Landlords and tenants

Mould

Mould spores are found everywhere in the environment, and mould will grow indoors when moisture is present. 

Common sources of moisture are:

• Routine activities like showering, bathing, and cooking – particularly if exhaust fans from kitchens and bathrooms do not vent outside, are not used appropriately, or are not working properly.
• Condensation including water coming indoors from outside through leaks or cracks in a building’s foundation, roof, windows, and walls.
• Plumbing leaks.
• Flooding.
• Large-scale indoor cultivation

Health concerns suspected to be caused by mould exposure should be discussed with a healthcare professional. 

For more information on mould prevention, removing mould, and health effects, please visit Health Canada.

Bed bugs

Bed bugs are small, wingless, biting insects. They have flat, brown bodies and are shaped similar to an apple seed. The eggs are whitish and about 1mm in size.

Bed bugs feed on human blood but will also bite other mammals. They feed at night, usually every two to three days. 

Bed bugs are not known carriers of disease. When they bite, they inject fluid into the host, and this can cause an allergic skin reaction such as itchy welts. 

Bed bugs can crawl quite quickly and are very good hitchhikers, travelling from place to place in items such as luggage, used furniture, and clothing. They can also travel through small openings, along electrical wires, and along plumbing into other rooms or apartments.

How do you know if they have an infestation?

Bed bug bites look similar to the bites of other insects, such as fleas and mosquitoes. Therefore, bites alone do not confirm the presence of bed bugs; the bugs themselves need to be identified.

If you believe bed bugs are present in your home, look for the bugs in these common places:

• Seams, creases, and tufts of mattresses.
• Cracks and crevices in bed frames, headboards, floors, and walls.
• Between cushions of couches or chairs.
• Under the edges of rugs and between folds of curtains.
• Behind loose wallpaper, baseboards, electrical outlets, picture frames.

Bed bugs can be difficult to eliminate. It is recommended that a licensed pest control company be contacted if you have an infestation, as improper use of pesticides may be harmful to you, your family, and your pets. Incorrect treatment can also result in bed bugs spreading to other area of the home.

Follow these tips on how to prevent bed bugs from entering your home. 

When travelling, it’s important to take the following precautions to avoid bringing bedbugs home as a souvenir.

Rodents

Rodents can contaminate food and spread disease through their droppings or bites.

How to know if you have a rodent infestation

Droppings are the most obvious sign, as rodents tend to hide during the day. Other signs include chew marks on woodwork, hearing scratching noises in the walls, finding burrow holes, and damaged food packaging. 

How to prevent rodent infestations

• Store foods in rodent-proof, food-safe containers.

• Do not leave pet food outside.

• Store garbage in rodent-proof containers, and remove garbage from your property in a timely manner.

• Repair leaky taps, remove bird baths or other sources of standing water.

• Store compost in rodent-proof bins.

• Remove nesting or hiding places.

• Remove debris and clutter from your property.

• Store firewood 30 cm off the ground and away from building walls.

• Keep grasses trimmed.

• Prevent entry into your home.

• Seal any holes or cracks in the exterior of your building. Mice can fit through gaps as small as a dime, and rats through quarter-sized spaces.

• Keep windows and doors closed or install screens to prevent pest entry.

• Keep covers on floor drains.

• Use mesh or metal screening to cover dryer vents and attic vents.

How to clean up droppings and nesting materials safely

• Wear rubber gloves and a dust mask while cleaning
• Do not vacuum, sweep, or dust these areas while cleaning – this will disturb the rodent urine and feces that may contain harmful bacteria or viruses, causing particles to become airborne which you could then inhale.
• Mix a solution of bleach and water or use a household disinfectant. If using bleach and water, the mixture should be one part bleach to nine parts water.
• Spray down all droppings and nesting materials with the bleach and water solution or disinfectant before cleaning. Let this sit for about 10 minutes.
• Use paper towels or disposable cloths to wipe up and dispose of items in a plastic bag that can be sealed.
• Dispose in your garbage outside.
• Wash the gloves in disinfectant and soapy water before removing. Ensure you wash your hands after removing your gloves.

For more information on how to prevent or get rid of a rodent infestation, follow the Government of Canada guidance.