Pest Library - What to expect

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Basic Carpenter Ant information

· Egg > larvae > pupae > Adult 

· Egg to Adult in 4 to 8 weeks 

· Can be reddish brown or black and verify in size 

· Nests start small the first 2 to 3 years then expand to 3000+ members in years 4 to 6

· Mature nests produce 200 to 400 winged ants for reproductive flights 

· Winged ants leave the nest spring, early summer to start a new colony 

· Carpenter ants are omnivorous eating sugars, grease, fats, meat, other insects, and plant material 

· Nesting sites start in hollow logs or rotting wood. Moistuer is a key factor 

· Carpenter ants prefer damaged and soft wood as it is easier to excavate for the colony expansion

· Frass is noticeable piles that look like saw dust. 

· Frass contains shredded wood, dead insects, and insect parts as well as other nest debris 

Carpenter Ant Treatment 

· Thorough inspection interior/ exterior including around the property to find the source of the nest and ant made holes

· Interior crack and crevice and exterior spray with residual

· Flushing of nest site and ant made holes, note this may include drilling holes in wood or walls to gain access

· If ants try and escape the treatment into the house they are vacuumed up

Follow up

· Inspect nesting site and know areas of activity for further evidence of new or continuing activity 

· If activity found or noted by customer retreat using the same process as above 

· If no activity found treatment was successful 

Customer expectations

· Preparation is key to success 

· Carpenter ants may mean there is water damage or dry rot that needs to be addressed after treatment 

· We may potentially need to drill access holes to apply chemical appropriately 

· Trees that touch the roof need to be cut back to prevent new pest entry 

· Move any stored wood at least 10 ft from the house or any structure

· Ants may still be seen for some time after treatment which is normal

· May require more than one treatment to full destroy the nest 

**There may or may not be an odour or signs of treatment after treatment  

Basic Pavement Ant information 

· Eggs > larvae > pupae > adult 

· Can be reddish brown or black with paler legs 

· Adults are 3-4 mm long 

· Winged reproductive members can be twice as long as adults in the colony 

· Pavement ants tend to live in close proximity to humans (food sources)

· Nests are generally under ground or between walls 

· Pavement ants are aggressive causing visible swarms 

· Feed on sugary, starchy foods when possible main food sources are grease, oil, dead insects 

· Can pinch if handled 

· Creates small crater like piles near cracks in pavement/ sidewalks 

· When viewed close up they have a notable striping pattern or grooves along their head and thorax

Pavement Ant treatments 

Baiting 

· Long term resolution, however, can take some time to work

· Generally, first step unless swarms or heavy activity

· Interior crack and crevice application with gel bait or refillable ant bait stations 

· Exterior granular refillable bait stations or directly in ant hills 

Spray 

· Quick knock down of swarms and heavy activity 

· Preventative

· Interior crack and crevice treatment and spot treatment when applicable 

· Exterior treatment in accordance with the label 

Baiting Treatment 

· Thorough inspection to target treatments and identify ant trails/ nests

· Interior crack and crevice treatment with gel bait where activity was observed 

· Interior refillable ant bait stations placed along ant trails where safe to do so

· Exterior granular stations placed near known ant colonies following the label 

· Apply granular ant bit directly to colonies where applicable and safe to do so

Follow up

· Generally, 1 to 2 weeks after first treatment 

· Inspect previously placed bait stations, and known areas of activity including nests and ant trails 

· Refill bait stations and reapply as required 

· Change bait product if activity is still noted and bait was untouched 

 
Customer expectations 

· Elevated ant activity after bait application is to be expected

· DO NOT kill ants especially around bait stations or baited areas

· Ants need to successfully take the bait back to the queen

· When the queen is eliminated, the colony will be as well

· Do not clean up bait or use chemical cleaners around the baited area

· Can take 7 days or longer to start seeing results 

· Long term solution vs a knock down 

· Dead ants may be noticed 

Spray treatment 

· Thorough inspection to target treatments and identify ant trails/ nests

· Interior crack and crevice chemical application and spot treatment where applicable 

