Blog

Bald-faced hornets have smooth stingers, so they can sting repeatedly and the venom can cause a life threating situation. These hornets are notable for their large nests, defensive behavior, and extremely painful stings. While they are beneficial as predators of other insects, their presence near human habitation can pose risks, particularly for those allergic to their stings. It’s important to exercise caution and seek the help of Go Green Pest Control Corp – Randy Bilesky BScF CPA RPF and his team of professionals, to help for nest removal if necessary to avoid confrontation with these aggressive insects.

Nest Size and Structure:

• Nest Size: Bald-faced hornet nests can vary in size but are typically large, reaching up to 14 inches in diameter or more. They are usually pear-shaped and constructed from paper-like material made from chewed wood fibers mixed with saliva.
• Colony Size: A mature colony can contain anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand hornets, depending on factors like food availability and environmental conditions.

Life Cycle and Queens:

• Queen Production: Towards the end of the summer, new queens and male drones are produced in the colony. These new queens mate with males and then leave the nest to overwinter in protected locations. The remaining colony members, including the workers and old queen, typically do not survive the winter.

Behavior and Defense:

• Aggression: Bald-faced hornets are known for their defensive behavior and can be aggressive when their nest is disturbed. They will vigorously defend their nest by stinging repeatedly if they perceive a threat.
• Sting: The sting of a bald-faced hornet is painful and can cause significant reactions in people who are allergic to insect stings. It injects venom that can cause swelling, pain, and in severe cases, allergic reactions that may require medical attention.

Importance in Ecosystem:

• Predators: Despite their defensive nature, bald-faced hornets play a role in ecosystems by preying on other insects, which helps control populations of potential pests.
• https://insectandrodentexterminators.com/the-bald-faced-hornet-the-repeating-stingers/
• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/bald-faced-hornet-repeating-stingers-randy-bilesky-drjpc
• Randy Bilesky BScF CPA RPF
• President at Go Green
• July 23, 2024

Rats and mice can cause significant damage annually, especially in urban and agricultural areas. Estimating the exact financial damage caused by mice and rats globally each year is challenging due to the wide range of factors involved, including varying environments, types of infrastructure affected, and methods of estimation. However, several studies and reports provide some insights into the economic impact:

1. Agricultural Damage: Rats and mice consume and contaminate crops, leading to substantial losses in agricultural productivity. They can destroy stored grain and other food products, affecting both farmers and food distribution networks. Rodents such as rats and mice are known to damage crops, especially grains and stored food products. According to estimates from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, rodents cause significant losses to food crops worldwide, impacting both production and post-harvest storage.
2. Infrastructure Damage: Rodents can chew through wiring, insulation, and structural materials in homes, businesses, and vehicles. This not only causes direct damage but can also pose fire hazards due to exposed wiring. Repair and replacement costs for such damage can be substantial, especially in urban areas.
3. Health Impacts: Rats and mice are carriers of various diseases, including hantavirus, salmonella, and leptospirosis. These diseases can affect humans directly through contact with rodent urine, feces, or bites, or indirectly through contaminated food and water sources.
4. Economic Costs: The economic impact of rodent damage includes costs for pest control services, healthcare expenses due to rodent-borne illnesses, and losses in productivity across various sectors.
5. Pest Control Expenditures: Businesses and households spend considerable amounts on pest control services and products to manage rodent infestations. These costs include purchasing traps and baits, and implementing preventive measures, OF WHICH RARELY WORK AS RETAIL STORES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SELL POISONS ANY MORE, rather hiring Go Green Pest Control Corp, real professionals is the only real option.
6. Indirect Costs: Indirect costs include loss of productivity, reduced property values in infested areas, and impacts on tourism and hospitality industries.

