Pest Control Companies

[AnonymousStranger]

My parents recently moved to a new house in Artesia and it seems like this area is pretty rife with different kinds of bugs. For being a new house, it's already covered with cobwebs and more than a few hornets nests. Mosquitoes seem to be prevalent during the evening as well in the back yard and they don't even have a house near the pond. They had a girl from Terminix knock on their door and offer a package that costs around $600 for four bug mitigation service visits a year. Seems kinda expensive. Was wondering if anyone here had any experience dealing using pest control companies and if anyone had any recommendations.

[EverfresH15]

Literally have no idea where that is.

[WhiteTiger]

Originally Posted by EverfresH15

Literally have no idea where that is.

The only one I could find is in De Winton, though maybe about as 'south Calgary' as you can get?

When I need pest control, I go with Lavellan Pest Solutions. Great guy, reasonable rates. Dunno if he goes to De Winton, though.

https://www.lavellan.ca/

Edit: Read through his site more closely, and he does do service in De Winton.

[Madman]

Just used Spartan to come spray for ants and they were great.

https://spartanpestcontrol.com/

[Leeman4Gilmour]

We recently used Buzz Boss. Mostly for spiders as they were getting out of hand, and it definitely worked, but also haven't had a mosquito since they've been by. I imagine it'll only be for the rest of this season, but feel it was worth the money - <$200

[burn_this_city]

Bugs are inevitable, that's what happens when you live in the country by the river and other ponds.

[Jordan!]

Oh no, cobwebs..

[La Flames Fan]

Try ZAP. Great guys and reasonably priced.

(587) 435-7378

https://www.zapmypests.ca

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Bouw N Arrow

Oh no, cobwebs..

It could be much worse than what you're thinking. I only have one (old) example, but a spec house that the company I worked for built in Copperfield got so covered, it looked like some kind of Halloween display. I got sent down there to power wash the whole thing, and they don't come off easily. All the soffits all the way around were just full of webs, the siding was at least 30% covered, between each spindle of the deck railings, the whole area in the front step, the corners of the garage door, even from the hose bib to the house. Fricken everywhere. It was so nasty.

[kcin]

Anyone recommend a pest control service to deal with some annoying northern flickers (woodpeckers)? I've been scaring them off ten times a day but they just keep coming back and damaging my stucco.

Grrr.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by kcin

Anyone recommend a pest control service to deal with some annoying northern flickers (woodpeckers)? I've been scaring them off ten times a day but they just keep coming back and damaging my stucco.

Grrr.

Have you tried putting up one of those fake owl decoys? I know someone who put one up to keep crows away and it worked for a while. Eventually the crows figured it out, but they are smart birds. Maybe it would work for Northern Flickers.

Edit: A quick internet search suggests that they may be effective for wood peckers, but the more realistic the decoy, the better.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by kcin

Anyone recommend a pest control service to deal with some annoying northern flickers (woodpeckers)? I've been scaring them off ten times a day but they just keep coming back and damaging my stucco.

Grrr.

A spray bottle with a mix of soap and vinegar got them to flick off elsewhere for me.

[kcin]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Have you tried putting up one of those fake owl decoys? I know someone who put one up to keep crows away and it worked for a while. Eventually the crows figured it out, but they are smart birds. Maybe it would work for Northern Flickers.

Edit: A quick internet search suggests that they may be effective for wood peckers, but the more realistic the decoy, the better.

Tried that but they just laughed and kept hammering away. The spots they're attracted to are like 30' high and they've learned to fly away as soon as I run down the stairs and step outside. Then they sense the exact moment I've walked up to the third floor loft and sat down again.

[Sr. Mints]

Flickers here, too - as well as all my neighbours. I am the only one who's house has not sustained damage, by hanging a half dozen CDs every few feet like wind chimes. It looks ghetto as hell, but the reflective surface seems to work.

[Fuzz]

You could also build a series of scaffolds so the neighbourhood cats have access to...food.

[chemgear]

I think there is reflective tape as well that you can tie around things.

[darockwilder]

https://cal-rid.com/

We've used these guys for other issues so don't know their success with birds, but they did well for other problems

[Sr. Mints]

Forgot to mention, we did call a company about the flickers ages ago, and they are (were?) protected to some degree, meaning their nests couldn't be destroyed - I believe during a certain time of year (nesting?).

I can't recall the details and may be way off, but that's how we landed on preventative measures.

[Jason14h]

You cant do anything . Accept that your house is now the home to them and holes everywhere are the new norm

The 2 hollow pillars with stucco in front of my house have 8-9 holes in 9 months and are annihilated

It was cute seeing the babies in the summer all peeking out though but wow do they poop a lot !They stick their butts out the holes so not to poop in their home and create a horrible mess

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Sr. Mints

Forgot to mention, we did call a company about the flickers ages ago, and they are (were?) protected to some degree, meaning their nests couldn't be destroyed - I believe during a certain time of year (nesting?).

I can't recall the details and may be way off, but that's how we landed on preventative measures.

I believe they are protected under the federal Migratory Birds Act. A reputable pest control company with qualified professionals should know how to navigate the legislation to make sure any actions are within compliance. At least I would hope.