Common Pests on Vancouver Island
The following is a list of the most common pests treated on Vancouver Island. These are basic descriptions to give a general understanding of each pest. Since each situation is different, Island Pest Control is more than happy to have a phone consultation to gather facts and further explain the pest situation in question.
Bedbugs are hitchhikers that make their way into our homes. We can pick them up by traveling, public spaces, having guests over that have them and bringing in used furniture. Make sure to inspect used furniture for signs of bedbugs. If you suspect having bedbugs, signs that you have bedbugs besides having bites include clusters of live bugs, casings from moulting and fecal spots.
German Cockroach
The German cockroach is the only cockroach found on Vancouver Island. It can only survive indoors and is transferred by people and goods. Cockroaches are a serious pest issues as they carry many harmful bacteria and diseases. Not an easy pest to eliminate, store bought products do not work and in fact can help spread the population.
Carpenter Ants
We have two species of carpenter ants on the Island Camponotus Modoc is all black and Camponotus vicinus has a red middle section. Both species have the potential to do damage to your structures and should not be left unchecked. Ants in general are very successful species that work in a class system where each ant has a job to do, much like bees and wasps. A nest of ants in your house is a satellite of a colony of ants that will have several nesting sites in your area. An ant’s lifecycle expands over the course of a season at which depending on the time of year, they are interested in different foods and working on different tasks for the colony to succeed. With all these scenarios and based on the season, our approach is based on IPM and treatment will be a case by case basis. If you suspect to have carpenter ants, give Island Pest Control a call and we can discuss the most effective way to work towards solving your ant issue.
Fleas
Most flea problems orginate from your pets. Make sure to have your pets on a flea and tick program through your Veterinarian. In the case that there are no pets in the home as a result of moving out leaving fleas behind or maybe a wild animal such as a rodent has brought fleas in, then a treatment from Island Pest Control may be necessary.
Wasps
Wasps play an important role in our local ecosystem and Island Pest Control will happily discuss all the positives wasps provide. We take your health and safety seriously so if there is a situation where you or a member of your family or business cannot live within a close proximity of an established wasp nest, we can dispatch the nest safely with little to no environmental impact.
Mice
We have several species of mice here on Vancouver Island. About the diameter of a dime is the size of hole they need to enter a structure. Although sometimes hard to find, Island Pest Control will focus on areas with high probability and work on a process of elimination to narrow in on problem sites within a structure until the mice activity is finished. Based on IPM, we will also make recommendations to help prevent future issues.
Rats
Two species of rats on the island. The Norway rat generally stays ground level and will burrow and the Roof Rat likes to climb and travels high ending up in our attics. Like with mice, Island Pest Control’s ultimate goal is to find entry points and have them fixed to prevent rodent infestations. We use the same method as we do with mice, making recommendations throughout the service.
Squirrels
Generally a seasonal pest, the non native grey squirrel looks for high and dry nesting locations in the early spring. Moms will have babies and remain until the babies are old enough to leave on their own. Exclusion work is key to preventing them from gaining access. Island Pest Control can help with live trapping or one way door exclusion work, depending on the time of year.
Western Subterranean Termites
Western Subterranean Termites live in the ground and come above ground either to swarm (late summer, early fall) or to collect food (wood). They do not expose themselves to light therefore, most of the time we don’t know if they are present within our structure. They originate from the ground, building mud tubes above ground in wall voids, under flooring or along foundations. The only ways to know if termites are present is during renovations and voids are opened up or the termites expose themselves by breaking through drywall and paint or through baseboards along the floor where you might find the mud tubes, crumbly dirt with cream white workers. If there is a crawlspace, termites may build mud tubes coming out of any cracks and up the foundation. If you suspect termites, Island Pest Control will visit the site to give, provide treatment options along with a quote.
Pacific Dampwood Termite
These termites swarm mid summer. They are attracted to and feed from damp or decayed wood within a structure. Make sure there is no wood to soil contact and that any water issues are resolved and any damp or decayed wood is removed and replaced.
Pavement Ant
Pavement ants are small, but they can quickly become a big problem around your home or business. If you are seeing lines of ants along your foundation, driveway, patio, or inside your kitchen, Island Pest Control provides practical solutions related to pavement ant control that focus on long-term relief, not just quick sprays.