Blue-Green Algae Blooms Continue to Pose Threat to Ontario’s Lakes
Blue-green algae were widely reported last year among several Ontario locations including Lake Nipissing and the French River. Not all algae are toxic but here are some tips to learn what to look for and what to do if you find it.
Algae can attach itself to rocks or can be free-floating. There are thousands of species that require nutrients and light, growing best in the warmth and is essential to our ecosystem. An excessive growth of one or more species can create a bloom. While they are less likely to occur in deep lakes with lower phosphorus levels, they can occur in shallow bays and backwaters on any lake. Algae blooms can affect the appearance of water, reduce water clarity and result in unpleasant tastes and odors. It can colour the water brown, yellow, red or green and deplete oxygen levels. Blue-green algae may produce toxins that can affect the health of people, pets and livestock. Symptoms can include fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain and nausea or vomiting. Common reactions can also be itchy irritated eyes or skin through activities such as swimming, boating or water skiing.
Report an algae bloom if you see dense blue-green algae making the water appear like pea soup or solid clumps within large blooms. Fresh blooms can smell like newly mown grass and older ones like rotting garbage. It’s extremely important to report if you suspect an algae bloom and you can do so by calling the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) Spills Action Center at 1-800-268-6060.
Natural Solutions for Common Household Pests
ANTS: Ants hate cucumbers. Spread some cucumber peels (the more bitter the better) around entry points where ants enter your home to create a natural barrier. You can also squeeze some lemon juice into any openings you think they might be utilizing. Other natural barriers include garlic (grind with water and apply), cayenne pepper, cinnamon, powdered charcoal, bone meal, talcum powder and chalk. Mix equal parts confectioner’s sugar and Borax and sprinkle at entry points or where they are congregating. Wash counters with equal parts vinegar and water to detract ants. Put picnic table legs in small pans of water to keep ants off table.
FLEAS: Finely ground rosemary leaves sprinkled on pets bedding helps prevent fleas from laying eggs in bedding.
FLIES: Put something very sweet in the bottom of a narrow necked bottle such as a wine bottle to trap household flies. Make your own flypaper by boiling water, corn syrup and sugar and spreading the mixture on paper grocery bags.
FRUIT FLIES: They are particularly attracted to wine, so fill a saucer with the cheap stuff and add a little dish soap. Attract them to the saucer and not your wineglass.
GNATS, FLIES & MOSQUITOES: Plant basil around your outdoor living areas. Water it well before you expect to be out to enhance the aroma and help repel these pests. You can also crush the basil and rub it on your skin as a natural repellent Catnip and marigolds also repels mosquitoes
MOTHS: Cloves work as a repellent and you can also create a water trap by placing a night light over a basin of water, with a touch of detergent in it.
SNAILS: Natural barriers that repel snails include sand, lime, copper or ashes.
SLUGS: Leave out a bowl of beer and the slugs will crawl into it and perish.
SOWBUGS: Cut small hole in base of small plastic container with lid and place 2 tbsp cornmeal inside to create a trap.
WASPS: Make wasp traps by making a hole in the lid of an empty milk or juice jug and half fill it with sugar water or sugar syrup. These can be hung from branches outside to keep wasps away form your outdoor seating or dining area. If having a BBQ, try using bits of beef liver hung from trees. Believe it or not, wasps are as attracted to the smell of cooking meat, as they are to sugary treats. To make a wasp spray, fill a spray bottle or squirt gun with 2 tbsp of unscented baby shampoo, 1 tbsp peppermint oil and 2 cups water.
NATURAL BUG PREDATORS: Keep your yard bird friendly, as they are wonderful natural bug controllers. Frogs are nocturnal feeders and consume huge quantities. Dragonflies also feed on flying insects, especially mosquito larvae. Ladybugs, Centipedes Praying Mantis and spiders are also great consumers of pesky insects. Wasps are usually insect predators as well. Bats are also great consumers of insects and mosquitoes so consider putting up a bat house.
LTCA ANNUAL MEETING 2012
Country Cabins and Campground
Sunday, August 5, 9:30 a.m.
