Thinking about buying a home in the Ottawa area?
Avoiding Lyme: Ticks are Coming
The mild weather is beginning, and as we all rejoice at the ending of winter, it is time to consider what this mild weather brings with it. The springtime thaw encourages the little menaces known as ticks, to make their way back out into the world. Ticks are a major carrier of Lyme disease and are a risk for humans and animals alike. There are a few important things to remember when it comes to ticks, and what you need to do about them.
Horses:
Ticks are carriers of several diseases that can affect our equine partners, however, the most commonly discussed is Lyme disease. Horses can be vaccinated for Lyme disease, so it is important to discuss this option with your veterinarian when it comes time to do your spring shots. Ticks are blind and detect animals by ammonia. They wait on long blades of grass and climb onto their host as they walk. Some ticks will attach to the horse immediately, while others will search for the area where the skin is thinner. It is most likely that you will find ticks on a horse’s chest, underbelly, mane, tail, or inside the flank. Once a tick is attached, it appears as a small, firm nodule on the skin.
It is essential to check your horse for ticks frequently. You can purchase a tool called a tick key at most hardware stores, as well as equine outlets. This tool is very beneficial in helping remove ticks once you have located them. You want to be sure that the tick is killed once it is removed, to avoid it attaching to anyone else. You want to remove the tick immediately when you find them and be sure not to twist the tick as that can cause the head to become detached and harder to remove. There are certain repellents that can be effective against ticks to help minimize the number that may attach to your horse. You can also clear brush from pastures as that is commonplace for ticks to live. Animals like guinea fowl actually eat ticks, as well as free-range chickens.
Dogs:
Taking your dog out for a walk is a great outdoor activity in the warmer seasons, but it is crucial to remember that ticks can bite and infect your dog, just as they can with horses and humans. Ticks can be encountered anywhere, although it is most common in wooded areas and tall grass. Anytime you take your dog outside, it is important to check for ticks when they come back inside. Not only can ticks transmit diseases to your dog, but they can also transfer from one host to another. This means that your dog can carry ticks into your home that can bite you.
It is good practice to check your dog for ticks every time they return from being outdoors. You can check for ticks by feeling along with your dog, any parting the fur to check any firm nodule you encounter. You can use tweezers or a tick key to remove a tick from your dog. Check with your veterinarian about any tick repellent products that can be used on your dog to help keep tick risk lower. If you do remove a tick from your dog that is engorged, you should mark down the date that you removed the tick and monitor your dog in case any symptoms of tickborne diseases arise. This will allow you to have a timeline should you need to take your dog to the vet. Save the tick in a sealed container or plastic bag so you can have the veterinarian identify if your dog exhibits any unusual symptoms.
Humans:
Ticks pose a big threat to humans as they are the main carrier of Lyme disease. They can attach to humans who are outside in wooded areas, or long grass, as well as transfer from one host to another (such as from your dog to you). It is important to ALWAYS check yourself for ticks after you have been outside, and check your children for ticks if they have been playing in the grass etc. Some ticks are immature and incredibly small, so it is crucial to take your time to ensure you find and remove any ticks that may have attached.
If you find a tick that has freshly bitten and hung onto you, you should remove it immediately and wash the bite with warm water and soap. If you have a tick that has burrowed and you cannot remove it, you should seek medical assistance from your doctor. If you begin to develop symptoms of a tick-related illness in 3-30days following a bite, track your symptoms and schedule an appointment with your doctor. Symptoms of tick-related illnesses include; fever, body aches and joint pain, and a rash. A “bulls-eye rash” is the most common rash associated with tick bites, it is usually round and continues to get bigger following the bite.
At times, your public health unit may ask to have the tick tested to monitor where ticks live. In this case, you can place the tick in a secure, sealed container or plastic bag. Tick testing is not used to diagnose Lyme disease in humans.
The key to tick prevention and management is to be diligent in checking yourself, and your animals for ticks. You can help minimize the number of ticks on your property by clearing brush piles, ridding your property of other animals who may carry ticks (such as deer), and maintaining your grass and wooded areas. There are products that can be used to help repel ticks on humans, and animals if needed. Another effective method of preventing tick bites on yourself and your family is to cover up using long pants/shirts that are tucked in, and close-toed shoes. It is also recommended to wear light coloured clothing, as it would be easier to spot a tick on your clothing. Be sure to change your clothes when you return from being outdoors to avoid any loose ticks entering your home and kill any ticks that might be on your clothing by putting your clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes.
Tick season doesn’t need to cause you to minimize your outdoor activities. By being diligent with yourself, your family, and your animals when checking for ticks, you can minimize the negative effects of tick season and continue to enjoy your time outside!
