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FOR THE 15TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR, A EXTERMINATION RECEIVED THE 2023 CONSUMER CHOICE AWARD FOR MONTREAL, SOUTH SHORE, NORTH SHORE, CHÂTEAUGUAY, SOREL, SAINT-HYACINTHE, ST-JEAN AND SURROUNDING AREAS!

WE ARE PROUD TO WORK DILIGENTLY IN THE SERVICE OF OUR CLIENTS AND WE THANK THEM FOR THEIR TRUST. THEIR SATISFACTION IS OUR PRIORITY AND WE ARE CONSTANTLY COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THE BEST POSSIBLE SERVICE.

A COMPANY YOU CAN TRUST.

Through a collection of unbiased consumer opinions, calculated and verified by some of the best independent market research firms in North America, Consumer Choice awarded A-Extermination as the BEST company in the Exterminators category (Montreal and surrounding areas). For over 30 years, the Consumer Choice Awards have recognized and promoted business excellence in Canada. We help consumers make better purchases and are proud to present A-Extermination with the ONLY award in its category.

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Skunks are wild animals, but they are generally harmless. Known for their foul-smelling secretion, skunks can invade your garden or patio causing significant damage to both the ground and plantings. In North America, there are 8 species of which only 2 live in Canada; the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), the most widespread in the country and in second place the western spotted skunk (Spilogale gracilis). Fortunately, there are simple, foolproof methods to keep skunks away.

IS THE SKUNK DANGEROUS ?

Generally, the skunk is a solitary, peaceful and non-aggressive animal. However, in case of threat it can react by emitting a few grunts, hitting the ground with its front paws or hissing. If the threat persists, it begins to release a yellowish, oily liquid with a foul odor, hence its nickname “the stinking beast.

The skunk can expel 6 consecutive sprays. This musk projected by two anal glands can exceed 6 meters causing burning eyes, blindness and temporary nausea. The bad smell can be carried by the wind up to a kilometer!

Although 70% of its diet consists of insects and small pests, the invasion of skunks at homes and farms has adverse effects:

• They damage the lawn by burrowing, leaving conical holes comparable to the damage caused by raccoons and moles?
• Do they go through the garbage?
• They attack the hen houses to steal the eggs?
• Can they carry the rabies virus?

HOW TO DETECT THE PRESENCE OF THE SKUNK ?

An unpleasant odor is the most obvious sign in your garden or yard. However, this is not the only sign to confirm the presence of this small mammal, as the smell may be coming from a neighbor’s house or elsewhere.

In addition, we can see conical holes of 7 to 10 cm in diameter and 3 to 5 cm deep. We can also see small mounds of earth created during its burial. Black droppings between 4 and 8 cm in length containing portions of insects and seeds may also be an indication of skunk presence.

HOW TO REPEL SKUNKS ?

Whether you want to prevent this stinking beast from invading or scare it away, we offer the following tips:

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

• Plug all holes and accesses that provide a haven for skunks; you can use, for example, the chicken wire to accomplish the task. ?
• Also eliminate or insulate things that attract skunks like wood piles?
• Maintain your property regularly by treating it for grubs, grubs and any insects that may be a food source for skunks?
• Spray skunk burrows with a water jet while keeping a safe distance to avoid any offensive reaction from this animal. It is also recommended to use sprinklers to water your lawn. Does this equipment scare off pests?
• Clean the garbage cans to avoid odors that attract skunks. You must also close and protect them properly to prevent the intrusion of any pests?
• Pick up fallen fruit from fruit trees such as apples and walnuts
• Avoid accumulating piles of leaves and green waste, as they may contain seeds or other food.
• Install floodlights and motion detectors to scare away skunks. They are nocturnal animals and do not like light.
• Use an ultrasonic repellent

BIOLOGICAL METHODS

• Plant flowers that keep skunks and pests away, such as daffodils, fritillaries or hyacinths.
• Spray areas likely to be harbored by skunks with diluted vinegar. Mix one part vinegar with three parts water and spray your yard regularly. You can also apply the mixture to your garbage bags when you put them outside?
• Place human hair in skunk hiding places. This trick consists in blocking the access to the burrows?

GOOD TO KNOW : HOW TO GET RID OF SKUNK SMELL ?

Contrary to popular belief, tomato juice is not an effective solution to eliminate the stench of the stink bug.

ELIMINATE SKUNK ODOR ON CLOTHING

You can get rid of the bad odor that’s been lingering in clothes by washing them with a detergent and half a cup of baking soda. Repeat the wash if necessary, but be careful not to discolour your clothes.

