Well, I'm in school now - which means that I don't have much time for blogging - but Ross is still available to provide pest management services.
So if you're having problems with mice, bedbugs, roaches or other assorted (non-human) pests, give him a call and leave a message.
We divide our time between Victoria Harbour (705-534-7863) and Peterborough (705-741-6245) these days but do check phone messages daily (if not more often) and he will get back to you. I'm working on talking him into a cell phone so that people can call him directly, but he wants to wait until spring for that.
For a more immediate response, you can always email us at ccpestcontrol@gmail.com though.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Now Serving Peterborough and the Kawarthas
.... in addition to, not instead of Midland, Orillia, Muskoka and the surrounding areas, that is.
At this point, we are spending our time here, there and everywhere - I attend Trent U in Peterborough, so we are here for a couple of days a week; the rest of the time we try to be at home in Victoria Harbour. And of course, Ross can be wherever he needs to be - and he's the one that is important; I'm just the geek.
So - if you should happen to have a mouse, spider, bat, bee, carpenter ant, bedbug, flea - what did I miss? ... oh well.... pest problem (other than your kids; those we can't help you with), drop us an email, or call us at
(705)534-7863 (Midland area)
or (705)741-6245 (Peterborough)
Both phones have answering machines that are checked regularly; we will get back to you.... but email is even faster; love my Blackberry! The only time you won't get an immediate response to email is if I happen to be in a class or asleep at the time.
At this point, we are spending our time here, there and everywhere - I attend Trent U in Peterborough, so we are here for a couple of days a week; the rest of the time we try to be at home in Victoria Harbour. And of course, Ross can be wherever he needs to be - and he's the one that is important; I'm just the geek.
So - if you should happen to have a mouse, spider, bat, bee, carpenter ant, bedbug, flea - what did I miss? ... oh well.... pest problem (other than your kids; those we can't help you with), drop us an email, or call us at
(705)534-7863 (Midland area)
or (705)741-6245 (Peterborough)
Both phones have answering machines that are checked regularly; we will get back to you.... but email is even faster; love my Blackberry! The only time you won't get an immediate response to email is if I happen to be in a class or asleep at the time.
Friday, September 11, 2009
'Tis the Season
No, not THAT season - not quite yet, although it is coming faster than you think.
But now is a very good time to give a bit of thought to ensuring that you've done what is needed about pest control to prepare for winter.
Most importantly - deal with any bat issues!
Bats are great - outside - but inside, they can cause HUGE amounts of damage. Bat guano harbours mites and other parasites - and on top of that, it STINKS.
You do not want bats inside your home or cottage.
And this is the best time of year to get any bat issues taken care of.
Bats typically leave for winter nesting spots in fall - and once they are out, the process of clean up, and preventing their return - is much easier, and thus cheaper for you.
If you have bats in your belfry, or in your home, garage or cottage, now is a very good time to call Cottage Country Pest Control at (705)534-7863.
But now is a very good time to give a bit of thought to ensuring that you've done what is needed about pest control to prepare for winter.
Most importantly - deal with any bat issues!
Bats are great - outside - but inside, they can cause HUGE amounts of damage. Bat guano harbours mites and other parasites - and on top of that, it STINKS.
You do not want bats inside your home or cottage.
And this is the best time of year to get any bat issues taken care of.
Bats typically leave for winter nesting spots in fall - and once they are out, the process of clean up, and preventing their return - is much easier, and thus cheaper for you.
If you have bats in your belfry, or in your home, garage or cottage, now is a very good time to call Cottage Country Pest Control at (705)534-7863.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Another Way Cottage Country is Different
Today was a good example of another way that Cottage Country Pest Control is different from many other pest control companies.
We know that it can be a royal pain to make sure that someone can be at the cottage to let our guy in to provide you with services. We are lucky enough to live at our cottage year round - so we make a point of providing you with services when it is convenient for you.
Ross just got back from a follow up visit to a cottage.
Yes, on a Sunday afternoon - and no, no extra charge - not for the follow up, not for the island call, and not for the Sunday afternoon service. Try arranging that with another pest control company; not likely.
For excellent service to solve your pest problems, give Cottage Country Pest Control a call at (705) 534-7863.
We know that it can be a royal pain to make sure that someone can be at the cottage to let our guy in to provide you with services. We are lucky enough to live at our cottage year round - so we make a point of providing you with services when it is convenient for you.
Ross just got back from a follow up visit to a cottage.
