Winter Pest Watch: The Pests That Don’t Hibernate in Burnaby
Cockroaches: The Winter Survivors
Cockroaches are among the most resilient pests on the planet—and winter in Burnaby doesn’t slow them down. As temperatures drop, these unwelcome intruders seek out the warmth, moisture, and food sources found inside homes and commercial spaces. Kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and utility rooms are prime hiding spots where they can thrive unnoticed for months.
They prefer environments that are:
Warm and humid, such as near dishwashers, refrigerators, and boiler rooms.
Dark and undisturbed, including cracks in cabinetry or behind wall panels.
Close to water and food, giving them everything they need to multiply quickly.
How to Keep Cockroaches Out of Your Burnaby Home
Here’s a step-by-step guide to reducing your risk of a winter cockroach problem:
1. Eliminate All Sources of Moisture
Moisture is the lifeblood of a cockroach colony. To make your home less inviting:
Inspect under sinks, around dishwashers, and behind toilets for leaks.
Wipe up spills immediately and keep counters and floors dry overnight.
Install dehumidifiers in damp basements or laundry rooms.
2. Seal and Secure Food Sources
Cockroaches can survive on the tiniest crumbs or residue. Prevent their food supply by:
Storing dry goods (flour, cereal, pet food) in sealed, airtight containers.
Cleaning under and behind stoves, fridges, and cabinets where food debris often collects.
Taking out garbage daily and disinfecting bins regularly.
Avoiding leaving dirty dishes in the sink overnight.
3. Declutter and Eliminate Hiding Places
Cockroaches are nocturnal and love cluttered, dark places where they can hide undisturbed. Reduce potential shelters by:
Replacing cardboard boxes with plastic storage bins—roaches feed on and nest in cardboard fibers.
Avoiding piles of paper, grocery bags, or fabric scraps near walls or storage areas.
Vacuuming dark corners, under furniture, and behind appliances regularly.
Organizing storage spaces like attics, basements, and utility rooms to allow for easy inspection and cleaning.
Silverfish: The Silent Crawlers
While they don’t bite or spread disease, silverfish can still cause surprising damage over time. Their silvery sheen, swift movements, and nocturnal habits often make them go unnoticed—until they’ve already chewed through wallpaper, books, or stored clothing.
In Burnaby, silverfish thrive during wet, chilly winters, when humidity levels indoors rise due to constant rain and closed-up homes. They prefer dark, humid areas such as:
Basements and crawl spaces, where airflow is limited.
Bathrooms and laundry rooms, where steam and condensation accumulate.
Attics and storage closets, where old paper, cardboard, or fabric items are left untouched for months.
How to Prevent Silverfish in Your Burnaby Home
Follow these steps to stop silverfish before they silently multiply:
1. Reduce Indoor Humidity
Silverfish cannot survive in dry environments. Lowering moisture levels is the most effective way to discourage them.
Use dehumidifiers in damp basements, laundry areas, or windowless bathrooms.
Keep bathroom fans and vent systems clean and operational to remove steam after showers.
Open windows periodically, especially on dry winter days, to improve air circulation.
Avoid drying laundry indoors without proper ventilation—moisture buildup can attract silverfish.
2. Inspect and Organize Storage Areas
Cluttered storage provides shelter and an endless food supply for silverfish. Keep storage spaces tidy and inaccessible to pests:
Elevate boxes and bins off the floor using shelves or pallets.
Replace cardboard boxes with sealed plastic containers, especially for long-term storage.
Avoid storing books, magazines, or documents in damp basements or attics.
Keep clothing and fabrics in airtight garment bags or sealed bins.
3. Seal Cracks, Gaps, and Hidden Entry Points
Silverfish are small and flat, allowing them to slip through incredibly narrow openings. Blocking these entryways prevents them from spreading throughout your home.
Apply silicone-based caulk along baseboards, door frames, and window trims.
Use weather stripping on doors and vents to close hidden gaps.
Inspect around pipes, utility lines, and exhaust vents—especially those leading to crawl spaces.
Rodents: The Cold-Weather Invaders
When winter settles over Burnaby, humans aren’t the only ones looking for warmth. Rodents such as mice and rats actively seek cozy indoor shelters to escape the cold. Unfortunately, your home offers everything they need to survive: food, water, and nesting materials.
Once inside, they can quickly cause extensive damage—chewing through electrical wires, insulation, and stored items, contaminating food supplies, and spreading diseases like salmonella and hantavirus. They’re most commonly found nesting in:
Attics and crawl spaces – insulated, undisturbed areas that provide warmth.
Garages and basements – especially where storage boxes or pet food are kept.
Wall voids and ceiling spaces – ideal hiding spots where they remain unseen.
Kitchens or pantries – easy access to food and water sources.
How to Protect Your Burnaby Home from Rodents
1. Seal All Potential Entry Points
Rodents are remarkably flexible—mice can squeeze through holes the size of a dime, and rats can enter through gaps as small as a quarter. To keep them out:
Inspect your foundation, walls, and roofline for cracks or gaps.
Check around utility lines, vents, and pipes where rodents often find entryways.
Install door sweeps on all exterior doors and weather stripping around windows.
Use steel wool or copper mesh to fill holes before sealing with caulk or expanding foam (rodents can’t chew through these materials).
2. Eliminate Food and Water Sources
A rodent’s survival depends on access to food and water. Denying them both makes your property far less inviting.
Store all pantry items (grains, cereals, snacks) in airtight containers instead of paper or cardboard boxes.
Clean kitchen counters and floors daily, especially under appliances where crumbs collect.
Keep pet food in sealed bins and never leave bowls of food or water out overnight.
Empty garbage cans regularly and ensure lids fit tightly.
3. Declutter and Organize Storage Areas
Rodents love clutter—it provides both shelter and nesting material. Keeping your storage spaces organized will make your home far less appealing to them.
Replace cardboard boxes with plastic storage totes that have tight-fitting lids.
Elevate stored items on shelves or pallets at least 12 inches off the ground.
Keep garage and basement floors clear to allow for easy inspection and cleaning.
Avoid storing fabric scraps, paper, or insulation material in open bins.
Our certified technicians inspect, treat, and monitor your property to keep winter pests under control—so you can enjoy a cozy, pest-free season. Don’t let winter pests get comfortable—schedule your winter inspection today and keep your home secure all season long.
