Tag Archives: island

More questions & answers

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So, if Ross is retired, who is taking over?

Many of you will have met Matt last season – he’s still with us, and in the long run, the hope is that he’ll take over all aspects of the business so that I can retire too. But we’re not quite there yet, so hi … I’m Lauralee, and I am currently studying for the licensing exams – was scheduled to take them on 16-April but got email today that they’ve been canceled (thank the good Lord!! That was way too fast given that the three books just arrived yesterday!).

I’m not actually likely to be DOING much of the actual spraying and so on but until Matt and Jessa get their licenses and enough training in all aspects to not need me any more, I expect I’ll be hanging around a fair bit. Jessa is my youngest – she works M – F in Oshawa, so is only available to us on weekends, but she wants to learn and get licensed so that she’ll have more options with which to make a living. She’s an ECE, mostly, and loves operating her home day care – but that, especially given that she’s single, has serious limitations.

So… when you call, you’ll get either Ross, myself or Matt; email is almost always me, and if/when you book you’ll get either Matt or Jessa.

All of us have been or are learning from the master, though, so you can expect the same environmentally responsible pest control solutions as ever. We’re looking forward to getting busy. Well, Matt & Jessa are – me, I still have a semester to finish, exams to study for, and so on… so I can wait a week or three yet!

By the time this ’emergency brake’ thing ends, we’ll be ready to go full steam ahead – and in the meantime, we are here and will make time to help you with any pressing problems.

And so it begins…

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Even though I have yet to send my annual email  (my bad – BUT I got through a condensed semester with all my marks done & submitted early AND got my gall bladder out last week, so…. yeah… )  I’ll get there!

But it was a beautiful day and a whole bunch of people decided the time was right even without that. Lots of phone calls and emails today. I THINK I have everything sorted so that Ross can deal with things while I work at the group home tomorrow. We shall see 🙂 I might need to print off calendar pages for him… hmmm ….

Anyway, we are here and we are getting sorted so please do feel free to give us a call at 705-534-7863, or email me at ccpestcontrol@gmail.com. Oh, and we’d love it if you followed us on Facebook as well, if you do that Facebooking thing 🙂

Phone is fixed

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Well, the Bell tech that was supposed to contact us between 8 am and noon today never did, BUT on the plus side, the phone is indeed fixed.

So if you have any pest problems (that you didn’t bring into the world yourself, that is!) feel free to call, email or use the quote form and we will be happy to help.

Ross’ boat

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Ross' boat

June 10 and it’s still in the yard! And filling up with tree gunk too.

Well, we’re off to a very busy start this season.

So busy, in fact, that Ross’ boat is still sitting in the yard. He had time to remove the tarps. And he’s got it serviced.

And – well, since then, he’s been on lots & lots of other people’s boats. That should count for something right?

This week has been all about the Honey Harbour area. Lots of carpenter ants, mice and of course spider sprays. Have had him up there several days already, and today he’s out with Big Red Works all day. That works great – they run him around so that he can fit a whole lot more into one day by skipping the time spent waiting at marinas.

Already got more island calls set up for next week as well, both in Honey Harbour and the Parry Sound area. Oh yeah, and Mactier. Haven’t heard much from Go Home Lake cottagers yet. Hmm… maybe they don’t like us any more?!  Or maybe they’ve just been spared the invasion of the carpenter ants, I don’t know.

Anyway, given how busy we are, and the fact that it doesn’t seem like he’s going to have time to get our boat in the water any time soon, I guess I won’t complain. Too much!

If you’re having problems with birds, carpenter ants, mice, spiders, etc etc, do give us a call or email us and we’ll do our best to fit you in somewhere. Even though we’re hopping, we’re still managing to get to most within a day or two. On land, anyway.

Spider Sprays

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spider chartWell, one way that this spring is different already is that we are getting calls about spraying homes and cottages for spiders much sooner than usual. Still a little early to start spraying, but certainly happy to provide estimates and add you to our list of places to be done when conditions are right.

Even though the treatment is typically called a spider spray, and the primary benefit is that no spiders = no web mess so everything stays much cleaner, the product used does also affect other insects as well. Because of that, and because it offers residual protection for several weeks, it can also help to keep other bugs on the outside where they belong. In our area – Tiny, Tay, Muskoka, Simcoe, Huronia – carpenter ants are becoming so common that an extra layer of protection is definitely a bonus!

As annoying as they can be, we need insects – but outside is clearly better!

