Stored Products pests feed on non-perishable food products (such as rice, pastas, crackers, breads, cereals or any other foods you store in your cupboards). If you have these pests, you may have brought them in from your local grocer, who may have brought them in from their supplier. There are different treatment methods available to solve your stored product pest problem.
Indian Meal Moths
Indian Meal Moths are 3/8 to 1/2-inch long. Their wings are pale grey at the base and the ends are brown or copper coloured.
They will often be found in the kitchen or other nearby rooms.
These types of moths can often be mistaken for household clothes moths. Adult indian meal moths do not feed at all so do not be surprised to see them other places than the kitchen.
Habitat
Indian meal moths are attracted to the kitchen or any food lying around.
Diet
The female moth will lay her lava in flour, grains, dried fruit, biscuits, crackers, dog food, and an assortment of other dry household foodstuffs.
The lava tunnel into the food to protect themselves while they continue to feed.
Before the lava turns into a moth they will leave the food in which they have been feeding. They can crawl up walls and ceilings and find places in which to spin a cocoon and then develop into an adult moth.
Clothing Moths
Clothing moths prefer moist conditions and low light.
As the name would suggest, clothing moths are notorious for feeding on clothing and natural fibres. They prefer dirty fabric and are especially attracted to clothing that contains human sweat or other liquid which has been spilled on to them. The reason for this is the caterpillars do not drink water, and therefore, their food must contain moisture.
The range of fabric consumed by clothing moths includes cotton, linen, silk and wool fabrics as well as furs.
Clothing moth eggs are very small, under 1mm in length, and so are barely viable. Once the larvae has consumed enough food they will then spin a cocoon in which to stay for 1-2 months before changing into an adult moth.
Cockroaches
In addition to restaurants and other food establishments, cockroaches can be found in residential homes and even businesses without stored food products.
The German cockroach is most prevalent in the Okanagan Valley & Lower Mainland. They can be found in kitchens, pantry closets, bathrooms and appliances.
Excellent sanitation is a very important part of eliminating them from any home or establishment. In addition to our treatment programs, we will provide specific recommendations that will help you eliminate the cockroaches from your home or facility.
Earwigs
Earwigs got their name from the myth that they crawl into sleeping people’s ears and tunnel into their brains. The long cerci, or clippers, on their backsides easily identify an earwig.
Habits
Earwigs hide during the day and feeds on leaves, flowers, fruits, mold and insects at night.
Habitat
These insects live together outdoors in large numbers. Earwigs can be found under piles of lawn debris, mulch or in tree holes. They gain entry to a structure through exterior cracks.
Threats
Contrary to folklore, earwigs do not crawl into ears and eat peoples’ brains at night. They do not spread diseases, but their menacing appearance can be alarming to a homeowner.
Silverfish
This insect gets its name from its silvery, metallic appearance and fish-like shape and movements. Silverfish have no wings, but are able to run very fast. They tend to hide their presThis insect gets its name from its silvery, metallic appearance and fish-like shape and movements. Silverfish have no wings, but are able to run very fast. They tend to hide their presence from humans which means any damage they have caused could go unnoticed as well.
Habits
Silverfish tend to feed on paper items, glue, clothing and food items, such as flour and rolled oats. Silverfish can live up to a year without food, but require a high humidity environment. They move fast and are typically nocturnal.
Habitat
Silverfish are found throughout Canada & U.S. and are typically seen in moist, humid areas in the home, such as bathrooms, basements, and attics.
Threats
While silverfish are mainly a nuisance pest, they can contaminate food and damage paper goods such as wallpaper and books.
Other Insect Control
Fleas
Dog and cat fleas are prevalent throughout households. They usually live in homes where there are or were pets or homes that regularly shop in thrift stores! They need blood for food, so you would know if you had them due to irritation and bite marks on your legs and ankles – or irritation to your pet. They are most active in the summer time, and are found on the floors (all types, including carpet, linoleum, tile, hardwood and concrete), on window sills, under couch and armchair cushions, on closet floors and under beds. We recommend consulting with your veterinarian and getting your pets on a flea control program, and getting your home or office professionally treated. Read More
Flies
There are a number of different types of flies one might experience in their home or office (such as blow, cluster, drain, fruit and house flies). More often than not, there is a source that is the cause of these pests (such as a dead rodent or bird in the walls, organic matter in the drains or poor sanitation). There are a number of different treatment methods that can utilized in a fly control program.
House Crickets
House crickets get their common name from the fact that they often enter houses where they can survive indefinitely. Interestingly, they are known for their loud chirping which is caused by rubbing their front wings together to attract females.
Habits
House crickets are nocturnal or active at night and usually hide in dark warm places during the day. Outside, they feed on plants and dead or live insects, including other crickets. Indoors, house crickets can feast on fabric, eating large areas, leaving holes and are especially attracted to clothes soiled with perspiration.
Habitat
During warm weather, house crickets typically live outdoors and are especially fond of garbage dumps. They are often attracted to electric lights in larger numbers, sometimes by the thousands, and rest on vertical surfaces such as light poles and house walls. However, when cold weather approaches, they seek shelter in houses and sheds because of the moisture and warmth they provide.
Threats
Clothing and carpets can become damaged when house crickets enter homes. They typically feed on the surface, leaving the area roughened from pulling the fibers loose while eating.
Millipedes
Millipedes are sometimes called “thousand-leggers” because of their many pairs of legs, but they can actually have anywhere from 30-90+ pairs of legs, depending on the species. The leggiest is Illacme plenipes, which can have more than 333 pairs of legs
Millipedes are sometimes called “thousand-leggers” because of their many pairs of legs, but they can actually have anywhere from 30-90+ pairs of legs, depending on the species. The leggiest is Illacme plenipes, which can have more than 333 pairs of legs.
Habits
Most millipedes are nocturnal and are primarily scavengers, feeding on decaying plants and occasionally dead insects. In the autumn, millipedes are known to migrate in great numbers.
Habitat
Millipedes are found throughout the world, with about 1,000 species occurring in the United States alone. They are typically found in areas of high moisture and decaying vegetation, such as under trash, in piles of grass clippings, flower-bed mulches, piles of leaves, etc. Millipedes do not usually survive indoors for more than a few days unless there are high moisture conditions and a food supply is present.
Threats
Some millipede species give off an ill-smelling fluid through openings along the sides of the body. Underscoring the importance of millipede control, this fluid can be toxic to small animals and pets, and can cause small blisters on humans.
Pillbugs (Rollie Pollies)
This pest is the only crustacean that has become completely adapted to spending its life on land. Pillbugs have oval bodies and seven pairs of legs. They are easily recognized by their back, which is made up of seven hard individual plates. Pillbugs are sometimes referred to as rollie-pollies This pest is the only crustacean that has become completely adapted to spending its life on land. Pillbugs have oval bodies and seven pairs of legs. They are easily recognized by their back, which is made up of seven hard individual plates. Pillbugs are sometimes referred to as rollie-pollies.
This pest is the only crustacean that has become completely adapted to spending its life on land. Pillbugs have oval bodies and seven pairs of legs. They are easily recognized by their back, which is made up of seven hard individual plates. Pillbugs are sometimes referred to as rollie-pollies.
Habits
Pillbugs eat decaying vegetable material and are most active at night. They are known for their ability to roll into a ball.
Habitat
Pillbugs live in moist locations. They are found under damp objects or under vegetable debris.
Threats
Pillbugs do not spread diseases or invade food products. However, the pillbug is often considered a pest when it gains entry into a home.
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