While specific global figures for the financial damage caused by rodents can vary, studies suggest that the cumulative economic impact is substantial. For instance, in Canada alone, the economic losses due to rodents have been estimated in the billions of dollars annually when considering crop damage, infrastructure repair, healthcare expenses, and pest control efforts.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/so-whats-big-deal-rats-mice-anyway-just-fuzzy-four-legged-bilesky-bpq6c

Randy Bilesky BsF CPA RPF

President at Go Green

July 23, 2024

Insecticides, for an example permethrin, is a synthetic insecticide that works primarily by disrupting the nervous system of insects. Here’s how it functions:

1. Neurotoxin: Permethrin targets sodium channels in nerve cells, causing prolonged opening. This leads to continuous nerve firing, resulting in paralysis and death. These refer to a substance that disrupts the normal functioning of the nervous system. In the case of permethrin, it primarily affects sodium channels in nerve cells, leading to:

1. Prolonged Nerve Activation: It causes nerves to fire continuously, resulting in paralysis.
2. Disruption of Signal Transmission: This interferes with the insect’s ability to move, feed, and ultimately survive.

Overall, neurotoxins like permethrin are effective in controlling pest populations by targeting their nervous systems directly.

1. Contact and Ingestion: Insects can be affected by direct contact with permethrin or by ingesting it when feeding on treated surfaces.
2. Broad-spectrum Activity: It is effective against a wide range of pests, including mosquitoes, ticks, and various agricultural insects.
3. Residual Activity of Permethrin refers to its ability to remain effective on treated surfaces over time. Here are key points about this property:
4. Longevity: Permethrin can provide protection for days to weeks after application, depending on environmental conditions.
5. Surface Stability: It adheres well to surfaces like fabrics, plants, and buildings, maintaining efficacy even after exposure to weathering.
6. Continued Protection: This residual effect allows for ongoing control of pests, reducing the need for frequent reapplications.
7. Application Methods: Commonly used in sprays, treated clothing, and agricultural applications to ensure long-lasting pest management.

This residual activity makes insecticides a valuable tool in pest control strategies.

1. Termites: Particularly the Eastern subterranean termite, which can damage wooden structures and foundations.
2. Carpenter Ants: These ants hollow out wood for nesting, which can weaken wooden structures.
3. Powderpost Beetles: These beetles infest and damage hardwood and can weaken furniture and structural wood.
4. Rats and Mice: Rodents can chew through insulation, wiring, and wood, leading to structural damage and fire hazards.
5. Woodpeckers: While not a pest in the traditional sense, they can peck holes in siding and roofing in search of insects.
6. Cockroaches: They can contaminate food and surfaces, leading to health issues, though they are not structurally destructive.
7. Squirrels: They can gnaw on wires, insulation, and wood, leading to damage and potential fire hazards.
8. Silverfish: They can damage paper products, books, and clothing, though they are less destructive than other pests.

Taking preventive measures and addressing infestations quickly can help minimize damage from these pests.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/delta-several-pests-can-cause-significant-damage-homes-randy-bilesky-5wi7c

https://gogreenpestcontrol.ca/in-delta-several…destructive-ones

1. Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for gaps or holes where rats could enter. Seal these openings with steel wool, caulk, or other materials.
2. Remove Food Sources: Ensure that all food is stored in sealed containers and that there are no pet foods or garbage left accessible.
3. Declutter: Remove clutter in the crawl space and surrounding areas that could provide hiding places for rats.
4. Set Traps: Use snap traps or electronic traps in areas where you’ve noticed rat activity. Place them along walls and near entry points.
5. Bait Stations: If necessary, consider using bait stations with rodenticide, but follow local regulations and safety guidelines.
6. Maintain Cleanliness: Regularly clean the area to discourage rats from returning. Keep vegetation trimmed and remove debris outside your home.
7. Professional Help: If the problem persists, consider hiring Go Green Pest Control who can assess the situation and provide effective solutions.
8. Monitor: Keep an eye on the traps and signs of activity to ensure that the problem is being resolved.

