Bed Bugs and Travel

So today's post is about bed bugs and traveling. With Christmas coming up, more and more people are traveling and with the rush and the stress of traveling so close to the holidays, bed bugs may be not even be a concern.

Traveling should be a big concern for people what with all the stories of bed bugs in hotels,on trains, on cruise ships, etc. There are some very handy tips you can follow when traveling to help prevent bring a creepy crawly souvenir home from your trip.

1. Always inspect the room and furniture for blood spots, bug droppings or live insects--if you find any evidence of possible bed bugs then request a new room. Bedbugs like to hide in places like cracks, crevices, folds, and ruffles. Use a flashlight if you have to in order to thoroughly check for any signs of bed bugs. 

2. Pack your clothing in over sized, resealable plastic bags before packing them and keep your belongings in the bags or hanging up during your trip (don't put things on the floor or bed). Use a luggage rack to store your belongings during your stay in hotels.

3. Before leaving the hotel, inspect all your belongings and luggage carefully

4. When you return home, inspect your luggage and belongings again (it's recommended you do this outside as a precaution) or if its too cold outside, use your bathtub as bed bugs have a hard time climbing smooth surfaces. Always wash your clothing in the hottest water possible before putting them in the dryer for at least 30 minutes.

As stated in previous posts, ANYONE can get bug bugs. It's important that as soon as you think you have an infestation or if you know you do, to treat it quickly and properly. The longer you wait, the harder and more expensive it can be to treat later.

To book an appointment give Cottage Country Pest Control a call at 705-534-7863 or email us today.

Winter Pest Control Tips

Here are some tips for pest control heading into winter.

1. If you have a garage, double check that there are no openings or gaps as this is a common entry for mice and other rodents
2. Store any firewood at least 20 feet away from your house--firewood is a common hangout for pests such as wood roaches
3. Clear clutter from garage, shed and basements as the clutter can be a good hangout for pests
4. Install screens over chimney vents & openings to prevent pests such as squirrels, raccoons, birds or rodents from entering your home or cottage
5. Inspect wires, insulation and walls for signs of gnaw marks--if there are gnaw marks present then chances are VERY good that you have some kind of rodent infesting your home or cottage

If you have any questions or concerns or would like to book and appointment with Cottage Country Pest Control please give us a call at 705-534-7863 or email us today.

Species in Danger

So today's post is somewhat different than previous ones. Normally, I would post an article like this in the link round up, but seeing as how most of this article is about a topic that has already been written about, I thought I would change things up a bit today.

You can find the article here on the CityNews Toronto website and it's called "Bats, snakes among species in danger in Canada".

So the article talks about how with 10th anniversary of the federal Species At Risk Act approaching, dozens of animals and plants are now considered at-risk. One of the animals added to the list was the Massasuga rattle snake which can be found on the Georgian Bay Islands.

Also on the list of animals in danger is three species of bats. Now this is what we've written about before. If you've read our past blogs then you might have read the one entitled "White Nose Syndrome". If not, then go read it.

Anyway quick recap on White Nose Syndrome...It is a disease named for the distinctive fungal growth around the muzzles and on the wings of hibernating bats. It is a poorly understood disease that has been associated with the deaths of more than 5.5 million bats within North America. The first known case was in Schoharie County, New York cave back in 2006. It has since spread and as of 2010 has been found all over the United States and into Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The first known case in Ontario was in March 2010. Since being discovered research has been done and in late 2011 it was shown that the syndrome appears to be caused by a fungas called Geomyces destructans. Unfortunately, despite knowing the cause there is still no known treatment or means of prevention. There is way more information available here on the blog or you can Google it if you want.

So back to the article. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada released a report card about the species at risk. This committee basically issued a dire warning about the three species of bats (the species being little brown myotis, northern myotis and tri-coloured bats). These species have all declined by about 90 percent in Eastern Canada in the last two years because of White Nose Syndrome.

Graham Forbes, director of the New Brunswick Co-operative Fish and Wildlife Research Centre and professor at the University of New Brunswick was quoted in the article saying "There's virtually no bats left."

Overall there is now a total of 668 wildlife species listed--297 endangered, 159 threatened and 190 are of special concern. Twenty-two species are considered extirpated, which means that they are no longer found in the wild.

There's a lot more to the article but it was specifically the bats and White Nose Syndrome I was interested in sharing. Make sure you go read the full article as it is an interesting read and it's not all bad news either. One species (The Salish sucker) was upgraded from endangered to threatened and the spotted, northern and Atlantic wolffish are all showing signs of recovery.

If you have any pest problems or you want to take some preventative measures for this winter against pests, give Cottage Country Pest Control a call at 705-534-7863 or email us.

Link Round Up

National Geographic- Urban Grasshoppers Sing Louder

TheStar.com- Autism and traffic pollution linked, study finds

TheStar.com- Federal investment in clean energy would create 20,000 new jobs: report

TheStar.com- Why your car battery may as bad as malaria for the developing world

National Geographic- Blood Red Ocean: Not Exactly The End of Days

National Geographic- Polar Ice Sheets Shrinking Worldwide, Study Confirms

National Geographic- Climate Predictions: Worst-Case May Be Most Accurate, Study Finds

CTVNews- UN agency: 2012 warmer than normal despite La Nina

Animal Tracks

In this blog post, I'm going to show you pictures of some animal tracks that it could be good to know. We've already done posts on pest control in the winter; various prevention and maintenance but another way to a preventative measure is by being able to recognize some animal tracks. Each set of pictures will show a picture of the animal tracks and a picture of the animals tracks in snow.

