Pest control in Barrie

Barrie sits on the shore of Kempenfelt Bay, the deepest part of Lake Simcoe, and it gets real winters. Pests notice both. The water draws wasps and ants in summer. The cold sends mice and rats looking for a warm wall.

What pests are common in Barrie

Mice and rats in winter. When snow arrives, rodents move toward heated garages, basements and crawl spaces. Barrie homes with attached garages and finished basements offer easy shelter. See our pages on mice and rodent control.

Wasps by the water. The city has more than 5 km of waterfront with beaches, parks and a trail. Nests in hedges, eaves and sheds are common nearby. Learn about wasps.

Pests that travel from the cottage. Barrie is a gateway to cottage country. Boxes, bedding and firewood moved between a cottage and home can carry mice, ants and bed bugs along.

Bed bugs. They travel on luggage and used furniture, in any kind of home.

Homes in Barrie and what each tends to see

• Older neighbourhoods such as Allandale, on the south shore of the bay. Older foundations, porches and mature trees can give mice, ants and wasps shelter.
• Newer subdivisions. Fresh landscaping and builder gaps around garage doors and pipes can invite ants and mice.
• Homes near the bay. Damp air, shrubs and sheltered eaves suit wasps and ants.
• Apartments and townhouses. Shared walls let cockroaches and bed bugs spread between units.

Renting in Barrie: what the by-law says

Barrie’s Property Standards By-law 2011-138 has a section on pest prevention. A building must be kept reasonably free of rodents, vermin and insects at all times, and any extermination must follow Ontario’s Pesticides Act. Openings and holes that could let pests in must be screened or sealed. The by-law names chimneys, windows, doors, vents, pipe holes, cracks and floor drains.

The by-law also says occupants must exterminate insects, rodents or other pests within their own dwelling unit. That makes a written plan with your landlord important. The City responds to complaints rather than patrolling, so a complaint is how an issue is checked.

For bed bugs, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit advises tenants to contact the landlord and work out a plan together. It also says to hire a professional pest control service, and to tell the landlord right away if bugs are still seen after three weeks. See bed bug treatment.

Businesses in Barrie

Restaurants, shops, warehouses and offices need a steady plan, not a one-off visit. Read about commercial pest control.

Pests through the Barrie year

• October to March: Rodents move indoors and stay through the cold months.
• April to June: Ants wake up with spring warmth.
• July to September: Wasp nests are at their biggest, and waterfront patios get busy.

How to keep rodents out before winter

Do this in October, before the first hard freeze:

• Seal gaps around pipes, vents and cables with steel wool or metal mesh, then caulk
• Fit a sweep on the garage door
• Store pet food and birdseed in tight bins
• Move firewood away from walls
• Check the crawl space and the basement rim for holes

If you hear scratching at night or find droppings, wear gloves and a mask and dampen the droppings before cleaning. For anything more than a small amount, call for help. Our rodent control work includes finding the entry points.

Why wasps like the waterfront and cottage trips

Wasps look for sheltered spots near food and water. Boat sheds, deck rails, hedges and cottage eaves fit well. A nest can be small in June and the size of a basketball by late summer.

Leave it alone, and keep children and pets back. Ask about wasp nest removal.

Nearby cities

We also serve Richmond Hill and Vaughan.

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