Free: Apiary Equipment

Honey spinner, wax knife, hive covers, landing bottoms, separator grates, sugar feeders etc. Has been stored inside for several years. No mites.

158A Pilkey Pt Rd by the red mailbox. Don’t be shy, take it all!

News Release: Bats on the Move

August 1, 2022

Click here for pdf. 

Are you noticing more bats around your house or property? You are not alone! Mid-summer is the time when landowners typically notice more bat activity, may have bats flying into their house, and occasionally find a bat on the ground or roosting in unusual locations. 

These surprise visitors are often the young pups. “In July and August, pups are learning to fly, and their early efforts may land them in locations where they are more likely to come in contact with humans“, says Rob Welsh, regional coordinator with the Thetis Island Got Bats? BC Community Bat Program. As noticed in 2021, heat and smoke may also cause bats to use unusual roost sites. 

If you find a bat, alive or dead, remember to never touch it with your bare hands. Bats in BC are known to carry rabies at a low level; this is why it is important to avoid any contact. If you must move a bat, use a trowel or similar, and always wear leather gloves to protect yourself from direct contact. Talk to your children to make sure they understand to never touch, play or try to rescue injured or sick-looking bats.  If you suspect a bite or scratch from a bat, immediately wash the area with soap and water for 15 minutes. Also contact your public health or your doctor as soon as possible, or go to the emergency department. For more information on rabies please refer to the BCCDC website http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/rabies.

Bats are often found in close association with humans, as some species (such as the Little Brown Myotis) have adapted to live in human structures, and colonies may be found under roofs or siding, or in attics, barns, or other buildings. Female bats gather in maternity colonies to have a single pup in early summer, where they will remain until the pups are ready to fly. Having bats is viewed as a benefit by many landowners, who appreciate the insect control. Others may prefer to exclude the bats. Under the BC Wildlife Act it is illegal to exterminate or directly harm bats, and exclusion should only be done in the fall and winter after it is determined that the bats are no longer in the building. If you have bats on your property, the BC Community Bat Project can offer advice and support. 

You can keep bats out of your living space by keeping doors and windows closed and ensuring window screens do not have any holes. If you find a live bat in a room of your home, open the window and close interior doors until the bat leaves, or follow the steps here: https://batworld.org/what-to-do-if-you-found_a_bat/#indoors . Always vaccinate your pets against rabies. 

For information on safely moving a bat if necessary and to report bat sightings, landowners can visit the Got Bats? BC Community Bat Program’s website (www.bcbats.ca), email Thetis@bcbats.ca , or call 1-855-9BC-BATS ext 12.  Call Rob Welsh direct at 250-246-1547 or email rmwelsh@telus.net.  The BC Community Bat Program is supported by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, the Forest Enhancement Society of BC, the Habitat Stewardship Program, the Government of BC, and Thetis Island Nature Conservancy. 

Photo captions: 

Photo1: Bats roosting in exposed locations, such as this bat on a screen door, can be left alone and will usually move on at dusk or after a few days. Photo: S. Surowy, Sea-Sky Community Bat Program.

Photo2: Baby bats, called pups, are born hairless, but soon grow fur, begin to fly, and may end up in surprising places. Always wear thick gloves if you must move a grounded bat and contact the BC Community Bat Program for guidance. Photo: Okanagan Bat Project

ThINC Nature House Week 6 Schedule - Aug 3-7

'Tis another busy week at the Nature House. For full details, see here: 

https://www.thetisislandnatureconservancy.org/single-post/nature-house-events-week-6-august-3-7

Wednesday, August 3
9:00 am start: Wednesday Wander at North Cove Beach (meet at the end of N Cove Road) (all ages)
2:00 - 4:00pm: Tea Time at the PAG, Lot 62, North Cove Road (all ages)

Thursday, August 4
9:00 - 11:00 Harvest Hours at the PAG - Parth widening!, Lot 62 North Cove Road (all ages)
2:00 pm start: Cyanotyping with Carol Swann at the Nature House (all ages)
7:00 pm start: Doc & Talk: Waste & Recycling at the Nature House (adult)