Squirrel tracks

Squirrel tracks in the snow

Skunk tracks

Skunk tracks in the snow

Deer Mice tracks

Deer Mice tracks in the snow

Rabbit tracks

Rabbit tracks in the snow

Chipmunk tracks

Chipmunk tracks in the snow

Raccoon tracks

Raccoon tracks in the snow

Groundhog tracks

Groundhog tracks in the snow

One of the reasons why it is a good idea to be able to recognize tracks is that so in the winter you can be aware of what animals are in your area. It may not be easy to distinguish some tracks in mounds of snow, but it can be easier to spot them and distinguish the type of track in areas such as patios and window sills.

Many areas around Ontario such as Simcoe County, Tiny & Tay Townships, and the Muskoka are home to all of the animals listed here, so people who live or have cottages in these areas should be aware. If you are seeing a number of tracks around your home you may want to consider preventative measures to ensure that they cannot find a way into your home and become a problem. This is more likely to happen with deer mice (rodents in general) and squirrels as they only need small holes to enter your home (or cottage, garage, etc).

If you think you have a pest problem or you know you do, give Cottage Country Pest Control a call at 705-534-7863 or email us today to book your appointment. We can come in and handle pest problems responsibly and environmentally friendly or do winter maintenance and prevention measures to prevent possible pest problems.

Link Round Up

thestar.com- Bed bug battles: is fungus the next frontier?


Global News- New hope in the fight against bed bugs

thestar.com- Building owners not responsible for deaths of birds that fly into it, judge rules

Moneyville.ca- How to responsibly dispose of your old tech

thestar.com- Eggshell colour is warning sign for contamination in Great Lakes, study shows

CBCnews- Climate change a 'real and present danger,' Kent says

CBCnews- Galapagos to poison millions of rats

CBCnews- B.C. considering wolf culls in new management plan

As always, if you have a pest problem or just suspect you do, give Cottage Country Pest Control a call at 705-534-7863 or email us today to book your appointment or get more information.

Cottage Country Pest Control Winter Maintenance & Prevention

This year, because we've done a few posts about pest control and the colder months, Cottage Country Pest Control is now offering a Winter Maintenance & Prevention service. Check out the ad below and give us a call to book your appointment.

Link Round Up

National Post- Ontario woman turns to Environmental Bill of Rights in bid to silence basketball-playing neighbour

Greenpeace Canada- Oil industry pushing for regulatory changes they've been told violate First Nations rights

Edmonton Journal- UN group issues statement of concern over iron dumping off B.C.'s north coast

CBCNews- New Windsor-Detroit bridge threatens endangered species

CBCNews- West Coast ocean fertilization project defended

CBCNews- Global temperatures matched record for hottest September

CBCNews- B.C.'s Cowichan River in danger of drying up

As always, if you have a pest problem or just suspect you do, give Cottage Country Pest Control a call at 705-534-7863 or email us today to book your appointment or get more information.

Another Black Widow Spider

In March, Cottage Country Pest Control did a blog post about black widow spiders and then in May Ross received a customer call about a black widow spider at a house in Penetanguishene, which I did another blog post about. They are native species to the United States, Canada and Mexico and the Northern Black Widow is generally found in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. As stated in the previous posts, it is rare to see them and even if you know where to look, you may never see one in the wild. They can generally be found around trash piles, sheds, under rocks, wood piles, etc. Anyplace that is dark and a little damp is a great place for them to hide.

Anyway, a few days ago Ross got another call about a black widow spider again at a house in Penetanguishene, so we thought it would be a good time to do another post about them and what can be done to help prevent spiders in general.

Female black widow spiders are known for their distinctive black and red colouring and a mature female black widow spider is usually around 1.5 inches long and about .25 inches in diameter. Mature male black widow spiders are very different in appearance to the females. Males are much smaller than females with their bodies at less than 1/4 inch, while juveniles have a distinctly different appearance then the females (and some males) in that their abdomens are greyish to black in colour with white stripes running across them spotted with orange or yellow.

Controlling the spider population in and around your home is "easily" done by reducing the number of insects in and around your home. Using IPM is the best way to effectively control spiders (and other pests).

If you have any questions or concerns Call Cottage Country Pest Control at (705)534-7864 or email us to book an appointment--and remember - it's almost always better and cheaper to deal with pest control problems when they are small. 

Link Round Up

Toronto Star- Watch our for zom-bees, a real life sci-fi story

Fox News- M&M-loving bees make blue and green honey

Environment Canada- Winnipeg Man Fined Over $135,000 Under Federal Wildlife Legislation

Environment Canada- Government of Canada Invests in the Great Lakes Nutrient Initiative

The Vancouver Sun- Feds remove water protection from historic law

CTV News- Scientists warn iron dump could have serious consequences for ocean

CBC News- Another earthquake rattles B.C. coast

CBC News- No 'smoking gun' for Fraser River sockeye salmon collapse

CBC News- Transplanted Purcell Mountain caribou failure to survive

Landlords and Tenants: Who is Responsible for Pest Control Costs?

When you are a tenant who is entering into a new rental agreement or lease, you should do some research into local laws about who is responsible for any costs when it comes to pest control. You should also discuss the matter with the landlord prior to their being any pest problems and if there is not any mention of pest control in the agreement or lease you should request that there be something put in.

