Author Archive Randy Bilesky BsF CPA RPF

Small black pavement ants, thatching ants and the large black carpenter ants seem to be everywhere this year and some of the mating ants with wings have already been out. They are flourishing in the usual sunny locations — cracks in driveways, under patio pavers, and of course in wood mulch (their number one built in home). If you find that they put the “p” in pest, then try reducing their numbers with borax, diatomaceous earth or any number of those gimmicky retail ant solutions – by spraying on the anthill or in the cracks were they are sending up sand. To help deter them from coming inside, spray a little diatomaceous earth near doorways. Many ants are actually coming inside for water, so eliminate any leaks or drips and of course don’t leave pet food out after they have eaten. Now the only way to actually kill of a nest is to illuminate the queen (or queens as many ant nest will have multiple queens) which usually requires ant specific pesticides. Use caution when using pesticides, read all instructions for use and location.

Insect numbers are declining at an extraordinary rate and this is not a result of all the pests Go Green pest control deals with daily. Most insects are undeniably vital for the existence of many plants and animal species. Insects are vital to our planet’s ecological well-being, which many animals and plants relying on. As the insect numbers continue to fall, the effects are likely to be distressing. Between 30 and 50 percent of insect species are currently endangered with extinction and insect biomass is dropping by 3 percent yearly. The insects role is essential to the planet’s ecological health, with fewer insects the world might see potential extinction. The world’s population of beetles, bees and butterflies has become relatively ominous, as it is now estimated that in a half a century most of the world’s insects will be gone. And the culprit is – agriculture, urbanization, deforestation and climate change. Not all insects are struggling as more adaptable species (the ones commonly classified as pests) still will to thrive. 

gogreenpestcontrol.ca insectandrodentexterminators.com Delta Ladner Tsawwassen B.C. Randy Bilesky BsF CPA RPF

https://gogreenpestcontrol.ca/declining-insect…ge-our-ecosystem/

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/declining-insects-change-our-ecosystem-randy-bilesky/?published=t

This year has seen a surge in tick sightings and its another pest that is indirectly to blame. With rising temperatures and land development we are seeing more rodents like rats, mice and squirrels coming into contact with humans. Because rodents are the number one source of food for ticks – more rodents more ticks. And those ticks bring diseases. Last year there were a lot of reported cases of tick-borne diseases and a lot of unreported.  Lyme disease is the most common and well-known tick-borne disease but are four others: Anaplasmosis; Babesiosis; Powassan virus; and Borrelia disease. The best way to avoid these things is to use insect repellent with 25 percent DEET, and avoid any tall grass.

https://www.delta-optimist.com/opinion/blogs/blog-tick-sightings-are-surging-1.23853440

gogreenpestcontrol.ca Ladner Tsawwassen Delta B.C., Randy Bilesky BsF CPA RPF

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ticks-why-so-many-randy-bilesky/?published=t

“Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home” (children’s nursery rhyme). A amazing phenomenon was seen in San Diego last week, a giant rain-cloud that turned out to be a swarm of lady beetles that measured 135 km by 135 km. Such a cloud of lady bugs is called a ‘bloom’ but is normally not this large. It is thought that the swarm may have gotten swept up with the wind as this massive bloom is highly unusual. The bright red insects are known to hibernate in clusters along California’s foothills and migrate west in the springtime. This mass insect migration which contains trillions and trillions of lady beetles (ladybirds or ladybugs) were flying south over the desert in a large swarm. This huge migration normally happens in late spring due to increasing day length and warming temperatures that surpass 18 degrees C, which trigger these insects to awaken from diapause (insect hibernation).

gogreenpestcontrol.ca insectandrodentexterminators.com Delta Ladner Tsawwassen B.C., Randy Bilesky BsF CPA RPF

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ladybug-bloom-randy-bilesky/?published=t

Its that time again when new honey bee queens kick the old queens out and there is a swarm on the run. So what do you do if a swarm ends up in your yard? It is more important then ever that honeybees be protected and unless you want to become a bee keeper, here are a few tips that will help to keep you and your insect visitors safe – re-homed and not destroyed . We get a lot of calls about bees making nests in the soffits of peoples houses when they are actually wasps and hornets – so you need to be able to identify a bee from a wasp or hornet. In Canada, we have in excess of 800 species of native bees, the most notable the honey bees and bumble bees. Honey bees and bumble bees are both thick set with no waists, hairy and have pollen basket or corbicula (plural corbiculae) on their legs. Wasps and hornets have narrow waists and smooth hairless bodies. My suggestion is that you don’t try to take care of the bees yourself, google beekeepers and get them to recover the hive and relocate it.

https://www.delta-optimist.com/opinion/blog-what-to-do-when-a-honey-bee-swarm-ends-up-in-your-yard-1.23850850

gogreenpestcontrol.ca insectandrodentexterminators.com Delta Ladner Tsawwassen B.C., Randy Bilesky BsF CPA RPF

 https://gogreenpestcontrol.ca/honey-bee-swarms/ ‎

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/honey-bee-swarms-randy-bilesky/?published=t

