Book Your Spider Sprays Now

It's getting to be that time of year.... 

a bit early to be spraying for spiders - but certainly not too early to be thinking about it....especially if you happen to be in the Penetanguishene area, where black widow spiders seem to be an increasing concern.

The biggest reason for spider sprays is to avoid the unsightly messes that their webs make all over your home or cottage .... best plan, especially for those of us on the waterfront, is to spray before they get started.

Give us a call at (705) 534-7863 or email Lauralee at ccpestcontrol@gmail.com to schedule your spider spray and we'll make sure to fit you in as early as possible.

Crazy Weather & Pest Control

This winter has been, well weird. All over Ontario and Canada the weather is cold and snowy one day and raining and warm-ish the next. Up in and around Muskoka, Victoria Harbour, Orillia, Midland, Barrie just to name a few - the days start out cold and warm up by the time one gets from one place to another for work.

What you may not realize though, is that while the weather is being crazy, it also means that some pests may not behave the way they normally would. You may notice some pests in and around your home that are not usually found until Spring. Unfortunately because of the weather this is "normal" and aside from taking steps to prevent them from entering or remaining in your home there's not much else you can do....but of course, if you have noticed pests in or around your home, you can give Cottage Country Pest Control a call at 705-534-7863 or email us today.

Ross will be happy to come out and solve your pest problems.

Bed bugs and Public Places

Many people think of bed bugs as only being something they have to worry about in their home. They hear bed bugs and think "bed", but unfortunately bed bugs are not something that is limited to someone's home.

Since bed bugs have been making a well publicized return it is important to remember that bed bugs can be found in many public places and not just at someone homes.

Today's blog post will discuss 5 of the top 10 public bed bug infestation spots. We'll conclude the list tomorrow!

1. Hospitals and Nursing Homes- bed bugs are not really know for disriminating against anyone and that includes the sick, elderly or the employees of these institutions. There have been cases in recent years where some hospitals had to quarantine some rooms and triage centres in order to fight the spread of bed bugs.

2. Laundry Facilities- this one almost seems like a no-brainer...right? Granted washing and drying your clothes and bedding in super hot water is a good start to treating bed bugs, if you are in a laundry in a laundromat you are at risk for picking it up from someone there. It's a good idea to keep your clothing and bedding separate from other people to try and avoid cross contamination.

3. Retail Stores- Another obvious one? right? If you are at a retail store and maybe you are trying on some clothes, it's important to know that while it is rare, it is possible to get bed bugs that way. Bed bugs could also be found on furniture, in shoes. etc. Some stores have had to close down to deal with bed bug infestations after discovering the pesky critters within the stores.

4. Movie theatres- A movie theatre has plushy seats and LOTS of hosts in which they can travel on. See where I'm going with this? Movie theatres are a really good places to catch bed bugs and bring them home with you.

5. Public Libraries- did you see this one coming? Recently bed bugs have been found in a few libraries around Ontario (and probably Canada and the States as well but I cannot confirm nor deny). Anyway bed bugs can be found in books and if you happen to check those books out, you could potentially bring bed bugs into your home. You could also bring bed bugs into your home by visiting the library if you hang around the library reading or using their computers.

Check back tomorrow for the last 5 public places where bed bugs could be an issue.

If you have a problem with bed bugs or any other pests or you think you may, give Cottage Country Pest Control a call at 705-54-7863 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

"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.

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.

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

Raccoons

The raccoon is a medium-sized mammal native to North America. They are the largest of the procyonid family at about 16-28 inches in length and about 8-20 pounds.

Raccoon

 

Raccoons are nocturnal and omnivorous. Their diet consists of about 40% invertebrates, 33% plant foods and 27% vertebrates.

They have a greyish coat that is about 90% dense undercoat that mainly protects in cold weather. They also have extremely dexterous front paws and their well-known black masks. Raccoons are also known for their intelligence.

Raccoons originally lived in deciduous and mixed forests in North America but because they are extremely adaptable they have extended their range into mountainous areas, coastal marshes and urban areas (which is where they are most often to be considered pests).

Previously, raccoons were believed to be solitary animals however now it has been shown through studies that raccoons engage in gender-specific social behaviours especially when it comes their dens and living arrangements. For example, related females will live together in one den and unrelated males will live together.