It is fairly standard across Ontario that landlords are responsible for ensuring that the rental space is inhabitable and pest control falls into this category. This means that generally speaking if there is a pest problem in a rental space the landlord will be the one responsible for the costs associated with bringing in a pest control operator and the costs of treatment.

However, the tenant will also have some responsibilities when it comes to pest control. As the tenant, you will be required to follow any aftercare instructions given after treatment and you will also have to take the steps needed to attempt to prevent any further pest problems. Failure to do so, means that in most cases the landlord will be legally allowed to raise the cost of rent in order to compensate for any excessive pest control costs.

If you are having any issues with pests and you have any questions or want to book an appointment with Cottage Country Pest Control, give us a call at 705-534-7863 or email us today.

DIY Pest Control vs Hiring a Professional

Effective pest control requires a person to have the knowledge about a pest, their habits, life cycle, etc. More often than not a person who hasn't trained and isn't licensed as a pest control operator will not know all this information. To properly treat a pest problem you really have to be able to identify a pest properly. For example, say you live in Ontario and you  have an infestation of cockroaches in your home. You know they are cockroaches, but are they German roaches, Oriental roaches, American roaches or Brown-Banded roaches?

Knowing which species you are dealing with is important, so you can use the right treatment options. However, pest treatments you can purchase as a consumer are not necessarily going to work to solve the whole problem. A lot of them may not be strong enough to solve your pest problem effectively and many  may not work on every type of a specific species. Additionally pest control operators have access to treatments that are stronger and can be safer for use around people and pets and can last longer than a store bought treatment.

Finally pest control operators have more training and are licensed (or should be licensed) which means that they will know the treatments that will work on your pest problem and also the safest way to apply the treatment.

Hiring a pest control company can seem like a major investment and it definitely can be. But in the long run it can be cheaper to hire a pest control operator to come in when the pest problem is relatively small than to either attempt to solve the problem yourself (which could take multiple tries) or wait before contacting a pest control company. Waiting can lead to the problem becoming bigger and therefore more difficult to eradicate.

If you have a pest problem, give Cottage Country Pest Control a call at 705-534-7863 or email us today. We will be happy to answer any questions your have or to book you an appointment today.

Bed Bugs and Landlords

As a follow up to the post on bed bugs and tenants, today's post will be about some of the steps that a landlord should take in the event that bed bugs become an issue.

1. Plan ahead-talk to a pest control business in your area to get an idea about pricing and to also get a better idea of what will have to be done in the event that bed bugs become an issue. They should be able to give you some information about what they do for bed bugs, what has to be done before they can come in and treat and what has to be done after to ensure that their treatment is effective.

2. Be willing to hire professionals. All to often people are resistant to hiring a professional, which can lead to the problem becoming more expensive and difficult to treat. By treating the problem correctly the first time, you can potentially save money in the long run.

3. Be proactive. Provide your tenants with information before bed bugs become a problem. If they know what bed bugs are and what to look for, you can treat the problem sooner if and when there is an infestation.

4. Do not blame your tenants. Bed bugs can happen to anyone at anytime. They can travel on furniture, clothing, in luggage, etc.

5. Do repairs. Bed bugs do not always stay on beds. They can hide out in cracks, holes and gaps found around pipes, in baseboards, around electrical covers and more. By making these repairs you can reduce the number of places bed bugs could go.

6. Conduct inspections. If you've had a previous infestation of bed bugs then it's a good idea to do inspections every 4-6 months to ensure that the treatment is still working and that there hasn't been a new infestation.

It's important  to know that these are just some of the things you should consider as a landlord. If you have any questions or want to book an appointment give Cottage Country Pest Control a call at 705-534-7863 or email us today.

Bed Bugs and Tenants

Today's post is another bed bug post, but this one is for anyone who rents their home. As a tenant, you may be required to take certain steps before a pest control company comes in to deal with a bed bug infestation.

If you want to read any of our past posts on bed bugs you can do that here, here, here, here and here.

1. Wash all your bedding and any clothes or stuffed animals in the hottest water you can. Follow this with drying them for at least 1-2 hours. You should bag as much as you can afterwards to prevent them from becoming infested again.

2. Clean any unnecessary clutter and ensure that you provide access to all baseboards and keep the floors clear and move all furniture at least 2 feet away from the walls. This will make it easier for the pest control company to come in and do what they have to in order to solve your bed bug infestation.

3. Vacuum all crevices on your mattress/box spring, bed frame, baseboards, etc. Vacuum them daily and immediately empty the vacuum when your done.

4. When the pest control company comes to do their job they will likely give you additional instructions and steps that you will have to take to ensure that what they do will be effective.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact Cottage Country Pest Control. Give us a call at 705-534-7863 or email us to book your appointment or to discuss your concerns.

Do's and Don'ts of Bed Bugs

We've done a number of posts on bed bugs, but because they are still such a major issue, I thought I would do a new post, specifically on some do's and don'ts for dealing with them. If you want to read any of the past posts you can do so here, here, here and here.

If you suspect an infestation of bed bugs or you know you have a problem:

DO NOT rule out that the bites may be caused by something else--an allergy, other insects, etc. Check your mattresses for signs of an infestation and if you are not sure or you can confirm you have them call a professional, such as Cottage Country Pest Control.

DO NOT begin sleeping in a spare bed, on your couch or at a friends or with family. You may spread the infestation to other parts of your home or to your friend's or family's home as bed bugs can travel in luggage, on clothing, etc.

