Stomp Out Pests with an Annual Pest Control Program from Muskoka Pest Control
When we look at a cottage, we might admire the architecture, or recall good times spent there, or think about future renovations. When mice look at a cottage, all they think about is how to get in.
“Pests don’t get into cottages because they’re geniuses at breaking in,” says Mark Sampson of Muskoka Pest Control. “They get in because they’re committed and persistent. They try every inch of the cottage, and keep trying until they find a weak spot.”
It’s not just mice that view the cottage as a box to be opened: carpenter ants, spiders, wasps, raccoons, squirrels, skunks, woodpeckers and bats are all keen to come indoors, and become even more so as the winter approaches.
The most successful cottage invaders are the smallest – ants and mice can exploit even the smallest openings. “Raccoons will need to make a fairly sizeable hole in order to get into the cottage,” says Mark. “They can chew through wood quite quickly, so they can be inside overnight, but it’s not usually difficult to see where they’ve got in.” Mice, on the other hand, only need a hole the size of a dime. “Things can look really nice and tidy from a cottager’s perspective, but maybe there’s a shingle that’s been lifted slightly, or a small opening in the eaves. That’s just like an open door, once mice discover it.”
Ants, wasps and other insects, of course, can enter through even smaller holes.
Inspect and prevent
To combat would-be invaders, Mark and his team begin with a visual inspection of the property. “You have to look at the property from a pest’s point of view,” Mark explains. “Where are the weak spots?”
It’s impossible to find every possible access point, he notes, but a walk-around inspection is an important first step.
The experts will also look for clues that pests have already entered the building. “You may not be seeing many ants in the house, for example, but there are telltale signs that they’re present, if you know what you’re looking for,” Mark says.
To really stay on top of pests, a bi-annual inspection and preventative service is the best way to keep small problems from becoming big ones. If a problem is identified, pest-control experts will be able to recommend the best treatment. “There are a number of different ways to stomp out pests,” says Mark. “We’ll look at the options, and come up with a plan that’s going to be quick, effective and safe.” And, he adds, one which will make it harder for the pests to get back in, the next time they come knocking.