· Exterior chemical application of permitter to prevent entry and spot treatment in accordance with the label 

Follow up

· Generally, 1 to 2 weeks after first treatment 

· Inspect previously treated areas for activity and dead ants 

· Can spray again if required or bait if activity has been reduced

Customer expectations

· May notice elevated activity immediately after treatment as the ants try and escape 

· Quick knock down after the initial elevated activity 

· Dead ants may be noticed 

· Do not wash or clean the treatment areas for a few days after interior treatment 

· It is ok to sweep and to remove dead ants 

**There may or may not be an odour or signs of treatment after treatment 

 Basic Little Black Ant information 

· Eggs > larvae > pupae > adult 

· Black in color  

· Adults are 1.5-2 mm long 

· Winged reproductive members mate spring through mid July

· Colony may have several queens

· Nest can grow up to 10,000 members 

· Nests are generally shallow under debris, wood, stones can also nest in wall voids

· Inside they generally nest around heat sources and moisture 

· Feed on live and dead insects and search for sugary foods inside  

Pavement and Little Black ant treatments

Baiting 

· Long term resolution, however, can take some time to work

· Generally, first step unless swarms or heavy activity

· Interior crack and crevice application with gel bait or refillable ant bait stations 

· Exterior granular refillable bait stations or directly in ant hills 

Spray 

· Quick knock down of swarms and heavy activity 

· Preventative

· Interior crack and crevice treatment and spot treatment when applicable 

· Exterior treatment in accordance with the label 

Baiting Treatment 

· Thorough inspection to target treatments and identify ant trails/ nests

· Interior crack and crevice treatment with gel bait where activity was observed 

· Interior refillable ant bait stations placed along ant trails where safe to do so

· Exterior granular stations placed near known ant colonies following the label 

· Apply granular ant bit directly to colonies where applicable and safe to do so

Follow up

· Generally, 1 to 2 weeks after first treatment 

· Inspect previously placed bait stations, and known areas of activity including nests and ant trails 

· Refill bait stations and reapply as required 

· Change bait product if activity is still noted and bait was untouched 

 
Customer expectations

· Elevated ant activity after bait application is to be expected

· DO NOT kill ants especially around bait stations or baited areas

· Ants need to successfully take the bait back to the queen

· When the queen is eliminated, the colony will be as well

· Do not clean up bait or use chemical cleaners around the baited area

· Can take 7 days or longer to start seeing results 

· Long term solution vs a knock down 

· Dead ants may be noticed 

Spray treatment 

· Thorough inspection to target treatments and identify ant trails/ nests

· Interior crack and crevice chemical application and spot treatment where applicable 

· Exterior chemical application of permitter to prevent entry and spot treatment in accordance with the label 

Follow up

· Generally, 1 to 2 weeks after first treatment 

· Inspect previously treated areas for activity and dead ants 

· Can spray again if required or bait if activity has been reduced

Customer expectations 

· May notice elevated activity immediately after treatment as the ants try and escape 

· Quick knock down after the initial elevated activity 

· Dead ants may be noticed 

· Do not wash or clean the treatment areas for a few days after interior treatment 

· It is ok to sweep and to remove dead ants 

**There may or may not be an odour or signs of treatment after treatment 

Basic Pharoah Ant information

· Eggs > larvae > pupae > adult

· Workers from egg to adult in 38 days 

· Queens and males take longer 42 days

· Queens live approximately 12 months and can produce 400 eggs in that time usually in batches of 10-12

· No winged or swarming reporductives

· Pale yellow to brown with a darker abdomen 

· Adults are 1.5-2.8 mm long 

· Colony may have several queens which are generally darker and larger in size 3.5-5 mm

· Nest can grow up to 300, 000 members 

· Nests are developed in inaccessible areas that are warm and humid with food sources close by, houses, multi-dwelling and commercial properties make the idea place 

· They are omnivorous and they will eat living or dead insects, dead animals, fat, carbohydrates, and love surgery foods.