DO NOT assume that the bed bugs will be just in your bed. Bed bugs can be found in sofas, baseboards, coffee tables, electrical sockets, bathrooms, kitchens, closets, carpets, etc.

DO NOT assume that you will be able to solve the problem in just one day. It may take multiple treatments through a pest control company such as Cottage Country Pest Control to rid your home of the infestation.

DO NOT set off a bug bomb or fogger to try and treat the infestation.

DO start dealing with cleaning your clothing and bedding. Wash what you can in the hottest water possible, followed by drying them in the dryer on hot for between 1-2 hours.

DO bag clothes and bedding immediately after washing a drying to prevent bed bugs from once again making their way onto the clothes and bedding.

DO ask questions and take notes. This can help you to remember what the pest control company tells you, what is being done to treat the infestation, what steps you need to take to help treat the problem, etc.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact Cottage Country Pest Control. Give us a call at 705-534-7863 or email us to book your appointment or if you have any questions or concerns.

Link Round Up

Pest Control Technology- Bed Bug Firm Fined for Condo Fire

The Guardian- Potato wart 'fully under control'

Rolling Stone- Global Warming's Terrifying New Math

CBC News- Arctic ice cover shrinks to new low after summer thaw

The Globe and Mail- Seals' death sentence sparls outcry from animals lovers across Canada


As always, if you have a pest problem or just suspect you do, give Cottage Country Pest Control a call at 705-534-7863 or email us today to book your appointment or get more information.

Pest control in the Fall

Fall is a great time to get your pest control done before the snow comes. There are many insects and bugs that will begin to diminish in numbers once the weather starts to get colder, however in many cases insects, bugs, rodents, etc will try to locate a warmer environment such as your home, cottage, garages and other buildings you may have on your property.

Fall is a good time to not only take steps to prevent pest infestations but to also take care of existing infestations. If you leave a pest problem over the winter (or for any extended period of time), it will be much worse to deal with and also more expensive.

Some helpful hints

• close off & fill any holes found in your foundation, walls, ceilings, etc--rodents especially will look for holes they can use to enter your home or cottage
• seal any food in airtight containers to prevent rodents and insects from being drawn to the food
• turn water off completely at your cottage before leaving for an extended period of time as moisture can draw some insects in
• consider bat proofing--like rodents they will look for holes in your roof or walls to enter your home and cottage, so by finding and filling those holes you can prevent bats from entering.

If you know you you have a pest problem or you want to take preventative measures heading into winter, give Cottage Country Pest Control a call at 705-534-7863 or email us today.

Link Round Up

City News Toronto- West Nile case count jumps another 36% in Ontario

CTV News- Environment Canada calls for shellfish closure after storm

Canada.com- Stephen Harper's environment watchdog to investigate 'risks' of federal budget bill

Globe and Mail- Canada and U.S. update protection of Great Lakes

CBC News- Whitehorse gets machine to convert plastic into oil


As always, if you have a pest problem or just suspect you do, give Cottage Country Pest Control a call at 705-534-7863 or email us today to book your appointment or get more information.

Hantavirus

Hantavirus is a virus that is found in rodents and is especially prominent in Deer Mice. It is a rare, but extremely serious illness that was first detected in 1993.

Recently, news broke the there was the possibility that up to 10,000 people were exposed to Hantavirus during their stays at Yosemite National Park. To date there have been 8 confirmed cases and 3 deaths.

Since May 1999, Canada has only seen 32 confirmed cases of Hantavirus (20 in Alberta, 5 in Saskatchewan, six in British Columbia and 1 in Manitoba). While there have not been any confirmed human cases of Hantavirus in Ontario, there have been mice that have tested positive for the virus, especially up in the Algonquin Park area.

People can contract Hantavirus through contact with infected mice, their urine, blood, saliva or fecal matter. The virus can also be contracted through inhalation if near a nest or fecal matter.

While there haven't been any human cases to date, it is really important that people are aware of the diseases and illnesses can be contracted through rodents (or any pests in general).

Not only can Hantavirus be caused by mice but there are other illnesses and diseases that can be passed along to humans. To read more about that you can read our previous post about mice.

If you suspect OR know that you have a mouse problem, give Cottage Country Pest Control a call at 705-534-7863 or email us today.

Deer Mice

Today's post is really just a revisit so to speak. While searching the Internet today I came across an article Deer Mice vs. House Mice from Pest Control Technology, that while discusses many of the same topics in previous blog posts about mice (such as this one) it also includes a great photograph that labels characteristics of deer mice.

Given how much Deer Mice and rodents have been in the news lately because of the Hantavirus outbreak in Yosemite National Park, it really is important for people to understand mice (and other rodents) but also what safety and health concerns there are that can be caused by them.

While Hantavirus is not commonly found in Canada or Ontario there have been cases diagnosed in the past, which is why over the next few days I will be writing about Hantavirus and also doing a full revisit of mice and some of the other diseases that can be caused by them

If you find evidence that you have a mouse infestation and you want them gone, give Cottage Country Pest Control a call at 705-534-7863 or email us to book an appointment. We have environmentally (and people) friendly ways of handling all your pest problems.