ELIMINATE THE SMELL OF SKUNK IN THE AIR

To eliminate the odor of a skunk introduced into your home, it is recommended that you wash using bleach (one cup per 4.5 liters of water) and rinse immediately to prevent discoloration of walls and furniture. You are called to boil the vinegar to remove any stench in the air.

ELIMINATE THE SKUNK SMELL FROM YOUR BODY AND YOUR PET

Shower by soaping your skin with a hydrogen peroxide solution (1 liter of 3% hydrogen peroxide, a quarter cup of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of dish soap and water if needed) for a few minutes or until the foam disappears. Then continue your shower as usual.

For your pet, you can prepare this mixture: one liter of hydrogen peroxide, a quarter cup of baking soda and a spoon of liquid soap. Avoid the infiltration of this solution in the eyes and wash well the fur of your dog or kitty.

NEED HELP KEEPING SKUNKS AWAY?

As mentioned earlier, skunks can cause a significant nuisance if they find the right conditions to live in an area of your home. It is therefore preferable to deal with a company specialized in extermination to ensure a safe and effective intervention.

514-838-1889

DETECT BED BUGS

Bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed. When they sting, their brown coloration becomes reddish. They feed on the blood of humans. They move at the speed of an ant and are visible to the naked eye. They do not fly or jump. They have a lifespan of five to ten months, but can live up to 18 months without feeding in a dormant state.

These small insects can lay up to 200 eggs in their lifetime. The eggs are more difficult to see, since they are whitish and the size of a pinhead. The eggs take 10 to 14 days to hatch.

Bed bugs don’t like light and are most active at night. They like dark, narrow and inaccessible places. A mattress is their preferred living environment, but they can be found in many different places:

• Bedroom furniture, headboard, bedding, box spring and mattress cover;
• Wicker drawers, chests of drawers, cabinets and furniture;
• Backpacks, handbags, clothing and luggage;
• Chairs, armchairs, cushions and sofas;
• Carpets and curtains ;
• Mouldings and frames for windows and doors;
• Cracks (wood, plaster, floor);
• Behind baseboards, electrical outlets and frames;
• etc.

In the event of an infestation, here’s what you may notice:

• Black or brown stains on bedding, mattress or box spring (bed bug excrement);
• Live or dead bed bugs;
• Bedbug eggs;
• Mosquito-like bites on the body (most often on parts of the body left uncovered during sleep).

It can take up to 14 days for the bites to appear. They can sometimes cause itching, especially in the early morning. They should not be scratched too much so as not to encourage a skin infection. It is important to note that bedbugs do not transmit diseases. If itching is severe, wash your skin with cool water and mild soap. Your pharmacist will be able to recommend products and measures to help you.

CONTROLLING BED BUGS

It is strongly advised to seek the help of a certified exterminator as soon as possible. If you are a tenant, inform the building owner as soon as possible. Avoid applying insecticides yourself. These products can be dangerous if not used properly.

Before proceeding, the exterminator will ask you to prepare the site. This step is essential to the success of the treatment. Click here !

• Avoid leaving objects or clothing lying around.
• Empty the furniture and drawers.
• Remove curtains and rugs.
• Vacuum infested rooms to reduce the number of bedbugs. Vacuuming does not kill bedbugs. Immediately dispose of the vacuum bag in a plastic bag and seal it tightly.
• Inspect your mattresses, box springs and upholstered furniture.
• Wash all fabric items (sheets, clothes, curtains, etc.).
• Wait until the exterminator has completed his work before purchasing new furniture.

The best way to treat fabrics is to put them in the dryer on high heat for at least 30 minutes.

If necessary, you can treat your clothes in the washer using hot water (at least 60oC) for the entire cycle. The water should completely cover your clothes. If you are using a front-loading washer, make sure the water level is sufficient. If in doubt, treat them in the dryer as well.

Fabric objects can also be treated with hot steam. The steam, with a temperature of at least 100°C, should be applied slowly. Only bugs exposed to the steam will die. In addition, it is a good idea to do this treatment before vacuuming since the steam will dislodge any bugs that are still alive.

Finally, the cold can kill bedbugs. Items can be placed in the freezer or outside for at least four days. Ensure that the temperature is at or below -18oC throughout the processing period. Many home freezers are not suitable for this treatment. The bugs must be cooled down quickly or they will adapt and survive.

After treating your objects, textiles and clothing, place them in a plastic bag or cover and seal with tape. Wait until the exterminator has finished his work before reintroducing your items into the room. Throw away any items that cannot be processed.

Follow all of the exterminator’s instructions to the letter.

AVOID AN INVASION OF BED BUGS

Here are some useful preventive tips.