· Pharoah ants continually split off and make satellite colonies. If nests are disturbed, they will fracture the colony and create more in safer areas. 

· Never Spray or use domestic pesticides on pharaoh ants. This will only create more nests and a harder to address issue. 

· One of the most difficult pests to eliminate 

· Multiple treatments are normal

· Activity is generally noted around water sources in kitchen and bathrooms even pet water dishes

*NEVER SPRAY FOR PAHROAH ANTS*

Baiting Treatment 

· Thorough inspection to target treatments and identify ant trails/ nests

· Interior crack and crevice treatment with gel bait where activity was observed 

· Interior refillable ant bait stations placed along ant trails where safe to do so

Follow up

· Generally, 1 to 2 weeks after first treatment 

· Inspect previously placed bait stations, and known areas of activity including nests and ant trails 

· Refill bait stations and reapply as required 

· Change bait product if activity is still noted and bait was untouched after 2 services

Customer expectations

· Elevated ant activity after bait application is to be expected

· DO NOT kill ants especially around bait stations or baited areas

· Using domestic pesticides after baiting will destroy the baits palatability (taste and attractiveness) as well can disturb the nest causing them to spread and create more nets in new sites near by

· Ants need to successfully take the bait back to the queen

· When the queens are eliminated, the colony will be as well

· Do not clean up bait or use chemical cleaners around the baited area

· Suggested to use vinegar or similar product to wipe down/clean counter tops 

· Can take 7 days or longer to start seeing results 

· Dead ants may be noticed 

**There may or may not be an odour or signs of treatment after treatment  this item.

Basic bedbug information

· Egg > 1st stage > 2ndStage > 3rd Stage > 4th Stage > 5thStage > Adult 

· Blood meal feeding and shedding between each stage 

· Impregnated female can lay 5 eggs per day 

· Eggs hatch in 10 – 14 days 

· Typically feed once every 5 days 

· Approximately 25 days from eggs to adult 

· One bedbug can bite 3-5 times each feeding 

· Like to be covered on both sides for protection 

· Can occupy space the width of a credit card 

· Un-impregnated females tend to run upwards to avoid insemination 

· Droppings look like black spots or dots 

  Bedbug steam, vacuum, and chemical application 

· Thorough inspection to target treatments 

· Vacuum live, dead bugs as well ass eggs

· Steam where eggs were found as well as cracks and crevice not visible within the furniture

· Chemical application, crack and crevice treatment with residual 

Follow up

· Repeat original treatment for any bedbugs/ eggs missed in previous treatment 

Customer expectations 

· Preparation is key for successful treatment 

· Common to see bedbugs after treatment 

· With treatment we displace them from their hiding spots causing to see bugs in different areas

· Can also display odd behaviour after contact with residual 

· Residual is not an instant kill, the longer the residual is down the longer it will take to eliminate the bedbug 

· Two treatments are required to ensure full results 

· With heavy infestations more than two treatments may be required 

· There may or may not be an odour or signs of treatment after treatment 

Preventative 

· Preparation is key

· May include bedbug inspection 

· Dusting in gaps of baseboards and outlets 

Follow up

· None

Customer expectations

· Used to prevent the movement of bedbugs

· Creates a barrier in common avenues for bedbug travel

· May see dead bedbugs near treatment sites

· Request inspection if dead bedbugs are noted 

Heat 

· Heat the space up and maintain lethal to bedbug temperatures 

Follow up

· Recommend residual crack and crevice treatment for any bedbugs insulated from the temperature and to help combat reintroduction 

Customer expectations

· Recommend steam, vacuum, and chemical application 

· Can be used for high infestations and persistent issues 

· Preparation is important to avoid damage to items 

· Heat kills all stages of bedbugs 

· Some potential hiding spots can insulate bedbugs from temperature increase 

· Does not protect against reintroduction 

Volcanoes *NEW*

· Used to monitor bedbug activity, can also be used for units that refuse to prep/ hoarders’ units to help combat growth of infestations 

