In November 2014, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario reintroduced its Invasive Species Act. While Canada has a national policy to deter invasive species, this is the first act to give a specific province power to intervene in the growing problem. Whether it’s plants or animals, invasive species threaten our delicate ecosystem.

While most Toronto-area homeowners won’t interact much with the species that invade our lakes and woodlands, you may have your own invaders to worry about. Pests like bed bugs, silverfish, and mice can make home life uncomfortable or even dangerous.
Our services at ICE Pest Control & Wildlife Removal are tailored to solve all of your residential pest issues in the Greater Toronto Area. ICE Pest Control & Wildlife Removal professionals are tasked with exterminating or removing the pests, cleaning the affected property and preventing the return of your unwelcome guests. Below are some insights into the smaller but no less problematic of the invasive species you might deal with in owning a home in the GTA. If you need help identifying or targeting issues with an invaded space in your home, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We not only can help you identify the problem, we go to the source of infestation and offer the solution to never let pests invade your home again.
The Kitchen
Rodents, ants, flies, cockroaches, food-infesting beetles and moths flock to this room because of the delicious treats that await. But while they snack, they also breed, defecate, and spread germs.
Since you prepare your food here, you need it to remain free of unhygienic creatures and insects. To do this effectively, proper cleaning habits are a must. Do not leave food out for long periods or forget about the dirty dishes that sit in the sink.
Instead, place all dishes in the dishwasher or hand wash them so no food particles remain. In addition, wipe down all countertops and tables and sweep floors to remove pest-alluring crumbs.
In addition to general cleanliness, use the following steps to prevent kitchen contamination: Use large appliances as barriers. Place as much food as possible in the refrigerator or freezer since they are more difficult to access than countertops or cabinets. Mice love to have easy access to your pantry, countertop and cabinets, and this food can be used to feed their whole community. Consider your food packaging. Pests can chew through materials like cardboard or thin plastic. Place or buy food in cans, jars, or hard plastic containers instead.
Check under the sink. If you notice space around your pipes, you can call us to implement and develop an exclusion and prevention plan that seals off the vulnerabilities in your home’s structure.
Even filling the dog bowl too high can provide all the sustenance needed to feed an army of invaders. Pet food entices pests just as much as yours does so don’t put in a surplus.
The Attic
While the kitchen acts as a common pest entryway, you likely knew that and have taken some steps to seal it. However, most homeowners neglect their attics, which can lead to a serious invasion. Bolster up your attic’s defenses by:

• Using ICE Pest Control & Wildlife Removal’s chimney capping services to prevent easy access.
• Using our prevention services, like installing solid aluminum flashing to protect your space from the elements and unwelcome wildlife.
• We can install steel mesh over vents to avoid larger pests like raccoons.
• Cutting back any tree limbs that overhang your roof. See our tree trimming service page or talk to our professionals for more information.
• Using ICE Pest Control & Wildlife Removal’s eavestrough cleaning service to prevent damage and contaminations from clogs and buildups.

If you have concerns about your attic, call in an ICE Pest Control & Wildlife removal professional. While the attic may seem far away from your home’s everyday activities, an unhygienic attic could affect the entire house, so don’t wait to examine this area.
ICE Pest Control & Wildlife has many services to do the following for your attic: Exclude any pests, clean and restore the contaminated area, and build preventative measures to ensure any incidents are never repeated. See our Odour Control, Chimney Capping and Reinsulatingservice pages to get more insight into how an ICE Pest Control & Wildlife Removal professional can help you today.
The Basement
Your basement needs consistent upkeep to avoid pesky invaders as well. Moist, dark environments lure vermin and insects into your home. So, if you remove some of that moisture, you may avoid the problem altogether.
Like humans, pests need water to live. Control the water in your basement, and you will control your pests. Seal any cracks and waterproof your basement and crawlspace. You may want to consider placing a dehumidifier if you notice more moisture than usual as well.
Here at ICE Pest Control & Wildlife Removal, we work with you to develop the necessary exclusion and prevention strategies. If pests are entering from your basement our team is there to exclude, repair and prevent any invasion.
The Bathroom
Your bathroom also has moisture issues. While those long, hot showers might feel great in the morning, the steam that rises can seep into towels, bathmats, clothing, and wallpaper. If you allow standing water in tubs or sinks, you exacerbate the moisture problem.
One pest that loves this wet environment is the silverfish, which feeds on sugars and carbohydrates you find in shampoo or linen. Turning on the bathroom fan during and after a shower or bath to circulate air and rid it of humidity can help. In addition, remove clothing from the area so it does not create a soft, appealing bed for this insect. A popular pest in bathrooms, see our Silverfish Extermination page for more information and call us today to start the process of clearing your bathroom.
The Bedroom
When most people think of bedroom pests, they usually think of bed bugs – and for good reason. Bed bugs are tiny, flightless insects that nest in soft fabrics like bed sheets or upholstery. They are nearly impossible to get rid of without professional attention, so make sure to call ICE Pest Control & Wildlife Removal and check out our Bed Bug Extermination service page for more information
Removing clutter can be an important first step to identifying and preventing bed bugs. If you remove the soft surfaces they live in, you’ll have a better chance at avoiding them. You can work with our team of professionals in order to develop not only the extermination plans, but also prevention plans, whether it be vacuuming with HEPA-filters or the washing techniques required to ensure eggs or larvae are not allowed to continue the infestation.
Now that you know more about the smaller invaders of your home and the areas they are interested in, call ICE Pest Control & Wildlife Removal if you are in need of pest control or wildlife removal professional. From the basement to the kitchen to the attic, we have the solution to all your pest control needs: Extermination, restoration and don’t forget preventing them from coming back!