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.

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.

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

Trapping: Part 2

After some delay, we're finally wrapping up the posts about trapping.

Today's post is about education, licensing and legislation.

In order for trappers to qualify for the license, they MUST successfully complete the Fur Harvest, Fur Management and Conservation Course. This course is administered by the ministry and emphasizes safe and humane trapping, survival, good pelt penetration and sustainable management practices.

Trapping Licenses

Every trapper is required to purchase a license that must be renewed yearly. Every license has a unique number used to identify the trapper and where they trap. This information is used to help monitor animal populations and for setting season and harvest quotas.

Open Seasons

Trappers are only allowed to trap during open seasons which were established in the early 1900's in order to prevent harvesting during times when pelts were considered not "prime" and also to avoid harvesting when young were dependent on their parents.

Harvest Quotas

A harvest quota defines the maximum number of animals a licensed trapper is allowed to harvest. Annual quotas are set for any species that may be affected by either over or under harvesting.

Reporting

Trappers are considered to be the front line of monitoring in regards to Ontario's furbearers and their habits. They provide vital information on wildlife through scientific studies and mandatory year-end harvest reports.

Legislation (*Verbatim from legislation*)

• The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act  (S.O. 1997 c 41) provides the legislative framework for the management and protection of furbearers in Ontario. It includes a List of Furbearers of Ontario (twenty-two species of furbearers and their habitats are found throughout the province).  These are defined under Schedule 1 of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, S.O. 1997 and O. Reg. 669/98. 
• The Crown Forest Sustainability Act indirectly provides for the habitat needs of most furbearers in crown forests.
• The Provincial Policy Statement for the Protection of Natural Heritage Features (Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, 1997) was issued under the Planning Act.  The Provincial Policy Statement provides for the protection of significant wildlife habitat as well as other natural heritage features (e.g. wetlands, forests, endangered/ threatened species habitat, corridors) on lands within organized municipalities in the province.  The majority of lands in the area covered by the Planning Act are privately owned.
• The Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards directs the testing and certification of trapping systems used in Ontario.  The Fur Institute of Canada coordinates trap testing activities on behalf of Canada's provinces and territories.  Canadian trappers employ the most up-to-date and humane trapping devices available.

 To contact Cottage Country Pest Control call us at 705-534-7863 or email us today.

Trapping

This is the first of 2 posts about trapping to wrap up the series on scuiridae and skunks and raccoons.

Trapping furbearing mammals is one of the oldest activities done in Ontario. Commercial trapping dates back to the 16th century with the arrival of European settlers and explorers, however before that trapping was very important to aboriginal peoples.

In this day and age, trapping has remained a socially and economically important activity in Ontario. Ontario is considered to be one of the world's leading suppliers of wild fur and trapping is considered to be an important role in wildlife management.

Trapping as a renewable resource

If trapping is done and managed properly,  it is a renewable resource that will replenish itself. When done with proper management and humane trapping practices wildlife can keep healthy numbers and habits. They can also ensure long-term social and economic benefits.


Regulating trapping

In order to maintain proper trapping management and healthy wildlife numbers, trapping in Ontario is governed by regulations and policies that are administered by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). MNR uses a variety of management tools to regulate harvests and maintain healthy wildlife populations.

The tools used include:

• mandatory trapper education
• trapping licenses
• open and closed seasons
• harvest quotas
• registered trapline arenas
• research
• mandatory harvest reportings

Check back tomorrow for a post about education, licensing and more.

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

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.

Quick Fact

When coming down a tree, the raccoon can turn its hind feet backwards.

For help to solve all of your pest control problems, call Cottage Country Pest Control at (705)534-7863, or email us at ccpestcontrol@gmail.com.

Quick Fact - Raccoon

Raccoons do not construct their own dens. They find a place to call home - and once they do, they like to stay there.

For help to solve all of your pest control problems, call Cottage Country Pest Control at (705)534-7863, or email us at ccpestcontrol@gmail.com.