· Place volcano with lure in strategic areas within 

· Typically, 6 volcanoes per unit 

Follow up

· Inspect each volcano, report findings, replace lures two weeks after initial placement 

· Create recommendation based on findings 

Customer expectations

· Help identify bedbug activity vs other skin irritations or insects 

· Help to stunt the growth of infestations in problem units 

· Can be used in conjunction with other treatments 

**There may or may not be an odour or signs of treatment after treatment  this item.

Basic carpet beetle information

· Egg > Pupae > Larva > Adult  

· Adults are between 1/16 inch and 1/8 inch  

     o Oval shaped 

     o Black or various mottled patterns of white, brown, yellow, orange 

     o Fly, common entry is through windows and doors 

· Pupae are 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch 

     o Brown and have dense hairs or bristles 

     o Shed this layer to larva stage 

· Lay 30 – 100 eggs 

· Adults do not eat fabric, feed on flower pollen 

· Larva damage fabrics by feeding 

· The do not only infest carpets but areas where dust or pet hair accumulate 

· Prefer dark non-disturbed areas 

· Damaged can be confused with clothing moth 

Basic clothing moth information

· Egg > Caterpillar (larva) > Pupa > Adult Moth 

· They two types in North America are Webbing and Casemaking Clothing Moths 

· Adult webbing moths are 1/2 inch and uniform beige colour with tufts of reddish hairs on their head 

· Adult casemaking moth 1/2 inch and are similar in colour except with dark specs on their wings 

· Adults do not feed

· Caterpillar (larva) damage fabrics focusing on animal fibers such as wool, fur, silk, feathers and felt

· Lay 40 – 50 eggs pinhead sized eggs

· Webbing clothes moth larvae spin silken tubes or patches of webbing as they move about on the surface of infested materials

· The casemaking clothes moth encloses itself in an open-ended tubular case, which it drags about wherever it goes

· Prefer dark non-disturbed areas 

· Damage can be confused with carpet beetles 

Carpet beetle and Clothing moth treatment 

· Thorough inspection to ID target pest and infestation to target treatments

· Have customer bag a remove infested clothing if applicable 

· Vacuum live, dead bugs as well eggs 

· Chemical application, crack and crevice treatment with residual 

· Advise/recommend customer to;

     o Vacuum uncommon generally non-disturbed areas regularly 

     o Clean clothing before storage 

     o Inspect clothing bins and rarely worn clothing on a regular basis 

     o Wash and dry (or dry clean) infested items if damage has not ruined them otherwise dispose 

Follow up

· Repeat original treatment and reinforce recommendations 

Customer expectations

· Preparation is key for successful treatment 

· Common to see insects after treatment 

· With treatment we displace them from their hiding spots causing to see bugs in different areas

· Can also display odd behaviour after contact with residual 

· Residual is not an instant kill, the longer the residual is down the longer it will take to eliminate the bedbug 

· The best way to deal with these pests in prevention 

     o Vacuum uncommon generally non-disturbed areas regularly 

     o Clean clothing before storage 

     o Inspect clothing bins and rarely worn clothing on a regular basis 

     o Wash and dry (or dry clean) infested items if damage has not ruined them otherwise dispose 

**There may or may not be an odour or signs of treatment after treatment  this item.

 Basic German Cockroach information 

· Egg > Nymph > Adult 

· Egg sack contains approx. 40 nymphs 

· Nymphs look just like adults but smaller and wingless (adults do not fly)

· Egg sack is deposited in hidden or out of the way places

· Approximately 60 days from egg to reproductive adult

· Omnivorous and scavengers: sugars, grease, starch, meat preferred 

     o In heavy infestations they will eat glue, packaging materials, excrement and even bite humans 

· No centralized nest or colony however they congregate in conducive areas 

· Occupy crack and crevices that are warm and damp especially in kitchen and bathrooms close to food sources 