Link Round Up

City News- 62 human cases of West Nile in Toronto

CTV News- Up to 10,000 Yosemite visitors at risk of mouse-borne virus

National Geographic- Glowing Cockroach Mimics Toxic Beetle

National Geographic- Black Bears Can "Count" as Well as Primates

The Star Phoenix- Environment Minister announces regulations for coal-fired power

As always, if you have a pest problem or just suspect you do, give Cottage Country Pest Control a call at 705-534-7863 or email us today to book your appointment or get more information.

Friday Link Round Up

Toronto Star- West Nile virus cases in Toronto reach highest level in decade

Toronto Star- Ottawa says it's streamlining environmental review process, reducing "paperwork"

CTV news- Biologist: N.L. seabirds abandoning chicks for cooler waters

CTV news- Endangered whales invade California coastal waters

CTV news- Officials investigate black 'ooze' on Vancouver beach

Environment Canada- Canada half way to meeting 2020 Greenhouse Gas Emission Target

Globe and Mail- Kitimat refinery would be a game changer

Vancouver Sun- To bee or not to bee: Endangered species vanishing without explanation


As always, if you have a pest problem or just suspect you do, give Cottage Country Pest Control a call at 705-534-7863 or email us today to book your appointment or get more information.

Flea: Revisit

• The most common type of flea found in North America is the Cat flea (ctenocephalides felis) 
• Despite its name can also be found on dogs and humans
• Another type of flea sometime found in North America is the Dog flea (ctenocephalides canis)
• The Dog flea is most commonly found in Europe
• Adult fleas are approximately 1/8-inch long and are dark in colour
• Adult fleas are wingless but can jump large distances because of their 6 legs
• Fleas have 4 stages in their life cycle: egg, larva, pupae and adult
• An adult female can lay up to 40-50 eggs a day IF she has a good blood meal
• Larva are completely blind, however they are considered negatively phototaxic, which means they can sense light
• Larva will primarily feed on dried blood in adult flea feces, but they will also eat shed skin, fur and feathers
• Following the larva stage is the pupae stage
• In this stage they can remain dormant for several months until the conditions are right for the adult flea to emerge
• For them, the ideal conditions include pressure, vibrations, presence of carbon dioxide, correct temperature and humidity
• When these are right, it means there's a suitable host that the adult fleas can use as a food source
• If your pet is excessively scratching, it would be a good idea to check his or her fur for signs of fleas
• Some signs to look for (aside from the obvious excessive scratching) is reddened skin, flea dirt (which is not actually dirt, but dried blood) and another obvious sign: fleas!
• Just confirming that your pet has fleas will unfortunately not confirm just how bad the infestation is, since adult fleas found on pets only comprise about 5% of the total flea population
• By applying a spot treatment to your pet(s)' fur, you will be able to fight the fleas found on your animal(s). 
• To treat the fleas located in your home, you have 2 options: find a home remedy (which are NOT always effective or hire a professional, such as Cottage Country Pest Control to help rid your home of fleas

Cottage Country Pest Control can help rid your home of fleas at all stages of their life cycle, using one or more of our treatments for fleas. For more information, pricing or to book your appointment call us today at 705-534-7863 or email us today

Link Round Up

CTV news- Scientists find new family of spiders with fearsome claws

Vancouver Sun- Vancouver environmental group accused of 'laundering' by oilsands lobbyists

The Windsor Star- Report: Illegal logging in Mexico's monarch butterfly reserve down to near zero

CBC news- Cod comeback seen off Newfoundland

CBC news- Arctic ice could vanish in 10 years, scientists warn

Vancouver Sun- Rescued sea otter dies at Vancouver Aquarium

CTV news- Has Alberta lost its rat-free status?

Weird Wasp Nest

The locations that wasps choose to build their nest varies from species to species. Some prefer to build nests in trees and shrubs while some prefer holes in the ground, spaces in walls and in spaces under homes, cottages or other buildings such as garages or sheds.

Sometimes however,wasps  can AND will build their nests in weird locations. Recently, Ross went on a wasp job where the wasps had built their nest in the pole of a basketball hoop! They had entered the pole through some holes in the pole and gone about building their nest.

Front of the pole. Look carefully and you can see the hole they use to enter and leave their nest.

Back of the pole. There is again a hole that they use to enter and leave their nest.

An after shot. Notice the white powder? This is one method used to deal with a wasp problem

It's really important that you take notice of an excessive amount of wasps. Chances are if you are noticing an excessive amount during the day, then there is likely a nest somewhere close by. If you (or someone in your family have allergies), then you have to be really careful around wasps and their nest. They can and usually will become aggressive if they, or their nest is disturbed so it's a good idea to call Cottage Country Pest Control at 705-534-7863 or email us if you suspect or if you know there is a nest around your home.

Friday Link Round Up

Toronto Sun- Ontario house a honey pit

mycentraljersey- Bridgewater-based pest control firm IDs, halts possible spread of Asian invasive beetle species

leaderpost- Should city ban cosmetic pesticides?

biofuelsdigest- SemiosBIO receives $485,000 for pest management applications

melodika- Government of Canada invests in green pest management

Vancouver Sun- Canada's greenhouse e for emissions will be higher than promised

Vancouver Sun- Businesses near historic Canadian sites could be asked to pay maintenance fees

Canada Politics- Environmental groups chide Harper government for taking credit emission reductions

Vancouver Sun- Teachers doing harm to the environment, spreading invasive species, study says

Ottawa Citizen- More Environment Canada weather stations fall off the radar

Montreal Gazette- Going squirrelly: Alberta rodents feeling effect of climate change: ecologist

CBCnews- Invasive crab continues P.E.I. shellfish assault

BBC news- Iceberg breaks off from Greenland's Petermann Glacier

Got company? Got bed bugs?

