Latest news with #pestmanagement
The Sun
3 days ago
- General
- The Sun
The 60p hack that will slug-proof your garden and stop your plants being eaten
A GARDEN expert has shared a simple 60p hack that will slug-proof your garden and protect your plants this summer. With the warmer weather upon us, you may have noticed the pesky critters wreaking havoc on your garden. 2 2 If you're wondering how to stop slugs nibbling at your veg gardens and flower beds, you will likely have tried a number of hacks. This could range from using fresh coffee grounds to slug repellent plants and there are endless pest control methods online. But, according to Homes & Garden writer, Thomas Rutter, the cucumber hack is the simplest and kindest. Stopping slugs and snails using the cucumber hack is surprisingly simple. While it may not eradicate these pests, it can help gardeners control their numbers. Rutter said: "First, raid your fridge drawer and retrieve a cucumber, before slicing it thinly. "Don't worry about the quality of the cucumber here, in fact, it is best to use those that are past their best." Rutter then advises to place the slices near your more vulnerable plants in the evening. Slugs and snails will be lured to the scent and moisture of the cucumber. Then, after a few hours or the following morning, you can collect the pests and dispose of them. It's not too dissimilar from companion planting or trap plants for pest control. But what's better is that it's a chemical-free approach, safe for pets and requires almost no effort. Rutter added: "Personally, I think this hack works best when deployed as part of a broader pest management battle plan. "So, why not learn how to keep ducks, which feed on these pests, while also using some copper tape around the rim of your pots, as well as encouraging natural predators such as frogs to keep the slug population down?" If you don't want to kill your garden pests, you can easily move them. Rutter advises to move them at least 50 or more feet away from your garden. This will overcome the pest's "homing instinct". You can also place them near a bird feeder and let nature take its course. But despite the gardener's frustration that slugs and snails have destroyed their veg crop, they play an important role in the biodiversity and ecosystem of our gardens. They're natural prey to many common backyard mammals and bird species and are also an invaluable part of your garden's composting process. IF you want to ensure that your home is pest free this summer, here's what you need to know. Hornets and wasps - hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay. Moths - acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent. Flying ants - herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents. Mosquitoes - plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mozzies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.
Globe and Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Redi National Pest Eliminators Spotlights Longstanding Commitment to Pest Control Excellence in Seattle, WA
Seattle-Based Pest Control Service Has Provided Comprehensive Extermination Solutions for Homes and Businesses Since 1981 Redi National Pest Eliminators, recognized across the Seattle region for effective pest control and extermination services, continues its longstanding role as the city's trusted resource for addressing pest issues. Founded in 1981, the company has solidified a reputation of reliability, delivering tailored pest solutions for both residential and commercial clients. Based in Seattle, WA, Redi National Pest Eliminators has witnessed significant growth in the region's pest management industry over several decades. The increase in population density and urbanization in Seattle has often led to rising pest occurrences, from common nuisances like ants and rodents, to more challenging infestations such as bed bugs. The company offers targeted pest control and exterminator services, employing modern techniques and specialized treatments to effectively tackle varied pest issues. Seattle consistently ranks among the major metropolitan areas where pest control remains essential to maintaining residential comfort and property safety due to factors such as climate and geography. Many pests common to the Pacific Northwest thrive in humid conditions, including ants and bed bugs. As a result, locals routinely depend upon knowledgeable and efficient exterminator services to address infestations, which if unmanaged, can significantly impact household health and safety. Redi National Pest Eliminators' pest control experts undergo extensive professional training and maintain thorough awareness of the latest treatment technologies. Their team offers detailed inspections and customized pest management programs tailored specifically to the environmental factors and pest species prevalent in the Seattle region. By taking this strategic approach, the company effectively addresses customer issues while actively