Hosts: Rick and Marie Gater
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LAKE TALON News
Working Together Today To Ensure An Enjoyable Tomorrow Summer 2012ISSUE 14
LAKE TALON
Conservation Association
185 Talon Lake Road
Rutherglen, ON P0H 2EO
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President’s Message
Hello Everyone,
Spring has arrived and it’s time for residents both seasonal and permanent to “open up the cottage”. This usually involves a variety of activities from cleaning to minor repairs, checking the BBQ grill, getting the boats and ATV’s serviced, putting docks in, raking the yard and many others, all in anticipation of enjoying another fabulous summer on the lake.
For those of you who may be contemplating semi-retirement on Lake Talon and need to keep in touch with the rest of the world, how would you like to have access to 4G high speed internet? In one of FOCA’s latest email communications, they refer to a company called xplornet, which advertises service to all of rural Ontario. They can be contacted at xplornet.com or toll free 1-866-461-6001. Imagine, no more painful dial-up!
Since we are a conservation association, just a reminder that it is all of our responsibilities to watch over and look after the lake. Have a safe and memorable summer.
Mike Wilson
2011: Largest Fire Season in 50 Years
The year 2011 will go done in the books as one of the worst for forest fires in recent history. Because of a mild winter with little snowfall, the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) predicts that the 2012 summer season has the potential to rival 2011 for forest fires. Last year 1,087 fires scorched more than 629,000 hectares in the province.
Just to give you an idea of how massive the scope of these fires was, AFFES reports that at the peak of their efforts last year, they employed more than 2,000 individuals (approx. 570 from out of province), 21 water bombers, 96 helicopters and thousands of pieces of equipment to combat the fires in Ontario. Hot, dry weather and windy weather combined with many lightening storms were the major factors in the large number of fires last year.
Jim Murphy, Provincial Partnerships and Agreements Advisor for AFFES is encouraging cottage and homeowners alike to implement the FireSmart programand to be proactive in fire safety. He states that if the FireSmart guidelines are followed within the 10 m. zone on your property, it can greatly increase the probability of success with property and value protection.
Since the first line of defense starts with us, the property owners and stakeholders, being proactive is the best policy. Visit the FOCA website at to learn more about how you can protect yourself, your family and your property.
Since LTCA has fire fighting equipment available it’s also advisable to be aware of where the equipment is and whom you need to contact for help. Some of the smaller associations on the lake may also have their own fire plans, so talk to your neighbours and be aware of what resources are available.
To report a forest fire in northern Ontario call
310-FIRE (3473)
In Southern Ontario call 911 or your local fire department
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Many Thanks
LTCA would not exist without the volunteers that make it work. We owe them all a debt of gratitude for ensuring our gorgeous Lake Talon remains just that. From the founders of the association all the way down to the newest members of the executive, the focus of LTCA has always been protecting our beloved lake. Our volunteers handle everything from lake stewardship and water quality testing, to investigating land use issues, monitoring forestry activity, balancing books, supervising students and administrative support. Consider volunteering today!
We welcome a new volunteer this year, Larry Lanctot, who will be supervising our summer student conservationists. We also thank Alex Matson for his service in this capacity last year.
Thanks also, to our camp operators on the lake, Country Cabins and Campground, Lake Talon Campground and Camp Conewango, who continue to support LTCA by hosting our annual meetings on a rotating basis. Rick and Marie Gater of Country Cabins and Campground will be our hosts this year. Rick Gater and Dave and Nancy Humphries of Lake Talon Camp are on the executive of LTCA. Dave and Nancy also donate a portion of their gas sales to LTCA every year and we thank them for their continuing support.
Please consider supporting these businesses as they support us. They all have a wide variety of services to offer and how nice to be able to run a quick errand by boat rather than have to drive to town on a gorgeous sunny day!
To visit the LTCA website go to:
or email us at:
Any feedback or suggestions you may have regarding LTCA can be directed via the above email address. Please feel free to add your input. Volunteers are always welcome and encouraged.
If you have not attended an LTCA meeting, we would certainly encourage you to attend our annual meeting,Sunday, August 5, 9:30 a.m. at Country Cabins and Campground. To ensure the health of our lake for generations to come, everyone’s support and participation is necessary. When many work together, the work load of all is lessened, so come on out, find out what we’re all about and meet some wonderful people who all share the common interest of a healthy Lake Talon.
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