Taking these steps can help you manage and eliminate the rat issue effectively.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/dealing-rats-your-crawl-space-furnace-room-can-here-some-bilesky-ldn6c

https://gogreenpestcontrol.ca/dealing-with-rat…ddress-the-issue

Carpenter ants can be found both outside and inside buildings for several reasons:

1. Nesting Behavior: Carpenter ants typically nest in wood, and they prefer moist or decaying wood. If your housing complex has any areas with damp wood or structural issues (like leaks), these ants may find it attractive for nesting.
2. Foraging: Ants forage for food sources, such as sugary substances, crumbs, or other organic matter. If there are food sources around your housing complex that ants can access easily, they will continue to return.
3. Weather and Seasonal Patterns: During certain times of the year, especially in warmer weather, ants may become more active and visible as they search for food and expand their colonies.
4. Entry Points: Ants can enter buildings through tiny cracks, gaps around doors and windows, or even utility lines. Once inside, they may establish satellite nests if conditions are suitable.
5. Colony Size and Expansion: Carpenter ant colonies can be quite large, containing thousands of workers. If the population grows, you may notice more ants indoors and around the complex.

To manage carpenter ants effectively, it’s important to identify and eliminate their nesting sites and food sources. This might involve fixing leaks, repairing damaged wood, sealing entry points, and practicing good sanitation to reduce available food. If the infestation is severe, Go Green Pest Control services may be necessary to safely and effectively eliminate the ants.

https://gogreenpestcontrol.ca/why-are-carpente…-indoors-as-well

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-carpenter-ants-all-around-outside-our-housing-complex-bilesky-js8lc

Rats eat a wide variety of foods. In the wild, their diet consists of grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and occasionally insects or small animals. around us, they often scavenge for human food scraps, which can include almost anything we eat and discard in the garbage, including scented plastic.

As for their feces production, rats have a rapid digestive system designed to extract as much nutrition as possible from their food. This efficiency means that they digest quickly and produce waste frequently. Additionally, rats have a high metabolic rate, which also contributes to the volume of feces they produce relative to their size. Their feces are typically small, dark, and pellet-like, a characteristic common among rodents that aids in efficient digestion and elimination of waste. Rats will eat dirt or fertilizer but not as a primary source of nutrition. However, in their quest for food and nesting materials, rats may inadvertently ingest small amounts of dirt or come into contact with fertilizer if they are scavenging in gardens or agricultural areas.

It’s important to note that rats are opportunistic feeders, meaning they will explore and sometimes taste various materials in their environment out of curiosity or necessity. However, they do not derive significant nutrition from dirt or fertilizer, and these substances are not a regular part of their diet.

Randy Bilesky BScF CPA RPF

President at Go Green

June 28, 2024

https://gogreenpestcontrol.ca/what-do-rats-eat…o-many-droppings

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-do-rats-eat-why-so-many-droppings-randy-bilesky-vqqoc

When a rat, it undergoes a process called decomposition. During decomposition, various organisms including bacteria, fungi, and insects play crucial roles in breaking down the organic matter. Flies, particularly blow flies, are among the first insects to be attracted to a decaying animal carcass. Here’s why and what happens:

1. Attracted by Odor: Blow flies are attracted to the strong odor emitted by decaying flesh. They can detect these odors from considerable distances and are highly sensitive to the chemical compounds released during decomposition.
2. Role in Decomposition: Blow flies lay their eggs (often hundreds at a time) on the carcass. These eggs hatch into larvae (maggots) within hours. The maggots then feed on the decaying tissue of the carcass, accelerating the decomposition process.
3. Species and Harm: Blow flies themselves are not harmful to humans in the sense of actively causing harm like biting or stinging. However, they are considered vectors of disease in some contexts because they can carry bacteria and other pathogens picked up from the decaying material. Proper handling and disposal of dead animals, including rats, are important to prevent potential health risks associated with the presence of blow flies and other decomposers.
4. Lifecycle: After feeding on the carcass, the blow fly larvae (maggots) eventually pupate and emerge as adult flies. These adult flies may then disperse and continue the cycle by seeking out other suitable locations for egg laying and larval development.

