Prevention Guide
Pest Prevention for Canadian Homes
Season-by-season tips to keep your home pest-free. Prevention is always cheaper than extermination.
🌱
Spring
March – May
🐜
Carpenter Ants
Inspect foundation for ant trails
Remove wood debris near the house
Trim branches touching the roof
Fix moisture issues in walls
🐭
Mice
Seal gaps larger than 6mm around pipes
Install door sweeps on exterior doors
Clear clutter in garage and basement
Store birdseed in sealed metal containers
☀️
Summer
June – August
🐝
Wasps & Hornets
Check eaves and decks weekly for new nests
Keep garbage bins tightly sealed
Avoid leaving sugary drinks outside
Use wasp traps early in the season
🐛
Bed Bugs (travel)
Inspect hotel mattress seams before unpacking
Keep luggage on hard surfaces, not beds
Wash all travel clothes in hot water immediately
Use a flashlight to check headboards
🍂
Fall
September – November
🐀
Mice & Rats
Inspect all exterior entry points before frost
Install steel wool in pipe gaps
Move firewood 6m from the house
Clean up fallen fruit and bird feeders
🕷️
Spiders
Seal cracks around windows and doors
Switch to yellow exterior bulbs (less attractive to insects)
Remove webs regularly
Reduce clutter in storage areas
❄️
Winter
December – February
🪳
Cockroaches
Keep kitchen spotlessly clean
Fix any water leaks immediately
Don't leave pet food out overnight
Vacuum regularly behind appliances
🦝
Raccoons & Wildlife
Secure attic vents with hardware cloth
Cap chimney with a wildlife-proof cap
Remove pet food before dark
Check for tracks in snow near foundation
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