Do's and Don'ts of Bed Bugs

We've done a number of posts on bed bugs, but because they are still such a major issue, I thought I would do a new post, specifically on some do's and don'ts for dealing with them. If you want to read any of the past posts you can do so here, here, here and here.

If you suspect an infestation of bed bugs or you know you have a problem:

DO NOT rule out that the bites may be caused by something else--an allergy, other insects, etc. Check your mattresses for signs of an infestation and if you are not sure or you can confirm you have them call a professional, such as Cottage Country Pest Control.

DO NOT begin sleeping in a spare bed, on your couch or at a friends or with family. You may spread the infestation to other parts of your home or to your friend's or family's home as bed bugs can travel in luggage, on clothing, etc.

DO NOT assume that the bed bugs will be just in your bed. Bed bugs can be found in sofas, baseboards, coffee tables, electrical sockets, bathrooms, kitchens, closets, carpets, etc.

DO NOT assume that you will be able to solve the problem in just one day. It may take multiple treatments through a pest control company such as Cottage Country Pest Control to rid your home of the infestation.

DO NOT set off a bug bomb or fogger to try and treat the infestation.

DO start dealing with cleaning your clothing and bedding. Wash what you can in the hottest water possible, followed by drying them in the dryer on hot for between 1-2 hours.

DO bag clothes and bedding immediately after washing a drying to prevent bed bugs from once again making their way onto the clothes and bedding.

DO ask questions and take notes. This can help you to remember what the pest control company tells you, what is being done to treat the infestation, what steps you need to take to help treat the problem, etc.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact Cottage Country Pest Control. Give us a call at 705-534-7863 or email us to book your appointment or if you have any questions or concerns.

Bees: A revisit

So I've noticed that a lot of the hits lately on the blog are people looking for information on bees. If you want to read the past posts I've written about bees (or wasps or hornets) you can click here for the first post in the series.

If you just want some quick information then keep reading. I won't cover everything again, because it's already been written, but I will give you some quick information and facts.

• There are over 1000 native species of bees in Canada (honeybee is not a native species)
• Honeybees were originally from Eurasia where they have been a domesticated species for centuries
• All the "wild" honeybees we have in Canada are from colonies that escaped from domesticated hives
• Bees are able to live year-round assuming the colony worked hard enough in the summer
• They are completely adaptable to the Canadian climate
• Honeybees are amber to brown in colour with alternating black stripes
• They are furry (with short hair) and are approximately 1.3 cm
• They eat nectar from flowers and when they sting (which they won't do unless provoked as they are considered gentle) it will kill them
• Honeybees live in large colonies in flat wax-based honeycomb hives that hang vertically

• Bumblebees lived in the wild for thousands of years before people started capturing them in order to domesticate them
• Bumblebees have long tongues which means they are able to pollinate a large variety of flowers.
  In the late 1880's, researchers began to think about using bumblebees to their advantage when it came to agricultural matters
• In Canada, the bumblebee was first used commercially in 1990 as a tomato pollinator
• Throughout the world there are 5 species of bumblebee that are commercially reared, however in North America only 2 are used commercially--the Bombus impatiens and Bombus occidentalis
• Bumblebees are yellow with black stripes and are furry, but with long hair
• They are considerably larger than a honeybee at 2.5 cm
• Like the honeybee they also eat nectar from flowers and if they sting it will kill them
• They too are considered gentle and will not sting unless provoked in someway
• Bumblebees can be found living in the soil in small cavities

Yes, honeybees and bumblebees are beneficial to the environment and agriculturally but that doesn't mean you necessarily want them building hives around your home or cottage. Especially if you or someone in your family is allergic to their stings, so Cottage Country Pest Control can come in and using IPM methods we can help make your environment safer for you and your family.

To book an appointment or for more information email or call us at 705-534-7863.