Pest Identification Guide

The house mouse is the most common rodent in Montreal homes. It can squeeze through openings as small as a dime.

The Norway rat is a large rodent that colonizes basements and sewers in Montreal. Highly intelligent, it quickly adapts to control methods.

The bed bug is a parasitic insect that feeds on human blood during sleep. Montreal is one of the most affected cities in Canada.

Cockroaches are extremely resilient nocturnal insects. They reproduce quickly and can infest an entire building within weeks.

The carpenter ant excavates galleries in wood to establish its nest. It can cause significant structural damage to Montreal buildings.

Wasps are aggressive flying insects that build their nests near homes. Their stings can cause severe allergic reactions.

The house fly carries numerous bacteria. A fly infestation often indicates a hygiene issue or a source of decomposing organic matter.

Fleas are small parasitic insects that feed on the blood of pets and humans. They reproduce very quickly in carpets and bedding.

Carpet beetles are small insects whose larvae feed on natural fibers, leather, wool and feathers. They cause significant damage to clothing and carpets.

The earwig is recognizable by the pincers at the rear of its body. Contrary to legend, it doesn't crawl into ears. It enters homes through cracks, especially in dry weather.

The brown field ant nests outdoors in soil, lawns and under slabs, but enters homes seeking sweet food. Very common in Quebec during summer.

The black field ant builds large outdoor nests and can form very populous colonies. It invades patios, walkways and enters homes in summer.

The cluster fly seeks to overwinter inside homes from fall onward. It accumulates in large numbers in attics, walls and window frames, and reappears on mild winter days and in spring.

Spiders are generally harmless and useful as they eat other insects. However, a significant infestation often indicates the presence of other pests.

The house centipede is a common arthropod in Montreal basements. Although frightening in appearance, it is harmless and feeds on other harmful insects.

Woodlice are terrestrial crustaceans that need moisture to survive. Their presence indoors indicates a moisture or water infiltration problem.

Raccoons often invade attics and sheds across Greater Montreal to give birth in spring. Highly dexterous, they open garbage cans and damage attic insulation.

Grey and red squirrels enter attics and walls of Montreal and Laval homes to nest. They gnaw on insulation, wood and electrical wires.

Skunks are common in Montreal, Laval and South Shore suburbs. They dig burrows under decks and sheds, and their spray can contaminate a property for weeks.

Groundhogs dig deep burrows that can compromise foundations, decks and sheds. They devastate vegetable gardens in Repentigny, Lachenaie and new developments on the North Shore.