• Avoid accumulating objects unnecessarily.
• Vacuum often, even under beds and behind headboards.
• Do not bring home box springs, wooden or upholstered furniture and mattresses abandoned on the side of the street. Carefully inspect furniture and books purchased at flea markets or secondhand stores.
• Since the same trucks are often used to deliver both new and used mattresses, require that your new mattress be delivered in a sealed plastic cover.
• At the hotel, place your suitcase on the bathroom floor, in the bathtub or on the suitcase rack. Do not place your clothes in drawers, on the bed or on the floor.
• Don’t bring your pillow with you on your trip.
• When you return from your trip, inspect your suitcase thoroughly before putting it away. A light colored plastic suitcase is preferable. Bugs are less attracted to plastic and will be more easily visible.
• If you are moving, inspect the premises carefully before moving your belongings.

To avoid all the worry and stress of a bed bug infestation, prevention is the best solution. If, by misfortune, they manage to sneak into your home, a quick and meticulous intervention will show them the way out!

The ASHOQ Association of Quebec is a group of companies specialized in the maintenance of urban green spaces (lawns, trees and shrubs). Recognizing that the environment must be preserved and treated with respect, ASHOQ advocates a professional and sustainable approach to maintenance based on the principle of integrated management of green spaces. In the interest of its members, the association maintains active links with the industry as a whole through its participation in numerous files, and provides them with information, training, support and solutions to help them maintain quality services and remain competitive in a context of reduced inputs (pesticides, fertilizers, etc.).

Invasion of carpenter ants

When a colony of ants is discovered shortly after the purchase of a property, it is sometimes necessary to act, and quickly. But who will pay the bill: you or the seller?

Contact the seller as soon as possible!

In case of a hidden defect, you must notify the seller in writing. This notice must be given within a reasonable time. This is called the “denunciation” of vice.

If you don’t want to bear the cost of the work, you need to give the seller the opportunity :

• To verify the existence and the seriousness of the defect;
• To note the damage;
• To repair the defect or to replace the defective good.

However, some cases may require urgent repairs if the defect is dangerous or could cause serious damage to the building. This could be the case of carpenter ants, which can weaken and sometimes destroy a structure by digging tunnels in the wood.

Try to reach an agreement with your vendor first, and put your agreement in writing. If nothing happens, you could take legal action. You will need to have solid proof: don’t hesitate to call on an expert who will be able to identify whether ants were present before the purchase.

When buying a property, it happens that a defect not apparent at the time of the visits is noticed after the acquisition of a property. There are several possible flaws and carpenter ant infestation is one of them. It is well known that these invasive insects can do a lot of damage in a house.

If a buyer discovers a hidden defect after the acquisition of his property, he can ask for compensation from the seller as well as the reimbursement of the repairs of the dispute including the intervention of the exterminator …

The ravages of carpenter ants

As a reminder, a hidden defect is a serious problem, which is not visibly apparent to the buyer during the visit of the property. This imperfection is so important that it significantly alters the value of the property (and perhaps its use). This is an element that even the building inspector cannot always perceive and that the seller hides knowingly or not.

In order to obtain compensation in case of such a hidden defect, it is necessary that the cause and its appearance is prior to the purchase. In such a case, the seller cannot be held responsible. Carpenter ants can wreak havoc on wood.

Damage caused by carpenter ants: what to do?

Even if the wood looks normal, carpenter ants may have made a nest and caused considerable damage. As soon as the buyer has noticed such a defect, he must imperatively undertake formalities. You should then contact an ant expert who will assess the situation and propose an appropriate solution. And while waiting for the professional exterminator, it is essential to get rid of the ants, by finding the nests, eliminating the queen and making sure that these insects can no longer develop. Most importantly, a real estate lawyer should be called in quickly.

Intervention of the lawyer expert in hidden defects

The role of an experienced latent defect lawyer is simply to assert the rights of his client who has acquired a property with latent defects. The lawyer takes the necessary steps to obtain compensation from the seller.

It should be noted that this compensation occurs after proving that the defect is subsequent to the purchase.

He can ask for an exterminator – an ant specialist – to make an assessment of the situation and determine the approximate date of the insect infestation: either before the purchase of the property or after the purchase.

If carpenter ants have invaded the home after purchase, no recourse is available to the seller.

Are you a tenant?

If you are a tenant in your apartment, your landlord may have to intervene, depending on the severity of the situation.

Do not hesitate to call a specialist in ant extermination.

RECOGNIZE A STRIPED COCKROACH

Start by determining the size of the insect.