Yes, on a Sunday afternoon - and no, no extra charge - not for the follow up, not for the island call, and not for the Sunday afternoon service. Try arranging that with another pest control company; not likely.
For excellent service to solve your pest problems, give Cottage Country Pest Control a call at (705) 534-7863.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
August Special
Just added a new special to the Cottage Country Pest Control website.
Our usual cost for an inspection & quote for potential bat, rodent or carpenter ant problems is around the same price as a spider treatment(using either chemicals or a insecticidal soap) - for this month only, the inspection cost will be waived with the purchase of a spider treatment.
If you have any issues with spiders, bats, mice, carpenter ant - or just about any other creepy crawlie you can think of, give us a call at 705-534-7863 and Ross will help you solve it.
Our usual cost for an inspection & quote for potential bat, rodent or carpenter ant problems is around the same price as a spider treatment(using either chemicals or a insecticidal soap) - for this month only, the inspection cost will be waived with the purchase of a spider treatment.
If you have any issues with spiders, bats, mice, carpenter ant - or just about any other creepy crawlie you can think of, give us a call at 705-534-7863 and Ross will help you solve it.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Spider Sprays
'Tis the season - when the spiders get very busy spinning their webs and making a mess of the exteriors of your home, business or cottage - especially if you are fortunate enough to be located anywhere near open water.
Spiders LOVE to be near water - which is why they can be a real problem to those with boats or waterfront properties.
Cottage Country Pest Control differs from other companies - we offer a non-chemical alternative (although we will use the standard spray if you prefer) and we take the utmost care to ensure that the products we use do not end up in the lake - even if that means the job will take longer or require a different approach.
We don't just SAY we are environmentally responsible; we are environmentally responsible.
Spiders LOVE to be near water - which is why they can be a real problem to those with boats or waterfront properties.
Cottage Country Pest Control differs from other companies - we offer a non-chemical alternative (although we will use the standard spray if you prefer) and we take the utmost care to ensure that the products we use do not end up in the lake - even if that means the job will take longer or require a different approach.
We don't just SAY we are environmentally responsible; we are environmentally responsible.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Got Geese?
We don't...but many of our neighbours do.
Geese can make a real mess of your lawn and docks. Ross has spent a lot of time working on ways to manage waterfront properties to keep the goose poop to a minimum.
The solution is generally multi-faceted - in most cases, landscaping is the biggest issue - but there are other options as well.
In addition to advising you on how to manage your goose visitors - or better yet, dissuade them from even bothering to stop by - he also has all of the equipment needed to completely clean & disinfect your docks, lawns & walkways.
Need a clean up before a special event? Give Cottage Country Pest Control a call at (705)534-7863.
Want to stop the geese from using your property as their toilet? Call him for that, too.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Carpenter Ants
We are getting quite a few calls about carpenter ants ... they seem to be really liking the weather conditions this year.
Carpenter ants tend to be bigger than the more common ants we find in and around our homes and cottages. They do not all look the same, as they have different characteristics depending on their role in the ant colony.
While carpenter ants don't actually eat wood, they do bore through it to make their tunnels, and leave sawdust in their wake.
Treatment for carpenter ant infestation includes locating and treating the nest, spraying and baiting all areas and perimeters, and the application of insecticide dust where needed. Follow up applications are often required.
Cottage Country Pest Control provides extermination services for carpenter ants. As always, the earlier you intervene, the better - it costs less to treat when the infestation is caught early - and, of course, there will be less damage done to the wood in your home or cottage.
Carpenter ants tend to be bigger than the more common ants we find in and around our homes and cottages. They do not all look the same, as they have different characteristics depending on their role in the ant colony.
While carpenter ants don't actually eat wood, they do bore through it to make their tunnels, and leave sawdust in their wake.
Treatment for carpenter ant infestation includes locating and treating the nest, spraying and baiting all areas and perimeters, and the application of insecticide dust where needed. Follow up applications are often required.
Cottage Country Pest Control provides extermination services for carpenter ants. As always, the earlier you intervene, the better - it costs less to treat when the infestation is caught early - and, of course, there will be less damage done to the wood in your home or cottage.
Monday, June 29, 2009
First Impressions
If you have a store or business, you might be interested in our new STOREFRONT SPECIAL.
As a small business owner himself, Ross knows how important the entranceway to a business is to customers. He also well remembers how tough it could be sometimes to bring in more $$ than you put out.
