The sun is shining, the birds are singing. Maybe there’s a lone canoe on the water, but other than that, it’s just you and the tranquility of nature. These are the days we yearn for and protect where we can, so it makes sense to ensure that the downside of being in nature doesn’t encroach on the upside. Pests can be one of those downsides and they can be challenging unless you stay on top of the problem.
“We do our best to communicate the need to protect and prevent,” says Nathan Kaye, an owner with One Tek Pest Solutions. “Your cottage or home is a big investment, and you work very hard at protecting it from the elements and any other outside influences that may damage your home. It’s important to include pests in that protection.”
Ants and mice can cause a lot of damage to your home or cottage, but people often react to the issue instead of being proactive, Nathan says. “It’s so much better to use pest control solutions in preventative mode instead of having to call us in when you already have an established problem. The impact is phenomenal in the first year, but the second year is where we really see the results.”
Spiders and antsNathan uses his own hatred of spider webs as an example. “I just can’t stand them,” he says with a laugh. “But with regular preventative treatments, I don’t need to worry about cleaning them out every year.”
Carpenter ants are another enormous problem, particularly if they get established in your cottage. “Once they get into your house, they’ll make a living of it. There can be thousands of them inside the walls and they will eat any wood in their path. It can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to open up walls, clear the ants, and rebuild.” Unless you have pest coverage in your insurance policy, he adds, you may find that the damage isn’t covered.
Nathan says preventative measures are like regular maintenance on a vehicle. “Your cottage is likely worth millions of dollars; why not keep it safe? Not only can you save yourself a lot of money created by cleaning up the problem after the fact, but you won’t have to lose any of that precious summertime at the cottage.”
External treatments for mice are best done twice a year – in spring and again in the fall. Some insects need to be dealt with on a monthly basis.
“Signing up for seasonal insect and rodent control means you can relax and enjoy those long sunny summer days.”
TEXT KARI KLASSEN | PHOTOS ANDREW FEARMAN
