Defending the Cottage

Summer isn’t just the perfect time for you to visit your cottage. It’s also the perfect time for pests to come out of hiding and into your summer home.

Before you grab your swimsuits and hiking boots, review this tip sheet and make sure to pack up your other summer necessities – cleaning supplies. While cleaning supplies may not be the first items that come to mind when preparing for your summer vacation, they are essential to fortifying your summer paradise from pests.

What to Pack

In addition to your traditional cleaning supplies – brooms, mops, trash bags, disinfecting wipes, etc. – there are a few other items that will help ensure your cottage is cleaned up and protected from pests this summer:

• Caulking gun: 

You never know what fell into disarray over the winter, so be prepared to seal up any openings that could let pests inside. Using a caulking gun to seal up cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and exterior walls can prevent persistent pests from entering your summer home​

• Bug spray: 

Bug bites are annoying, and bites from pests like mosquitoes can even spread disease. Make sure you pack enough bug spray for your entire stay. Health Canada-approved bug spray should be readily available throughout your stay and is especially handy when mosquitoes make their grand entrance​

What to Do

During your first trip to the cottage this season, it is important to check for signs of pest activity as soon as you arrive. Keep an eye out for droppings, gnaw marks, wandering pests or holes in the exterior of the building. All of these can be indications that pests like rodents, cockroaches, ants, flies and squirrels are nearby.

Exterior Maintenance:

• Check and Repair Screens: Check and repair tears in window or door screens, worn weather stripping, or cracks and gaps in the exterior to prevent pests from entering.
• Look for Water Damage: Inspect for signs of water damage and schedule repairs immediately if needed. Water damage can attract pests looking for moisture​
• Trim Vegetation: Trim branches that are close to the side of the cottage. Pests can use vegetation as a bridge into your home.
• Clean Gutters: Clean clogged gutters or downspouts that can trap and hold water, providing a breeding ground for pests.
• Inspect Vents: Check attic vents. Pests can easily pry off loose vent covers to enter the attic​

Interior Maintenance:

• Remove Spider Webs: Remove spider webs in corners and dark, damp areas.
• Clean Dishes and Counters: Clean dishes and wipe down counters to remove pest food sources.
• Check Pantry: Check the pantry for open food containers or packaging that looks damaged. Restock any food items that need to be thrown out.
• Vacuum Floors: Vacuum floors to remove any overwintering insects that have died​

Inspect for Signs of Pest Activity

• Rodents: Droppings, gnaw marks, and chewed electrical wires are all signs of a rodent presence.
• Cockroaches: Keep an eye out for roach droppings in areas like cupboards and pantries. These resemble small, pepper-like flakes and signal roaches in the vicinity.
• Ants and Flies: The best way to identify ants and flies in your cottage is to spot these pests themselves. Look for ant trails and buzzing flies in the first few days​
• Wildlife and Bats: Holes in or around the exterior or on the roof indicate potential critter problems. If you see bats around the cottage, be sure to keep an eye out for bat bugs. These blood-feeding insects will feed on humans if the bats leave​

As you walk through your summer home, make a checklist of repairs that need to be done to maintain the integrity of the building – and keep pests out. From torn window screens and clogged gutters to attic vents and overgrown tree branches, it is important to check for any area that may be vulnerable to a pest infestation. For a full list of cottage to-do’s, download this quick tip sheet.

A little cleaning and maintenance during your first summer trip to the cottage can go a long way in defending against pests throughout the rest of the season. If you notice any pest activity, contact your local Orkin Canada about cottage pest control.