In summary, blow flies are attracted to and feed on decaying animal matter like a dead rat due to the strong odors released during decomposition. While they themselves are not harmful in the traditional sense, their presence can indicate a potential health risk if proper sanitation measures are not taken. Therefore, it’s important to handle and dispose of dead animals properly to minimize attraction to blow flies and reduce the associated health risks.

https://gogreenpestcontrol.ca/what-next-after-…en-decomposition

https://insectandrodentexterminators.com/what-next-after-the-rats-gone-then-decomposition/

Randy Bilesky BScF CPA RPF President at Go GreenJune 25, 2024

Asian giant hornets, gained significant attention due to their size, aggressive behavior, and potential threat to honeybee populations. They are native to East Asia and Japan but have been found in north Washington state, and particularly in The Fraser Lower Mainland of B.C. causing concern among beekeepers and environmentalists.

Here are some key points about murder hornets:

1. Size: They are among the largest hornet species in the world, with queens reaching up to 5 centimeters in length.
2. Dangerous Sting: Their sting is potent and can be dangerous to humans, especially if someone is allergic or receives multiple stings.
3. Predation on Bees: Murder hornets are known for attacking and decimating honeybee hives. They can kill thousands of bees in a short time, primarily to feed their larvae.
4. Invasive Species: In North America, their presence poses a threat to local ecosystems, particularly to pollinators and potentially to human health.
5. Control Efforts: Authorities in affected areas are working to track and eradicate these hornets to prevent their spread and mitigate their impact on local wildlife and agriculture.

But they face some level of predation:

1. Other Hornets and Predators: In their native habitats in Asia, Asian giant hornets may face predation from other large predators such as other hornets, mantises, and some bird species. Hornets of other species or larger predators might occasionally prey upon them.
2. Honey Badgers: In some areas, honey badgers have been observed to raid Asian giant hornets. Honey badgers are known for their fearlessness and may raid nests for larvae and pupae.
3. https://insectandrodentexterminators.com/asian-giant-hornets/
4. https://gogreenpestcontrol.ca/asian-giant-hornets/
5. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/asian-giant-hornets-randy-bilesky-dyzwc
6. Randy Bilesky BScF CPA RPFPresident at Go GreenJune 25, 2024

Wasps and hornets are both members of the Vespidae family, but there are some key differences between them:

1. Size and Appearance: Wasps: Generally smaller and slimmer than hornets. They can vary in size but are typically less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length. Wasps can be black, brown, yellow, or metallic blue in color.
2. Hornets: Larger and more robust than most wasps. They can range from 0.75 inches (1.9 cm) to over 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in length. Hornets often have a characteristic black and white or yellow striped pattern.
3. Nesting Habits: Wasps: Build nests in a variety of locations, including underground, in trees, in attics, or under eaves. Their nests are typically papery and can house several hundred to several thousand wasps, depending on the species.
4. Hornets: Build large, papery nests that are usually enclosed and can be found in trees, shrubs, or sometimes in attics or barns. Hornet nests can reach significant sizes and may contain hundreds to thousands of individuals.
5. Aggressiveness: Wasps: Can be aggressive if their nest is disturbed but generally do not seek out conflict. They can sting multiple times.
6. Hornets: Generally more aggressive and defensive of their nests. They have potent venom and can deliver painful stings. Hornets are known to aggressively defend their nests and can pursue threats over longer distances.
7. Venom: Wasps: Produce venom that contains a mixture of toxins aimed at paralyzing prey and defending against predators. Some people are allergic to wasp venom.
8. Hornets: Also produce venom that is similar to wasp venom but may have slightly different effects. Hornet stings can be particularly painful due to their larger size and potent venom.
9. Behavior: Wasps: Can be scavengers, predators, or pollinators depending on the species. They play a role in ecosystems by controlling insect populations.
10. Hornets: Predatory insects that primarily feed on other insects. They are efficient hunters and can contribute to pest control in agricultural settings.

In summary, while both wasps and hornets belong to the same family and share similarities in their biology and behavior, hornets tend to be larger, more aggressive, and build distinctively large nests compared to most types of wasps.

https://gogreenpestcontrol.ca/what-are-the-dif…asps-and-hornets

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-differences-between-wasps-hornets-randy-bilesky-ylocc