Mouse droppings in the pantry, a trail of carpenter ants, mystery bites in the morning: when pests move in, you want them gone fast. For safe, effective pest control in Brossard, it pays to hire a company that’s properly permitted and to understand the treatment being offered.
Permits and certificates: what the law requires
In Quebec, a business that uses pesticides for pest management must hold a pesticide sale and use permit issued by the provincial environment ministry. The people applying the products must also hold a certificate (subcategory CD5 for pest management) or work under the supervision of a certificate holder. The certificate is valid for five years, and the holder must carry it while applying pesticides. Details are on Québec.ca.
- Ask for the company’s permit number.
- Ask to see the certificate of the technician coming to your home.
- If in doubt, contact the ministry’s regional office.
Obligations toward occupants
According to the obligations published by the Quebec government for pest management, the company must, among other things:
- follow the instructions on the pesticide label;
- not use a fogger inside a building used as a dwelling;
- make sure only the people doing the application are on site;
- give affected occupants written notice after applying a pesticide in a dwelling.
Health Canada also recommends asking for an itemized invoice showing the product name and registration number, and respecting the re-entry interval on the label. See Health Canada’s advice on pesticide use.
Prevention first
Health Canada points out that prevention remains the best approach. A good exterminator looks for the cause and explains how to keep pests from coming back.
- Seal cracks and gaps around pipes and the foundation.
- Store food in airtight containers.
- Manage garbage and compost, and keep basement humidity down.
- Clear wood and debris away from the house.
Our guide to winterizing your home includes simple steps to keep rodents out in the fall.
What a quote should include
- The company’s legal name, address and permit number.
- The target pest and inspection findings.
- Planned products, with name and registration number.
- Number of visits, preparation required and re-entry time.
- Recommended prevention measures.
- A written warranty and follow-up terms.
Red flags
- Treatment offered without an inspection.
- Refusal to name the product or give its registration number.
- No permit number, no certificate shown.
- A “lifetime guarantee” of eradication in a single visit.
- Plans to use a fogger inside your home.
Common pests and what to do
- Mice: often show up in the fall as it gets colder. Find the entry points and seal them.
- Carpenter ants: they tunnel into damp wood. Look for the moisture source.
- Bed bugs: don’t throw out furniture without professional advice, or you may spread the problem. Quebec’s CD5 certificate includes specific training on bed bug control.
- Wasps: don’t try to remove an active nest near doors or windows yourself.
Whatever the pest, note where and when you see it and take photos. That information helps the technician make the right call on the first visit, and it gives you a baseline to judge whether the treatment worked. If the problem comes back, call the company under the warranty terms before trying anything on your own.
Tenants and landlords
In a rental building, coordination between landlord and tenants is key: unit preparation, written notices, access to neighbouring units. See our landlord guide for Brossard or our page on property management.
Getting quotes
Compare two or three companies. Send a free request through our quotes page.
brossard.city is an independent guide, not affiliated with the City of Brossard. Information is provided for general guidance only; check with official sources before making any decision. Spotted an error? Let us know.