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Managing rental properties in Toronto comes with its share of challenges, and one of the most persistent issues is bed bugs . These tiny pests can quickly turn a comfortable living space into a nightmare for tenants and a liability for property owners. Understanding why bed bugs thrive in urban environments, how to spot them early, and what steps you need to take as a landlord is essential for protecting your investment and keeping tenants happy. Why Are Bed Bugs So Common in

February 3, 2020 Hotels and other lodging can be bed bug hotspots. This is as true for 5-star accommodations as it is for a budget inn. When travellers don’t know what to look for, they can unknowingly bring these “unwanted souvenirs” home with them. During Reading Week, we’d like to remind students to be on the lookout for bed bugs while they travel. Be Bed Bug Aware Don’t let bed bugs deter you from travelling! Once you know what to look for, these pests are easy to spot. A

July 15, 2019 No one wants a bed bug infestation in their home. These little pests are irritating, notoriously difficult to eliminate, and can harm your reputation in your community. At Advantage Pest Control in Toronto, we have handled many bed bug infestations in our lifetime with a strong and positive reputation. We have noticed that many people have a few misconceptions about bed bugs, and here are some of them we’d like to clarify: 1. Over The Counter Bed Bug Sprays Work

May 6, 2019 No one wants bed bugs to infest their home. After all, your home is your sanctuary and your safe place! These pests are problematic as they are difficult to eliminate once they take over. At Advantage Pest Control, we believe in taking preventative measures. Here are some tips to help you avoid a bed bug infestation in your home: 1. Be Careful While Traveling Many people bring bed bugs home when they travel. They inadvertently pick these pests up at a hotel or mo

January 28, 2019 Based on studies, bedbugs have existed for many years. Archaeologists have discovered fossils of these creatures aged at about 9,400 years old. However, evidence of their behaviour around humans and certain environments during the earlier times have yet to be identified. A closer look at these pests shows that bedbugs are flat six-legged insects that feed on human and animals’ blood. These wingless creatures are known for their irritating bites and a musky

October 9, 2018 Bed bug infestation is one of the worst problems that most people can encounter in their homes, office, and even in hotels, as well as other establishments. In Canada, one of the top ten be bug infested cities is Toronto. If your house or workplace is situated in any of the infested cities, it is important to know how to prevent them from coming or infesting your space. According to a journal published in the Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Resea

September 10, 2018 While bed bugs are not known to transmit deadly diseases, they are pests of substantial public health importance. Bed bugs can invade your most private space, your bedroom and your house. They can also stick to you like glue wherever you go, resulting in a spread of infestation. According to the World Health Organization , people who are constantly exposed to bed bugs are prone to become more sensitive and anxious. Apart from inflicting harm through bites,

June 30, 2018 Concerned about bed bugs in your car? This weekend’s heat wave in the Greater Toronto Area will be a perfect opportunity for you to effectively do a bed bug heat treatment for your car! With the temperatures anticipated for this weekend, leaving your car in the sun for only 5-10 minutes will turn your car into a heat chamber that can kill bed bugs within minutes. If you have small items you also wish to treat for bed bugs with heat, you can further take advantag

March 26, 2018 If you think that humans are the only ones that know how to hitchhike – then you are mistaken! Bed bugs are also successful hitchhikers too. They can move from an infested site to furniture, clothing, and baggage (you name it!). They can also show up in public places outside of your home, schools included! Bed bugs are pests that exclusively feed on blood, causing itchy and red welts or swelling bites. They are the most challenging type of pest to eradicate qui

December 4, 2017 The continuous rise of bed bug problems in Toronto is not only trouble for homeowners, but students too! While sending your kids to university, you may not have considered the potential of a pest problem like bed bugs to affect them. Ryerson University reports that “bed bugs keep bugging them”! Although the school does their part to inspect all spaces prior to residence move in dates, they still come across at least a few cases of bed bugs per year. Canine

