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.

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

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


 

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.

Just Add Water Festival and Trade Show

This weekend is the Just Add Water Festival in Honey Harbour. Part of this festival is the trade show at Village Marina.

Cottage Country Pest Control will be there today, so if you are in the area stop by and come find us!

Friday Link Round Up

Toronto Star- Ontario's solar companies feeling blue

Toronto Star- Fiorito: Bedbug war funding must be extended

Toronto Star- Toronto groups protest imminent loss of provincial bedbug-fighting funds

Toronto Star- Fracking takes the green out of natural gas

Toronto Star- Wily coyote resurfaces in Beach

Remember if you have any articles or news to add in the Friday Link Round Up, email the link to us.

An Introduction

You may have noticed that the blog for Cottage Country Pest Control has changed a bit in the last month or so. That's because Cottage Country Pest Control hired me to take on their Web Presence Management and marketing. Me, being Tamara from Event Elements & Business Solutions.

Event Elements & Business Solutions provides new and existing small businesses with custom business and marketing plans, marketing, Public Relations and event planning services in addition to event planning for the general public.

Services offered include:

• Business plans
• Marketing plans
• Public Relations
• Marketing
• Event Planning
• Branding
• Web Presence Management

You can find us on our website, blog, Facebook and Twitter or if you have questions or want more information please feel free to email me.