Toronto Edition: 5 hardest pests to get rid of

1. Bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius)

Bed bugs consistently rank as the most difficult pest to eradicate in Toronto. According to the 2024 Toronto Community Housing Annual Pest Report, bed bugs accounted for roughly 35% of all pest-related work orders.

• Why they are hard to kill: They have developed a high resistance to common over-the-counter pesticides (often called "Super Bed Bugs"). They can survive for months without a meal and hide in microscopic cracks in furniture or behind baseboards.
• Local Trend: Toronto is frequently cited as the top city in Canada for bed bug treatments, largely due to high density and international travel.

2. German Cockroaches

These are the primary "building-wide" pests in Toronto's high-rises. In the same TCH data, cockroaches actually surpassed bed bugs, accounting for 37% of treatments.

• Why they are hard to kill: They reproduce faster than almost any other household pest (one female can lead to thousands of offspring in a year). They are "thigmotactic," meaning they prefer tight spaces where sprays often can’t reach.
• The "Super Roach" factor: Like bed bugs, they have begun to show resistance to traditional baiting methods.

3. Norway Rats & House Mice

Toronto was recently ranked as the "Rattiest City in Canada" by Orkin for 2024. The rodent population has surged by an estimated 180% over the last decade due to mild winters and constant construction.

• Why they are hard to kill: Rodents are highly intelligent and "neophobic" (afraid of new things), meaning they often avoid traps for weeks. Toronto’s aging infrastructure and the "Green Bin" program provide them with nearly infinite hiding spots and food.
• Local Hotspots: Neighbourhoods like the Downtown Core, Etobicoke-Lakeshore, and Scarborough report the highest activity.

4. Termites

While they don't carry disease, termites are a structural nightmare. A 2023–2024 CBC investigation noted that termite infestations are no longer just a downtown problem but have spread across the GTA, including the suburbs.

• Why they are hard to kill: They live deep underground or inside the "bones" of a house. A single colony can span an entire city block, making it nearly impossible to treat just one house effectively without the neighbors also participating.
• Fun Fact: Toronto actually used to publish "Termite Maps" to warn homebuyers, but stopped in the 1990s.

5. Carpenter Ants

Often mistaken for common black ants, Carpenter Ants are far more destructive because they tunnel through wood to build nests.

• Why they are hard to kill: They often establish "satellite colonies." You might kill the ants in your kitchen, but the main queen could be 50 feet away inside a rotting fence post or a damp wall void.
• Peak Season: They are most active in Toronto from March to May as they emerge from winter dormancy.

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