Are you having company this summer? Can you be sure they're not bringing a few extra unwelcome guests with them?

If you are not sure whether you have bed bugs - or if this is something you worry about even though you haven't seen any indications of infestation - give us a call and we can provide you with bed bug moats for your beds.

Moats help to prevent bed bugs from getting onto your bed ... bugs become trapped in them. Which means that infestations are quickly spotted and far more easily treated. As usual, when dealing with pest control issues, easier = cheaper.

Cottage Country Pest Control is also able to provide soluable laundry bags especially formulated for bed bug infestations.

And, of course, if you DO discover that you have a bed bug infestation, our licensed & insured exterminator will help you to solve the problem.

If you suspect you may have a bed bug problem anywhere in Simcoe County, Muskoka, Tiny or Tay Townships, or in Peterborough or the surrounding area...  give us a call at (705)534-7863 or email us at ccpestcontrol@gmail.com .

No waiting - bed bug problems are our first priority, and in most cases, we are able to provide same day service.

Why you don't want to wait to call...

Perhaps you've seen this story already but if not, I suggest you go read the story "Ontario house a honey pit"

Done? okay, this story is a perfect example for why you shouldn't wait to call a pest control company if you've got a pest. Granted, not every pest is going to cause this type of damage, but if left long enough the damage caused by many pests can get not only bad (or worse than the damage in the story)  but also expensive too.

Why would you want to have to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars fixing the problem and damage caused by something that could have been solved for way less money and in less time??

So, if you think you have a pest or you know you have a pest problem give Cottage Country Pest Control a call at 705-534-7863 or email us today.

For more information about bees (and wasps and hornets) you can check out the past posts:
Bees, hornets & wasps...oh my!
Hornets
Wasp
Bug Bites: Part Two

Don't put it off!

Friday Link Round Up

thestar.com- The Fixer: Trapped pigeons are dying to escape from CP Rail overpass

torontosun.com- Allergies worsened since Ontario pesticide ban?

marketwire.com- Government of Canada Invests in Green Pest Management Technology

betterfarming.com- Set up activities delay pesticide sales summary release

cbcnews- Antarctic rift valley speeds ice loss

nationalpost.com- NASA satellites spot sudden, unprecedented melting across nearly all of Greenland


thestar.com- Worst U.S. drought in over 50 years threatens to send food prices into overdrive

Friday Link Round Up

Nanaimo Daily News- Pesticides clearly toxic, harmful to human health

Better Farming- Proposed Growers Requested Own Use regulations clamp down on uncooperative companies

Cheboygan News-  Surveys search area rivers for lamprey

The Globe and Mail- Goats: The new first line of defence against weeds?

Yahoo News: Daily Brew- B.C. mudslide caught on camera from lake

CBCnews- Sockeye salmon collapse due to lack of food, study says

CTVnews- Low water levels prompt closure of 63 salmon rivers in Newfoundland

CBCnews- Suspected anthrax outbreak claims more bison in N.W.T.

CBCnews- Up to 20,000 sea turtles eggs crushed on Trinidad beach

The Globe and Mail- 450,000 salmon to be destroyed ofter outbreak in Newfoundland and Labrador

The Gazette- Seabirds on B.C., Washington and Oregon coast eating bellyfuls of plastic, study

As always, if you have a pest problem or just suspect you do, give Cottage Country Pest Control a call at 705-534-7863 or email us today to book your appointment or get more information.

Second Spider Spray

Reminder being sent to customers remind them to book their second spider sprays

Friday Link Round Up

thestar.com- West Nile virus found in Toronto mosquitoes

thestar.com- Hazel McCallion wants to ban plastic bags

betterfarming.com- Bee deaths prompt insecticide re-evaluation

North Shore News- Take holistic approach to pest control

The Province- Time to rethink unenforceable pesticide bylaws

thestar.com- Gypsy moth outbreak took city's forestry department by surprise

thestar.com- It's a food web, not a food chain

thestar.com- Montreal takes aim at spread of bedbugs on moving day

thestar.com-Ticks that can carry Lyme disease agent spreading


 

Mosquitoes: Disease & Control

Yesterday's blog was all about mosquitoes-what they are and their life cycle. Today's will cover a little bit about the diseases spread by mosquitoes and controlling the mosquito population.

Mosquitoes are known to be major vectors for disease-causing viruses and parasites in humans. The infected mosquitoes carry the viruses and parasites, which are then spread from person to person.

Some of the diseases carried by mosquitoes include yellow fever, dengue fever (which is commonly found in travelers of the Caribbean, Central America and South Central Asia), malaria, lymphatic filariasis, West Nile virus and Tularemia.

In Canada, among other temperate and developed countries, mosquitoes are generally just a nuisance over a major health concern, however there are still known cases yearly where illness and death do occur because of mosquitoes. In fact, just yesterday (July 3) Toronto's public health department confirmed that mosquitoes  carrying West Nile virus have been found in Toronto. If you want to read the article from the Toronto Sun about this development, you can do so here.

