Author Archive Randy Bilesky BsF CPA RPF

Skunks may be attracted to your yard for various reasons, and keeping them away involves addressing those factors. Here are some common reasons why skunks might be in your yard and ways to deter them:

1. Food Sources:
   • Garbage: Ensure that your garbage cans are tightly sealed, as skunks are attracted to food scraps.
   • Pet Food: If you have outdoor pets, don’t leave their food bowls outside overnight.
2. Gardens and Lawns:
   • Grubs: Skunks feed on insects, especially grubs. If you have a lawn, treat it for grubs to reduce their presence.
3. Shelter:
   • Under Decks or Porches: Skunks often seek shelter under decks or porches. Seal off these areas to prevent access.
4. Secure Structures:
   • Fencing: Install a fence around your property to keep skunks out. Make sure it extends below the ground to prevent them from digging underneath.
5. Natural Repellents:
   • Citrus Peels: Skunks dislike the smell of citrus. Placing citrus peels in your yard may deter them.
   • Ammonia: Soak rags in ammonia and place them in areas where skunks frequent. However, be cautious as ammonia has a strong odor.
6. Motion-Activated Lights or Sprinklers:
   • Skunks are nocturnal, and they often prefer dark areas. Installing motion-activated lights or sprinklers can startle them and discourage their presence.
7. Professional Assistance:
   • If the skunk problem persists, consider contacting Go Green Pest Control 778-886-4111

Remember to check local regulations before attempting to trap or relocate skunks, as it may require a permit in some areas. Additionally, it’s important to approach the situation with caution, as skunks can spray if they feel threatened.

If you suspect there is a rodent in your wall, attic or crawlspace, there are several steps you can take to address the issue:

1. Listen for Sounds: Try to listen for any scratching or scurrying sounds coming from the wall. Rats are often active at night, so you might hear them more clearly during the evening. Squirrels are active during day light and mice are active all day long.
2. Inspect for Entry Points: Look for any openings or cracks in and around your home, especially near the suspected wall. Rodents can enter through small gaps, so sealing these entry points can prevent further infestation.
3. Set Traps: Consider setting traps to catch the rodent. There are various types of traps available, including snap traps, live traps, and electronic traps. Place them in areas where you suspect rodent activity.
4. Use Bait: Bait the traps with appropriate food, such as peanut butter. This can attract the rodent to the trap.
5. Consult Go Green Pest Control 778-886-4111
6. Clean and Sanitize: Rodents can leave behind droppings and urine, which may pose health risks. Clean and sanitize the affected areas to reduce the chances of disease transmission.
7. Prevent Future Infestations: Take measures to prevent future rodent infestations by keeping food stored in sealed containers, maintaining a clean living environment, and addressing any potential entry points.

Remember, if you’re unsure about how to handle the situation, seeking the help of Go Green Pest Control 778-886-4111 service is a prudent step.

Raccoons, skunks and crows can be a nuisance when they start digging up lawns. They usually do this in search of  grubs. Thankfully, there are several methods you can try to deter them from tearing up your lawn. Here are some effective solutions:

1. Make it difficult for them to dig: They won’t waste a lot of effort digging if it’s difficult for them. Consider installing a chain-link fence or laying netting over the area they are prone to dig. This makes it harder for them to access the soil.
2. Apply nematodes: Nematodes are natural predators of grubs, which are a common food source for them. Apply nematodes to your lawn in late summer or early fall when the grub larvae are young and vulnerable. This can help reduce their food source and discourage them from digging.
3. Keep the soil wet: They prefer to dig in dry soil, so keeping the soil wet can make it less attractive to them. Water your lawn regularly, especially in areas where they frequently dig.
4. Use cayenne pepper:  Sprinkle cayenne pepper around the areas where raccoons typically dig or mix it with water to create a spray. However, note that this method may be hit or miss and may need to be reapplied regularly.
5. Unroll chicken wire: If your lawn is small enough, unrolling chicken wire over the areas where raccoons dig can frustrate them. Be sure to move the wire every few days so it doesn’t become embedded in the lawn.
6. Motion-activated sprinklers: Consider installing motion-activated sprinklers, such as “the scarecrow,” in your yard. These sprinklers can startle raccoons when they approach and deter them from digging.
7. Develop a healthy lawn: Maintaining a healthy lawn with strong roots can make it more difficult for raccoons to dig. Focus on proper lawn care practices, such as fertilizing, aerating, and over-seeding, to promote a healthy, well-rooted lawn.

