How often should you have pest control

For most Calgary homes, a quarterly service–every three months–tends to work well. That’s what technicians usually recommend after the initial inspection, unless something unusual is going on. If there’s been a sudden increase in mouse droppings or wasps near the back deck, for example, the timeline might need adjusting.

Seasonal patterns play a big role. Spring tends to bring ants out. Wasps show up in mid-to-late summer. Mice and other rodents start looking for warmth as soon as it gets cold–often earlier than you’d think, like late September. So in many cases, timing the treatments just ahead of those cycles makes more sense than just picking dates on a calendar.

Some homes seem to stay pretty clear with just two visits a year, especially newer builds without many entry points or if there’s no garden or compost bin nearby. Others, especially older homes or ones near green spaces, may need more attention. It really depends. I’ve seen places where a missed treatment by a couple of weeks led to a full re-infestation of silverfish.

If there are pets in the home, or young kids, that can shift things too–not just because of safety concerns, but because crumbs, water dishes, and litter boxes attract the wrong kind of attention. Monthly service isn’t common, but it’s not unheard of in those cases, especially if there’s been a past issue that was tough to clear.

And then there’s the difference between single-family homes and townhouses. Shared walls can complicate things. Even if one unit stays clean, what’s happening next door can affect everything. That makes timing a bit trickier–sometimes a bit of trial and error is involved, which is frustrating, but kind of normal.

How Seasonal Changes Impact Pest Control Frequency

Most homes in Calgary benefit from four visits per year–one at the start of each season. Spring usually kicks things off, around late March or early April, depending on the weather. That’s when ants, cluster flies, and spiders start showing up again. If there’s any moisture damage from melting snow, that adds to the risk.

In summer, yellow jackets and carpenter ants become more active. Wasps, in particular, tend to build nests fast and aggressively. If there’s fruit on trees or compost sitting out, they’ll find it. So a visit mid-summer–July or early August–isn’t optional in most cases. Especially in yards with frequent BBQs or where kids play.

Fall brings different problems. By September, mice and voles start seeking shelter. It’s subtle at first–just a scratching in the walls maybe, or insulation getting torn up. If there’s no treatment before Thanksgiving, you might find them nesting in the garage or under kitchen cabinets by Halloween. Rodents act early. People often wait too long.

Winter isn’t quiet either. While activity slows outdoors, silverfish, cockroaches, and stored product insects shift indoors. If the building’s heating draws them into walls or cupboards, a late November treatment helps avoid that mid-winter surprise. Some homes–especially basements with moisture–need it like clockwork.

Timing Adjustments That Make Sense

• March–April: Focus on perimeter work to block spring invaders.
• July–August: Treat exterior structures and trees for flying species.
• Late September: Rodent-proofing and entry-point inspections matter most.
• Late November: Interior work only, especially in kitchens, laundry rooms, and furnace areas.

Of course, weather shifts everything a bit. Some years, spring hits early and ants are inside by mid-March. Others, snow lasts into April. That kind of unpredictability makes fixed dates tricky. But the general rhythm–four key points tied to temperature and activity patterns–holds up for most Calgary properties.

Recommended Visit Intervals for Common Household Pests

Ants usually require three to four treatments per year. Once in early spring, again mid-summer, and at least one more around fall. If the nest is near the foundation or under concrete, spacing those visits too far apart often leads to re-colonization. I’ve seen cases where skipping a single round meant starting from scratch again.

For mice, two colder-season inspections–one in late September, another in early winter–tend to prevent long-term issues. If there’s activity inside walls or attics, monthly check-ins for a short stretch might be necessary. Some houses with unfinished basements or attached garages end up needing tighter intervals.

Wasps and hornets don’t need ongoing service all year, but summer attention is non-negotiable. One mid-June application keeps early nest-building in check. A follow-up in late July helps avoid the aggressive phase when nests are fully developed. Later than that, treatments get riskier and less predictable.

Typical Service Frequency by Species

• Spiders: Three times annually – early spring, mid-summer, early fall.
• Cockroaches: Every 30–45 days initially, then tapering to bi-monthly once controlled.
• Rodents: Twice a year, plus as-needed trapping if signs appear.
• Carpenter ants: Every 90 days during warmer months, especially near trees or decks.
• Silverfish: Two to three indoor-focused treatments per year – spring and late fall are key.

One thing that changes this rhythm is multi-unit buildings. Shared vents and tight walls make reinvasion easier. In those setups, even low-activity insects like silverfish sometimes need monthly attention for a while. It’s not ideal, but it works better than reacting too late.

Signs You Need to Increase Service Frequency

Seeing droppings more than once a week–especially near food prep areas–usually means things are getting out of hand. One or two isolated cases might just be bad luck, but repeat sightings suggest a deeper issue.

If scratching or scuttling sounds behind walls or ceilings become more common, particularly at night, that’s another red flag. It often points to rodents nesting nearby, not just passing through.

Unusual damage–chewed wires, shredded insulation, holes along baseboards–tends to appear once colonies are established. Waiting too long risks property damage or electrical hazards, not just inconvenience.

Neighbourhood activity matters too. If nearby properties have been dealing with infestations, your home or business might be next. A higher frequency of preventative sweeps can help keep things under control before there’s a real problem.