· Cockroach droppings resemble spilt pepper 

Treatment Selection 

Flush and vacuum 

· Moderate to heavy activity 

· Cleanouts

· Specific request or contract obligation 

Gel and Dust 

· Light activity 

· Preventative 

· Non-prep/ if requested or contract obligation 

Flush, vacuum, and chemical application 

· Thorough inspection to target treatments 

· Crack and crevice chemical application to create a perimeter of residual chemical that escaping roaches will have to cross when flushed out

· Flushing agent applied into cracks and crevices to force roaches out across the residual and be vacuumed up

· Vacuum up roaches as the emerge after flushing 

· Repeat flush and vacuum until no more roaches are visibly escaping

Follow up

· Two weeks after flush and vacuum: if moderate or heavy activity is still noted then complete another flush and vacuum, if not, a gel and dust

Customer expectations

· Preparation is key for successful treatment 

· Common to see roaches after treatment 

· With treatment we displace them from their hiding spots causing to see roaches in different areas

· Can also display odd behaviour after contact with residual 

· Residual is not an instant kill, the longer the residual is down the longer it will take to eliminate the roaches 

· With heavy infestations more than two treatments may be required 

· There may or may not be an odour or signs of treatment after treatment 

Gel and Dust

· Thorough inspection to target treatment 

· Gel bait application to cracks and crevices in known hotspots if no evidence of activity found

· Gel bait application to areas noted with evidence or live activity

· Dust applied in applicable areas. Dust should be applied as an extremely thin layer almost not noticeable

· Monitors placed 

Follow up

· If a follow is required, then another thorough inspection including checking monitors placed in initial service

Customer expectations

· Cleaning the area prior to treatment to remove competing food sources

· Application is in cracks and crevices 

· Do not disturb the bait or dust especially with cleaning products 

· Leave monitors where they have been placed

· May see elevated activity at first due to feeding on bait close to the edges of cracks and crevices

**There may or may not be an odour or signs of treatment after treatment  this item.

The term “occasional invaders” is used to group pests that invade homes from time to time because the outside weather conditions become hostile, the inside conditions become favorable or even by accident.

Basic occasional invader information

· Can be seasonal however greatly reduced over winter 

· Can be an exterior or interior issue

· Enter through gaps in window/ door frames, tear in screens, doors left open ect

· Are a nuisance to customers but generally do not cause damage 

· To reduce activity, remove harborage areas close to the exterior of the house

     o Leaf/ wood piles, mulch, overgrown vegetation 

· Interior harborage areas include baseboards, areas that are dark and damp and non-disturbed areas

Occasional Invader treatment 

· Thorough inspection to ID target pest and infestation to target treatments

· Exterior Treatment 

     o Vacuum up swarm/ congregated insects if required 

     o Exterior spray and spot treatment 

     o Create a barrier to prevent entry or further entry of pests

     o There may or may not be an odour or signs of treatment after treatment 

· Interior Treatment 

     o Vacuum up dead or congregated insects if required

     o Crack and crevice treatment to remove harborage areas 

     o There may or may not be an odour or signs of treatment after treatment 

· Advise/recommend customer to;

     o Remove harborage areas close to house 

     o Reduce moisture or dampness in effected areas

     o Vacuum non-disturbed areas regularly starting 3 days after treatment

     o Repair any gaps in door/ window frames, screens, and seals 

     o Repair any noted entry points during inspection

Follow up

· Repeat original treatment and reinforce recommendations 

Customer expectations 

· Preparation is key for successful treatment 

· Common to see insects after treatment 

· With treatment we displace them from their hiding spots causing to see bugs in different areas

· Can also display odd behaviour after contact with residual 

· Residual is not an instant kill, the longer the residual is down the longer it will take to eliminate the insect