Raccoon babies

 During the mating and breeding season (late January through mid March) males will roam their home ranges in search of females in an attempt to court them during the three to four days when conception is possible. The gestation period for females is generally 63-65 days (however it is possible to be about 50-70 days as well). The litters will typically be 2 - 5 kits. When born, the kit are born blind and deaf, but their masks are visible. At about 18-23 days old their ear canals will open and just after that their eyes will open for the first time. The kit will begin exploring outside the den and begin consuming solid food around six to nine weeks old and they will usually be weaned by 16 weeks old.

If you have any questions or to book an appointment call us at 705-534-7863 or email us today.

Skunks

Sorry for the extended delay, but we're back with an all new post all about skunks.

Striped skunk

 Striped skunks are found in Canada, the United States and Mexico. They are generally 13-18 inches long and weigh about 3-10 pounds. The striped skunk is easy to recognize because of their white stripes that run from their nose and down their backs to their tails.

Skunks are omnivorous, solitary animals that will eat insects, mice, rats, birds, eggs and fruit. While breeding they will stop being solitary and occasionally when living in colder temperatures, they will gather with other skunks to keep warm in communal dens. They typically mate in early spring and successful males with usually mate with more than one female. Females give birth in May to a litter of four to seven kits.

When born, skunk kits are blind, deaf and covered in a soft fur. At about three weeks old the kits will open their eyes and then at about two months old they will have been weaned. Their mother will be very protective and will spray at any sign of danger.

Skunks are without a doubt very well known for their spray. They use their anal scent glands as a defensive weapon. They have two glands and are able to produce a mixture of sulfar-containing chemicals such as methyl and butyl thiols traditionally called mercaptans. They have muscles located near the glands that gives them the ability to spray with a high degree of accuracy, as far as 10ft (3 metres).

If you have any questions or to book an appointment call us at 705-534-7863 or email us today.

Groundhogs

The last part of the sciuridae series is about groundhogs. Groundhogs are also known as woodchucks, whistle-pigs and sometimes land-beavers.

Groundhogs usually weigh about 2-4 kg and measure about 40-65 cm total length including a short bushy tail that is about 15 cm long. They range in colour from yellowish to dark reddish brown. Their fur is generally grizzled in appearance because of light-coloured tips on the hairs. The belly fur on groundhogs is typically straw-coloured and their feet black.

Groundhogs are widely distributed in North America and are particularly common in the east where they are found from Alabama and Georgia in the United States to Northern Quebec and Ontario. Out west their range extends northward to Alaska and through Southern Yukon and Northwest Territories.

Groundhog eating some flowers

Groundogs are known to eat fresh green vegetation and will they will eat a wide variety of wild plants, clover, alfalfa and garden vegetables. Once in awhile, they will also eat snails, insects or young birds.

In Canada, young groundhogs are born in April and May following a gestation period of 30 days. Females will have one litter of four young per year and the young are born blind and helpless at birth. Young groundhogs are typically about 10 cm in length and weigh about 30 kg. By 5-6 weeks of age the young will start emerging from the burrows and will have been weaned or have made the transition from their mother's milt to solid food.

As they can cause damage to gardens and yards, people usually prefer to have them removed from their property.

Groundhog climbing a tree

If you have any questions or to book an appointment call us at 705-534-7863 or email us today.

The Least Chipmunk

Least Chipmunk

The least chipmunk is the smallest chipmunk in North America and is also the most widespread species in North America. They occur across North-Central and western United States and from British Columbia and Southern Yukon to across Central Canada through Ontario and into Western Quebec.

The least chipmunk is active during the day and they prefer to eat seeds, berried, nuts, fruit and insects. They also breed in the early spring and they produce one litter of usually 5-6 young. Like the eastern chipmunk, the least chipmunk also store their food in their underground burrow, which is where they spend the winter.

Just like the eastern chipmunk, the least chipmunks are cute but they can cause damage to homes and gardens. They will eat plants from gardens and they will also chew on cords such as cable lines, air conditioning pipes and elelectric lines. Another problem caused by chipmunks is them burrowing into the ground which can cause water to get in underneath the foundation of your home or deck. This can then lead to water leaking into your home directly.

Least Chipmunk

Using IPM Cottage Country Pest Control can help prevent damage caused by these chipmunks. To book your appointment or if you have any questions call us at 705-534-7863 or email us today.

