Good pest control records protect the homeowner or tenant: they show what was applied, where and when, and they are evidence if a landlord disputes a problem. Toronto requires apartment building owners to post pest management plans and service documentation, Health Canada's registration number identifies every product, and the LTB lists the evidence tenants should keep.
What Toronto apartment owners must keep and post
Under Toronto's RentSafeTO program, apartment building owners must keep pest management records and post them on the tenant notification board. The posting must include pest management plans with documentation of pest control services and the schedule, plus service standards and product information related to pest control activity. Owners must also inspect common areas at least once every 30 days, and any area within 72 hours of receiving information about pests.
What the product label tells you
Health Canada says registered products carry a Pest Control Product (PCP) number on the label, and that the label names the pest it is meant to control and gives directions and precautions, including when it is safe to enter a treated area. A record that names the product lets you look up its label and follow the correct precautions for children and pets.
What tenants should keep
| Why it helps | |
|---|---|
| Printed photos of the problem | Show what the pest problem looks like and how it changes. |
| Copies of written messages with the landlord | Show when the landlord was told and how it responded. |
| A log of dates and times you spoke to the landlord | Builds a timeline. |
| Copies of municipal or provincial work orders | Show an official finding and any deadline. |
Source: the Landlord and Tenant Board brochure on maintenance and repairs.
What to ask your pest control company for
Ask for a written summary after each visit that names the pest found, the areas inspected and treated, the products used with their registration numbers, the method, the date, any instructions for you, and the date of the next visit. Ask whether the warranty is in writing and what it requires you to do. These items let you follow the label precautions, prepare for follow-ups and show a landlord or property manager what was done.
What a complete service report contains
A thorough report records where the pests were found, what was found, how many, which products were used, and where each was applied, so that the next visit can show what changed. Depending on the pest, a good report also lists the entry points found and sealed (for mice), the zones treated, where monitors or bait stations were placed, any structural damage that needs repair beyond pest control, and the date of the follow-up. If a report is missing these, ask for them.
How the report is used at the follow-up
The follow-up compares what is found now with what was recorded before. The University of California IPM program recommends continuing to monitor after professional treatment and for cockroaches describes traps as the best way to detect and track populations; a monitor placement map and counts in the first report make that comparison meaningful. For a landlord or property manager, the same record shows which units and which rooms were treated, which helps coordinate treatment in neighbouring units. The University of California IPM program notes that it is much easier to manage a bed bug infestation when the population is small.
Keep your own log as well
Alongside the company's report, keep a simple dated log: when you noticed pests, where, how many, any bites, when you told the landlord or property manager, and when treatments and follow-ups happened. The Landlord and Tenant Board's list of useful evidence, photos, copies of written messages and a log of dates and times, applies equally to pest problems. A log also helps the technician at the follow-up, because daily monitoring after treatment is exactly what the University of California IPM program and Health Canada recommend.
What the report should say for each pest
| What it should record | |
|---|---|
| Bed bugs | Where bed bugs were found and how many, which furniture was taken apart, where steam, vacuum, spray and dust were used, every product, whether encasements were fitted, and the follow-up date. |
| Cockroaches | Which appliances were pulled out, where activity was heaviest, where spray, flushing agent, dust and gel bait went, every product, where insect monitors were left, and the follow-up date. |
| Mice and rats | Every entry point found and sealed, bait station locations inside and outside, any structural damage that needs repair, every product, and the follow-up date. |
| Ants | Where trails and nests were found, where granular bait and bait stations were placed, the areas sprayed, and every product used. |
| Wasps | Where the nest was, whether it was removed or dusted, any knockdown treatment used, and every product. |
This matches the way AstraHive's own treatments are documented: where pests were found, what was found, and every pesticide used, recorded in the service report so the next visit shows exactly what changed.
Why records matter for follow-up
Pests that have eggs or cocoons need a follow-up visit. It is normal to still see some live bed bugs for up to about 6 weeks after a treatment. A dated record of each visit and what was observed makes it clear whether the number of pests is falling and when to call back.
How AstraHive Pest Control gets rid of bed bugs
Bed bugs hide in seams, joints, box spring frames, plumbing voids, wall voids and behind electrical outlets, so every treatment starts with a careful inspection. We offer two treatments and choose between them by situation: Aprehend is our first choice for homes where people live and sleep and for severe infestations, and the standard chemical treatment is the right choice for Airbnbs, hotel rooms and vacant units.
How an AstraHive bed bugs treatment works
Inspect and confirm
We inspect the bed, furniture seams, baseboards, outlets and surrounding areas, confirm the insect and tell you which treatment fits, with the preparation list for that treatment.
Aprehend: for homes where people live and sleep
Aprehend is our premium bed bug treatment, a biopesticide built on a naturally occurring fungus. We apply it with a dedicated machine as a continuous band along baseboards, bed frames, box springs and the pathways bed bugs travel, and we put Drione dust into wall voids and outlets. Bed bugs pick up the spores as they cross the barrier and carry them back to the colony, where the fungus reaches the bugs a spray cannot, including pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs. It takes real knowledge to apply well, so only our experienced, trained technicians do it. Preparation is light: strip the beds, move them a little away from the walls and clear under the bed.
