Pest control in Pickering

Pickering sits between Lake Ontario and farmland. It has a coastal wetland at Frenchman’s Bay, older homes near the water and new neighbourhoods going up in the north. Each setting brings its own pest.

What pests are common in Pickering

Mice and rats near wetlands. Frenchman’s Bay is a coastal wetland that the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority treats as an Environmentally Significant Area. Wetlands and creek edges give rodents cover and food. When nights turn cold, nearby houses start to look like good shelter. See our pages on mice and rodent control.

Mice in new builds. Fresh subdivisions can surprise owners. Open ground nearby is being dug up, and small gaps around pipes, vents and garage doors give mice a way in before landscaping settles.

Bed bugs and cockroaches in shared buildings. They move through walls, pipes and hallways, so one unit’s problem becomes a floor’s problem. See bed bug treatment and cockroach control.

Ants in spring. Warm weather wakes colonies in lawns and foundations across the city.

Homes in Pickering and what each tends to see

• Bay Ridges and older lakeside streets. Mature homes with older foundations and gaps in siding suit mice. Damp wood suits carpenter ants.
• Seaton and Duffin Heights. The City lists active townhouse and subdivision applications here. Newer homes often have builder gaps and young landscaping, which can invite ants and mice.
• Pickering City Centre. The City describes a 55-acre mixed-use community with about 6,000 homes planned, and two condo towers under construction. High-density living means shared walls, shared garbage rooms and shared pest risk.

Condo towers and shared buildings

Treating one apartment is rarely enough. Insects travel along pipes and wall gaps. Good results need three things: report the problem early, let the treatment team in on the notice date, and follow the preparation list. Neighbours on both sides and above and below may need an inspection too. Your property manager can arrange that. Read our guide to bed bug treatment before the visit.

Renting in Pickering: what the by-law says

Pickering’s Property Standards By-law 7887/21 sets the baseline.

• All properties must be kept clean and free from termites, wood-eating insects, rodents, vermin and other pests, and from conditions that could harbour them.
• A building must be kept free of rodents and vermin at all times, and any extermination method must follow the law, including City by-laws.
• Openable windows in a dwelling unit must have screening that keeps insects out.

In plain terms, the owner of a rental is responsible for keeping pests out of it. If you rent, report the problem to your landlord in writing and keep a copy. For bed bugs, Durham Region tells tenants to talk to the landlord, building manager or a pest professional. If the landlord does not act, the Region points tenants to a legal clinic or the Landlord and Tenant Board.

Businesses in Pickering

Restaurants, shops, warehouses and offices need regular checks, not just a call after a sighting. Read about commercial pest control.

Pests through the Pickering year

• October to March: Rodents move indoors, especially near the wetland and creek edges.
• April to June: Ants wake up, and ant control is most useful.
• July to September: Wasps are most active, and nests are at their largest.

Why do mice get into new homes?

A mouse can squeeze through a gap about the width of a pencil. New homes have many small openings where pipes, wires and vents pass through walls. Seal gaps with steel wool and caulk, keep garage doors tight at the base and store pet food in lidded bins. If you hear scratching in the ceiling at night, call for help rather than waiting. Our rodent control work covers entry points as well as the animals.

Nearby cities

We also serve Ajax, Whitby and Scarborough.

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