Even seasonal changes can throw things off. For example, in Calgary, warmer springs often bring more ants indoors. And a mild winter? That can mean higher rodent populations come fall.

Indicator	What It Might Mean	Suggested Response
Frequent droppings or tracks	Active infestation nearby	Shift to monthly inspections
New holes or gnaw marks	Nesting behaviour	Add indoor treatments between regular intervals
Noises behind walls	Rodent sheltering	Immediate site evaluation recommended
Neighbour complaints	Area-wide risk	Temporary increase in service frequency

Trust your gut. If something feels off–like insects showing up where they never used to–it probably is. It’s easier to adjust frequency than deal with cleanup after the fact.

Differences in Scheduling for Urban vs. Rural Homes

In city environments, bi-monthly check-ins tend to be sufficient unless there’s a known issue. Smaller lots, sealed basements, and fewer nearby green belts limit entry points. Also, municipal waste management helps reduce attractants–at least most of the time.

Rural properties, though, tell a different story. Monthly assessments are often necessary, especially during spring and fall. Wide-open land means more exposure–mice, wasps, and even raccoons don’t need much of an invitation. Gaps in siding or barn doors left ajar can be enough.

If there’s livestock or feed storage nearby, expect extra complications. Grain attracts more than rodents–it draws in beetles, moths, and scavengers too. Waiting longer between service rounds usually backfires in these settings.

Even the materials make a difference. A farm building with untreated wood siding will draw carpenter ants faster than any concrete apartment block. And once they’re in, it’s not a quick fix. Timber-framed structures need more frequent monitoring, particularly after wet seasons.

Personal experience? A client just outside Okotoks had skunks nesting under their deck three times in one year. The third time, we adjusted to a monthly rotation–not just for removal, but to prevent repeat sheltering. It worked, mostly because we stayed ahead of it instead of reacting.

Urban homes, especially in newer developments, tend to have better sealing and fewer environmental triggers. But that doesn’t make them immune. Construction sites nearby, overflowing dumpsters behind restaurants–those can tip the balance. In those cases, quarterly might not cut it.

How Pet Ownership Influences Timing

Homes with animals–especially dogs or outdoor cats–tend to require more frequent check-ins. Tracking in insects from the yard, lingering food bowls, and fur around baseboards all create more inviting conditions for ants, beetles, and occasionally roaches.

In multi-pet households, baits and sprays also need to be spaced more carefully. Lower-toxicity treatments are used, which often means shorter intervals between applications to maintain effectiveness. It’s not always obvious, but one missed cycle and suddenly you’re chasing silverfish behind the fridge.

Another point: litter boxes and open pet food bins attract more than just insects. Mice will target these spots in cooler months. If your cat isn’t a mouser–or just too lazy, like mine used to be–that problem can linger unnoticed until it’s more than one or two.

We’ve seen this repeatedly, especially in suburban homes backing onto green spaces. A customer near Airdrie kept raccoon-safe dog food on the deck. He meant well, but it brought ants inside and something bigger under the shed. Adjustments were made. After switching to monthly follow-ups, the issue cleared up in under two months. You can read more about that case on The Pest Control Guy on sbnation.com.

If there are birds, ferrets, or any smaller caged animals, the same logic applies–but here, odour plays a bigger role. Ammonia from bedding and droppings tends to draw in flies and mites. In those setups, we often suggest alternating inside and outside attention every few weeks rather than spacing everything out evenly. More about this type of planning is also outlined at The Pest Control Guy on yumlist.ca.

Some clients wait too long, thinking their pets might scare things off. Doesn’t always work that way. In fact, animals usually mask early signs–movement, scratching, crumbs–so by the time it’s visible, it’s already past mild.

Frequency Guidelines for Commercial vs. Residential Properties

For residential spaces, routine assessments every 2 to 3 months generally cover most needs. If there’s a specific issue like ants or rodents showing up regularly, more frequent visits may be required, but it’s not always necessary to go beyond quarterly unless there’s a significant risk.

Commercial properties, however, require a more proactive approach. These locations often have higher foot traffic, more waste, and greater exposure to outdoor elements. In many cases, monthly service checks are a minimum. If you operate in food service or retail, weekly visits might be necessary during busy seasons to avoid a potential disaster.

Residential Property Guidelines

• Every 2-3 months is typical for most homes.
• More frequent visits may be needed during the warmer months when insects are more active.
• If pets or frequent visitors bring in additional risks, adjust to a slightly higher frequency.

Commercial Property Guidelines

• Monthly service checks are recommended, especially for restaurants, hotels, and grocery stores.
• In high-risk industries like food production, weekly inspections are often needed.
• More visits might be necessary if the business is located near open areas, like parks or fields, which attract more wildlife.

A local restaurant near downtown Calgary, for example, increased its frequency from bi-monthly to weekly after a rat sighting in the alley. They found that keeping a tighter schedule helped them prevent any future issues, especially with health inspectors coming by. This kind of adaptability works best when you have a business at stake.

In residential settings, it’s a bit more relaxed. You can usually get away with seasonal adjustments unless there’s something persistent, like a recurring wasp nest or mice moving in when the weather turns cold.