Striped cockroaches (Supella longipalpa), which are also called brown-banded cockroaches or furniture cockroaches, are between 10 and 14 mm in length as adults. They are one of the smallest species of cockroaches. To give an idea of their size, it is sufficient to point out that they have a length which is less than the diameter of a euro cent coin (16.25 mm) if one omits the antennae.

Try to find two yellow-brown stripes.

Despite what one of the names of this cockroach (brown-banded cockroach) may suggest, it is not identified by brown bands, but by two yellowish bands that surround the abdomen. Look for a large one in the lower part of the abdomen and a thinner one running down the middle.

Take into account the climate of your region.

Striped cockroaches generally live in warm, dry climates. If you have a cockroach problem and you live in an area with a humid climate and medium to low temperatures, you are probably dealing with a different species of cockroach.

Look for a water source near your home.

Striped cockroaches hate moisture and are rarely found around a water source. If you’ve seen a cockroach near the toilet bowl or near a sink, it’s probably not a brown-banded cockroach.

See if the cockroach has wings.

The striped cockroach flies away when disturbed. If you see a cockroach flying around, it’s probably a brown-banded cockroach.

TO RECOGNIZE A GERMAN COCKROACH

Start by assessing the size of the roach.

German cockroaches are a little longer than the striped cockroaches. They reach a length (without antennae) between 13 and 16 mm as adults, which is about the diameter of a penny.

Look for two black bands.

The German cockroach can be recognized by two dark stripes that extend across its back from the head to the bottom of the wings. These bands are often dark brown and can sometimes be almost black.

Observe the behavior of the cockroach towards water.

German cockroaches love humidity and heat. They can usually be seen in the kitchen or bathroom wandering around a sink or basin. They are also often found in garbage cans where they go to look for their food.

Consider the number of roaches.

German cockroaches are the most common cockroaches found in homes where they tend to congregate. If you think your home is overrun with cockroaches, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with German cockroaches.

RECOGNIZE AN AMERICAN COCKROACH

Start by assessing the size of the roach. American cockroaches are a large species of cockroaches, as they can be up to 5 cm in length as adults. If you place such a cockroach next to a one-euro coin, it appears twice as long as the diameter of the coin (23.25 mm).

Pay attention to the color of the cockroach.

The American cockroaches are distinguished from other cockroaches by their brown color going to the red that reminds amber. Indeed, most other cockroaches have a dark brown or black body. Try to see if the cockroach in front of you has a body that emits red glow. Also look for two large dark brown spots just behind the head which are the only two areas of the body that are not red in this species.

See if the body is shiny.

American cockroaches have a characteristic red color, but they are also particularly bright. Their body and wings are perfectly shiny, but this does not make them attractive.

Pay attention to the type of food the cockroach eats. American cockroaches are very fond of moist foods, such as those of humans or their pets, which makes them particularly harmful insects. If you see a large cockroach eating your food or your dog’s or cat’s food, it is most likely an American cockroach.

RECOGNIZE AN ORIENTAL COCKROACH

Assess the size of the cockroach.

Oriental cockroaches are generally one centimeter long when fully grown, which is about half the diameter of a 10 cent euro coin (19.75 mm). They have a tube-shaped body that is the same width from the top of the head to the end of the abdomen. Female oriental cockroaches are larger than their male counterparts,

Examine the color of the cockroach.

Oriental cockroaches are a very dark brown color. They can even appear black under certain lighting conditions. Other than their characteristic color, there are no other features, such as stripes or dots, to distinguish them from other roach species.

Examine the wings of the cockroach.

Male oriental cockroaches have wings that cover about three quarters of their abdomen while their female counterparts do not. Although they have these organs, males cannot fly.

Pay attention to the places where you encounter cockroaches.

Oriental cockroaches can survive a long, cold winter outdoors because they are able to burrow under a protective layer of material such as plant moss. In indoor environments, they tend to settle in dark and humid places. They can often be found in the pipes of cool cellars.

Pay attention to the odors that cockroaches can give off.

There is often an unpleasant musty smell from areas that are infested with Oriental cockroaches. These fumes are due to the chemicals that these cockroaches secrete to communicate with each other.

TIPS

• If you have to deal with a cockroach infestation, you are going to have to take drastic measures to eliminate these pests. If you spare a small area of your home, you leave them a space where they can breed and you will have to do the disinfecting work again.
• German cockroaches have a preference for prepared foods and therefore are most likely to be found in the kitchen.
• Striped cockroaches often hide in dark, warm places like the spaces between shelves in a closet.
• If you have a cockroach problem, store your food in airtight boxes to protect it from contamination. You should also keep garbage in closed containers.
• Oriental cockroaches often enter homes through pipes and drainage systems to settle in dark, cool places like basements.

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