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