Which is why he will spray your small business' entranceway and signage to prevent spiders from ~decorating~ them for the rock bottom price of only $25 for a typical entrance.
Make a clean first impression by calling Cottage Country Pest Control at (705)534-7863 now.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Current pests
Hmmm...we have moved on from spiders and mice this week and now it seems that people are stopping by to look for solutions to geese and cockroaches in cottage country Ontario.
Personally, I'd rather have the mice!
....than cockroaches anyway. Cottage Country Pest Control is able to help you with either of those issues though.
Cockroaches are fairly straightforward - they need to be treated as soon as you notice them (after all, who wants to live with them?!) so that they don't get too busy making more cockroaches and become more difficult to treat. Partly, that's just good management - but if you need any more motivation to call sooner rather than later, also keep in mind that fixing emerging problems is a LOT cheaper than dealing with pests once they are entrenched.
Geese are rather more complicated to deal with ... but hey, at least they stay outside. That's definitely a good thing, considering what a mess they make. And usually, it's that mess that people really are perturbed about. Geese are protected in Ontario - which means that Ross will not do anything that will harm them.
He can and will clean up the mess they leave for you, though. And he is also very knowledgeable about how to create a less attractive environment (for the geese, not for you) so that the geese will eschew your particular property and go elsewhere.
I can attest to the fact that his approaches work - our waterfront attracts the odd blue heron and red winged blackbirds. The only geese we see are usually feeding at our neighbours'. We like it that way. We did used to have some issues with goose poop on our dock, but now Ross has solved that one too.
As soon as I'm done my summer school courses - next Friday, FINALLY - I shall get back to work on the website and put up pages for roaches, geese, and whatever other critters I haven't got done yet - oh - I still have the bedbug page to post too. That one is all but done but not yet up. I need more hours in my days - or more days at home; that would work too.
One more week in Peterborough and then I'll head back to Victoria Harbour for the rest of the summer. I can't wait.
Personally, I'd rather have the mice!
....than cockroaches anyway. Cottage Country Pest Control is able to help you with either of those issues though.
Cockroaches are fairly straightforward - they need to be treated as soon as you notice them (after all, who wants to live with them?!) so that they don't get too busy making more cockroaches and become more difficult to treat. Partly, that's just good management - but if you need any more motivation to call sooner rather than later, also keep in mind that fixing emerging problems is a LOT cheaper than dealing with pests once they are entrenched.
Geese are rather more complicated to deal with ... but hey, at least they stay outside. That's definitely a good thing, considering what a mess they make. And usually, it's that mess that people really are perturbed about. Geese are protected in Ontario - which means that Ross will not do anything that will harm them.
He can and will clean up the mess they leave for you, though. And he is also very knowledgeable about how to create a less attractive environment (for the geese, not for you) so that the geese will eschew your particular property and go elsewhere.
I can attest to the fact that his approaches work - our waterfront attracts the odd blue heron and red winged blackbirds. The only geese we see are usually feeding at our neighbours'. We like it that way. We did used to have some issues with goose poop on our dock, but now Ross has solved that one too.
As soon as I'm done my summer school courses - next Friday, FINALLY - I shall get back to work on the website and put up pages for roaches, geese, and whatever other critters I haven't got done yet - oh - I still have the bedbug page to post too. That one is all but done but not yet up. I need more hours in my days - or more days at home; that would work too.
One more week in Peterborough and then I'll head back to Victoria Harbour for the rest of the summer. I can't wait.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Cottages: Spiders & Mice
Judging by the search terms that are showing up both here and on the Cottage Country Pest Control website, the big issues in cottage country these days are spiders and mice.
They seem to be about tied for the number of searches.
This is a good time of year for spraying for spiders - by having your first spray done early, you get them under control BEFORE the start making hundreds or thousands of babies, and before their make your cottage LOOK messy by ~decorating~ it with their webs. All of which can mean that you will be more likely to only need 2 sprays rather than 3 to keep them under control all season.
If you wait until they've had time to procreate, you're more likely to need an extra spray. Why wait? The early bird gets the savings!
If you have specific questions, please do feel free to ask - either here in a comment, or via email. Or you can call Ross at (705)534-7863.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Off to Victoria
Well - the blogger half of Cottage Country Pest Control is flitting off to Victoria BC in the morning .... I'll be gone for a week..... fortunately, the pest control half is staying home in Victoria Harbour ON and will be around to handle any pest control problems in Huronia, Simcoe, Muskoka....