Friday, August 5
2:00 pm start: Junior Biologist - Sealightful - at the Nature House (kids 8-12)

Saturday, August 6
10:00 am start: Map the Portal with Liam Irwin at the Nature House (all ages)

Sunday, August 7
9:00 - 11:00 Harvest Hours at the PAG - Pruning!, Lot 62 North Cove Road (all ages)
2:00 - 4:00 Family Nature Afternoons at the Nature House - Snorkeling (all ages) 

Rainfall Stats: July 2022

Pet-friendly Vacation Accommodation on Thetis?

We frequently get requests here at Cufra Cliffs B&B from people wanting to come with their dog, and we always have to say no, as we have too many regular guests with pet allergies.  Is there anyone else on the island that either offers pet-friendly accommodation, or maybe would like to do dog-sitting occasionally?  (I would always ask first, of course!)  There are so few places now on our local business listings that I don't know what to suggest to these hopeful visitors-with-dogs. 

Please let me know if this is of interest.

veronicashelford@gmail.com or 250-246-1509

Riding Boots

Hello Islanders,

My daughter will be attending a horse riding camp next week and we are hoping to borrow riding boots in a ladies size 7 (or close).  Please call or text Andrea at 250-210-1785. Thanks!

For Sale

Four winter tires on rims 195/60R15H. 

14' aluminum boat with Evinrude 25 horsepower motor with steering wheel and trailer reduced to $1500.00
Sailboat Reduced to $48,000.00. 

Contact Genny or Ken Redman @ 250-210-3087

Jollity Weekly Order Reminder

As many of you may be attending the walk in Chemainus this morning, we will extend the order cut off for local mlk and yogurt to 5pm tonight. 

Submit your order here: https://www.jollityfarm.ca/order-form
Requests or questions to orders@jollityfarm.ca

Yard Sale on Sunday July 31st. from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at 59 Pilkey Point Road (Redman's)

Our grandchildren will be selling lemonade and cookies. Half of the proceeds for the yard sale and the lemonade stand will be going to cancer research for children. We will let everyone know how much we raised after the sale. 

Here are some of the items we will have for sale:  orbital sander, paint sprayer, contractors light, plumbing supplies, lawn chairs with cushions, duvets, glass carboys for wine making, happy light for seasonal affective disorder, a wide variety of speakers and stereo equipment, lawn chairs, shop vacuum, drill and more! 

We plan on selling the following items for under a dollar: dishes, canning jars, and other miscellaneous items. 

You can not pull into our driveway.  You will have to park at the end of the ferry line up or park along Pilkey Point Road between 59 and 60 Pilkey Point Road.

Genny and Ken Redman 

LIBRARY Open

Take a cool break!

Visit the library today between 1pm and 4pm!

Friends of the Library

Purple Air / Heat

Although the Purple Air air-quality monitor at the Thetis Island School is not functioning (the Cowichan Valley Airshed Leadership Committee and CVRD were informed of this), there are readings in the purple and red for Chemainus and Ladysmith right now due to the smoke haze that is also lying over our island.  Folks with compromised respiratory conditions should limit your outdoor activities.  

For this extended heat period remember to drink water BEFORE you feel thirsty.  If you need some respite from your overheated house, take advantage of visiting Forbes Hall when it is open.  They have air conditioning, including in the library.  

A good hint for your house…freeze bottles of water and place them in front of your fan to cool the moving air.

TIVFD

For Sale: (on the island)

one small desk, 2ft by 3.5ft, dark brown laminate, nothing fancy but good condition and useful. $30

two matched upholstered easy chairs, smallish proportions, bucket style, with castors, medium blue, excellent condition $30 each

one easy chair, larger, upholstered, button back, teal, excellent condition $50

three dining chairs, solid wood, rough condition but very serviceable and could easily be painted. 

Free

250 246 4099 

Rose