Here in Delta we have roughly 6 distinctly different ants all going about their business in different fashions. As different as they are in their activities – they all are basically ants, adult ants come in a variety of shapes and dimensions but each will be one of three different colony castes; queens, workers or males. Queens are fertile females that lay all the eggs in a colony, workers are wingless females that get the food and protect and maintain the nest, and the male ants are winged and they mate with the queens throughout the swarming process. So why ants want to be in our homes, the short answer is food, dirty dishes in the sink, food on counter tops, food on floors and in the garbage. Ants leave unseen biochemical trails in which contain pheromones for others to follow. Ants can enter through even the smallest cracks, seeking food and water. A colony can live a moderately lengthy lifetime. Worker ants may live several years and the queen may live as long as 20 years.

gogreenpestcontrol.ca insectandrodentexterminators.com Delta Ladner Tsawwassen B.C., Randy Bilesky BsF CPA RPF

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ants-101-randy-bilesky/?published=t

Stinging pests come in a variety of shapes and sizes that span numerous insect species. While the main issue is a stinger – body types, colours, and legs vary usually between insects such as bees, hornets and wasps. These pests make problems for you or your family and monitoring them begins with correct proof of identity. As summer approaches, the hot weather brings everyone outside, including stinging insects. While the sting from wasps, bees, hornets, or yellow jackets may hurt, they can also cause more serious health issues like painful swelling, infections, sickness, and in rare cases even death. So you need to know where their breeding places are and remove them. Stinging insects such as bees, wasps, yellow jackets and hornets use their stings to subdue prey, primarily insects and spiders and to defend themselves and their nests.

gogreenpestcontrol.ca insectandrodentexterminators.com Delta Ladner Tsawwassen B.C., Randy Bilesky BsF CPA RPF

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/summer-stinging-pests-randy-bilesky/?published=t

As spring comes to a close and summer travel season begins, you are reminded about Bed Bug Awareness Week begins which serves as an important reminder that bed bugs can wreak havoc if brought home after traveling. Bed bugs are one of the most common pests, a 9 percent increase in people reporting bed bugs from just April to May, 2019. Bed bugs can be found anywhere, whether it be a 4-star hotel or a fishing camp as they don’t care where their next blood feast comes from, and many people usually transport bed bugs with them back to their homes without even knowing they’re doing so. Here are some tips to avoid bringing home any bed bugs this travel season. Thoroughly inspect the entire room before unpacking, pull back sheets and inspect the mattress seams for telltale stains or spots, vacuum and inspect suitcases and all your gear after returning from a vacation and if you get a bed bug infestation seek professional pest control assistance as bed bugs are not a do-it-yourself pest.

gogreenpestcontrol.ca insectandrodentexterminators.com Delta Ladner Tsawwassen B.C., Randy BsF CPA RPF

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/bed-bug-season-dont-unpack-them-randy-bilesky/?published=t

Carpenter bees are large, fuzzy bees that look a lot like their cousin the bumble bee, with its yellow and black coloring. They are pollinators to native plant and crops as they pick up and transfer pollen.  Although these bees are normally not hostile, when it comes to your house they can be destructive. Similar to the carpenter ant, they have the same potential to destroy the structure of your home and other buildings. They nest in soft wood (unlike hard wood that furniture is made of) which is what used to build homes, sheds, and decks. They drill holes that are about 3 cm in diameter and 30 cm deep, then they lay eggs in the tunnel. After one carpenter bee chews a hole in the side of your home, they leave behind pheromones that draw more bees to the same area. Untreated holes and structural damage attract other pests, mold, and staining on the wood. Carpenter bees can be controlled by applying insecticide and caulking the hole.

https://gogreenpestcontrol.ca/carpenter-bees-b…ome-in-your-home/ ‎

gogreenpestcontrol.ca insectandrodentexterminators.com Delta Ladner Tsawwassen B.C., Randy Bilesky BsF CPA RPF

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/carpenter-bees-building-home-your-randy-bilesky/?published=t

Parade is a highlight of Ladner May Days, a highlight of Ladner Pioneer May Days, the colourful parade made its way through Ladner Village noon on Sunday May 26th. The parade features all kinds of entries, including community and school groups, dance teams, entertainers, local businesses and more. The procession starts on Delta Street near Trenant Street, heading south on Delta Street before turning left on 48th Avenue. It will make a right on Elliott Street and then another right on 47th Avenue as it makes its way to the fairgrounds at Memorial Park.

gogreenpestcontrol.ca Ladner Tsawwassen Delta B.C., Randy Bilesky BsF CPA RPF

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/may-day-parade-ladner-bc-randy-bilesky/?published=t