educating clientele on preventative practices. For example, addressing one of Seattle's most persistent pest problems, the company provides specialized ant control treatments detailed further at their dedicated service webpage: Similarly, Redi National Pest Eliminators delivers professional bed bug management programs, a growing demand within urban and suburban residential markets. Detailed information on bed bug treatment options is accessible via These resources exemplify the company's ongoing commitment to educating Seattle residents on understanding pest control issues and the viable solutions available. The importance of effective pest control extends beyond inconvenience. Generally understood industry research demonstrates pests can compromise structural integrity and sanitation, leading to potential health hazards, allergens, and other public health concerns. Given these known risks, the importance of prompt, professional extermination interventions from a trusted local provider cannot be overstated. During its longstanding tenure, Redi National Pest Eliminators has expanded its expertise to cover a wide variety of infestations. Rodent control and general insect management remain core service areas, reflecting common issues Seattle households and businesses frequently face. The business continuously adopts industry best practices to ensure compliance with local regulations while providing the safest possible treatment options for families, pets, and businesses. Moreover, the company remains committed to an educational approach, informing customers about identifying early signs of pest infestations, prevention techniques, and proper maintenance that can prevent future pest control emergencies. Through proactive education and comprehensive services, Redi National helps prevent severe infestations and reduces potential health and property impacts. Redi National Pest Eliminators' decades of successful operations, educational initiatives, and specialized extermination solutions position it at the forefront of Seattle's pest control industry. Its professional technicians and experienced staff remain central to providing preventative, corrective, and educational solutions that cater specifically to Northwest households and businesses. Those interested in detailed consultations, home inspections, or to learn more about customized pest control solutions in Seattle and surrounding areas may reach out directly to the company's local representatives. About Redi National Pest Eliminators Redi National Pest Eliminators has offered dependable pest management and extermination services throughout the greater Seattle area since 1981. Known for extensive experience and a customer-focused approach, the company's pest management services consistently address issues involving ants, rodents, bed bugs, and other infestations common within the Pacific Northwest region. Employing advanced extermination methods, preventive advice, and detailed inspection protocols, Redi National Pest Eliminators remains focused on excellent customer service and effective pest management outcomes. For more information, visit Media Contact Company Name: Redi National Pest Eliminators Contact Person: Morgan Email: Send Email Country: United States Website:
CNET
14-05-2025
- General
- CNET
Wondering How to Keep Out Mice? We Asked an Expert for Tips
Your home security camera may be great at keeping away bad actors who worry about it, but what about those who don't? We're talking about mice. It's spring and that means rodents are out and about foraging, and once you have a rodent problem, dealing with it can become a real pain quickly. To learn the best ways to keep mice and other rodents from taking up residence behind the fridge or under the stove and radiators, we asked an expert on the matter. Laura Dillard is the head rodent research director at Tomcat, where she specializes in pest management and prevention. While Tomcat is best known for its traps and poisons, Dillard has tips for keeping them out in the first place. "Rodents are especially active in winter as they search for food, water and warmth to survive the colder months," she said. "Preventing an infestation requires vigilance and preparation to keep these pests at bay." Use all-natural rodent deterrents Peppermint oil is a known deterrent of rodents. Alina Bradford/CNET There are a handful of all-natural substances that can be set out in place of traditional traps. CNET Home and Kitchen Editor David Watsky found peppermint spray to be a particularly effective way to keep rodents from taking up residence in the home. "Peppermint oil is one of the most popular options," Dillard said, though some people go so far as to put predator urine from animals like foxes or coyotes around their homes. This often scares rodents away so that they don't end up as a bigger animal's dinner. Seal entry points with steelRodents can squeeze through openings of all shapes and sizes, even if they're as small as a quarter