Remember, these animals are smart and stubborn, so it may take a combination of these methods to successfully deter them from digging up your lawn. It’s also important to note that prevention is key. By addressing the underlying issue of grubs and maintaining a well-kept lawn, you can reduce the likelihood of  them being attracted to your yard.

If you have rats in your garage, it’s essential to address the issue promptly to prevent potential damage and health concerns. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Identify Entry Points:
   • Inspect your garage for any openings or gaps that rats could use to enter. Seal these openings with materials like steel wool or caulk. Although, the rat may have snuck in while the garage door was opened. 
2. Remove Attractants:
   • Keep food sources sealed in airtight containers. This includes, grass seeds, bulbs and even fertilizer. 
   • Remove any standing water, or any water in plastic bottles, as rats need water almost daily to survive.
3. Set Traps:
   • Place rat traps in strategic locations. Use bait like peanut butter or dried fruit.
   • Consider humane traps if you prefer catch-and-release methods.
4. Use Rodenticides:
   • If traps alone aren’t effective, you may use rodenticides, although retail rodenticides are now not available, only horn husks. Follow instructions carefully and place them in areas inaccessible to pets and children.
5. Clean and Organize:
   • Declutter your garage to eliminate potential hiding spots.
   • Regularly clean up any food crumbs or spills.
6. Professional Help:
   • If the infestation persists, consider hiring a Go Green Pest Control  service to assess and address the issue.

Remember to take precautions when handling traps or rodenticides, and prioritize methods that are safe for both humans and pets. Regular maintenance and vigilance will help prevent future infestations.

Dealing with rats under your hot tub can be a nuisance and a potential health hazard. Here are some steps you can take to address the issue:

1. Identify Entry Points:
   • Inspect the area around your hot tub for potential entry points. Rats can squeeze through small openings, so check for gaps or holes in the structure.
2. Seal Entry Points:
   • Once you identify entry points, seal them with materials that rats cannot easily chew through. Steel wool, wire mesh, or expanding foam can be effective.
3. Remove Attractants:
   • Ensure there is no readily available food source around the hot tub area. Secure garbage cans, clean up any spilled food, and avoid leaving pet food outside.
4. Trim Vegetation:
   • Trim back any overgrown vegetation around the hot tub. Rats may use dense vegetation as cover and a pathway to reach the area.
5. Use Traps:
   • Set traps strategically around the hot tub. Snap traps or live traps can be effective. 
6. Consider Natural Deterrents:
   • Some natural repellents, such as peppermint oil or ammonia, may deter rats. Soak cotton balls in these substances and place them near entry points.
7. Professional Help:
   • If the problem persists, consider using Go Green Pest Control  services. We can assess the situation, identify the root cause, and implement effective measures.
8. Maintain the Hot Tub:
   • Regularly clean and maintain your hot tub to remove any potential nesting materials or attractants. Rats may be attracted to warm, sheltered spaces.

Remember, it’s crucial to address the issue promptly, as rats can carry diseases and cause damage to property. If you’re unsure about how to proceed, or if the problem persists despite your efforts, consulting with a pest control professional is advisable.

If you have moles in your lawn and find their presence bothersome, there are several methods you can try to control and reduce their population. Keep in mind that moles primarily feed on insects and earthworms, so addressing the mole issue may also involve managing the insect population in your lawn.  A green lawn is a mole lawn. Here are some methods you can consider, although grub control and traps only work:

1. Castor Oil:
   • Mix castor oil with dish soap and water.
   • Spray the mixture on your lawn. The smell and taste will deter moles.
2. Mole Repellents:
   • There are commercial mole repellents available. These products often contain ingredients that create unpleasant odors or flavors for moles.
3. Grub Control:
   • Since moles feed on insects, reducing the insect population in your lawn may discourage them.
   • Use nematodes to control grubs.
4. Flooding:
   • Moles dislike wet environments. Flooding their tunnels may encourage them to leave.
   • However, this method may not be practical for large lawns and could harm the grass.
5. Traps:
   • Mole traps can be effective, but they require proper placement and careful handling.
6. Natural Predators:
   • Encourage natural predators like owls, snakes, and domestic pets to help control the mole population.
7. Vibrating Stakes:
   • Some products emit vibrations into the ground, simulating larger animals or machinery. This can deter moles but is generally a waste of money.
8. Professional Assistance:
   • If the mole infestation is severe or persistent, consider help from Go Green Pest Control.