· Prevention can greatly reduce activity around and inside the house 

· Advise/recommend customer to;

     o Remove harborage areas close to house 

     o Reduce moisture or dampness in effected areas

     o Vacuum non-disturbed areas regularly starting 3 days after treatment

     o Repair any gaps in door/ window frames, screens, and seals 

     o Repair any noted entry points during inspection

**There may or may not be an odour or signs of treatment after treatment  this item.

Basic House and Deer Mouse information and Treatment

· Pup>Adult 

· Live approximately 6 months up to 2 years 

· Female sexual maturity at 6 weeks

· 18–21 day gestation period  

· Average litter is 5 or 6 pups 

· In the wild they vary in color from grey and light brown to black

· Tend to avoid bright light by sticking to shadows/ dark areas 

· Tend to follow walls/ corners

· Leave sputum or rub marks along frequented paths of travel/ entry points 

· Can fit through a hole the size of a dime

· Have a social order and are social groomers 

· Omnivorous but prefer grains, fruit, and seeds 

Mouse Treatment 

· Thorough inspection interior/ exterior including around the property to find the source 

· Recommend repair and exclusion 

· Recommend old droppings and damage be cleaned up to allow for observation of new activity

· Temporarily stuff toonie or smaller size holes with copper wool

· Install exterior stations and interior mouse bait stations where applicable

Follow up

· Inspect known areas of activity for further evidence of new or continuing activity 

· Inspect bait stations 

· Replenish bait if required 

Escalation 

· Install mechanical traps/ snap traps where applicable 

· Switch bait for more aggressive product 

· Potential use of ZP tracking powder if safe to do so with Manager approval 

Customer expectations

· Clean up old activity to allow observation for new/ ongoing activity 

· Good house keeping can remove harborage areas and give the technician access for treatment

· Have any structural deficiencies permanently repaired 

· Do not relocate bait stations after tech has left the site 

· We may potentially need to drill access holes to place bait

· Damaged stored food should be thrown out

· Undamaged stored food can be placed in Tupperware containers to reduce damage

· May find dead mice during the baiting process or in snap traps 

· Depending on the bait used there is no secondary poisoning 

Basic Norway Rat information

· baby > adult 

· Much larger than mice 

· Brownish to gray getting lighter towards the underbelly, some may have splotched black and/or white hairs 

· Norway rat tails are shorter than the length of its body  

· They reach sexual maturity at 3-4 months 

· Litters can be 2 – 14 babies

· Gestation period is approximately 22 days 

· Can live up to 4 years generally in the wild they live 2 years  

· Nocturnal but can change behaviour based on environment (if area is quite during the day but loud at night)

· Extremely intelligent 

· Very social, adults raise children regardless of who the parents are

· Are extremely skittish to anything new in their environment 

· Need for food and water. They are omnivorous and pray on smaller life forms 

· Leave sputum or rub marks along frequented paths of travel and entry points

Norway Rat treatment 

· Thorough inspection interior/ exterior including around the property to find the source 

· Recommend repair and exclusion 

· Recommend old droppings and damage be cleaned up to allow for observation of new activity

· Temporarily stuff toonie or smaller size holes with copper wool

· Install exterior stations outside and inside where applicable (if possible rub rat feces on stations to reduce acclimatation time)

Follow up

· Inspect known areas of activity for further evidence of new or continuing activity 

· Inspect bait stations 

· Replenish bait if required 

Escalation 

· Install rat snap traps in covered stations where applicable 

· Switch bait for more aggressive product 

· Potential use of rodenticide for water supply if safe to do so 

Customer expectations

· Clean up old activity to allow observation for new/ ongoing activity 

· Good house keeping can remove harborage areas and give the technician access for treatment

· Have any structural deficiencies permanently repaired 

· Do not relocate bait stations after tech has left the site 

· We may potentially need to drill access holes to place bait

· Damaged stored food should be thrown out

· Rats can take longer than mice to eliminate because they are skittish to anything new in their environments. Once feeding is taking place the process of elimination speeds up.

· May find dead rats during the baiting process or in snap traps 

· Depending on the bait used there is no secondary poisoning