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The cimex lectularius, better known as the bed bug, is a real scourge for the inhabitants of Quebec. Infestation cases are on the rise all the time in the province, so no one is safe. If you notice these insects in your home, you need to act quickly to stop the infestation early and prevent it from spreading to your neighbours.

Do you know what to do in case of an infestation? Do you know what treatments are needed to eradicate these bed bugs? Discover the advice of our pest control experts to get rid of bed bugs for good.

Bed bugs: a tough insect that is not easy to get rid of

Eliminating bed bugs is a very complex process. Because these insects are becoming increasingly resistant to extermination procedures, or nest in spaces that can be difficult to access, it can be very difficult to get rid of them.

There are therefore several treatments available, although it will often be necessary to combine a number of insect control measures to overcome them.

Use steam to eradicate cimex lectarius

Bed bugs are not very fond of extreme heat. Therefore, a heat treatment is recommended to get rid of these crawling insects and disinfect all items or rooms contaminated by their presence.

Using a dryer for all household linens or bedding will allow you to kill bed bugs, and other mites, located there. Unfortunately, this appliance has its limits, especially for everything that doesn’t fit in it. A commercial-grade dry steam machine, which can produce very high temperatures, is therefore recommended to complete the treatment of rooms, furniture and items that cannot go into the dryer. However, to be effective, this device must be able to rise to a temperature above 300 degrees Fahrenheit, because even if a temperature of more than 120 degrees is enough to kill bed bugs, the heat released must be able to kill pests that are hidden deeper in fabrics and in the gaps in your floors or walls. If the power of your steam appliance is not high enough, bed bugs or eggs can survive and the infestation can resume once the treatment is complete.

End the infestation with chemical treatment

Chemical treatments are another method that can be used to combat bed bugs. Various products and insecticides can be used to treat the infestation, such as Diatomaceous earth, boric acid and pyrethroids, to name just a few. However, keep in mind that not all insecticides are equally effective, and that products with higher yield against bed bugs may be reserved for professional use. When these insect treatments are available to all, every precaution should be taken when applying them without the help of a professional, since they can still be a health hazard to the occupants.

Hire a professional exterminator for long-lasting and safe treatment

Without a doubt, hiring a professional exterminator is the most effective way to get rid of bed bugs. The reason? A pest management expert can use different, often complementary, extermination methods to eliminate pests. They can use both heat and chemical treatments to control the infestation, while ensuring that residents are not at risk throughout the extermination process. In addition, they have all the technical knowledge and tools or products necessary to stop the infestation. They will give you all the step-by-step instructions to determine the source of the problem and set up extermination and decontamination procedures after treatment to enable you to restore a healthy environment.

Getting rid of bed bugs is not so easy

Bed bug infestations can be common in Quebec. If preventive techniques or treatments against these pests have not worked, a professional exterminator will be your best means of stopping the infestation.

Don’t wait for the problem to escalate and ask for a free quote. The Boisvert Gestion Parasitaire team will be pleased to provide you with information.

 

Regardless of the species, it is never pleasant to find harmful insects intruding into our home. Faced with such an infestation, the first question is how to get rid of them as soon as possible. While it is possible to limit an infestation, sometimes the different repellent products or traditional tricks are not enough to solve the problem.

Nevertheless, there are effective insect control methods available for all infestations. Discover our best advice to combat infestations.

Homemade insect control

If you have only spotted a very small number of insects in your home, simple techniques and preventive treatments can help you get rid of them. For example, you can set proper traps if you notice any ants. The worker ants who collect the toxic substance from it will bring it back into the nest, killing the rest of the colony.

Even if they are rather harmless and do not pose a threat to your home, flies can become a nuisance when they multiply. Many options are available to limit the fly population in your home: ultraviolet neon lights, electric insect control, sticky traps or flypaper.

These techniques are only superficial and in many cases you will need to call an exterminator.

Repellent products: a more effective treatment against insects

As the pest infestation grows, you will probably not be able to control them with simple traps. At this point, you can use chemical repellents that are available in stores.

For example, there are some fairly effective sprays available to treat an ant infestation. Similarly, if you decide to deal with a termite problem yourself, you can treat your walls with fumigation, injection or a spray.

However, these products also have disadvantages. In addition to being toxic and dangerous to residents, including pets, these products can also be ineffective. As a result, some insects, such as cockroaches for example, will not react to different repellents. A professional exterminator will be more qualified to treat the infestation safely for your home and its occupants.

Insect control by an exterminator

In many cases, pest control professionals will be better equipped to carry out insect control. They have knowledge both of the different insect families and of the safe and responsible extermination procedures to implement.

For example, an exterminator will first look for points of entry to seal them and prevent insects from re-entering your home. They will then identify the extent of the infestation and determine the species of insect that needs to be controlled so they use the appropriate product.

