseases Carried:

  1. Hantavirus – transmitted via inhalation of dust contaminated with droppings or urine.
  2. Salmonella – from contamination of surfaces or stored food.
  3. Leptospirosis – from direct contact with urine or contaminated water.
  4. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV) – viral infection from exposure to rodent bodily fluids.
  5. Tularemia – rare but possible through contact with infected rodents or their feces.

🧼 Clean carefully: Avoid sweeping or vacuuming dry droppings (it can aerosolize pathogens). Use gloves, mask, and a disinfectant spray before removing any waste.


🧪 Pheromones in Mouse Urine

  • Yes, mice release pheromones in urine, used for:
  • The urine scent acts like a “trail marker,” helping other mice navigate and recognize safe routes.
  • These pheromones attract more mice, reinforcing infestation patterns.

🛠️ What You Can Do

  1. Seal Entry Points: Mice can squeeze through holes as small as 1/4 inch.
  2. Declutter & Clean: Remove nesting sites and food sources.
  3. Use Traps or Baits: Snap traps, electronic traps, or professional-grade baits.
  4. Consider Ultrasonic Devices: Limited effectiveness but may help in combo with other strategies.
  5. Go Green Pest Control Corp. a professional pest control for all and recurring infestations.

🚫 Cleanup Tips (Safely Handling Droppings & Urine)

  1. Wear gloves and an N95 mask.
  2. Spray droppings with disinfectant or bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water).
  3. Let sit for 5 minutes before removing with paper towels.
  4. Dispose of everything in a sealed bag.
  5. Disinfect the area again after removal.
  6. https://gogreenpestcontrol.ca/mice-in-your-garage/
  7. https://insectandrodentexterminators.com/mice-in-your-garage/
  8. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/mice-your-garage-randy-bilesky-c9q6c
ByRandy Bilesky BsF CPA RPF

Noises in the wall? Could be a carpenter ant satellite nest

What’s Going On?

Randy Bilesky BScF CPA RPF

President at Go Green

June 11, 2025

  • Carpenter ants don’t eat wood, but they chew through it to build nests.
  • A satellite nest is a secondary colony, often built indoors (like in wall voids), while the main nest is outdoors in a tree, stump, or deadwood.
  • If you’re hearing chewing, it’s likely a serious infestation — they’re expanding the nest or foraging.

🚩 Signs of Carpenter Ants in Walls

  • Faint rustling or chewing noises, especially at night.
  • Frass: piles of sawdust-like material near walls or baseboards.
  • Large black ants, especially winged ones (swarmers).
  • Soft or hollow-sounding wood.

🛠️ What You Should Do

1. Locate the Nest

  • Try to find entry points: gaps, holes, or areas where frass is appearing.
  • Carpenter ants often nest near moisture — leaky pipes, roof leaks, or bathrooms.

2. Treat the Nest

  • Dust insecticides like boric acid or diatomaceous earth can work if applied directly.
  • Insecticidal foams can penetrate wall voids.
  • Use ant baits to feed the colony — they take the poison back to the nest.

3. Call a Professional

  • Since it’s a satellite nest in a wall, call Go Green Pest Control experts, highly recommended.
  • We help track down both main and satellite nests and ensure total removal.

4. Long-Term Prevention

ByRandy Bilesky BsF CPA RPF

Rats and your vegetable garden

Rats can be a frustrating and destructive problem in vegetable gardens. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to identify, prevent, and control rats in your garden:


Signs of Rats in Your Garden

  • Droppings: Small, dark, pellet-shaped droppings around beds or compost bins.
  • Burrows: Holes in the ground, often near garden beds or under sheds.
  • Gnaw Marks: On vegetables, wood, or garden tools.
  • Nibbled Produce: Partially eaten fruits or vegetables left behind.
  • Nocturnal Activity: Rustling or movement at night; rats are most active after dark.

Why Rats Are Attracted to Gardens

  • Food: Ripe fruits, vegetables, seeds, and compost.
  • Water: Leaky hoses, birdbaths, or pet water bowls.
  • Shelter: Overgrown plants, compost bins, and woodpiles.

How to Deter Rats from Your Garden

1. Eliminate Food Sources

  • Harvest ripe produce promptly.
  • Use sealed containers for compost or exclude meat and dairy if using open piles.
  • Avoid leaving pet food or bird seed outside.

2. Remove Shelter

  • Keep grass and weeds trimmed.
  • Elevate compost bins and secure them.
  • Store firewood away from garden beds and off the ground.

3. Block Access

  • Install fine mesh wire or hardware cloth under raised beds.
  • Use row covers or netting to protect plants.
  • Seal gaps in sheds, fences, and garden structures.

4. Natural Deterrents

  • Peppermint oil: Rats dislike the smell—soak cotton balls and place near entry points.
  • Predators: Encourage natural predators like owls, snakes, or cats.
  • Motion-activated sprinklers or lights: Can scare rats away.

Long-Term Solutions