The Eastern Chipmunk

Eastern Chipmunk

Chipmunks are the sole living member of the chipmunk genus and are part of the scuiridae family. The eastern chipmunk has reddish-brown fur on it's upper body and five dark brown stripes alternating te light brown stripes it has running along its back and has a dark tail. This species has lighter fur on the undersides of their bodies and they also have a tawny stripe that runs from the whiskers to below the ears and light stripes over the eyes.

The eastern chipmunk lives in deciduous wooded areas and urban parks throughout southern Canada and eastern United States. This species prefers areas with rocky areas and shrubs which they use for cover. They are mainly active during the day which is when they forage for food. They prefer to eat bulbs, seeds, fruit, nuts, green plants, mushrooms, insects, worms and bird eggs.

The eastern chipmunk is able to climb trees well but they build their nests underground using extensive tunnel systems, often with several entrances which they disguise.

Eastern Chipmunk Babies

The eastern chipunk lives a solitary life except during mating season. Females generally produce 1 or 2 litters of young (usually 3 to 5 in a litter) during their two breeding seasons. The first breeding season is from February to April and the second is June to August.

Like squirrels, chipmunks are cute but they can cause damage to homes and gardens.  They will eat plants from gardens and they will also chew on cords such as cable lines, air conditioning pipes and elelectric lines. Another problem caused by chipmunks is them burrowing into the ground which can cause water to get in underneath the foundation of your home or deck. This can then lead to water leaking into your home directly.

Using IPM Cottage Country Pest Control can help prevent damage caused by these chipmunks. To book your appointment or if you have any questions call us at 705-534-7863 or email us today.

Friday Link Round-up

National Post- Killing skunks not the answer to Windsor's smelly pest problem, critics claim

Physorg.com- Spider mite genome sequence establishes tools to tackle pest resistence

Maclean.ca- Manitoba should think twice before banning pesticides

Guelphmercury.com- Coyotes are coming into city often at our invitation

Pesticides

Today, we're going to take a break from talking about creepy crawlies and give you some information about pesticides.

In Canada, the use of pesticides is regulated by Health Canada under the Pest Control Products Act, and are among the most heavily regulated substances in Canada.

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency is the branch within Health Canada that administers the Act on behalf of the Minister of Health.

Did you know it's a criminal offense to bring pesticides into Canada that were purchased in another country? It's also (obviously) illegal to use pesticides in Canada that were purchased in another country. Any pesticide that is not regulated by Health Canada is illegal to use. Ontario also has legislation that prohibits the sale or use of many pesticides unless you are a licensed pest control person.

General Information

According to Health Canada, a pesticide is "any product, device, organism, substance or thing that is manufactured, represented, sold or used as a means for directly or indirectly controlling, preventing, destroying, mitigating, attracting or repelling any pest".

So, by following that definition, pesticides include:

• Herbicides-used against plants
• Insecticides-used against bugs
• Fungicides & antimicrobacterial agents-used against fungus and other micro organisms
• Material & wood preservatives
• Animal & insect repellents
• Insect & rodent-controlling devices: such as mosquito zappers and mouse traps
• Algicides-used to control algae in pools and spas

Why are Pesticides Necessary?

If pests are not properly managed, they can affect the quality of life in many ways. One easy example of this is termites. If left alone, termites will cause structural damage to homes and other buildings.

Pests, while sometimes benerficial, can represent a threat to public health and the environment, so sometimes pesticides are necessary.

In addition to regulating pesticides, Health Canada also promotes and encourages the use of many pesticide-free methods (which Cottage Country Pest Control fully supports) for controlling pests by using strategies such as:

Answer the question: Do I really have a pest problem?

Understand pest behaviour

Modify your physical environment to make it less attractive to pests; and

Modify your physical environment to altogether repel the pest
*please note, the previous strategies are verbatim from the Health Canada website*

If you choose to use pesticides (without calling a professional), it is very important that you follow all labels, warnings and directions and ALWAYS use them according to regulations. Should you decide to hire a professional who is reputable, such as CCPC, who is willing to discuss all your options and concerns with you in order to rid your home of pests.

When it comes down to it, using pesticides can be a solution to ridding your home from an infestation. However, it's important to know that there are other options available these days before automatically turning to the use of pesticides.

Cottage Country Pest Control has environmentally responsible solutions to solving your pest problem, that are not harmful to you, your family or your pets.




Quick Note: If you are interested in reading the whole Pest Control Products Act, you can find it online here.