Question 1

How long does bed bug heat treatment take?

Accepted Answer

A full heat treatment for bed bugs typically takes 6 to 8 hours depending on the size of the property. The entire space is heated to 50–60°C, which kills all life stages of bed bugs including eggs.

Question 2

Do I need to throw away my mattress after a bed bug infestation?

Accepted Answer

No — in most cases you do not need to discard your mattress. Our heat treatment kills bed bugs inside mattresses, box springs, and furniture. We may recommend a mattress encasement after treatment as a precaution.

Question 3

How did I get bed bugs in my Montreal apartment?

Accepted Answer

Bed bugs spread through travel, used furniture, clothing, and shared walls in apartment buildings. Montreal's dense housing stock and high tenant turnover make it one of Canada's most affected cities.

Question 4

How many treatments are needed to eliminate bed bugs?

Accepted Answer

Heat treatment is typically a single-session solution. Chemical treatments may require 2–3 visits spaced 2 weeks apart. Our 100-day guarantee covers free re-treatment if bed bugs return.

Question 5

Are bed bug treatments safe for children and pets?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We use Health Canada-approved products and eco-friendly methods. Children and pets should vacate during treatment and can return once the space has been ventilated, typically 4 hours after chemical treatment.

Question 6

What is the cost of bed bug extermination in Montreal?

Accepted Answer

Bed bug treatment in Montreal starts at $350 for a studio or one-bedroom unit. Larger properties, multi-unit buildings, and severe infestations may cost more. We provide a free inspection and quote before any work begins.

Question 7

Can I get rid of bed bugs myself?

Accepted Answer

DIY treatments — sprays, powders, mattress encasements, steam cleaners — can reduce bed bug populations but rarely eliminate an infestation completely. Bed bugs are resistant to many over-the-counter pesticides and hide in areas that are nearly impossible to treat without professional equipment. Heat treatment requires specialized equipment and cannot be replicated with consumer products.

Question 8

How fast do bed bugs spread in apartment buildings?

Accepted Answer

Bed bugs can spread to adjacent units within weeks through wall voids, electrical conduits, plumbing chases, and under doors. In a multi-unit building, a single infested apartment can affect 3 to 5 neighbouring units within 2 to 3 months if untreated.

Question 9

Does heat treatment work for bed bugs in Montreal?

Accepted Answer

Yes — heat treatment is the gold standard for bed bug elimination. It works by raising the temperature in the entire unit to 55–60°C for several hours, which kills bed bugs at all life stages including eggs. It is chemical-free, requires only one treatment in most cases, and has a very high success rate.

Question 10

How long does cockroach treatment take to work?

Accepted Answer

With professional gel bait treatment, you should see a significant reduction in cockroach activity within 1 to 2 weeks of the first treatment. Complete elimination typically takes 4 to 8 weeks and 2 to 3 treatment visits. You may actually see more cockroaches in the first few days after treatment as they are flushed from hiding spots — this is normal.

Question 11

Do I need to leave my apartment during cockroach treatment?

Accepted Answer

No. Gel bait treatment does not require you to leave your apartment. The bait is applied in tiny amounts in inaccessible areas — inside cabinet hinges, under appliances, along plumbing. There is no spray, no fog, and no re-entry period.

Question 12

Can cockroaches come back after treatment?

Accepted Answer

Re-infestation is possible if the source of the infestation — typically a neighbouring unit — is not treated at the same time. This is why it is important to notify your landlord so that adjacent units can be inspected and treated. All Blackline treatments include a guarantee period with free return visits.

Question 13

Why are cockroaches hard to eliminate without professional help?

Accepted Answer

German cockroaches have developed resistance to many common insecticides. Aerosol sprays scatter cockroaches deeper into wall voids, spreading the infestation. Consumer products cannot reach deep harborage areas, and cockroach egg cases are resistant to most insecticides. Professional gel bait creates a cascade effect that eliminates the entire colony.

Question 14

How do I know if I have mice or rats?

Accepted Answer

Mouse droppings are small (3 to 6 mm), dark, and pointed at both ends. Rat droppings are larger (12 to 20 mm) and blunt at one end. Mice leave droppings in many locations throughout their territory, while rats follow consistent pathways. Rats are also much larger — an adult Norway rat weighs 200 to 500 grams, while a house mouse weighs only 15 to 30 grams.

Question 15

Do ultrasonic repellers work against mice?

Accepted Answer

Scientific evidence for ultrasonic repellers is weak. Multiple studies have shown that mice quickly habituate to the sound and return to their normal behaviour within days. They are not a reliable solution and should not replace proper exclusion and trapping.

Question 16

Can mice make you sick?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Mice can transmit several diseases to humans, including hantavirus (through droppings and urine), leptospirosis, and salmonellosis. Mouse droppings should always be cleaned up with gloves and a damp cloth — never swept or vacuumed dry, as this can aerosolize the particles.

Question 17

When is the best time to schedule rodent exclusion?

Accepted Answer

The best time is September or October — before mice have entered for the winter. Preventive exclusion is significantly less expensive than treating an active infestation. If mice are already inside, call immediately — a single pair can produce 60 to 100 offspring by spring.