The lifecycle of a wasp nest typically follows a seasonal pattern. In Delta and similar regions with temperate climates, wasp nests often start to decline in the late summer and fall. As the days get shorter and temperatures drop, the production of new workers decreases, and the focus shifts to producing new queens and males for the next generation.

By late summer or early fall, the worker wasps are no longer bringing in as much food, and the activity around the nest diminishes. As winter approaches, the colony declines further, and the workers, males, and old queens die off. The newly mated queens seek shelter to hibernate through the winter. By the time winter is in full swing, the wasp colony is effectively “dead” as the workers and males have died, and the queens are in hibernation. The old nest is usually abandoned, and you are less likely to encounter active wasp nests during the winter months.

It’s important to note that the timing can vary depending on the specific species of wasp and local environmental conditions. If you’re dealing with a wasp nest on your property, it’s generally safer to address it in the early spring or late fall when the colony is less active. It’s worth noting that wasp colonies are seasonal, and the lifespan of individual wasps within the colony is relatively short. However, the colony as a whole may persist for a few months, depending on environmental conditions and available food sources.

While corn husks, certain uses originally proposed are not supported by the PMRA because value has not been adequately demonstrated. themselves are not typically used as rat poison, some people may mistakenly believe that they can be harmful to rats and those retails that sell it are modern day snake oil suppliers. However, it’s important to note that relying on corn husks as a rat poison is not an effective method for rodent control.

If you are dealing with a rat infestation, it’s recommended to use  traps that are specifically designed for this purpose. These products are designed to be effective in controlling rodent populations while minimizing risks to humans and pets when used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Using homemade or improvised methods for rat control can be dangerous and may not be as effective as professionally developed products. If you have concerns about a rat infestation, it’s advisable to consult with Go Green Pest Control professionals for guidance on the most appropriate and safe methods for addressing the issue.

Note: In a controlled lab environment – Mice and rats must feed on the corn husk bait exclusively for a minimum of  14 days, respectively. Both end-use products are to be applied in commercially available bait stations placed 1.2 to 1.8 metres apart, with each bait station containing 56.7–85 grams of bait. An uninterrupted supply must be provided for a minimum of 14 days or until signs of rat and mouse activity ceases for a period of two or more months.  

Bird mites are tiny parasitic arachnids that infest birds, and occasionally, they can bite humans. They are often associated with birds such as pigeons, sparrows, and starlings. These mites can become a problem when they leave bird nests in search of a new host, which can include humans.

Here are some key points about bird mites:

1. Appearance: Bird mites are very small, usually around 1 mm in size, making them barely visible to the naked eye. They are often pale or translucent in color.
2. Bites: Bird mite bites on humans can cause itching, irritation, and sometimes allergic reactions. The bites are often clustered and may resemble mosquito bites.
3. Lifecycle: The life cycle of bird mites typically involves stages such as eggs, larvae, nymphs, and adults. They feed on the blood of birds and can survive for several weeks without a host.
4. Transmission to Humans: Bird mites may infest homes when they leave abandoned bird nests. They can enter houses through windows, doors, or other openings. Once inside, they may bite humans in their search for a blood meal.
5. Control and Prevention: Controlling bird mites involves addressing the bird infestation, as well as treating the affected areas. This may include the use of pesticides and cleaning measures. Preventive measures include bird control, sealing entry points, and maintaining a clean environment.

If you suspect a bird mite infestation, it’s advisable to Go Green Pest Control for proper identification and treatment. Additionally, seeking medical advice for any adverse reactions to bites is recommended.

Bed bug bites are skin reactions resulting from the bites of bed bugs (Cimex lectularius). These insects feed on the blood of humans and animals during the night. Bed bug bites often appear as small, red, itchy welts on the skin. The bites are usually arranged in a cluster or a line and can be found on any part of the body, especially areas that are exposed during sleep.

It’s important to note that not everyone reacts to bed bug bites in the same way, and some people may not show any visible signs of being bitten. The bites themselves are not known to transmit diseases, but they can cause itching and discomfort.

If you suspect you have bed bug bites, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, addressing the presence of bed bugs in your living environment is crucial to prevent further bites. This may involve hiring Go Green Pest Control to eliminate the infestation.

Remember, identifying and treating bed bug infestations early is key to preventing their spread and minimizing the impact on your health and well-being.