Lots of ideas, many as a result of our little foray into the world of AI, about improvements I can make to the website. But – as always – time is an issue!!
Not complaining (much!) though – being busy caring for your environments is what we’re here for after all – but oh, man, am I tired some days!! Last night we – Jessa & I – were up on a rooftop well after dark ~playing with~ bats. Not REALLY playing with – we know better than to get too close! But up there sealing up their access points so they can’t get back into the cottage where they are not welcome. Their poop does not smell very nice, did you know? They make far better neighbours than they do house-mates.
Lots of bat-house options for them, so I don’t feel too bad about kicking them out. If it’s too soon to leave for their winter home, hopefully they’ll avail themselves of those. So many bats this year. We’ve done two this week, and still have several to go.
Thinking about everything I have to get done in the next few days is not helping me to feel less tired!!
But anyway, before I wander off to bed, did you know that bats are making a huge comeback in Ontario? And that because their numbers dwindled SO low while they were dealing with white-nose fungus, they now seem to be a lot more creative in where they’re taking up residence?
Which may not be of a whole lot of interest to you unless they happen to choose your home, cottage, or business.
Because of the bats (and other things you don’t want that like that nice warm fluffy bedding you have in your attic) you I highly recommend that you make sure that at least once a year someone is poking their head up into the attic to have a look around.
Look for
- droppings
- Little hard poops are mice; bigger for squirrels, rats and other rodents; dry and crumbles to dust for bats
- And icky white splatters may well indicate that a bird/birds have moved in – not as common but it happens!
- holes
- if you have pink insulation, you’ll be looking for ripped up/uneven bits – they love to use that for their nests
- if you have bedding (aka blown in) insulation, you might notice random holes in the insulation – the droppings won’t necessarily be visible, but the holes will
- the bigger the holes, the bigger the problem (duh!)
- pathways
- where there are critters there are usually pathways – they follow their own trails and leave visibly flattened pathways that can show you where the ~doors~ are
- other pests – just a quick glance for cluster flies, ants, and/or wasps certainly won’t hurt. If they’re a problem in and around your home or cottage, sometimes a look in the attic can explain why – and be fixed!
If you see nothing, awesome! You’re all good until next year.
If you see something, great! You’ve discovered it and can deal with it before it becomes too obnoxious to ignore. The sooner you intervene, the better.
If you can’t get up there to have a look, we’re happy to do that – well, I’m happy to tell Jessa or Alex to do that for you :) I just go along to hold the ladder.
And of course, if you find anything of concern, we’ll be most happy to help you care for your environment. Call or text me at 705-534-7863, or email ccpestcontrol@gmail.com. Or hey, why not try out my nifty new text thing that should be showing on the bottom right of this page? Comes right through to my phone, and unless I happen to be in class or on a roof, I’ll respond as soon as I’m able.
