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.

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.

Squirrels

Squirrel

Squirrels generally have slender bodies with bushy tails. Their fur is usually soft and silky and ranges in colour from white to black, although shades of grey or brown are most common. Squirrels will eat seeds and nuts, but some will also eat bugs or bird eggs. They generally have good vision and tey also have versatile and sturdy claws for grasping and climbing.

The gestation period varies with species of squirrels however for smaller squirrels its about 33 days and larger squirrels its about 60 days. Squirrels breed in late winter and early spring and give birth to usually about 4 young. There can sometimes be a second litter born in mid-summer if food levels are good.

Squirrel young

Young squirrels are born naked, toothless and blind. Generally only the female squirrel will care for the young which are weaned at around 6-10 week of age and they become sexually mature at the end of their first year.

Ground and tree squirrels are typically diurnal while flying squirrels are generally nocturnal.

Squirrels cannot digest cellulose, so they have to rely on foods that are rich in protein, carbohydrates and fats. In temperate regions, early spring is the hardest time since buried nuts are just starting to sprout and are not available to the squirrels. It is during this time that squirrels rely on the buds on trees for food.

Chewed electrical wire

Squirrels can be cute but they are pests. They can cause serious damage to your home and garden and in urban areas the most serious damage occurs when squirrels enter homes, usually by climbing the walls or jumping from trees. Once a squirrel has entered your home they will more than likely chew woodwork, ceilings and more seriously, insulation and electrical wiring which can lead to a fire. In gardens, squirrels are pests because they will eat your plants, raid bird feeders and they can cause damage to trees by stripping the bark.

Using IPM Cottage Country Pest Control can help prevent squirrels from entering your home and causing damage. Call us at 705-534-7863 or email us to book an appointment or if you have any questions.
  

Sciuridae

You might be wondering what sciuridae is and basically it is the squirrel family. BUT, it's not just the squirrels you probably automatically think of when you hear squirrel. Sciuridae or squirrel also refers to ground and tree squirrels, chipmunks, marmots (including woodcucks/groundhogs), flying squirrels and prarie dogs.

This family is comprised of 262 species found in North America, South America, Eurasia and Africa. Twenty-two of these species occur in Canada: 6 are tree species (2 of these are flying squirrels) and 16 are ground-dwelling species (6 are ground squirrels, 5 are chipmunks, 4 are marmots and 1 is the prairie dog).

Coming up there will be a post on trapping and over the 4 days, there will be posts on squirrels, the eastern chipmunk, the least chipmunk and groundhogs. Following the series on the sciuridae family, there will be some posts about skunks and raccoons. So check back to find out more about each of these species and maybe some others.

Remember Cottage Country Pest Control can help if you've got a problem with pests. Give us a call at 705-534-7863 or email us to book an appointment or if you have any questions.

Quick Fact - Squirrels

There are several species of squirrels that inhabit attics, causing damage and noise.

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.