How can I prevent common problems with pests & entry points?
Keep pests & entry points clean, unobstructed, dry where required, correctly adjusted by normal controls, and serviced at documented intervals.
What this means
Pests & entry points covers rodents, insects, nests, damage, and openings. Relevant observations include Mouse droppings appeared, Ants keep entering, Buzzing is inside a wall, Wood shows insect damage, Animal is in the attic. The correct response depends on age, design, climate, usage, installation, recent work, and the exact manufacturer instructions; these observations narrow next steps but do not prove a failed part.
Safe checks
- Keep the normal user-serviceable parts of pests & entry points clean and unobstructed.
- Correct moisture, loading, clearance, drainage, or ventilation issues only within documented user access.
- Keep dated maintenance and service records so recurring changes are visible.
Stop and get help if
- Leave or isolate the area for fire, gas, carbon monoxide, electrical exposure, collapse, sewage, or rapidly spreading water.
- Get qualified assessment when a hidden, growing, recurring, or structural condition is suspected.
Which professional to call
Use a qualified licensed pest-control professional when the condition exceeds safe user access or the visible checks do not explain it.
Find the relevant tradeSource and method
This answer combines HomeSOS's structured triage with safety boundaries supported by a public source. It does not replace inspection.
Health Canada: Home safetyReviewed August 12, 2026