Standard chemical treatment: for empty units
For Airbnbs, hotel rooms and vacant units we take the bed apart, steam every seam and joint, vacuum with a HEPA vacuum, apply a residual spray (Temprid SC, which combines two active ingredients) according to its label, which stays active for about 90 days, and put Drione dust into wall voids and outlets. Nobody, pets included, stays inside during the treatment or for at least 6 hours afterwards, and the preparation is thorough, so it suits spaces nobody is living in. Mattress encasements are available as an optional extra.
Follow up 4 to 6 weeks later
We return 4 to 6 weeks after treatment to check the results and re-treat where needed. It is normal to still see live bed bugs for up to about 6 weeks, because bed bugs spread slowly, hide well and eggs laid before treatment keep hatching. If you still see live bed bugs after 6 weeks, call us.
Document everything and back it with a 90-day warranty
Where we found bed bugs, what we found and every product used goes in the service report. If bed bugs come back within 90 days, we re-treat at no charge.
Our products are Health Canada approved and safe for kids and pets, and we apply every product according to its label. AstraHive is licensed by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. Ontario requires a ministry-approved certification course before it issues an exterminator licence, and that training is delivered through the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus.
We choose one treatment per home, so you only prepare once. The two are not steps in one job: the standard residual spray is water-based, and water or steam deactivates Aprehend, so surfaces treated with Aprehend should not be wiped, mopped or steamed afterwards. In our experience live bed bugs drop in stages after Aprehend, roughly 50 to 55 percent fewer by week 3, 80 to 85 percent fewer by week 4 and 90 to 95 percent fewer by weeks 5 to 6. These figures are our own experience, not from the product label, and results vary.
In condos and apartments, neighbouring units and the building manager should be told early, because bed bugs travel through shared walls, ducts and plumbing chases.
Typical cost: Starting at $450 CAD, with final cost depending on property size and severity of infestation - there is no fixed upper limit. Call 905-925-8427 for an exact free quote.
Why Choose AstraHive
- Licensed & Insured: Certified by the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.
- Fast response: Same-day service available, with a callback within 5 minutes.
- 90-Day Warranty: If pests come back within that window, we re-treat at no additional charge.
- Proven track record: 5.0 stars on Google across 200+ reviews.
- Family & pet safe: Health Canada approved products on every job.
Frequently Asked Questions
What records should a pest control company give me?
A written summary naming the pest, the areas treated, the products used with their registration numbers, the date, any instructions and the next visit date. Ask for it after every visit.
What do Toronto landlords have to post about pests?
Apartment building owners must post pest management plans including documentation of pest control services and the schedule, plus product information related to pest control activity, on the tenant notification board.
How can I check that a pest product is registered?
Look for the Pest Control Product (PCP) number on the label, as Health Canada advises.
What evidence should I keep for a landlord dispute?
Printed photos, copies of written messages, a log of dates and times of conversations and copies of any work orders, according to the LTB.
Do I need records if there is only one treatment?
Yes. A record shows what was applied and when, which helps with label precautions, follow-ups and any later dispute.
Sources
- Health Canada: Bedbugs, what are they? — Adult bedbugs up to 10 mm, oval, flat, brown and blood red after feeding; feed on blood while people sleep; a bite can take up to 14 days to appear; bites often on the face, neck, arms, legs and chest; not known to spread disease; eggs are white, about 1 mm, in cracks and crevices.
- City of Toronto: RentSafeTO building owner requirements — Apartment building owners must inspect the common areas at least once every 30 days and any area within 72 hours of receiving information about pests; they must post pest management plans including documentation of pest control services and the schedule, and service standards and product information related to pest control activity, on the tenant notification board; they must keep pest management records, hire licensed pest control companies if required, take measures to eliminate pests and prevent their spread, and stop renting units with active pest infestations to new tenants.
- Health Canada: Keep your family safe when using pesticides — Choose only products registered by Health Canada, identified by the Pest Control Product (PCP) number on the label, and make sure the label names the pest you want to control; always read, understand and follow all label directions and precautions; store pesticides in the original container out of sight and reach of children; never mix pesticides unless the instructions say to; never use a pesticide indoors that is intended for outdoor use only; keep children out of treated areas while pesticides are being applied and until areas are dry, and read the label to find out when it is safe to enter; ventilate the home before returning after indoor uses; call 911 if immediate medical attention is needed, and contact a health care provider or the provincial Poison Control Centre.
