Insect Control

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A female cockroach is capable of producing up to one million eggs in her lifetime. Cockroaches are also very resilient, they can survive months without food, over a month without waterSevere bed bug infestations can contain thousands of bugs in a single room, and in extreme cases, on a single mattress.

BED BUGS

Bedbugs have made an enormous recovery in the last ten years. On average, infestation reports have increased 200-300% each year since 2002 in Canada.

Adult bedbugs are reddish-brown, flattened, oval, and wingless. An adult is about the size of an apple seed. They are mainly active at night, especially a few hours before dawn, and an infestation may go unrecognized, as they will keep well hidden during daytime.

• Bites show as a raised red bump, or flat welt, and are usually very itchy. Often, bites will not show for up to two week, and in about 50% of people, no reaction shows at all.
• Although the primary hiding spot is within any sleeping apparatus (bed frame, mattress, couch, crib, etc.), bedbugs will hide anywhere within a room. Eggs and nymphs can fit into the smallest of cracks and crevices, in carpets, and even in cracks and chipped paint.
• Most often, infestations occur when the bugs are picked up while traveling or when visiting hostels, motels, Bed & breakfasts, or any other temporary lodging. However, they can also be transmitted on used furniture or clothing, between units in apartments, condos, etc., through joining pipes, wiring and air-ducts.
• Large infestations can contain thousands of bugs in a single room, and in extreme cases, on a single mattress!
• Most often, several treatments are required, as pesticides do not destroy the eggs already present.

It is imperative that an initial inspection be extremely detailed. Treatment usually requires at least one follow-up treatment. Patience and effort from the part of the client is also key to successful treatment. Laundering all exposed clothing, bedding, stuffed toys, etc. is usually necessary. At Raptor, we also include complete crack and crevice repairs as part of our service, as this is often the cause of a recurring infestation.

Raptor also provides bedbug prevention and monitoring services for Bed & breakfasts, hostels, motels, and any other temporary lodging establishments. Call for a free inspection and quotation.

COCKROACHES

Arguably the most despised pest insect, the German cockroach is the most common found in BC. They are usually found within kitchens and bathrooms, but can live anywhere they find food, moisture and shelter. They will eat almost anything, including all human and pet foods, cardboard, wallpaper glue, blood, sewage, and even each other.

• Due to the usually filthy conditions cockroaches inhabit in, they are potential carriers of many diseases, especially Salmonella. The skin and egg castes are also problematic for asthmatics and allergy sufferers.
• Cockroaches are nocturnal. If many are seen active during daylight hours, this is an indication that the infestation is severe.
• Females can produce one egg capsule every 20 to 26 days. Each capsule contains from 20 to 50 eggs. Adults can live up to one year. A female cockroach is capable of producing up to one million eggs in her lifetime.
• Cockroaches are incredibly resilient. They can survive months without food, over a month without water, and many have become resistant to various pesticides. For successful treatment, several tactics should be used.

A detailed inspection is required to determine the severity of the infestation. Raptor uses a combination of treatments, as well as the sealing of cracks and crevices, around pipes, etc, to insure success. All cockroach treatments include at least one follow-up inspection.

ANTS

There are many different species of ants within BC, and each one requires a different method of treatment, so proper identification is important.

The most problematic species is the carpenter ant.

• Carpenter ants build a large "Parent” nest, and then branch out with many satellite nests. Usually the parent nest is located somewhere outdoors within a tree stump, abandoned wood pile or other damp, decayed wood source. Most nests found indoors are satellite nests.
• Carpenter ants do not eat wood, but burrow through it, discarding s sawdust outside the visible holes. Indoors, they will eat starches, pet foods, syrups, sugar, etc. In the outdoors, they mainly eat insects.
• By the time a household infestation has occurred, the parent nest is already 5+ years old. Finding and treating the parent nest is crucial for proper treatment.

Due to the variety of species and possible control methods, a full inspection and proper identification is required.

WASPS, HORNETS AND BEES

Aggravating and potentially dangerous, these are best left to professionals to deal with.

• The type of nest produced by wasps can depend on the species and location. Many social wasps (the most problematic) produce paper nests on trees, in attics, holes in the ground or other such areas with access to the outdoors. Yellowjackets and boldfaced hornets are the most common species that affect people.
• Hornets’ nests are usually found in trees, bushes or on the side of a building. They are extremely aggressive when disturbed, and can number in the thousands.
• Yellowjackets nests ore often found beneath logs and rocks, old rat burrows, within old tree stumps, or inside building walls.
• Hornets and wasps tend to become more aggressive later in summer when food becomes scarce as colony sizes grow.

At Raptor, we are trained and equipped to handle all wasp and hornet problems.

NOTE: in most circumstances, we do not remove bee’s nests. Due to the rapid decline in bee populations, we recommend contacting a local bee-keeper to remove them.

OTHER INSECTS AND PESTS

Raptor’s technicians are professionally trained to handle all other insect problems including fleas, silverfish, fabric and museum pests, stored product pests, flies, spiders and anything else you may want eliminated from your home or business. Call us for a free inspection and quotation.