Minimize the Buzz! Don't Let Pests Bug you this Summer

The Orkin Man predicts this season's top pest offenders

MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 26, 2014 /CNW/ - While spring might mean warm weather and the arrival of the highly anticipated Canadian summer, for many it also marks the start of an annual battle with Mother Nature's most annoying pests. 

According to Orkin Canada's Pest Report of 1,010 Canadian homeowners, most Canadians surveyed are anticipating pests to be a problem this summer.  In fact, the Pest Report found that many respondents already have a pest problem in and around their home. The summer months in particular can be more troublesome than the rest of the year, as pests are hard at work looking for food and shelter and homeowners tend to open their doors and windows more often. 

The majority of respondents (60 per cent) said that they find pests to be the biggest problem in June, July and August.  And while most Canadians surveyed (91 per cent) believe they are able to identify the pests they find, getting rid of them isn't always as easy.  Orkin Canada believes that prevention is the best way to ensure a pest-free home.

"Although most household pests typically like to make an appearance in the summer months, pest prevention and exclusion is best started in spring," says Alice Sinia, Ph.D. Resident Entomologist for Orkin Canada. "Simple tricks like ensuring there are no gaps under doors, holes or cracks in walls, and keeping food and crumbs off the floors can go a long way in preventing even the most persistent summertime pests." 

The most common summer culprit is typically ants and according to the Pest Report, 69 per cent of respondents expect that they will be a problem for them this summer and 45 per cent agree that ants can be one of the most difficult pests to get rid of.  Along with ants, Orkin Canada predicts that this summer's list of top offenders will include the usual suspects of wasps, spiders and flies. 

The Orkin Canada Pest Report also provides a breakdown of the different pest issues and how they vary across the country. Some areas yielded results as diverse as the pests that invade them.  

About Orkin Canada
Founded in 1901, Atlanta-based Orkin, Inc. is an industry leader in essential pest control services and protection against termite damage, rodents and insects in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Middle East. With more than 400 locations, Orkin's almost 8,000 employees serve approximately 1.7 million customers. The company serves homeowners and numerous industries including food and beverage processing, foodservice, hospitality, healthcare, retail, warehousing, property/facilities management, schools and institutions. Orkin is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rollins, Inc. (NYSE: ROL). Learn more about Orkin Canada Services by visiting www.orkincanada.com or www.facebook.com/OrkinCan.

From April 16th to April 17th 2014, an online survey was conducted among 1,010 randomly selected Canadian adults, excluding Quebec, who are Angus Reid Forum panelists and who own a detached or semi-detached home. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to age, gender and region. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

SOURCE: Orkin Canada

To learn more about your provincial pest trends or to arrange an interview with your local Pest Expert, please contact: Alyssa Acorn, [email protected], 647-259-3304; Britany Zies, [email protected] 647-259-3335