Controlling mosquitoes is where Integrated Pest Management really comes in handy. Some steps to take include:

• Source reduction- removing stagnant water from your property
• Bio control- using natural predators of mosquitoes such a dragonflies and bats to naturally control the mosquito population
• Trapping and/or insecticides- can be used to kill larvae and adults
• Exclusion- using mosquito nets and window screens to prevent them from entering your home or cottage

If you are having an issue with mosquitoes and you have an event coming up such a family reunion or outdoor wedding, give Cottage Country Pest Control a call. We can come in and spray so that if you are using tents or awnings for example, any mosquitoes that land on them will no longer be an issue.

If you are having a pest problem, remember it is better to deal with is sooner rather than later as it can quickly become a very expensive problem to deal with. To book an appointment with Cottage Country Pest Control, give us a call at 705-534-7863 or email us today.

Mosquitos

Today's post is all about mosquitoes. Specifically what they are and their life cycle and tomorrow's post will cover disease and control.

Mosquitoes are a family of small, midge-like flies that are called Culicidae. Most species of mosquitoes are harmless and even considered useful to humanity. Some species are nuisances because they will feed on blood from living vertabrates, including humans.

A major problem with mosquitoes is that when they feed on the blood of humans and livestock they can transmit some of the most harmful diseases, which is something you can read more about tomorrow.

There are over 3.500 species of mosquitoes found worldwide, except for Antarctica.In warmer temperatures (tropical regions for example), mosquitoes are active year round. In colder temperatures, they will hibernate over the winter months.

Mosquitoes, like all flies go through four stages in their life cycle: egg, larvae, pupa and adult. In most species, the female adult will lay their eggs in standing water. Some species will lay their eggs near the water's edge and other species attach their eggs to aquatic plants.

The first three stages of a mosquitoes life cycle are mainly aquatic and these stages generally take anywhere from 5-14 days depending on the species and the ambient temperature.

Mosquitoes that live in some regions where there is cold temperatures and lack of water, can spend part of the year in dispause, meaning they can delay their development and continue on with their life cycle only when conditions are ideal for them to continue.

The eggs hatch into larvae, which then grow until they are able to change in pupae. Following the pupae stage, the adult mosquitoes will emerge from the mature pupa as it floats on the surface of the water.

Mosquitoes that feed on blood, have the potential life spans of a week to several months.

If you are having a pest problem, remember it is better to deal with is sooner rather than later as it can quickly become a very expensive problem to deal with. To book an appointment with Cottage Country Pest Control, give us a call at 705-534-7863 or email us today.

"Friday Link Round Up"

Hope everyone had a great Canada Day and today's blog post will be our usual Friday Link Round Up

torontostar.com- Environmental laws are too important to be changed without public debate

torontosun.com- When moths attack

torontostar.com- Walkom: At Rio+20, Canada furiously backpedals on environment

torontostar.com- Stephan Harper government turns environmentalists into public enemies

torontoenvironment.org- Toronto first city in Canada with new Pollution Prevention Tool

CBCnews- B.C., Ontario score highest in environmental progress

CTVnews- Mothball makers ordered to change packaging

CBCnews- Insect bite remedies not effective


As always, if you have a pest problem or just suspect you do, give Cottage Country Pest Control a call at 705-534-7863 or email us today to book your appointment or get more information.

Second Sprays

If you are familiar with spiders and spider sprays (which you should be if you've been reading this blog....you can read them here and here) then  you might already know that generally once you have had one spray done they last about 6-8 weeks depending on weather conditions. Most people find two sprays per season provide optimal control, but this is purely a matter of personal preference and tolerance for spiders.


Since, spider sprays are generally started in May, now is the time to start booking for your second spray,  especially if you are once again seeing an excessive number of spiders and their webs on your home, cottage, dock, garages, etc.

Give Cottage Country Pest Control a call today at 705-534-7863 to book your second appointment (or even your first) or email us.

Friday Link Roundup

www.bedbugremoval.ca- New Research Reveals Bed Bugs' ability to transfer harmful bacteria

thestar.com- Bedbug problem triggers $250,000 funding from Toronto Council

CBCnews- Bedbug battle being won in Winnipeg

CBCnews- Bed bugs a cottage problem, too

thestar.com- Environmental commissioner: Ontario not prepared for heavy costs of climate change

news.ontario.ca- Ontario named Canada's Greenest Province

news.ontario.ca- Restoring Great Lakes to protect Ontario's future
 
thestar.com-  Beware a staggering squirrel in your backyard

As always, if you have any suggestions for our Friday Link Roundup, have any questions or want to book an appointment, you can email us or give us a call at 705-534-7863.

Raccoon Roundworm

On Saturday June 16, in the Toronto Star there was an article entitled "Beware a staggering squirrel in your backyard". In the article by Margaret Bream she wrote about her encounter with a squirrel in her backyard that was behaving oddly. After doing some research she discovered that the squirrel was likely suffering from Raccoon roundworm. 


Raccoon roundworm is a diseased caused by the parasite Baylisascaris procyonis. Raccoons are the main host of these parasites (they live in the small intestines of the raccoons), however can be passed to other small mammals such as squirrels, groundhogs and rabbits. While the parasite doesn't kill raccoons, it is a fatal disease to the other small mammals it infects and there have been confirmed cases of the disease in humans (it can be fatal in humans as well).


Dr. Douglas Campbell, a veterinary pathologist at the Canadian Co-operative Wildlife Health Centre at the University of Guelph says "Baylisascaris procyonis is by far the most common cause of neurological disease that we see in grey squirrels".