For spider sprays or any other pest problems, give us a call at 705-534-7863, or email us at ccpestcontrol@gmail.com and Ross will be happy to help.

Powder Beetles

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Powderpost-Beetle  Powder Beetles (otherwise known as “Powderpost Beetles”) are similar in appearance, at first glance, to a cockroach. They are not as dark, or shiny in appearance, but in size, they are a pretty good match. This beetle, in the woodboring family which consists of many differing varieties, is from the family (Latin) of Bostrichoidea. They are responsible for mainly attacking deciduous trees, and their larvae appear as small white, and ‘C-shaped’.

You can be sure you have an infestation if you find holes in your trees, with trails of powder, or dust, as this is the result of their burrowing. These beetles are: Reddish to brown in colour, have six legs, 1/8 to ¼ inch in size, they do have antennae, and are found throughout the U.S and Canada alike. They do have a liking for hardwoods, and can be found (in the midst of an attack) on hardwood floors as they are thin and lay eggs within cracks found, leaving a powdery substance to cover the larvae. It has been often claimed by official sources that these beetle are only second to termites in their possible destructiveness.

How to control, or get rid of these pests

 Although some deciduous trees are immune, most are not. The common treatments used consist of wood preservatives, and a pest control substance called “Boron”. The wood preservatives used for deciduous trees are fairly common, and have been in use for several years. They are not difficult to find. It is advised, in all cases of pest control, to consult with your local Pest Control company in order to have any treatment applied. Deciduous trees have been preserved when having limbs removed, and having a coating of various combinations of tar substances, to seal off the fresh cuts. This can be very effective at blocking that vulnerable area. These beetles must be found by vigilant inspection of hardwood inspections, especially in vacation properties which may not be inhabited full year. I am referring to cottages, or summer residences. The first measure of control is:

 

REDUCING MOISTURE & PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT:

Central heating, vapour barriers, and proper ventilation is an excellent start at prevention of infestations

Do not store valuable items in sheds, or barns, or improperly sheltered attacks, this is a common source for these beetles to accumulate

Items such as unfinished furniture (un-painted, non-varnished etc) may be treated with a substance known as Tim-bor or Boracare

Contact your nearest Professional Pest Control Center for consultation. This is always the very best option. These Beetles are clever, and the tools required to rid them of the destruction caused, the burrowing, and the destruction of your furniture, hardwood floors, and deciduous trees requires the eyes, and tools of the pros. They can be eradicated, fully, if one is diligent at identifying them, and then calling your pest Control specialists to eradicate the issue!

If you think you may have powder post beetles in your home or cottage, give us a call at 705.534.7863. Or email us at ccpestcontrol@gmail.com. We will be happy to help you solve your problems.

Spider spray

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spider chartAn exterior spray is most commonly called a spider spray – and it does, in fact, get rid of the spiders, and more importantly, the webs that they like to ~decorate~ your home or cottage with.

The closer you are to water, the more likely spiders are to choose your property for their canvas.

As an added benefit, an exterior spray helps to reduce the likelihood of infestation by other insects. If you have carpenter ants, it won’t solve the problem … once they are inside your structure, they should be properly treated with bait to ensure that they are eradicated and cannot further damage your wood. But if you have so far managed to keep them out, a spray may help to keep it that way.

Since carpenter ants are becoming an increasingly ubiquitous problem throughout Tay, Tiny, Simcoe, Muskoka and beyond, an extra layer of protection is a very good thing.

Here are a few quick facts about Cottage Country Pest Control’s exterior sprays:

  • Each time Ross visits your property, he does a site inspection; if he sees any issues, or things you can do to avoid pest problems in the future, he will let you know. There is no additional charge for this service.
  • You don’t need to be home when he comes (unless you are having problems indoors). Just close windows, and remove any pets dishes from outside, and you’re good to go.
  • Weather matters – but probably not the way you think. It is wind that is the primary concern when spraying rather than the possibility of rain. While Ross doesn’t spray when it is raining, if it rains later in the day after a spray, it rarely matters. Once the product is set, it’s set – rain won’t break it down. Sun, on the other hand….
  • The spray has a residual effect, and lasts for several weeks depending on how much sun we get. The less sun, the longer it lasts. For most properties in our area, two treatments/season is plenty – although if you are phobic about spiders, you may prefer an extra.
  • Discounts are available for flexibility, multiple properties (in the same area), or for pre-purchasing for the season.

To arrange your spider spray, or any other service, give us a call at 705.534.7863, email us at ccpestcontrol@gmail.com or try out my nifty new form here: Get a Quote.