Pest problems come with a lot of bad advice. Some of it is harmless, but some of it lets an infestation grow while you wait. Here are five myths we hear all the time in Montreal, and what’s actually true.
Myth 1: “Only dirty homes get pests”
Pests are looking for food, water, and shelter, and a spotless home can still offer all three. Bed bugs hitchhike in on luggage and used furniture, and mice squeeze in through gaps no bigger than a pencil. Keeping things clean helps, but it doesn’t make a home immune.
Myth 2: “If I only saw one mouse, there’s only one mouse”
Mice breed quickly and have several litters a year. A single mouse you spot is often just the one that was bold enough to come out. Droppings, gnaw marks, and scratching in the walls are better indicators of how many you really have.
Myth 3: “Bed bugs only live in the mattress”
Bed bugs start near the bed, but they hide in cracks in the bed frame, baseboards, couches, and behind outlet covers. Treating only the mattress usually isn’t enough.
Myth 4: “Cold weather kills pests”
Montreal winters don’t solve the problem. Pests simply move indoors, where heated buildings keep cockroaches, mice, and rats active all winter long.
Myth 5: “Store-bought sprays will fix it”
Sprays often kill the few insects you see while scattering the rest deeper into your walls, which can make cockroach and bed bug problems harder to treat later. A professional inspection finds where they’re hiding and treats the source.
When to call a professional
If you’re seeing signs of pests, don’t wait and hope it goes away. Early treatment is faster and less costly. Optima Extermination offers free inspections across Greater Montreal, with same-day service available. Book a free inspection or call (514) 458-0805. Not sure what you’re dealing with? Start with our page on mice extermination in Montreal.