Sellers Resources
Tiny Homes Provide Great Options for Homeowners
Tiny Homes provide great options for homeowners Tiny Homes can be a great addition for homeowners, especially those looking for an extra means of income. A tiny home, also known as a coach house, is a small free-standing apartment, detached from the principal dwelling but located on the same lot. Coach houses are intended to bring more density to established neighbourhoods without negatively impacting community spaces. This increase in neighbourhood density would naturally increase the number of affordable homes. The regulations concerning Tiny Homes vary from one municipality to another. Note: the following information is specifically regarding Tiny Homes in Ottawa. The Advantages of a Coach Home Building a Coach Home on your pre-existing lot can have countless advantages. The initial advantage is the extra means of income. The additional dwelling is connected to both city water and sewer lines through the primary residence. This means no new connections are required. Note, Tiny Homes don’t necessarily need to be a newly built structure. Accessory structures such as garages or sheds can also be converted into coach homes, as long as all building requirements are met. If having an extra income doesn’t lure you in, perhaps your in-laws are looking to downsize but your home just isn’t big enough to accommodate them. Tiny homes allow family members to reside close, while ensuring everyone has their own space and independence. Eligibility The rules and regulations concerning Tiny Homes vary from municipality to municipality. In Ottawa, not all lots meet the requirements for the addition of a coach home. In general, lots can accommodate a Tiny Home if the following requirements are met: The lot is serviced by municipal water and sewer lines, or if the lot is in a rural area, it is 0.4 hectares or larger and is serviced by a private well and septic system. The lot contains a detached, semi-detached, duplex or townhouse dwelling. Note, the requirements for a Tiny Home located on a lot where the primary dwelling is a rowhouse, the coach house must have direct pedestrian access to a public road. The pathway provided must be 1.2 metres wide. The primary dwelling unit does not already contain a secondary dwelling unit such as a basement apartment, garden suite or any rooming units. Other Important factors Other requirements, such as preserving mature trees and integrating with the urban context of the homes located in proximity must also be respected while building your Tiny Home. It’s important to note, coach homes must meet both size requirements and height restrictions. These regulations vary from one lot to another. Overall, coach homes must be smaller than the principal residence and not accede 40% of the main dwelling. As for height restrictions, urban areas must not exceed 3.6 metres in height, while certain rural lots allow for the possibility of a two story coach home. To ensure your lot meets the requirements implemented by the city of Ottawa, contact a Development Information Officer (DIO) to further evaluate your lot. Development Information Officers can be reached by simply dialling 3-1-1. Coach Homes can be a great asset to any lot, especially in cities like Ottawa where the need for affordable housing is always in high demand.
Summer Festivals
Summer Festivals Summer festivals are a great way to ensure you take full advantage of everything the season has to offer. The great thing about summer festivals, especially the ones in the west end of Ottawa, is that there is a large variety of events. This means, everyone is sure to find a festival that suits their interests. Here are 5 of the most popular festivals that take place in the west end of the city. Note the list also includes a rural festival, the Almonte fair. Escaping the city’s hustle and bustle can be fun all on its own. West End Food Truck Rally - August 10th 2019 - Christ Church Bells Corners What’s better than a fun event that supports a great cause? We agree, nothing’s better! This event has more than 10 food trucks that serve both sweet and savoury foods in support of The FAMSAC Food Cupboard. Enjoy great music, family friendly activities and entertainment while munching on some great food. Westboro Fuse- August 17th and 18th 2019 - Westboro Neighbourhood This festival is essentially a weekend long block party that showcases live music, family friendly-activities and great food. It’s sure to have you enjoying the modern vibe Westboro has to offer all while spending time in the sun. Folk Festival Birthday Picnic at Britannia Park - August 25th 2019 Britannia Park is a beautiful family activity all on its own but the Birthday picnic means you don’t have to plan lunches, or snacks or even activities. Join your community for this family friendly Birthday Picnic to celebrate the exact 25th anniversary of the first Ottawa Folk Festival. This will be a family favourite, with beautiful views for the adults and lots of activities for the kids. Bridge Street Summer Festival -August 3rd - Carleton Place This year’s theme is everything Motown! Seven bands will be performing various songs all in line with the overall theme. The festival doesn’t stop at live music, family friendly fun takes place all day long. Local shops also set up booths along the street while food vendors offer tons a yummy options to snack on. Almonte Fair- July 19th, 20th and 21st 2019 - Almonte Summer festivals like the Almonte fair add variety by offering events that tend to take place in the fall months. The Almonte fair has demo derbies to wrestling competition. Enjoy local food vendors and other more rural family activities. Whatever your interests may be, summer festivals are always a good choice when planning your time off, especially seeing the kids aren’t in school and the weather is beautiful. Just be sure to remember all the summer essentials like sunblock, water bottles and your favourite ball-cap to ensure you can enjoy all the festival has to offer.
How To Boost Your Curb Appeal This Fall
How To Boost Your Curb Appeal This Fall The cooler air is here and before we know it, the leaves will begin to change. Fall is a season of transition as we (and the world around us) prepare for the winter months ahead but this is no reason to assume that curb appeal doesn’t matter. If you have your home listed this fall, it’s important to remember the importance of first impressions. Ensure that your home looks its best inside and out. Keep Lawns Clean and Maintained Although you may not need to get the mower out every week, depending on the weather, the grass does still grow throughout the fall. Make sure that your lawn remains well kept and that you mow it when necessary. It’s also important to clean up any debris including leaves and garbage to ensure that everything is in top shape for buyers. Sweep the Front Step This may seem like a little detail but it can make all the difference as someone is walking up to your home. A front step that is neatly swept gives off the impression of a pride of ownership that is likely carried through the entire home. Bring in Fall Decor Adding some fall decor and plants to your front step can brighten up the space and provide a pop of colour. Consider including pumpkins and gourds in the weeks leading up to Halloween. Mums also look great in front of any home and do very well in the colder weather of fall. Paint the Front Door Even if you don’t have time to take on the whole front of your house, painting the front door can really freshen things up. Consider adding some colour to your home by painting the door a contrasting colour to the rest of your home. Red, yellow, and blue are all popular colours for front doors right now. Trim the Trees Fall is a great time of year to trim your trees. If your trees are growing too close to your home or driveway, it’s important to get them cut back. It’s also important to look for dead and broken branches and to get them taken care of as soon as possible as they may pose a safety risk. If you are not comfortable with heights or a chainsaw, it is always best to hire a professional. Clean the Windows Summer can be a very season. Dry weather can mean lots of dust and this ultimately finds its way to the windows. Make sure that all your windows are cleaned inside and out to ensure the best views of your now ready to list property!
Stay Up To Date
Receive the latest listings, real estate news and information on upcoming events.
LAURA HILLARY
Sales Representative
Office: 613-755-2278 Cell: 613-552-0582