We have two skunks in BC the most common is the striped skunk and then western spotted skunk. Skunks can be beneficial to our ecosystems, but whether you love them or hate them we’ve all run into them at one point or another be it their smell. Skunks have two glands, one on each side of the rear. These glands produce the skunk’s spray, which is a mixture of sulfur-containing chemicals such as  mercaptans, which have an offensive odor. A skunk’s spray is powerful enough to ward off bears and other potential attackers. Finally, a new molecule dubbed “pericosine” bonds with the odorous compounds sprayed by skunks and neutralizes the smell, it is produced inside a fungus. Skunks have become habituated to humans and adapt to living among humans, digging up and destroying gardens and lawns, scatter garbage, and feed on pet food left outside or bird seed. The key to getting rid of skunks is eliminating those things attracting them to your yard in the first place, food and dens.

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Researchers have found that humans and rats are now susceptible to comparable health threats relating to contamination and sugary foods. Rats and humans have changed in their genetic make-up in response to city life. Rats genes have had key changes in DNA over hundreds of years as the species moved across Asia and eventually to Canada. The change in genes are a result of the need for the rats to adapt in order to live together with humans. One of the genes changes is a result of the rats need to move through sewers and pipes more easily. As a result of hundreds of years of changes in the rats diet has also changed their DNA.   

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It is estimated that 25% of all houses in the lower mainland have silverfish and these nocturnal devils are hard to spot. Female silverfish lay their eggs in hidden places and they hatch in about 40 days, mature in three months and become fully development into adults within two years. Baby silverfish are about 2 mm long, white in color without scales, which develop after several months. Silverfish molt many times feeding on starchy and high-protein substances. The insects mature quicker and live longer in warm humid temperatures. Humidity control will help keep these insects out of homes.  

• Published on March 9, 2020
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Status is onlineRandy BileskyPresident at Go Green961 articles

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So you ask, how did I get yellow jackets? Yellow jackets usually enter yards because they smell food or other attractant such as meats, sweets, open waste cans and outdoor picnics. They don’t cause structural damage to homes but they build nests in attics or walls and can chew through drywall to enter living spaces. While protecting their hives, yellow jackets defend themselves will a rather nasty painful sting. Many yellow jackets are ground-nesters as well, nesting under porches or steps, in sidewalk cracks, around railroad ties or at the base of trees. This is the time of year fertilized females come out of hibernate and starts a new nest.  

 https://gogreenpestcontrol.ca/yellow-jackets/ ‎

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A type of hantavirus called Seoul virus is carried by Norway rats (85% of rats in Delta are Norway rats). Humans become infected through contact with virus carried in rat urine or droppings, or inhalation of virus particles in dust from filthy eiderdown. Infected rats do not develop disease, but humans can feel symptoms ranging from slight influenza-like illness to unadorned disease with kidney failure and death. Although infections have been previously reported in humans after contact with wild rats, Seoul virus infections had not been reported in pet rats.

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Rats and mice are nimble rodents and can easily climb pipes, cables, inside ducting, stucco and even brick walls in their endless hunt for food and living quarters. They can climb on any slightly bumpy surface to discover new places and increase entree to concealed spaces around a house looking for shelter, food and water. Signs of a rodent infestation include: squeaking and scratching on ceilings or under flooring, rodent nests, the smell of rodent urine ( ammonia smell ), rodent feces- rats produce over 80 droppings per day and mice around 160, sebum marks along runways (sebum – mammals protect their hair and skin by secreting an oily or waxy material called sebum, combined with urine, these trails contain pheromones that orient rodents within their environment), and finally rodent gnaw marks.

 https://gogreenpestcontrol.ca/signs-of-a-rodent-infestation/ ‎

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The rotten smell of skunks is returning to the lower mainland as mating season is underway. Both skunks and raccoons, along with other small mammals, are beginning to move around more frequently as winter turns into spring. Area residents may not often see these critters for themselves as they generally don’t see a lot of activity other than squirrels because they are all nocturnal. Skunks can be found living under outbuildings or decks, even sneaking into garages. Unless they are a nuisance with their unpleasant odor, the best thing to do is leave them be. By placing several sheets of fabric softener shoved under a deck or building typically is enough to drive skunks away. The skunks pungent smell is a defensive weapon released from their rear glands that is heavy with sulfur.  Males are out seeking females and females are trying to get away.

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Many ant species produce acid in a poison gland in their abdomen to spray at enemies as a defense mechanism . They also drink the acid to kill pathogens in their food. Because ants often regurgitate food to feed their co-workers, this helps prevent diseases spreading in colonies. Drinking acid plays a key role in defending these ants from unsafe microbes and averting infections scattering in colonies. It is not known if the ants actively drink from the gland or it happens unintentionally as they groom themselves. When crazy ants are squirted with the venom of fire ants, the crazy ants apply acid to their bodies to clean the venom.

https://gogreenpestcontrol.ca/ant-acid-used-fo…nd-cleaning-food/

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We have all run into a situation where rats or mice have been present and have left their ugly calling cards. Here are a few approaches to getting rid of those rodent memories. Use cross-ventilation when entering a previously unventilated enclosed room or dwelling prior to cleanup and you certainly should use a good quality mask. Wear rubber, latex, vinyl, or nitrile gloves. Do not stir up dust by vacuuming, sweeping, or any other means rather thoroughly wet contaminated areas with a bleach solution or household disinfectant. A bleach mixture of 1 and 1/2 cups of household bleach in 1 gallon of water. Once everything is wet, take up contaminated materials with damp towel and then mop or sponge the area with bleach solution or household disinfectant. If there are carcasses, spray with disinfectant and then double-bag along with all cleaning materials and throw bag out in an appropriate waste disposal system.  

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The Norway rat is a large, robust-bodied rodent -the most important pest rat across B.C. Norway rats have small ears but have outstanding sense of hearing, tasting, touch and smell, and although their eyes are prominent, Norway rats have a poor sense of sight, seeing up to 10 feet. They are crepuscular creatures, which means they are active around sunset and sunrise, but not normally during the day or the middle of the night. Norway rats are exceptional leapers, runners, swimmers, and are capable of climbing pipes, bricks and tree trunks. Norway rats dig burrows into soil to use as safe havens and nesting sites. The Norway rat adventures into cracks, crevices, and holes in streets, sidewalks, and building foundations to use as burrows. Holes as small as 12mm high is enough to allow these rats to enter and exit burrows! Adults can produce nearly 40 offspring per year over four litters. Rodents spread disease, damage property, and cause emotional suffering. Managing rodent infestations is usually a combination of exclusion, trapping, and baiting. Rodents are quite crafty and complex and control of rats is a serious business that is best left to pest management professionals, so please call us if you are finding evidence of rodents in your home!

https://gogreenpestcontrol.ca/norway-rats-the-…scular-creatures/

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