inch in diameter. "Inspect your home's exterior, including around pipes, vents and foundation cracks," Dillard said. "Seal gaps with materials like steel wool combined with caulk or metal flashing to prevent chewing. Pay special attention to areas around doors and windows." One approach is to add weather stripping, which blocks common entryways from animal trespassing. Products like expanding foam barrier get the job done and aren't difficult to use and install. Eliminate food sources Consider a robot vacuum to keep crumbs from piling up and attracting mice. Roomba It's always a good time to cook and bake our favorite comfort foods. Unfortunately, these dishes, along with leftover crumbs, pet food, bird seed and improperly stored pantry items can attract rodents that are searching for a feast. "Store all food in tightly sealed containers made of glass, meta or heavy duty plastic," Dillard said. "Clean up spills promptly and take out trash regularly. Avoid leaving pet food or water bowls out overnight. And if you feed birds, place feeders far from your home and clean up any spilled seed." Read more: Best Cordless Vacuums, Tested by CNET Labs Remove clutter Giving rodents piles of clutter to hide in and around will make your home an attractive place for them to settle. Alina Bradford/CNET There is a reason why most homeowners on shows like Hoarders deal with mice and rat infestations. Rodents love to seek out nesting materials like paper, fabric and insulation to burrow and keep warm. "Keep storage areas organized and avoid leaving piles of newspapers, cardboard or clothing in basements and attics," Dillard said. "Outdoors, trim vegetation near your home, remove debris piles and store firewood at least 20 feet from your home and elevated off the ground." Read more: These Kitchen Organizers Will Give You Miles of Extra Counter Space Monitor for signs of activity Monitor for signs of mice, including claw marks and droppings. Artisteer/Getty Images Early detection can often prevent an entire infestation, but you have to know exactly what you're looking for. "Look for droppings, gnaw marks or sounds of scratching in walls or ceilings," Dillard said. "Identifying early signs can help you act quickly." Know when it's time for traps Snap traps are good for killing mice, but they don't do much to stop more from coming after. David Watsky/CNET If prevention techniques have failed, there are a variety of baits and traps to lure rodents into an enclosure and/or mechanism that kills them. Though standard mouse traps and glues continue to exist, they aren't the most humane. As an alternative, live catch traps exist to offer no-kill options as a thoughtful solution for managing rodents without harm. "These traps are designed to capture rodents safely so they can be released back into the wild," Dillard said. That said, they must be used effectively. Here are her most helpful recommendations to get the most bang for your buck. Tips for setting rodent traps Knowing how and where to set traps will help boost their efficacy. David Watsky/CNET Selecting the right trap: "Choose a live-catch trap that matches the size of the rodent you're targeting. Brands offer a range of humane trap sizes that work for mice, rats and other small rodents. Tomcat offers both single and multicatch live-trap options, but remember to check traps twice daily to ensure trapped mice are not prohibited from regular food and water consumption." Proper placement: "Rodents typically travel along walls, baseboards and other edges of rooms. Place traps along these pathways and near areas where you've noticed droppings, gnaw marks or nests." Baiting the trap: "Use high-protein, aromatic bait like peanut butter, sunflower seeds or small pieces of fruit to attract rodents into the trap. Be sure not to over bait, as rodents might take food without triggering the trap." Releasing the rodent: "When releasing a captured rodent, take it to a remote location, far from your home to prevent it from returning. Choose a natural area like a wooded or grassy field where the rodent will have access to food, water and shelter. Consider wearing gloves when handling the trap to avoid direct contact with the rodent." Effectiveness and considerations: "Live-catch traps can be effective, however they may require more effort than other methods since traps must be checked frequently to ensure the rodent isn't left for too long. Always clean and sanitize the traps after each use." By combining trapping with preventative measures, homeowners stand the best chance of eliminating the risk of a vermin invasion. Take both methods into consideration and rodents may very well seek comfort in a lost mitten and not within the walls of your home.
CTV News
10-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Here's what homeowners should look for as peak carpenter ant season approaches
A Montreal exterminator explains how to prevent and eliminate ant infestation as peak season approaches for the pests.