Small mammals get infected by the parasite by digging in the scat of an infected raccoon, which they do to find seeds to eat and they eat the roundworm eggs. Once the eggs hatch and become larvae that is when they become fatal to the animal.


It is stated in the article that "If you find raccoon excrement — or a communal “latrine,” where a group of coons regularly defecate — around your property, consider calling in a professional wildlife service for decontamination. If you opt to do the cleanup yourself, the Guelph wildlife centre advises that you do so cautiously. Wear a protective mask, gloves and clothing that can be discarded after use".

To book an appointment or if you have any questions about pests in and around your home, email or call us at 705-534-7863.

Identifying: German Cockroaches

German Cockroach. See the 2 dark parallel streaks running across it's body?

• The most common cockroach in Canada is the German Cockroach
• The German roach is about 1.3 to 1.6 cm long and has a flattened oval body with long spiny legs
• They are tan or light brown colour with 2 dark parallel streaks that run from their heads and down to the base of their wings 
• Despite having wings, German roaches are unable to sustain flight
• German roaches can be found in any part of your home, but they usually prefer a damp environment such as kitchens, bathrooms, basements,etc.
• German cockroaches are also considered to be a public health concern because they have been known to carry Salmonella bacteria,which it has been shown can remain in their feces for several years
• German roaches (and many other species of roaches) have been known to also cause allergies in people that can result in skin rashes, asthma and other reactions 
• Allergies are primarily caused by their feces, saliva and eggs
• German roaches can also carry bacteria such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and other bacterial pathogens that can make you or your family sick through contaminated food

So what can Cottage Country Pest Control do? Well, by practicing IPM (which if you are not familiar with, you can read about here) we can approach the infestation and find the best way to solve the problem using environmentally responsible and people-friendly ways.

Contact Cottage Country Pest Control through email or call us at 705-534-7863 to book and appointment or to find out more information.  

Identifying: Wood Roaches

Wood roaches have:

• A flat, oval body with long antenna
• Spiny legs 
• Overall chestnut brown colour
• A male is usually about 25 mm while a female is up to 19 mm 
• Generally the males appear to have a bit of a tan colour because of the colour of their wings
• Adults and large nymphs of the wood roach can be recognized by the pale, creamy white or transparent stripe on the outer edge of the thorax
• The pale edge extends onto the first 1/3 of the front wings on adult roaches

• Wood roaches are common outdoor dwelling insects that are native to North America
• Are found throughout Ontario
• They are most commonly found in moist woodland, ground litter, mulch, firewood, potted plants, shingles and rain gutters

• Wood roaches that have entered a home will act differently than other roach species 
• They are not secretive, they are active day and night and they are less likely to run when approached
• They will also wander around a house, without stay localized to a specific area such as the kitchen
• Wood roaches will not thrive or reproduce indoors, because they require specific habitat to do so
• They need a consistently moist environment such as under wood piles, loose bark and decaying logs into order to reproduce

Male wood roach. Notice the difference in size and colour.

Female wood roach. Noticeable is the the slightly smaller size and difference in colour.

So what can Cottage Country Pest Control do? Well, by practicing IPM (which if you are not familiar with, you can read about here) we can approach the infestation and find the best way to solve the problem using environmentally responsible and people-friendly ways.

Contact Cottage Country Pest Control through email or call us at 705-534-7863 to book and appointment or to find out more information. 

Friday Link Round Up

CBCnews- Giant algae blooms thriving under thinning Arctic sea ice

CTVnews- Shipping change puts right whale back on healthy course

The Globe and Mail- Cleanup of latest Alberta oil spill could take all summer

Newscanada.com- Fruits in abundance for Canadians due to pest control products

Newscanada.com- Do what you can to save the honey bee

Newscanada.com- How to deal with local wildlife the right way

The Globe and Mail- Former Reform MP rakes Harper over environmental coals

The Toronto Star - How the family cat infected an Oregon man with Black Death

Hornets: A Revisit

If you haven't already, go ahead and read the revisit on bees and/or wasps.

Today's post is the revisit on hornets. Fun right?

• The European Hornet (Vespa crabro) is black and dark with yellow, they have deeply indented eyes (think c-shaped) with reddish-orange wings and their petiolate abdomen is brown striped with yellow and some hair
• They can be as big as 3.5 cm and like the honeybee and bumblebee they have a gentle disposition 
• This means they won't sting unless they provoked, stepped on or grabbed
• They will however get defensive when their hives are threatened and they can become aggressive
• Male European hornets have abdomens that have 7 segments and the females have 6 and the male antenna have 13 segments and the female antenna have 12
• European hornets will eat insects and they are also attracted to lights at night 
• Their nests are large paper nests and can be found in hollow trees that have sheltered positions

• Bald-face Hornet or (Dolichovespula maculata) is also known as the white-faced hornet and the white-tailed hornet
• Found throughout North America including parts of Canada, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Coast of the United States and most of the Eastern United States
• They are black with white ivory markings and can be up to 1.9 cm
• They also have 2 visible legs that hang when they are in flight and they lack pollen baskets
• Like the European hornets, the Bald-face hornet also eats other insects
• Bald-faced hornets are known for their large football-shaped nests, which they build in the Spring
• They are extremely protective of their nests and  can sting repeatedly

Basically, you don't really want hornets hanging around your home especially if you or someone in your family is allergic to their stings, so Cottage Country Pest Control can come in and using IPM methods we can help make your environment safer for you and your family.


To book an appointment or for more information email or call us at 705-534-7863.