- Landlord and Tenant Board (Tribunals Ontario): Maintenance and Repairs — A landlord must keep a rental property in a good state of repair and clean, and must take steps to control pests such as cockroaches and mice; landlords must follow municipal bylaws and provincial maintenance standards; a tenant must keep the unit clean to an ordinary standard and repair damage that is not normal wear and tear; the first thing a tenant should do is ask the landlord in writing to fix the problem and keep a copy; evidence to keep includes printed photos, copies of written correspondence, a log of dates and times and copies of municipal or provincial work orders; tenants can contact the local municipal government, which may inspect, issue a notice of violation or do repairs and add the cost to the property taxes; the LTB can grant a rent abatement, order repairs by a deadline, authorize tenant repairs at the landlord's expense, award damages, halt rent increases or end the tenancy if the unit is unsafe on a Tenant Application about Maintenance (Form T6); a tenant should not withhold any part of the rent, even if maintenance is poor, because of the risk of eviction; the brochure sets no timeline beyond a reasonable time.
- York Region: Bed Bugs — Integrated pest management is a combination of different techniques and products with the least risk to human health and the environment; use an insecticide specific to bed bugs and the least toxic product available, following all label instructions; consider pillow and mattress bed bug covers; wash sheets in hot water and dry them in a hot dryer for 30 minutes.
- Ottawa Public Health: Bed Bugs — Licensed operators can identify and control bed bugs and usually give specific instructions to prepare for an inspection or treatment; control may involve more than one pest control treatment; place bedding and pillows in the dryer on a hot setting for at least 30 minutes; place the mattress and box spring in a zippered mattress cover.
- Ontario.ca: Pesticide licences and permits — Ontario's Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks issues exterminator licences after a ministry-approved certification course, delivered through the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus.
- UC IPM: Bed Bugs (University of California Statewide IPM Program) — Females lay 200 to 500 eggs, usually two to five a day; eggs hatch in about 10 to 15 days at room temperature; there are five nymphal stages that each need a blood meal; the life cycle takes five weeks to four months and is fastest at 70 to 82 degrees F; up to four generations a year; adults feed every 5 to 7 days but can survive many months and 20 to 400 days without feeding; about 85% of bed bugs are in or near the bed and common hiding places are within 6 feet of where people sleep (mattress seams, box spring wood joints, bed frame cracks, behind baseboards and headboards, under loose wallpaper, behind picture frames, inside furniture, appliances and electronics), they can use crevices as thin as a credit card, and they prefer wood, paper and fabric to metal or plastic; eggs need a hand lens to see; interceptors under bed legs trapped six times more bed bugs than visual searches; a single vacuuming rarely gets all bugs and eggs and should be repeated; wash bedding and clothes in hot (120 degrees F) water and dry on the hottest setting for at least 10 to 15 minutes; steam can kill all life stages if it penetrates the hiding places; commercial heat needs at least 140 degrees F for two hours or 130 degrees F for three hours (minimum lethal 113 degrees F); encasements are effective in laboratory research and bugs inside die of starvation; dusts cling to the cuticle and wear away the wax or poison the insect when it grooms, but bed bugs may not groom as much as cockroaches so dusts that must be eaten, including borates, may be less effective than anticipated; the most effective bed bug pesticides are available only to commercial applicators; insecticide alone will not control an infestation and must be combined with cleaning, nonchemical tactics such as steam or heat and ongoing monitoring; after professional treatment keep monitoring daily, keep clutter down and vacuum regularly; never use bite symptoms to diagnose; confirm only by finding the bugs or their signs; if you remove an infested mattress do not leave it on the curb; renters should contact the landlord and tenants have rights; it is much easier to manage a small infestation.
- UC IPM: Cockroaches (University of California Statewide IPM Program) — A German cockroach female carries an egg case for about 30 days and drops it about the time the eggs hatch, each case holds about 30 young and a female may produce a new case every few weeks; one female and her offspring can produce over 30,000 individuals in a year; sprays give a quick temporary knockdown but no long-term control and may repel and disperse cockroaches; baits may take 7 days or longer; when populations are under control keep monitoring with traps to make sure re-infestation is not taking place, and sticky traps are the best way to detect and monitor.
Areas We Serve
AstraHive Pest Control proudly serves 75+ communities across the following regions:
- Toronto: Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, East York, York, Leslieville, Lakeview
- Durham Region: Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, Clarington, Bowmanville, Courtice, Newcastle, Port Perry, Brooklin, Uxbridge, Scugog, Brock, Seaton
- York Region: Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Aurora, Newmarket, Thornhill, Woodbridge, Kleinburg, Maple, Stouffville, Unionville, Keswick, Holland Landing, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King City, King Township, Nobleton, Berczy Village, Cathedraltown, Commerce Valley, Cornell, Wismer, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Sutton, Schomberg
- Peel Region: Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, Malton, Port Credit, Streetsville, Meadowvale, Cooksville, Bolton, Palgrave
- Extended Service Area: Peterborough, Lindsay, Port Hope, Barrie, Bradford, Innisfil, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Orillia, Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Hamilton, Grimsby, St. Catharines, Welland, Niagara Falls
Don't see your city listed? Call us — we likely cover it.
Got a pest problem right now?
Call AstraHive for a free consultation. Licensed & insured, serving the GTA, Durham, York, Peel and Simcoe County.
Call 905-925-84275.0 Stars — 200+ Google Reviews | Licensed & Insured | Health Canada Approved