CBC
10-05-2025
- General
- CBC
75 years of Alberta's mission to keep rats at bay
Social Sharing Twice a year, a patrol team scrutinizes barns, straw bales and grain storage bins along a 600-kilometre stretch of the Alberta-Saskatchewan boundary. They're looking for rats, continuing a 75-year mission to stop the rodents from making themselves at home in the province. "My grandfather," says Lincoln Poulin, the president of Poulin's Pest Control, "was known as the man that killed 10 million rats." Napoleon Poulin invented a rodenticide called Poulin's Rat Doom and was a key figure in the early days of Alberta's rat control program, established in 1950 after Norway rats were discovered on an Alberta farm. The rodents, thought to originate in China, first arrived on the east coast of North America in 1775 and gradually spread west, travelling about 24 kilometres per year and arriving in Saskatchewan in the 1920s. By 1959, the number of infestations in Alberta increased to 573. But after 1959, they plummeted, reaching zero by 2003, according to the Alberta government. Outbreaks happen — but not often Karen Wickerson, pest specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, administers the Alberta Rat Control Program — meaning she's known in some circles as Alberta's rat lady. If a rat is found, the patrol sets up traps, bait stations and cameras. The goal is to get the rodents before they start a family and spread, said Wickerson. The rat control zone stretches along Alberta's eastern boundary between Cold Lake, Alta., to the U.S. border with Montana. The patrol's focus is on eastern Alberta because it's hard for rats to get over the mountains in the west, Montana has a very low rat population in the south and the north is too cold and sparsely populated, said Wickerson. WATCH | Alberta rat patrol keeps an eye out for unwanted rodents: How Alberta's rat patrol helps maintain province's rat-free status 5 days ago Duration 2:17 While there are occasional outbreaks — like the 2023 outbreaks at two recycling plants in Calgary — they're rare. Usually, rats come into Alberta by chance. "They can be hitchhikers on a shipment of grain," said Shelby Oracheski, agricultural fieldman with the Municipal District of Wainwright, which is about 50 kilometres west of the Saskatchewan boundary. "With any invasive species, the earlier you detect them, the more effective you can be to get rid of them." The problem with rats Bryan Skinner's family started their mixed grain and beef farm in 1950 — the same year Alberta's rat program got started — near the village of Chauvin, about 10 kilometres west of the Saskatchewan boundary. Without Alberta's rat patrol program, the rodents could cause a lot of damage to his farm, he said. "Anything time a rat wrecks your feed, you obviously can't feed it to your livestock, so it all becomes waste," he said. It can go 15 years between rat sightings on his farm, said Skinner. Rats will chew on electrical wiring, causing damage to homes and other structures. They may also carry up to 50 different pathogens and parasites that can be passed to humans. According to a study published earlier this year in Science Advances, rats in the United States cause an estimated $27 billion US in damages annually to infrastructure, agricultural yields and contaminated food supplies. While Alberta does promote itself as being rat-free, it does have a native rat — the bushy-tailed woodrat, which is also known as a packrat. It's found in the Rocky Mountains and southern parts of the province. Packrats can damage buildings by constructing stinky nests, said Wickerson, but they are not as much of a concern as the invasive Norway rat. Property owners can choose to control packrats, but Norway rats must be controlled according to Alberta's laws. It's illegal to keep pet rats in Alberta. The world is becoming rattier Today, Norway rats are found on every continent outside of Antarctica. A recent study published in Science Advances, found rat populations are exploding globally in cities like Washington, D.C. The study found climate change and a growing human population were behind the increasing number of rats. Rats thrive in warmer conditions, the study noted, while human populations mean more garbage and homes for rats to live in. Cities with fewer green spaces also saw a greater increase in rats. In 2023, New York City appointed a rat czar to tackle the problem. However, some places have managed to become rat-free in recent years. In 2018, South Georgia got rid of all its rats after having them for 250 years. It's known as the world's largest rodent eradication project. The key to Alberta's triumph was getting rid of rats when they first arrived, said Wickerson. "We can't put out little signs or rat fences at the border," she said. "The thing is when they do get in, we don't let them establish."
