As temperatures start to dip across Montreal, mice and rats begin looking for a warmer place to ride out the season — and your home or business is exactly what they’re after. Late August through fall is when we see rodent calls pick up, so catching the signs early can save you a much bigger headache once it turns cold.
How to tell you have a rodent problem
Droppings are usually the first clue — small, dark pellets near baseboards, in cupboards, or along walls. From there, look for gnaw marks on wood, wiring, or food packaging, greasy smudge marks where rodents repeatedly brush against walls, and scratching or scurrying sounds in the walls or ceiling at night. Rats tend to stay closer to the ground and near foundations, basements, or garbage areas, while mice can turn up almost anywhere — including inside walls and cabinets.
Why older Montreal buildings are especially vulnerable
Triplexes, walk-ups, and older housing stock common across the city often have gaps around foundations, shared walls, and back-alley access that make it easy for rodents to move between units undetected. If one unit in a building has activity, it rarely stays contained to just one — which is why landlords and property managers are often the first to call us.
Why it’s worth acting fast
A single pair of mice can produce dozens of offspring in a few months. Beyond the unsettling factor, rodents contaminate food, chew through wiring (a real fire risk), and carry bacteria and parasites that can affect your health. What looks like “just a mouse” in August is often a full infestation by the time winter hits.
How we handle it
Our rodent control service starts with a full inspection to find every entry point — gaps around pipes, vents, foundation cracks, and doors are the usual culprits. We treat the active infestation and seal the property to stop new rodents from getting back in, with a follow-up plan to make sure it stays that way.
Found a lower quote elsewhere? We’ll match it. And because our service calls are unlimited at no extra charge, if activity shows up again before we’re satisfied the job is done, we’re back out at no cost — plus you get a detailed report on what we found and treated, useful if you ever need documentation for a landlord, tenant, or insurer.
If you’re hearing noises in the walls or finding droppings in the cupboard, don’t wait for it to get worse. Book a free inspection and we’ll take it from there.
— Optima Extermination