Pest Identification Guide
Ontario Pest Library
Not sure what you're dealing with? Browse every pest found in Ontario homes — learn the warning signs, what damage they cause, and exactly how we eliminate them.
Every Pest We Eliminate in Ontario
Click any pest to learn the signs, species found in Ontario, and the exact treatment process we use.
Ants
Spring–Fall PeakFrom common pavement ants to destructive carpenter ants — we treat the colony at the source, not just the stragglers you see on the surface.
Key signs:
- ✓Visible trails of ants along counters, walls, or baseboards
- ✓Small piles of sawdust or frass (carpenter ant sign)
- ✓Rustling sounds inside walls (large carpenter ant colonies)
Bed Bugs
Year-Round ThreatBed bugs don't respond to sprays from the hardware store. They hide in mattress seams, baseboards, and electrical outlets. We find every harborage site and eliminate them.
Key signs:
- ✓Small rust-coloured stains or specks on mattress seams and bedding
- ✓Itchy red welts in clusters or lines on skin — especially arms, neck, torso
- ✓Shed exoskeletons (tiny pale casings) near hiding spots
Mice & Rats
Fall–Winter PeakMice can enter through a gap the size of a dime. Our exclusion-first approach finds and seals every entry point — then eliminates what's already inside.
Key signs:
- ✓Droppings along walls, in cabinets, under sinks (dark, rice-sized pellets)
- ✓Gnaw marks on food packaging, wood trim, or wiring insulation
- ✓Scratching or scurrying sounds in walls or ceiling at night
Cockroaches
Year-Round ThreatIf you see one cockroach, there are dozens more hidden nearby. German cockroaches reproduce at alarming rates — professional treatment is the only reliable solution.
Key signs:
- ✓Sightings during the day — indicates severe overcrowding in the population
- ✓Musty, oily odour in kitchen or bathroom areas
- ✓Small dark droppings resembling ground pepper or coffee grounds
Wasps
May–October SeasonWasp nests grow from golf-ball to basketball size between spring and fall. Don't approach an active nest — one disturbance can trigger hundreds of simultaneous stings.
Key signs:
- ✓Visible nest — paper-like grey structure under eaves, in shrubs, or in the ground
- ✓High volume of wasp activity near a specific area of your home
- ✓Wasps entering and exiting a hole in the ground, soffit, or wall
Spiders
Late Summer–Fall PeakSpiders follow their food supply — if you have a spider problem, you likely have a broader insect issue. We treat both the spiders and their prey for lasting results.
Key signs:
- ✓Visible webs in corners, window frames, basement joists, and garage spaces
- ✓Large wolf spiders or fishing spiders visible on floors, especially at night
- ✓Egg sacs (small papery balls) attached to webs in undisturbed areas
Wildlife
Year-Round — Spring PeakRaccoons, squirrels, skunks, and birds can cause thousands of dollars in structural damage and create serious health risks. We remove them humanely and seal the entry to prevent their return.
Key signs:
- ✓Heavy thumping, scratching, or chittering sounds in attic or walls
- ✓Torn soffit, damaged fascia, or displaced roof vents (wildlife entry points)
- ✓Visible droppings in attic, near entry points, or around the property
Silverfish
Year-Round — Humidity-DrivenSilverfish feed on starch, paper, glue, and fabric. A small population can destroy irreplaceable documents, books, and clothing over time. They're rarely seen — but always present in larger numbers than you'd expect.
Key signs:
- ✓Irregular holes or yellow stains in books, magazines, and wallpaper
- ✓Small scales (shed exoskeletons) near bookshelves, cabinets, or baseboards
- ✓Seeing them at night in the bathroom or kitchen sink (they fall in and can't escape)
Mosquitoes
May–September SeasonWest Nile Virus and mosquito-borne illness are real risks in Ontario. Our seasonal mosquito control program reduces populations by up to 90% — so you can use your backyard again.
Key signs:
- ✓High mosquito activity around your property at dawn and dusk
- ✓Welts from multiple bites during or after outdoor time
- ✓Standing water in containers, gutters, low areas, or dense vegetation
Not Sure What You Have?
Common Ontario Pest Warning Signs
A few universal signs that mean it's time to call a professional — regardless of the pest type.
You see live pests during daytime
Most pests hide during daylight. Seeing them in the open usually means a heavy infestation.
Droppings or dark smears
Mouse droppings, cockroach smears, and bed bug fecal spots are all clear infestation signs.
Damaged wood or materials
Gnaw marks, sawdust piles, or soft wood can indicate carpenter ants, mice, or structural pests.
Unexplained musty odours
Mice, cockroaches, and bed bugs all emit distinctive odours — often the first sign you notice.
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