Insect control for every situation

There is no miracle cure for getting rid of insects. While a few over-the-counter products may be effective for a minor invasion, an exterminator’s opinion is recommended in most cases. At Boisvert Gestion Parasitaire, we are certified by the Association Québécoise de la Gestion Parasitaire (AQGP) and we can give you the right advice in the event of an insect invasion of any kind. If you have noticed insects in your home or have any questions about extermination techniques, contact our team who will be happy to provide you with information and a quote.

 

 

Who wants to be a victim of a mouse infestation at home? No one. Unfortunately, even though it is never intended, it is a very real occurrence. A wealth of resources are available on the subject. Some, however, recommend questionable methods. If you are a victim of a mouse infestation in your home, here’s what to do.

Confirm the infestation problem in your home

Mice are stealthy. Even if you think you see one in the corner of your eye, it’s better to be certain. As soon as you spot one inside your home, you immediately suspect that there is a nest somewhere in your home, whether it is in your walls, in the basement or in the attic. Most people don’t realize the extent of the infestation until the problem is fairly overwhelming. The most obvious signs of a mouse infestation are the presence of feces, a smell of urine and chewed food or walls. You may also hear scratches during the night. If you think you are dealing with a mouse infestation, a professional who offers a residential extermination service can verify it for you.

Setting mouse traps isn’t so straightforward

Eliminating a mouse infestation in your home starts with sealing potential entry points. Then it’s time to tackle the problem by setting traps. There are two main types of mouse traps: snap hook traps, which are spring-loaded, and glue traps, which immobilize a mouse with an adhesive surface. Some people discourage glue traps, because the immobilized mouse is still alive and can urinate out of fear, which can spread harmful diseases.

Once you have your traps in hand, you have to choose a mouse bait to attract them. You can use a variety of bait, including peanut butter, seeds or nuts and pet food. Poison is generally not recommended, since this type of bait is harmful to pets. However, it becomes necessary and effective in some cases of rodent infestation.

The location of the traps is vital. Mice are curious and rather cautious creatures. We recommend that traps be placed perpendicular to a wall. Try to place the traps where you have noticed high activity, such as behind furniture or in a dark area. Sometimes you will have to move the traps to different places, since the mice will try to avoid the traps, especially if you have already caught a few in that area.

When should you call a professional exterminator to deal with a mouse infestation in your home?

Mouse infestation in the home is not impossible to deal with yourself. However, the process requires a lot of time and energy. For the best results, an experienced exterminator can solve the problem more effectively.

Are you struggling with a mouse infestation in your home? Contact Boisvert Gestion Parasitaire. In addition to providing a guaranteed service, our professional exterminators will carry out a thorough inspection of your home to restore your peace of mind.

 

In urbanized areas, pigeons are part of the daily life of city dwellers. We see them strolling on the sidewalks without fear of passers-by and cooing under bridges over passing cars. As such, the pigeon is not really a problematic bird species, but when perched, it can release an impressive amount of droppings on anything below. If you are facing this problem, whether inside or outside your home and want to deal with it, here’s how to clean up pigeon droppings.

Preliminary measures before cleaning pigeon droppings

Cleaning pigeon droppings involves removing the guano from the outside or inside of a building after the animal has been removed. Pigeon droppings are generally not harmful to health, except in extreme cases. On the other hand, they can strongly affect the appearance of a building, cause odours and attract insects. Except in certain unusual situations, you can remove the pigeon droppings yourself, unless the extent of the problem is beyond your control or you are experiencing breathing problems. At such times, it may be appropriate to hire the services of a residential exterminator.

Whether the pigeon droppings to be cleaned are on the front of your building or in your attic, the same process can be used. But before you rush to buy products or start cleaning the area, a health and safety risk assessment is essential, especially if the work will be done at height.

It is also recommended to take certain preliminary measures. A face mask, disposable coveralls and rubber gloves must be worn at all times, as well as safety glasses and a good pair of boots.

Products used to kill bacteria in pigeon droppings

There are many cleaning products developed especially for bird droppings. First, there are disinfectants, designed to kill bacteria and organisms, and simple cleaning agents, which, as their name suggests, are simply designed to clean. In most cases, a bucket of hot soapy water containing a little household detergent is a simple but ideal cleaning solution.

Cleaning pigeon droppings is no different from any other thorough cleaning work. With the right equipment, the work will be done quickly. To remove the guano on window sills and the like, a scraper is all you need to remove it. Moisten overly dry guano to soften it before removing it and reduce the amount of dust thrown into the air. Once all pigeon droppings have been scraped and removed from the surface, simply wash the area with a brush and the cleaning solution mentioned above.

What should be done with the excrement next? Small quantities of pigeon guano can be safely disposed of in a domestic or commercial waste bin.

When pigeon droppings become too overwhelming

Urban life means living with a host of animal species, including pigeons. Although this bird is not a threat to human health, the droppings it produces are never desirable, either outside or inside a building. Fortunately, with the right equipment, it is quite easy to remove pigeon droppings.

To learn more about this issue or to hire a professional exterminator, contact Boisvert Gestion Parasitaire.