The Spring Pest Prevention Checklist Every Montreal Homeowner Needs

Published April 7, 2026 · Extermination DMP

Spring cleaning in Montreal is about more than dusting shelves and organizing closets. It is your annual opportunity to prevent the pest problems that will cost you time and money from May through October.

Think of it this way: everything you do in April prevents a phone call to the exterminator in July.

Here is the checklist, organized by area.

Exterior — The Perimeter Walk (1-2 hours)

Do this on the first warm weekend in April. Walk the entire perimeter of your house and check:

Foundation

• [ ] Cracks larger than 6mm? Mark and seal with hydraulic cement
• [ ] Gaps around pipes, wires, and conduits entering the building? Seal with steel wool + caulk
• [ ] Weep holes in brick? Screen with fine mesh (do not seal completely — they serve a drainage function)
• [ ] Sill plate junction — is the gap between the foundation and the wood frame sealed?
• [ ] Window wells — are covers in place? Are drains clear?

Roofline

• [ ] Soffits — any gaps, holes, or loose panels? (Squirrel and bat entry points)
• [ ] Fascia — any rotted or damaged sections? (Carpenter ant indicator)
• [ ] Roof vents — are all screened with hardware cloth?
• [ ] Gable vents — screened and intact?
• [ ] Chimney cap — in place and screened?
• [ ] Any tree branches within 6-8 feet of the roof? (Squirrel bridges — trim them)

Doors and Windows

• [ ] Garage door bottom seal — any gaps or daylight visible?
• [ ] Exterior door sweeps — intact and compressing against the threshold?
• [ ] Window screens — any tears or gaps?
• [ ] Basement window frames — caulked and sealed?

Yard

• [ ] Debris against the foundation — remove leaf piles, woodpiles, old lumber
• [ ] Mulch depth — reduce to less than 5cm within 30cm of the foundation
• [ ] Standing water — eliminate all sources (pots, tarps, tires, clogged gutters)
• [ ] Bird feeders — consider removing from March through June (attracts rodents and squirrels)
• [ ] Compost bin — is it sealed? Is the base screened against rodents?
• [ ] Firewood — stored at least 6 meters from the house and elevated off the ground?

Interior — The Pest Audit (1-2 hours)

Kitchen

• [ ] Pull out the stove and refrigerator — clean grease and crumbs behind and underneath
• [ ] Check under the sink — any leaks? Any gaps around pipes?
• [ ] Inspect food storage — transfer open packages to sealed containers
• [ ] Clean the drip tray under the fridge
• [ ] Check the pantry for signs of stored product pests (moths, beetles in flour, rice, or cereal)

Basement

• [ ] Dehumidifier — is it working? Clean the filter, set to 50-55%
• [ ] Check for signs of overwintering mice — droppings, gnaw marks, nesting material
• [ ] Inspect stored items for damage — chewed boxes, contaminated fabric
• [ ] Check the sump pump pit — is it covered? (Open sump pits attract insects and provide rodent access)
• [ ] Floor drains — are they flowing? Install drain covers if not already in place

Bathrooms

• [ ] Check for leaks under sinks and around toilets (moisture = cockroaches)
• [ ] Ensure the exhaust fan works (humidity control)
• [ ] Caulk around the tub and shower base if deteriorated

Attic

• [ ] Look for signs of squirrel or bat activity — droppings, gnaw marks, nesting material
• [ ] Check that insulation is not disturbed or compressed
• [ ] Ensure all vents are screened

Timing Matters

| When | What It Prevents | |---|---| | Early April | Carpenter ant colonies expanding into your home | | Mid-April | Squirrel nesting in your attic | | Late April | Ant trails in your kitchen | | May | Wasp queens establishing nests | | June | Mosquito breeding in standing water |

Everything on this checklist takes 2-4 hours total. Compare that to the 4-8 hours you will spend dealing with a pest problem later — plus the exterminator bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the single most important thing on this checklist?

Should I have a professional do a spring pest inspection?