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.

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.

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.