Frequently asked questions before calling an exterminator

It depends mostly on the pest, the size of the problem and the number of visits. An accessible wasp nest and a bed bug infestation in an apartment building have nothing in common. Inspection fees are sometimes charged separately and then deducted from the treatment. The pricing page lists observed ranges by pest, with their sources.

Products used in Canada must be registered by Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency, and their label sets the conditions of use. The technician must tell you in writing how long to wait before using treated rooms again, and what to do about aquariums, birds or toys. If it is not specified, ask.

It is the certificate Quebec's Ministry of the Environment requires to apply pesticides in pest management. It is valid for five years and, since January 1, 2025, renewal requires at least ten accredited training credits. You can ask to see it before work begins.

In Quebec, the landlord must keep the dwelling in good habitable condition, and the tenant must notify the landlord promptly of an infestation. In most cases, the landlord therefore arranges treatment, and the tenant's cooperation with preparation is essential to the result. If there is a disagreement, the Tribunal administratif du logement can be involved. This is general information, not legal advice.

For a wasp nest, usually one. For bed bugs and cockroaches, two or three visits a few weeks apart, because eggs often survive the first pass. For rodents, an installation followed by at least one check-up visit. The planned number must be written in the quote.

No. They can pinch, stain walls and smell when crushed, but they do not transmit disease. Vacuum them rather than crushing them. In towns surrounded by farmland, like Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu or Saint-Constant, the real fix is sealing openings before the end of September.

No. Bats are protected in Quebec: they are excluded from a building with one-way exits, outside the period when the young cannot fly yet. If a person may have had contact with a bat, call Info-Santé 811.

Several municipalities in the region regulate outdoor pesticide use by by-law, on top of provincial rules. The exterminator must follow your town's rules, and you can read the by-law on your municipality's website.

Partly. Montérégie is one of the Quebec regions where public health closely monitors the black-legged tick, which carries Lyme disease. Clearing vegetation, mowing and limiting wooded areas near the house reduce the risk; a yard treatment is possible, but it complements these measures rather than replacing them.

For a residual treatment, you are usually asked to stay out of treated rooms for a few hours. For a heat treatment against bed bugs, the home is empty for the day of treatment. The exact time depends on the product and must be given to you in writing.