Tips for dealing with common pests

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Poulin's Pest Control

Chris Mangatal
First Posted: May 2, 2012 7:29am
http://cjme.com/story/tips-dealing-common-pests/54986

It’s that time of year when insects, critters and other pests come out of hiding.

There are some simple ways to deal with some of the more common pests.

Bed bugs are among the worst. They make people very uncomfortable because they can spread like wildfire.

“Heat works in every situation,” said Shawn Sherwood from Poulin’s Pest Control.

“We’ve got four large furnaces that are powered by a diesel generator. We increase the temperature to about 135 degrees for about four hours, it kills everything in there.”

“They’re about the size of an appleseed or a flax seed, about the same colour too. You may also find the feces, it looks like if you take a lead pencil and make dots on a piece of paper,” said Sherwood.

For gophers, there is a product called Gopher Doom.

“You put some of it down the holes as soon as possible because they are ravenous right now. They’re going to eat it and die, it’s going to take out the young as well so you’re going to be able to get a handle on it now,” said Sherwood.

The product is also safer than poisons such as cyanide and strychnine, because there are antidotes for it in case the family pet gets into the supply.

Even though squirrels are cute in alot of peoples’ eyes, they can cause some big problems.

“They chew holes in your house which allows all kinds of things to get in such as rain, dust and insects,” said Sherwood.

“They also love to chew on wires and there are lots of those in your attic. You might be putting yourself into a fire hazard by having one of them in there,” said Sherwood.

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Sleep Soundly with Protecta Bed Mattress Encasement

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Poulin's Pest Control

Once you discover a bed bug problem and manage to survive through the heat treatments and fear of another infestation, you will likely do anything to avoid this problem again. There are measures that can be taken to prevent and infestation from occurring again. One of the most important steps to take is to properly unpack your belongings after a trip in a manner that protects your home for bed bug transfer.

Another important step in bed bug prevention is using a mattress encasement. After a complete bed bug elimination, ProtectaBed Mattress Encasements can ensure that the bed bugs stay out of your mattress and out of your life.

ProtectaBed Mattress Encasements work by eliminating the crevices, folds, and pockets that bed bugs are notorious for taking up residence. They are 100% waterproof and protect from bodily fluids and other liquids. They are hygienic and sterile and are machine washable. IN addition to protecting you against bed bugs, ProtectaBed also protects against tears, rips, stains and other premature mattress damage. When you book your appointment with Poulin’s, be sure to order your ProtectaBed for use immediately after.

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Test Results of the Clear View Bed Bug Monitor

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Poulin's Pest Control

Clear View Bed Bug MonitorYou know the old saying “the proof is in the pudding”? Well, the proof is in the Clear View monitor. Clear View was used to test an infestation of 12 beg bugs in an apartment home. A few of the bed bugs had fed immediately before and there were numerous different lifecycles of bug in the infestation testing. The testing was done over a period of 10 days.

Within 6 hours, Clear View Monitors contained bed bugs. Of those contained, there was an appropriate representation of the different life stages. This proves it doesn’t matter how large or small the bed bug, Clear View Monitors will work. The bugs that had recently fed took longer to migrate to the monitor (8 days to be exact). Within 10 days, 9 out of the 12 bugs were contained.

Clear View is not an elimination method, but simply a way to test to know for sure you have bed bugs. They are designed to be an affordable way and discreet way for homeowners to test for bed bugs. Once a bed bug is noticed, professional help should be used to eliminate the infestation and prevent future infestations from occurring.

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Watch How Bed Bug Heat Treatments Work

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Poulin's Pest Control

In order to eliminate bedbugs, a chemical-free option is available. Poulin’s bed bug heat treatments use increased temperatures to eradicate bed bugs. Poulin’s Pest Control is well trained in heat treatments to eradicate any size bed bug problem you may have.

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The Most Effective Bed Bug Monitor

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Poulin's Pest Control

Wondering if you have a bed bug problem is a worry that will keep you awake at night. Discovering you have an infestation is the first step in eliminating the problem. In order to test light to medium infestations, there are many options for testing, and the Clear View Bed Bug Monitor is one of the most effective and cost efficient. Hotels, hospitals, schools and homes are all using Clear View Bed Bug Monitors because it is dependable and discreet.

Clear View Monitor is the size of a business card and is inserted in between the mattress and box spring. Clear View should be checked daily for the presence of bed buds. Once a bed bug is seen, Poulin’s should be contact immediately for heat treatment or other eradication options.

Bedbugs are known for crawling into small crevices in between mattress and box springs. They are active and will travel long distances during the night. Clear View is an excellent option for interrupting their travels and trapping them for notification of a problem. If even one bed bug is noticed in the monitor, homeowners can be certain that there are many more throughout the room or house. Beg bugs are not a sign of uncleanliness and are nothing to be embarrassed about. Not doing something about an infestation will only make the problem worse. Calling Poulin’s immediately may be the difference between a light infestation and a severe one.

