Every September, Montreal sees a jump in bed bug calls — and it’s not a coincidence. Between students moving into new apartments, dorms, and shared housing, and families returning from summer travel, late August through September is one of the busiest times of year for bed bug infestations in the city.
If you’re a renter, landlord, or property manager, here’s what’s driving the seasonal spike, how to catch an infestation early, and what to do if you find one.
Why bed bugs spike this time of year
Bed bugs don’t fly and they don’t jump — they travel. And nothing moves them around a city faster than moving season and travel season colliding at once:
- Student moves. Thousands of students relocate into Montreal apartments and shared housing every August and September, often bringing secondhand furniture or mattresses from previous tenants.
- Returning travelers. Bed bugs are notorious hitchhikers in luggage, especially after hotel stays, hostels, or visits to family. A trip in August can turn into an infestation by September.
- Turnover in multi-unit buildings. In triplexes and apartment buildings common across Montreal, bed bugs can travel between units through shared walls, baseboards, and hallways — one untreated unit can become several.
Signs you may have bed bugs
Catching an infestation early makes treatment faster and cheaper. Watch for:
- Bites — red, itchy welts, often in a line or cluster, usually on arms, legs, neck, or hands. They can take up to two weeks to appear after the first bite.
- Rust-colored stains on bedding — small blood spots or dark, ink-like droppings along mattress seams and box spring corners. Check the bed frame too, including interior corners and wood joints.
- Shed skins and eggs — pale, translucent molted skins and pinhead-sized eggs tucked into seams and cracks.
- The bugs themselves — flat, oval, reddish-brown insects about the size of an apple seed. A sweet, musty odor often means a larger infestation.
What to do if you find them
- Don’t panic — and don’t try to treat it yourself. DIY sprays and foggers often scatter bed bugs into neighboring units or walls, making the problem worse and harder (and more expensive) to solve.
- Document what you see. Photos of bites, stains, or the insects help a technician confirm the infestation quickly.
- Call a licensed exterminator. Optima Extermination offers same-day inspections across Greater Montreal, with treatment plans that eliminate infestations at the source rather than masking them temporarily.
- For landlords: under Quebec’s housing regulations, landlords are generally responsible for pest control in rental units. Addressing a report quickly — and documenting the treatment — protects both the tenant relationship and the building.
Why choose Optima for bed bug removal
- Licensed and insured specialists
- Same-day appointments available
- We beat any written quote from a licensed competitor
- Discreet service — unmarked vehicles available on request
- Bio-pesticide treatments, safe for kids and pets
If you’re moving into a new place this fall, or just got back from a trip and something’s not adding up, it’s worth a free inspection before it spreads. Book a free inspection or call (514) 458-0805.