Winter Pest Prevention: Tips From Kelowna’s Pest Detectives

As temperatures drop across the Okanagan, pests look for warm places to shelter. Local experts share practical tips for keeping unwanted guests out of your home, vehicles, and other structures this winter.

Summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean homeowners can let their guard down when it comes to pests. As temperatures drop across the Okanagan, mice, rats and squirrels seek warmer places to shelter. Small gaps around foundations, rooflines, doors and utility openings can provide easy entry points, while sheltered spaces around homes and businesses offer ideal hiding places throughout the colder months.

We spoke with local pest control expert Chris Frederick, owner and founder of Pest Detective about the areas residents should check as they prepare their properties for winter.

Check Your Home From Top to Bottom

So, where should homeowners start? “Any type of venting- soffits, dryer vents, roof intersections, the rubber strip on the bottom of garage doors- those are all key areas to check,” Frederick says. Gas lines and heat pump lines can also provide potential entry points. While mice and rats often enter at ground level, they can climb structures to find a way inside. Squirrels may also settle into roof overhangs and attics, making a thorough, top-to-bottom inspection essential. Mice and rats like to try and shelter for warmth and away from predators during the winter behind a hot tub’s cabinet/skirting!

This time of year, Pest Detective starts to see a steady increase in calls regarding pests who have moved indoors, desperate to avoid the cooling temperatures. Once the pests have moved in, Frederick explains, the risk of property damage escalates quickly.

The same attention should extend beyond the home itself. Vehicles, recreational vehicles, and boats can all provide shelter for rodents during colder weather. “People forget about their vehicles,” Frederick explains. “They park outside overnight, and rodents are quick to find a hideaway.”

Rodents can cause expensive damage by chewing through vehicle wiring, with repair bills potentially reaching thousands of dollars. Taking preventive measures before problems arise can therefore be a worthwhile investment.

Local Expertise With a Small-Business Approach

As the founder of Pest Detective, Frederick brings extensive knowledge to identifying the areas where pests are most likely to enter or take shelter. His 40 years of experience began with a single-truck operation in North Vancouver, where its corporate head office remains. Since then, it has expanded into three provinces while retaining a locally focused approach through its franchise model.

Despite that growth, Frederick says the company has maintained the values that shaped its beginnings. “At the end of the day, we have retained our ma and pa style, holding onto the benefits of the small company model.”

That approach, he explains, allows Pest Detective to support Canadian workers and communities while continuing to offer the family-friendly and pet-friendly service its customers expect.

Winter Protection Comes With More REWARDS®

Bringing in a pest control professional before winter sets in can help homeowners identify vulnerabilities and address potential problems before they become costly infestations. For customers of Pest Detective, there is now an additional incentive to not wait! The British Columbia-founded company participates in the More REWARDS® program, which  might be familiar to those of us who earn and redeem points through retailers such as Save-On-Foods, Buy-Low Foods, Nesters Market and Urban Fare. The Pest Detective company is offering five times the usual More REWARDS® points through November 20, even more of a bonus.

Book an Inspection Before the Snow Flies

Frederick’s advice to homeowners is straightforward: don’t wait until winter is in full swing to arrange an inspection. Identifying potential entry points is important, but allowing enough time to address them before pest activity increases can make all the difference. You don’t have to be a Pest Detective customer to request an inspection, either. “Even if you are currently using another provider, we are happy to stop by and offer a second opinion,” Frederick says.

He notes that the services included in pest control contracts can vary. For example, a monthly service may include bait stations without a comprehensive inspection of the property’s exterior. While bait stations can play a role in pest management, they do not replace identifying and addressing the routes pests use to enter a building. “Make sure that you are getting what you are paying for,” Frederick advises.

For Okanagan property owners, a little preparation now can help prevent bigger problems later. A professional inspection can identify vulnerable entry points, uncover signs of pest activity, and help determine the most appropriate steps to protect a property through the colder months.

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