Our main website can be found at ccpestcontrol.com - if you are in Central Ontario and have bats, roaches, bedbugs, spiders, rodents or any other undesirable critters that you'd like relocated or eradicated, please do call Ross at (705)534-7863.
Our main website can be found at ccpestcontrol.com - if you are in Central Ontario and have bats, roaches, bedbugs, spiders, rodents or any other undesirable critters that you'd like relocated or eradicated, please do call Ross at (705)534-7863.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Why the heron?
A couple of people have asked why 'a pest control company' (you can imagine the tone and probably be pretty close) would choose to use a heron as a logo.
Do we consider them pests that we want to get rid of?
Of course not! The heron in the picture is OUR heron - it flies in to feed on our waterfront almost every evening. Unlike many of our neighbours, we leave a buffer zone between the lawn and the water ...which means we get the heron and they get the geese (and copious amounts of goose poop). We much prefer the heron.
Ross has been interested in environmental issues since long before going green became popular. He has spent a lot of time reading, researching, experimenting.... and yeah, when he was first offered a job working for a pest control company, he had some concerns about that.
But the thing is that when pest control is done properly, it does not have to be damaging to the environment. In fact, using a pest management company like Cottage Country Pest Control can be less damaging than the do it yourself approach.
Insects develop resistance to pest control products - repeated use of ineffective DIY products is a lot more likely to facilitate that than professional products applied by professionals.
The key, in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), is to use the least intensive product or technique that is available. A lot of pest control companies use the buzzwords - and it is highly unlikely you would find one, these days, that doesn't claim to be "environmentally responsible".
Truth is though, that for many of them, that means they'll tell you that the product they use is safe because it is "made from chrysanthemums", spray, and be on their way.
For Ross, that's just not good enough. When there are nonchemical approaches that can be used to minimize pest infestations, he will happily recommend those.
He's working, right now, for example, on developing good strategies for convincing geese to go elsewhere - no chemicals involved at all. He is also specializing in bat management, because that is another area where he can make a difference without chemicals.
Of course there are times when spraying is the best line of action - spiders like to be near water, for example, and to control them generally means spraying. But he will NOT allow spray to end up in the lake/river (unlike some companies I could mention). And he will NOT spray if there are other alternatives, nor will he sell you on 5 sprays per season when 2 or 3 will do.
Well established infestations of critters like roaches, fleas and bed bugs often require spraying to
get them under control - and Cottage Country Pest Control will provide those services. But then we'll also let you know what you can do to avoid further problems.
Why use our heron as the logo for Cottage Country Pest Control?
Because we love living on Georgian Bay.
We love our heron.
And we are committed to managing our business - and your pest problems - so that the heron will be around for many years to come.
Do we consider them pests that we want to get rid of?
Of course not! The heron in the picture is OUR heron - it flies in to feed on our waterfront almost every evening. Unlike many of our neighbours, we leave a buffer zone between the lawn and the water ...which means we get the heron and they get the geese (and copious amounts of goose poop). We much prefer the heron.
Ross has been interested in environmental issues since long before going green became popular. He has spent a lot of time reading, researching, experimenting.... and yeah, when he was first offered a job working for a pest control company, he had some concerns about that.
But the thing is that when pest control is done properly, it does not have to be damaging to the environment. In fact, using a pest management company like Cottage Country Pest Control can be less damaging than the do it yourself approach.
Insects develop resistance to pest control products - repeated use of ineffective DIY products is a lot more likely to facilitate that than professional products applied by professionals.
The key, in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), is to use the least intensive product or technique that is available. A lot of pest control companies use the buzzwords - and it is highly unlikely you would find one, these days, that doesn't claim to be "environmentally responsible".
Truth is though, that for many of them, that means they'll tell you that the product they use is safe because it is "made from chrysanthemums", spray, and be on their way.
For Ross, that's just not good enough. When there are nonchemical approaches that can be used to minimize pest infestations, he will happily recommend those.
He's working, right now, for example, on developing good strategies for convincing geese to go elsewhere - no chemicals involved at all. He is also specializing in bat management, because that is another area where he can make a difference without chemicals.
Of course there are times when spraying is the best line of action - spiders like to be near water, for example, and to control them generally means spraying. But he will NOT allow spray to end up in the lake/river (unlike some companies I could mention). And he will NOT spray if there are other alternatives, nor will he sell you on 5 sprays per season when 2 or 3 will do.
