Pest Problems in Your Summer Rental? Here are some Helpful Tips

Organizing your weekend getaway can be stressful. Once you’ve got everything packed, the directions all sorted, the food shopping done and the car loaded, you can normally relax on the drive there. And while there will always be a few hiccups when it comes summer rentals or your vacation home, pest problems can be among the worst. Nobody expects to go on vacation and have to think about pest control. Unfortunately, if you find yourself in that very situation, these are the pests you’ll need to be looking out for.

Spiders

Spiders are one of the most common pests you’re likely to encounter in and around the cottage and thankfully, one of the least harmful. Spiders actually do more good than harm. They eat plenty of other annoying pests, such as flies and mosquitoes. They’re also a tasty treat for many birds, so they are normally a problem which won’t get out of hand – there’s a good balance between what they hunt and what hunts them. Spiders can, however, reproduce quickly and if you find a nest, you’re going to have a problem. Dangerous spider species like black widow and brown recluse spiders have recently been increasing in the Ontario area. If you find these, you have a much more serious issue on your hands.

Wasps and Hornets

Wasps and hornets are an annoying pest throughout the warmer months, and extremely annoying at your summer home. One sting can be painful and annoying, but an attack from a full nest? That’s something which is going to ruin your whole trip. Not only will they continue to sting (unlike bees), but they’ll chase you away from their nest and sound an alarm to other wasps that they’re under attack. If after visiting your holiday home for the first time in months you discover a dangerous-looking nest, you’re going to need professional help.

Ants, Rats, and Mice

Ants are another common pest to look out for, and one you might underestimate. They can work their way through the tiniest of gaps and will find any tiny crumb of food you leave behind. While the presence of most species isn’t normally something to lose sleep over, the sight of a nest is. Even worse, if you find carpenter ants you probably need to sound the alarm, since the safety of your home could be in danger. Rats and mice will cause similar problems, but carry the added threat of disease.

What Can You Do About the Pests?

The easiest way to save your property from any of these pests is to take proper care of the building. By this, we mean that you should do everything in your power to prevent pests from getting any sort of access to your home and causing problems. Have a gap under the door you’ve been meaning to address? Get a door sweep installed. Are there cracks in the wall? Poor window fittings? Fill them in yourself or get a professional to remove the spaces. Keep your home and especially cooking and waste areas clean. With some pests like ants, wasps, and spiders, sometimes you have the option of using a pesticide solution or acid to remove them. Unfortunately, if it’s serious, professional pest control services will be required. We take care of pest problems in every situation imaginable taking advantage of our Residential 4 Seasons Proactive Program. Our Truly Nolen technicians have seen it all before, and understand the patterns and behaviour of the pests better than you would ever be expected to. Let us deal with your holiday nightmare efficiently and effectively so that you can get back to enjoying it.