November 2023 Newsletter
https://bit.ly/KWEFNov2023Newsletter
Included in this issue:
Living with Beavers
Light Pollution
Septic Safe Products
Living with Beavers
The North American Beaver (Castor canadensis) is a keystone species in our forested ecosystems, playing a pivotal role by creating wetland habitat upon which many species of animals, birds and insects depend.
As a landowner, you have two choices when dealing with beavers on your property: share your property by learning how to co-exist with beavers, or take steps to remove them.
Sharing Your Property: Prevention
- Select species of trees & plants that are not favoured by beavers and place those you care about away from known beaver trails to limit losses. Beavers avoid conifer trees such as Red and White Pine, White and Black Spruce, and Hemlock.
- Plant poplar and other fast-growing species favoured by beavers within easy reach of the beavers to provide food and building material into the future. Preferred tree species include alder, aspen, apple, birch, cherry, cottonwood, poplar and willow. Aspen/poplar and cottonwood are their favorite. If the supply of their preferred trees is low, they will harvest oaks and some maples.
- Protect your trees: wrap individual trees in metre high galvanized welded wire fencing, heavy mesh hardware cloth, or a few layers of chicken wire.
Removing Beavers
Removing beavers tends to be a short-term fix as other beavers may migrate into the empty habitat as long as conditions are ideal for occupation. If trapping is combined with dam removal, beavers may be discouraged from populating the site for a year or two.
Live trapping beavers should be done by a trained professional to ensure that the entire family is caught and relocated unharmed in suitable habitat. However, beavers are territorial animals and if the trapped beavers are relocated into an area already occupied, then the established beavers will likely attack and kill the relocated family.
Lethal trapping must be done by a licensed trapper (unless you are a farmer) and will usually be carried out in the winter during the open season for trapping. Contact the MNR for a list of licensed trappers in Parry Sound-Muskoka.
Beaver dam removal requires planning and it is recommended that you consult with the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry about procedures and permit requirements. A landowner may remove a beaver dam only to protect their property. Removal of beaver dams may negatively affect fish and fish habitat by de-watering the upstream pond, stranding fish and releasing sediment and large volumes of water downstream. If you remove a dam, you may be held liable for any property damage that occurs downstream due to your actions.
For further information, please follow this link: https://www.kwef.ca/resources/livingwithwildlife
Light Pollution
Our night-time starry skies are disappearing – and the culprit is light pollution and the proliferation of white-light LED fixtures, which are marketed as low energy and cheap - attributes that promote outdoor lighting where previously there was none. LED fixtures consume so little energy compared to the older incandescent lights that many cottagers leave them on all night and even when their cottage is vacant. What was once a dark countryside has now become illuminated.
Does this matter? Yes! All life on Earth has relied on the earth’s night and day cycle. It is encoded in the DNA of all plants and animals. Over time, humans have disrupted that cycle by way of the creation of artificial light. Research has shown that artificial light has negative if not deadly effects on plants and wildlife. Many insects are drawn to light, but artificial lights can create a fatal attraction. Declining insect populations negatively impact all species that rely on insects for food or pollination. Nocturnal mammals sleep in the day and are active at night. Light pollution disrupts their nighttime environment.
Whether used for landscaping or waterfront “enhancement”, outdoor lighting changes the night environment and disrupts the ecology of wildlife. It also undermines the enjoyment for those who may prefer the natural night they can’t get in the city.
How Can You Help to Contribute to Darker Skies?
1. Ensure All Light Fixtures Have a Clear Purpose. When installing a light fixture, ask yourself, why am I putting a light fixture in this location? How does this impact the environment and wildlife? Will this light fixture impact my neighbours?
2. Only Direct Light Where it is Intended to Go. Ensure that your light is illuminating a walking path or patio area and does not shine outwards or upwards.
3. Only Keep Lights on When Absolutely Necessary. If you are not at your property and have no intention of arriving after dark, keep all of your lights off. This goes for indoor lights as well, if they are not in use or serve no purpose, turn them off. Use motion sensors, timers and “smart lights”.
4. Only Use Necessary Brightness for Each Light. If lights are on after dark, install dimmers so that the brightness can be reduced to only what is required.
5. Always Use 'Warmer' Coloured Bulbs. Amber will reduce the impact of glare and will also attract fewer mosquitoes.
Source: FOCA & Township of Muskoka Lakes
How to Make DIY Septic Safe Products
Because your septic tank relies on bacteria for the liquifying of organic waste, it is in your best interest to only use products that are septic safe.
Most commercial cleaning products are made from toxic and harsh chemicals [such as surfactants, quats (quaternary ammonium compounds) and hydrochloric acid], that can either inhibit or even kill the helpful bacteria in the septic tank and then go on to contaminate ground water.
You can either use DIY septic safe products, or you can purchase readymade biological cleaning products. A biological cleaning product is essentially a live solution packed full of biodegradable surfactants, water and most importantly, 100% natural and safe bacteria. An internet search of “organic cleaning products Canada” will result in many effective ready-made products.
Here are some DIY septic safe products.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
½ cup of baking soda ½ teaspoon of tea tree essential oil (or any other pure organic oil)
1 cup of white vinegar
Mix all the ingredients in a clean and dry spray bottle. Once the ingredients have mixed properly, spray the inside of your bowl and allow several minutes before scrubbing the inside of the bowl with a brush. If there are stubborn stains, add ¼ cup more baking soda to the vinegar and re-apply.
Drain Cleaner
½ cup of baking soda 1 cup of white vinegar 1 gallon of boiling water ½ a lemon
Pour the baking soda down the drain followed by the vinegar, allow a few minutes for the mixture to foam in the system and then add the boiling water. You can use this drain cleaning hack once a week to keep your drain clog-free.
Bath and Tile Cleaner
There are three different natural remedies that you can use.
1. Baking soda – Sprinkle some baking soda and rub with the damp sponge. Rinse it off thoroughly with clean water
2. Vinegar –Use ¼ cup of vinegar for every 4 liters of water but you can increase the amount of vinegar if you encounter stubborn stains.
3. Lemon – you can also rub the problem area with lemon, rinse it well with water and dry it with a soft and clean cloth.
Laundry Detergent
Washing soda Natural unscented Bar soap
Grate your bar soap or mix it in the food processor. Once this is done, mix 2 parts of washing soda with 1 part of grated soap and then store the mixture in a closed container. Use 2 tablespoons to ¼ of a cup for every load of laundry.
Source: Bio-Sol.ca