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Crickets infest Yellowknife apartment complex

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Poulin's Pest Control

CBC News Posted: Mar 20, 2012 5:18 PM CT

Pest control workers were on the scene Monday at a Yellowknife apartment complex in an attempt to eradicate a cricket infestation.

Lincoln Poulin, vice-president of technical operations at Poulin’s Pest Control, said crickets can be hard to get rid of but they can be discouraged without using pesticides.

“Ensure the apartment has no moisture [by] using a dehumidifier or having fans in there to lower the humidity in the room,” he said. “A lot of people try to say, ‘Well, it’s not humid to me.’ But it could be to the cricket.”

Poulin said if people are worried about using pesticides, they can also use glue traps.

Read the full article:  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/story/2012/03/20/north-yellowknife-apartment-crickets.html

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Heat Treatment – The Non-Chemical Solution

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Poulin's Pest Control

There is no hiding the bedbug epidemic that is sweeping North America. Homes, hotels and even schools are all reporting bed bug problems in mass numbers. From luxury properties to college dorms, and everything in between, bed bugs are a huge problem and they do not discriminate when it comes to taking up residence.

Another increasing trend is consumers rejecting and refusing chemicals and pesticides that are harmful to their families and their health. More and more of us are demanding effective pest control with minimal chemicals and residues. In order to eliminate bedbugs, a chemical-free option is available and just as effective, if not more, when compared to most chemical methods. The degree of effectiveness is due to bed bugs’ habits. They tend to hide in crevices which cannot be reached by chemicals. The heat treatment heats every area applied and will reach a temperature that will solve your problem.

Heat treatments use increase temperatures to eradicate bed bugs. The high temperature ensures that all bedbugs and eggs are eliminated where heat is applied. Typically the temperature will reach a range over 140 degrees, so care should be taken with valuables. There is no reason to negotiate your need for bed bug relief and your need for a chemical free-solution. Poulin’s Pest Control is well trained in heat treatments to eradicate any size bed bug problem you may have.

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How Does Poulin’s Bed Bug Heat Treatment Work?

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Poulin's Pest Control

Studies have shown that the thermal death point for bed bugs is 113 degrees Fahrenheit. If a bed bug is exposed to this temperature or higher for 90 minutes, they and their eggs will die. The higher the temperature the less amount of time needed for exposure. Heat treatments are highly effective for bed bug problems in that they use powerful fans to create currents that heat the bugs rapidly, increasing their mortality.

Clothes dryers have been used for decades on clothing and linens to kill bed bugs, but unfortunately, no one can fit their mattress, toys, etc into a clothes dryer. Portable heating devices are dangerous and can expose users to harmful carbon monoxide fumes. There are a few heat treatments on the market that are as safe as they are effective.

Steaming is professional heat treatment that is slow, methodical, yet highly effective. A 12 square inch area is steamed for 30 seconds. While this takes time, it is very effective. The most efficient heat treatment is a whole-room heat treatment. Whole room treatments use heaters that heat air to a temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat is blown into the room and monitored for varying lengths of time. The benefits of these treatments include the convenience of leaving almost anything in the room for treating. Other than aerosol cans, pictures and fine garments, the entire room can benefit from a heat treatment.

Poulin’s Pest Control has professionally trained associates that can answer any questions and give tips for your next heat treatment.

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Deer, Rodents Thriving Due to Warm Weather

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Poulin's Pest Control

Updated: Mon Feb. 20 2012 19:48:22
ctvwinnipeg.ca

Read the full article: http://winnipeg.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20120220/wpg_wildlife_thriving_warm_weather_120220/20120220/?hub=WinnipegHome

The lack of snow and warm temperatures are giving deer easier access to food. But Robizant says the recovery will still likely take a few years.

Deer aren’t the only species benefiting from weather.

“Every once in awhile we get mice, but we’ve never seen them like this year,” said David Lane of Poulin’s Pest Control.

The lack of snow has sent mice indoors in search of warmth, and Poulin’s has seen a uptick in business.

“Rodents at this time of year don’t have that insulation to keep them warm with that snow pack and are just having to move in looking for new places to live,” Lane said.

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Wondering if You Have Bed Bugs? Try This Early Detection Device

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Poulin's Pest Control

ClimpUp Insect InterceptorThe first step in bed bug elimination, as any situation, is discovering them. You, like many people, may be concerned with your creepy crawly situation, or may not even know about it. While most people may wonder what each and every fleck of lint on their sheets is, there is an easier way to find out if you have bed bugs or another insect problem in your home.

The ClimbUp Insect Interceptor does just that. It is more reliable than visual inspection and more effective for lighter infestations that are harder to detect. In order to use the ClimbUp Interceptor, you simply pull the suspected furniture out from the wall. After ensuring no bedding is touching the floor, you slip the device under the legs of the furniture.

The eco-friendly design has a double-welled cup with a talc-coated interior. The bed bugs will crawl into the Interceptor and end up trapped in the wells. The Insect Interceptor is safe for your family and will bring a sigh of relief after your bedbug or insect infestation is finally eradicated. No more wondering if you have a problem. The ClimbUp Insect Interceptor will help ease your mind and you can finally rest easy.

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