Whatever's in the walls, we've inspected it before.
Ten of the most common pests reported across British Columbia homes and businesses — how to spot them early, and what we actually do about them.
Rats / Mice
Rodents don't stay where you first spot them. A single mouse in the attic usually means a nest, and rats will chew through wiring, insulation, and stored food while they're at it. We specialize in rat and mouse control for residential and commercial properties across BC, and every job starts with a full inspection — roof, crawlspace, and attic included — before we decide on treatment.
- Droppings near food, in cupboards, or along baseboards
- Gnaw marks on wood, wiring, or food packaging
- Scratching or scurrying in walls and ceilings at night
- Greasy rub marks along walls where rodents travel
Ants
Pavement, pharaoh, and carpenter ants are the most common species we see in BC, and they don't stay small for long — a colony can make room for itself inside a wall void or under a slab in a matter of weeks. Summer is peak season, and an active trail often means the first sign of something bigger, including other pests drawn in behind them.
- Visible trails between a food or water source and an entry point
- Small piles of dirt, sawdust, or wood shavings (carpenter ants)
- Winged ants appearing indoors, a sign of a maturing colony
Silverfish
Silverfish are small, about half an inch, with a distinctive silver-grey upper skin and a fast, wriggling movement. They thrive in moisture, which means bathrooms, kitchens, and basements are their usual starting point — and once established, they'll happily move into paper, books, and stored fabric nearby.
- Small yellowish stains or irregular holes in paper, wallpaper, or fabric
- Fine, pepper-like droppings near baseboards or in drawers
- Sightings at night in damp rooms — bathrooms, laundry, basements
Bedbugs
Bedbugs are small, flat, reddish-brown parasites that feed solely on the blood of people and animals while they sleep. Wingless and 1–7mm long, they can survive several months without a meal, which is exactly why they're difficult to get rid of on your own — and why a proper inspection matters more than the treatment itself.
- Small rust or reddish stains on sheets and mattress seams
- Itchy bite marks in a line or cluster, usually on exposed skin
- A musty, sweetish odor in heavily infested rooms
- Shed skins or tiny pale eggs along mattress and headboard seams
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are a genuine health concern in both homes and commercial kitchens, spreading bacteria across every surface they cross. We offer a complete action plan to remove them for good — not just knock the visible population back — because a few survivors is all it takes to start the problem over again.
- Droppings resembling coffee grounds or small pepper flecks
- A persistent musty, oily odor in kitchens or utility areas
- Egg capsules (oothecae) in cracks, cupboards, or behind appliances
- Sightings at night when lights are switched on
Fleas
If you have pets, fleas are one of the most common calls we get. They're a universal pest affecting all warm-blooded animals, from bats and birds to the family cat or rabbit — and once they're established in carpet or bedding, they'll happily bite people too, especially around the ankles.
- Pets scratching, biting, or grooming excessively
- Small dark specks ("flea dirt") in pet bedding or carpet
- Small itchy bites clustered around the ankles and lower legs
Wasps
A high number of wasps near your home or garden is usually a sign of a nest close by, and wasp nests are genuinely dangerous to handle yourself — a disturbed colony can swarm fast. We locate and remove nests safely, whether they're hanging under an eave, tucked into a tree, or built inside a wall void.
- A visible paper-like nest under eaves, in a tree, or in a wall void
- Noticeably increased wasp activity near one part of the structure
- Wasps entering and exiting a small gap repeatedly
Flies
Blowflies and cluster flies are the most common species we find in BC homes, and they show up in genuinely large numbers when conditions are right. Beyond the nuisance, house flies spread a wide range of bacteria and viruses across every surface they land on, particularly around food prep areas.
- Large clusters near windows, especially cluster flies overwintering
- Persistent buzzing around garbage, drains, or food prep surfaces
- Maggots near decaying organic matter indoors or in bins
Spiders
Homeowners make every possible attempt to control spiders on their own, and the results are often unsatisfying — sprays and traps only get the ones you can see. Our technicians know how to treat the areas spiders actually nest and travel through, not just the visible webs.
- Webs building up in corners, basements, or window wells
- Egg sacs tucked into undisturbed corners or storage areas
- A noticeable jump in sightings, especially heading into fall
Moths
Moths are elongated, six-legged, with copper-reddish wings, and they feed on dried fruit, grains, seeds, and nuts. Left alone in a pantry, they'll contaminate dry food stores fast — often before you've even spotted an adult moth flying around the kitchen.
- Fine webbing in stored grains, flour, or dried goods
- Small larvae or cocoons in pantry corners or food packaging
- Adult moths flying near stored food, especially at night
Beyond the usual suspects.
We also field calls on stinging insects and nuisance wildlife — ask us about anything not listed above.
Got pests? Get a free quote today.
Tell us what you're seeing and where — we'll send a technician-ready plan back fast.