Question 18

What is the best time of year to prevent ants in Montreal?

Accepted Answer

April and May are the critical months. This is when ant colonies become active after winter dormancy and send scouts to find food sources. Sealing entry points and applying exterior perimeter treatments during this window prevents the summer invasions that start in June.

Question 19

Can I prevent carpenter ants myself?

Accepted Answer

You can significantly reduce carpenter ant risk by eliminating moisture problems, removing decaying wood, and sealing obvious entry points. However, once carpenter ants have established a nest inside your walls or structure, professional treatment is necessary. DIY sprays scatter the colony and make elimination harder.

Question 20

Why do ants keep coming back after I clean?

Accepted Answer

Ants leave persistent pheromone trails that guide other ants to food sources. Cleaning removes the food but not always the scent trail. You also need to find and seal the entry point they are using. In apartment buildings, ants may be migrating from neighbouring units through wall voids.

Question 21

How long does wasp season last in Montreal?

Accepted Answer

Wasp season typically runs from early May through mid-October. The peak danger period is July through September when colonies reach maximum size and aggression. Queens emerge from hibernation in May, and colonies die off after the first hard frost in October.

Question 22

Can I remove a wasp nest myself?

Accepted Answer

Only if the nest is very small (golf ball size or smaller), easily accessible, and located away from high-traffic areas. Use a wasp spray that shoots 3+ metres and treat at dusk when wasps are less active. For anything larger or in a dangerous location, professional removal is strongly recommended.

Question 23

Why are wasps more aggressive in late summer?

Accepted Answer

Two reasons: colony size and food competition. By August, colonies have reached maximum population, and workers are competing for limited food resources. The colony also shifts from raising larvae (which require protein) to producing new queens (which requires sugar), bringing wasps into conflict with humans at outdoor dining areas.

Question 24

Are the spiders in my Montreal home dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Most spiders in Montreal are harmless. The common house spider, cellar spider, and wolf spider are beneficial predators that pose no threat to humans. The yellow sac spider can deliver a painful bite but is not dangerous. The northern black widow has been found in Quebec but is extremely rare.

Question 25

Why do I have more spiders in fall?

Accepted Answer

Spider populations peak in late summer and early fall for two reasons: first, they have been feeding on abundant insects all summer and have reached maximum population; second, cooling temperatures drive spiders indoors seeking shelter. Fall is when indoor spider sightings are most common.

Question 26

Do ultrasonic repellers work for spiders?

Accepted Answer

No. Multiple scientific studies have shown that ultrasonic repellers have no effect on spider behavior. Spiders do not have ears and detect vibrations through specialized hairs, not sound waves.

Question 27

Does home insurance cover pest control in Quebec?

Accepted Answer

Most standard home insurance policies in Quebec do not cover pest control costs or damage caused by pests. Some premium policies include pest coverage as an add-on, but this is uncommon. Check your specific policy documents or call your insurer to confirm your coverage.

Question 28

Is pest control tax deductible in Quebec?

Accepted Answer

Pest control costs are generally not tax deductible for personal residences in Quebec. However, if you operate a home-based business, a portion of pest control costs may be deductible as a business expense. Landlords can typically deduct pest control costs as a property maintenance expense.

Question 29

What is included in a free pest inspection?

Accepted Answer

Our free inspections include a visual inspection of all rooms, identification of the pest species and infestation severity, identification of entry points, a written treatment recommendation with an itemized quote, and explanation of the treatment process and safety information. There is no obligation to proceed.

Question 30

What is your service guarantee?

Accepted Answer

All Blackline treatments include a guarantee period. If pests return within the guarantee window, we return at no charge. Bed bug treatments include a 100-day guarantee. Other treatments include a 30-day guarantee. A $45 travel fee applies to re-treatment visits outside the Montreal core.

Question 31

Do you serve areas outside Montreal?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We serve the entire Greater Montreal region including Laval, Longueuil, Brossard, the South Shore, the West Island, Westmount, Plateau-Mont-Royal, Saint-Laurent, and Vaudreuil-Dorion. Call 514-809-1999 to confirm service availability in your area.

Question 32

Are your technicians certified?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All Blackline Pest Control technicians hold valid Pesticide Applicator Certificates issued by the MELCCFP (Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs). We are fully licensed and insured.

Question 33

What is the most important season for pest control in Montreal?

Accepted Answer

Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) are the two most critical seasons. Spring treatments prevent pests from establishing breeding populations, while fall exclusion work prevents rodents and overwintering insects from entering. Missing these windows means dealing with active infestations later.

Question 34

Do I need pest control in winter if I do not see any pests?

Accepted Answer

Winter is when hidden infestations grow undetected. Mice and rats breed actively indoors during winter months. Cockroaches thrive in heated buildings. A winter inspection can catch problems before they explode in spring. We recommend at least one interior inspection during December–February.

Question 35

When should I schedule wasp nest removal?

Accepted Answer

The earlier, the better. Wasp nests are easiest to treat in June when they are golf-ball sized and contain only a queen and a few workers. By August, nests are football-sized with hundreds of aggressive wasps. Early removal is safer, faster, and less expensive.

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