(1). Bedbugs – The recent uprising in bedbug numbers have resulted in this being our number one pest. People can unknowingly bring them back from their vacations, and they can be easily spread and transferred throughout apartment buildings, and dorm rooms. Bedbugs are not indicative of sanitary issues, and only require human blood to survive. These insects will bite during the night and usually are found in mattress seams or in any gaps near the sleeping area.

(2). Cockroaches – These resilient insects are commonly found in apartment buildings, kitchens, and other places where they have access to food and water. These have fast become our number two problem as they are prolific and can be difficult to kill. We don’t recommend spraying them on your own, as this can cause them to scatter and spread. Good sanitation is a key to helping reduce cockroach numbers, as well as an effective pest control strategy.

(3). Ants – Due to their large numbers, ants are our third ‘problem pest’. These social insects are commonly found inside and outside homes, buildings, and apartments. The most common species we run into are carpenter ants, pharaoh ants, and lawn ants. Carpenter ants get into wood, and are usually large and black. If you see an ant like this, especially if it is associated with sawdust, it is important that a professional pest control company take care of them as they can cause serious structural damage. Pharaoh ants are very small and light in color. These insects require an insecticidal baiting application, as they have such large colonies in the walls, that with a spray they will scatter and make the problem worse. They are hard to completely eradicate, and require excellent sanitation conditions to work properly. Lawn ants are usually found outside, and are the culprits of many soil hills in people’s lawns. If in doubt, bring in your ant sample to our office at 6792-99 Street, Edmonton, Alberta and we can tell you what kind you have and the best possible solution to your problem.

(4). Carpet Beetles – Our fourth problem insect pest is usually found in the larval stage. These look like hairy little worms, and they can actually do damage if they get into textiles. Carpet beetles are outdoor beetles that can make their way into a home through small settlement cracks or spaces along windows and doors. The larvae can spread through a home as they search for food. Carpet beetles, as their name implies, are capable of damaging carpets. These pests will also feed upon many other materials besides carpets and will attack any item composed of animal fibers such as wool, furs, silk, feathers, felt and leather. Serious infestations of carpet beetles can develop undetected in a home, causing significant damage to clothing, bedding, floor coverings and other articles.

(5). Sowbugs – These pests are a type of crustacean that are found commonly in gardens, especially underneath rocks. They feed on decaying vegetation, and can build up in large numbers which have led them to be our number five “problem pest’. Once these numbers reach a certain point, they can often wander into a house through settlement cracks, around windows, and through screens. They are usually found in basements, and they don’t survive well there as it is usually too dry for them.