Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are Pest Issues Related To Filth?
A: Generally, No. At least not on the interior of a home or structure. Flies are the only pest directly related to filth and unsanitary conditions, and messy or dirty environments can make inspecting difficult, or prolong the treatment process. But, the existence of any pest, apart from flies, in your home has NOTHING to do with how clean or dirty your home may be. Check out our Pest Blog for more information on the relationship between pests and filth.
Q: In A Rental Property, Who Is Responsible For The Cost Of Pest Control?
A: In Alberta, the Landlord is the one who is responsible for the arrangement and cost of any required pest control inside the home. For more information on this subject, please check out our blog post, Who Pays For Pest Control In A Rental Property?
Q: How much do you charge?
A: Our prices vary based on the type of job and the number of visits that may be required to solve the issue. We can typically give you a quote over the phone for most jobs.
Q: Do you trap skunks?
A: We deal with a large number of skunks, but we don’t trap and translocate unless we have no other choice. This is the same for dispatching or euthanizing of skunks. We prefer to exclude skunks from den sites using passive deterrence and one-way devices. This allows the skunks to remain in their familiar territory where they probably already have other den sites. This also allows mothers to remain with her kits instead of getting separated through translocation. The statistics show that after translocating a skunk from its home territory to a new, unknown territory, only 30-35% will survive for more than 30 days. For the young kits who are translocated with their mothers, only 10-15% will survive more than 30 days. For kits translocated without their mothers, only 1% will survive more than 30 days. So, yes, we are capable of trapping skunks, but because we love animals so much, we really don’t like doing it, and we have found other methods that are usually better all around.
Q: Are there any cockroaches in Calgary?
A: Yes. The German Cockroach is the most common cockroach found in Alberta, with light to heavy infestations found commonly throughout the province. But, we do sometimes see other cockroaches such as the Brown Banded Cockroach, and recently we are starting to see some of the larger cockroach species such as the American Cockroach and the Oriental Cockroach from time to time. If you have cockroaches, or think you might have cockroaches, you should call a professional. And never spray for cockroaches. Spraying for cockroaches can prolong the treatment by months.
Q: How do you get rid of skunk smell?
A: There are many myths about what will remove skunk odour, and most don’t work at all. The best formulation for washing out skunk smell is a mixture of 4 cups of Hydrogen Peroxide, 1/2 cup of baking soda, and a teaspoon of dish soap. This mixture will clean the scent off, but may take multiple applications to do so. Use caution with this mixture as it may cause irritation, discolouration, or staining on some surfaces, skin, hair or fabrics.
Q: Why do my dogs keep getting sprayed by a skunk?
A: Skunks spray as a last-resort, defense mechanism when they feel threatened. The scent produced by a skunk when it sprays is quite pungent. A direct hit can cause skin/eye irritation and even temporary blindness. People who are more sensitive may also experience respiratory tightness or vomiting. Most people don’t get to experience a direct hit as skunks will seldom spray humans unless they are startled and cornered. Dogs, however, are not so lucky. Domesticated dogs rarely heed the warning signals that skunks give off before resorting to spraying. Hissing, stamping, turning and the raising of their tails usually causes most animals to run the other way from a skunk, but dogs are too curious, or defensive, for their own good. Dogs are common victims of skunk spraying. That being said, most dogs who have been sprayed are typically very apprehensive around skunks for a while. It is uncommon, though not extremely rare, for a dog to be sprayed multiple times in the same season. Usually, when a dog gets sprayed more than once in a short period of time, it’s because the dog and skunk are competing over a common resource.
Q: I’m allergic to wasp stings, is there any way to prevent wasps from building a nest in my yard?
A: Different species of wasp will build their nests in different places using a number of factors such as protection from the elements, air flow, proximity to food and resources, etc. It can be nearly impossible to prevent any nest from being built in your yard, but there are things you can do to reduce the likelihood of having a nest (or swarming activity) in your yard if you are willing to go to the effort. Make sure that your lawn is healthy and eliminate holes or gaps around sidewalks and patios; Keep low-level decks completely sealed in, or completely open and exposed; Avoid trees or vegetation that produce sap, or hold moisture such as Columnar Aspen trees, Cotoneaster Hedges, or Peonies; Don’t allow any standing water to form in the yard; Don’t leave any food outside, including empty pop, wine or beer cans/bottles; Seal any holes or gaps around the house foundation, siding, soffits, bricks, or shingles; Keep shrubs and plants at least 18 inches away from the house foundation; Keep flowerbeds, plants and gardens well spaced and well groomed; Be vigilant about checking the yard for wasp nests. Finding and removing nests early will greatly reduce the numbers you may see in a given season.