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.