May 1, 2017 1. Make sure you really have bed bugs! It is common to mistake bed bugs for fleas or ticks. You can compare your insect to pictures online. 2. Don’t Throw everything away! Bugs are annoying but not impossible to get rid of. Don’t dispose of your belongings because most of them can be treated and saved in addition throwing things out may spread the bed bugs to other people’s homes. 3. There are many treatment options, DON’T PANIC! Pesticides are aggressive to work

April 24, 2017 Bed bugs are sneaky little pests! They can also be difficult to spot due to their small size, so getting rid of them, is a challenge! Global News recently shared an article about the difficulty of killing bed bugs – “ Bed bugs becoming resistant to commonly-used insecticides ”. The article shares how according to research, bed bugs have shown the ability to develop resistance to commonly used insecticide products. Research also says in the article, that these i

April 17, 2017 Bed bugs are quite the nuisance! They are wherever humans can be, at anytime of the year! While inhabiting your home, these pests also feed off of your blood. They can leave little bites all over your body. Their bites can look vary in appearance, either random and spread out or clustered together. Some people can react strongly to bed bug bites, while others may not react at all. They usually look like a red swollen spots on your skin with a dark red centre. A

February 13, 2017 Are you travelling to escape the cold this winter? These days, short term rentals are a popular way to travel. From Airbnb to VRBO, the experiences feel budget friendly, special and unique – unlike any hotel you’ve ever stayed in! However, the home-sharing model does have its flaws. With the lack of regulations and the speed of these new guest turnover rates, this leaves travellers exposed to bringing home unwanted pests or more specifically, discovering bed

January 30, 2017 We’ve written about warning signs of bed bugs, how to prevent them and how to be cautious when travelling. The truth is, there is so much to know when it comes to these pests. This week we are talking about their stages of life and how to be spot them as they grow! Bed bugs are nocturnal pests feeding on the blood of humans and also other warm blooded animals. (Maybe your pets too!) They are wingless insects, but they cannot jump. They move by crawling and cl

January 24, 2017 Trying to avoid bed bugs? It may be time to redecorate. Here’s an extra step you can take, according to an article published in Global News , bed bugs are more attracted to red or black bedsheets. A new study says that they tend to be attracted to these colours and avoid yellow and green. These tiny bloodsucking insects are quite the nuisance! It is possible for anyone to end up with these pests regardless of their income or household. The bugs can leave itch

December 12, 2016 Bed Bugs are sometimes misconceived to only be in public spaces – hotels, airports, and even public transportation. However, these days it is more common to find these pests making their way home with you, especially into high rises in Toronto. Over the past two years, the bed bug incidents in high rises have skyrocketed. Many hotels and businesses have professional programs in place, where as in apartments, the problems are easily neglected. The management

August 31, 2016 Summer is the season for bed bugs! And while it’s time to almost go back to school, the heat stays upon us. The hot summer months are a prime time for these pests to reproduce. We should all be extra aware of keeping tabs on them. It is common to think of bed bugs while travelling and staying in hotels, or keep to even keep eye out for them at home; more importantly it is becoming more relevant in today’s news to be aware of them in public places too! From fin

August 1, 2016 Canada’s bed bug problem is worse than ever! The frequency of reports have increased 20% over the past year. Initially bugs were more commonly an urban problem. However, they’ve spread to rural and less-populated areas in recent years. A common misconception is that bed bugs are associated with socioeconomic status. This is definitely not true! The peak season for bed bugs is during summer months, when the weather is warmer. During this season, from June – Octo

June 27, 2016 How do you protect your bed from bed bugs or stop getting beg bug bites from an already infested mattress? The simple answer: High Quality Bed Bug Proof Mattress Encasements. While an unprotected mattress has many attractive crevices and ideal hiding areas for bed bugs, fully encased mattresses and box springs do not. Lab-tested bug proof mattress covers have no cracks and crevices and are gleaming white, so bed bugs can be seen much more easily. Bedbugs only ne