Well established infestations of critters like roaches, fleas and bed bugs often require spraying to
get them under control - and Cottage Country Pest Control will provide those services. But then we'll also let you know what you can do to avoid further problems.
Why use our heron as the logo for Cottage Country Pest Control?
Because we love living on Georgian Bay.
We love our heron.
And we are committed to managing our business - and your pest problems - so that the heron will be around for many years to come.
Friday, May 29, 2009
New Ad
This is the new ad that Tamara and Ross worked up today. Of course, the heron picture, which I took, and Jessa edited to remove the background, is the best part - this business is definitely a family affair.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Hotel Bedbugs
Barb wrote:
If you are travelling and concerned about bedbugs (and you should be, as they're very happy hitch-hikers) ...as soon as you get into your hotel/motel room (or friends or family or wherever):
Bedbugs freak me out. I have enough trouble sleeping in motels but the thought
of bedbugs would keep me up all night. What's a squeamish traveler to do??
You're in luck. Unlike some other nasties, bedbugs are relatively easy to see:
If you are travelling and concerned about bedbugs (and you should be, as they're very happy hitch-hikers) ...as soon as you get into your hotel/motel room (or friends or family or wherever):
- leave your luggage by the door - away from the bed!
- completely strip the bed, (me, I would include any mattress cover as well) placing the bedding someplace other than where you've put your luggage
- carefully examine the mattress, paying particular attention to corners, seams, and in the cracks of any furniture
- bedbugs are large enough to see - and they also tend to leave dirt behind
- if you see any possible indications of either - exit stage left, get your money back and find someplace else to stay
New Profile Picture
Did you notice the new profile picture?
The picture is of a blue heron that likes to hang out around our dock and fish most evenings.... this shot is clearly the best one I've ever managed to get of him.
Things are still moving right along with our new business start up.
Today I checked our Google placement for several of the communities we serve, along with the words pest control - Victoria Harbour, Port McNicoll, Tiny Township, Tay Township, Huronia.
Doing well with all of those - not so well re: Midland, Penetanguishene, Barrie or Orillia pest control services - but we'll get there before long, I have no doubt.
I'm away at a conference in Ottawa this week, but once I get back, will be adding several pages to the website about additional pest control services that Cottage Country Pest Control will provide.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Cottage Country Web Site
Well... we're off & running!
We decided to start our new pest control business on Wednesday evening of this week. Now it is Friday and already we have
We decided to start our new pest control business on Wednesday evening of this week. Now it is Friday and already we have
- a name: Cottage Country Pest Control
- a website ccpestcontrol.com. Lots more to add to it - but the main page is done, and we've added one about spider control and another about managing bats. Lots more to come - geese, mice, bedbugs, roaches, bees, ants, etc. etc.... To begin with, CCPC will deal with any pests covered under Ontario's Structural Exterminator's License, and add services as we obtain additional licenses.
- business cards
- customers (only 2 - but, hey, it's a start)
- equipment purchased and product on its way
- and of course, this blog.
Hmmm...I suppose my next order of business should be to add a link to this blog from the website! Coming right up.
And then I think I might contact my favourite blog designer and set her to work for me again :) I needs me a badge at least - one for this blog and one for the website, I think.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Got Pests?
No - not the 2 legged kind you chose to bring into the world - we're talking bedbugs, mosquitos, ants, roaches, bats, mice, spiders, snakes, geese... whatever sort of pests you might be dealing with.
Those are the sorts of annoying critters I'll be talking about here.
Cottage Country Pest Control provides reliable and responsible pest management services in Barrie, Orillia, Midland, Penetanguishene, Victoria Harbour, Port McNicoll, Honey Harbour, Port Severn, Warminister - well, you get the idea. If you're in the Georgian Bay area - or Simcoe County - or Huronia - or Tiny/Tay Townships, our licensed technician is available to rid you of pests.
For information about our services and specials visit us at Cottage Country Pest Control.
Those are the sorts of annoying critters I'll be talking about here.
Cottage Country Pest Control provides reliable and responsible pest management services in Barrie, Orillia, Midland, Penetanguishene, Victoria Harbour, Port McNicoll, Honey Harbour, Port Severn, Warminister - well, you get the idea. If you're in the Georgian Bay area - or Simcoe County - or Huronia - or Tiny/Tay Townships, our licensed technician is available to rid you of pests.
For information about our services and specials visit us at Cottage Country Pest Control.
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