Top 5 Common Pests Found in Calgary Commercial Properties and How to Prevent Them

Running a business is hard enough without uninvited guests like mice in the kitchen or ants forming a conga line in the breakroom.

Pests don’t care about your bottom line; they’re just here for the free snacks and shelter.

In this blog, we’ll introduce you to the top five troublemakers invading Calgary commercial properties and share simple ways to keep them from turning your business into their new hangout spot.

Common Pests in Calgary Commercial Properties

1. Rodents (Mice & Rats)

Rodents, especially mice and rats, are the ultimate covert operatives of the pest world, frequently sneaking into kitchens, storage rooms, and warehouses.

But don’t let their small size fool you; they’re capable of significant damage. These critters will chew through wires, creating potential fire hazards, and contaminate food supplies with droppings and urine, which can pose serious health risks.

Adding insult to injury, their rapid reproduction means one sighting could quickly turn into a full-blown infestation if not addressed promptly.

Prevention Tips: Start by sealing every entry point, no matter how tiny. Gaps around pipes, cracks in walls, and vents are prime entry spots. Store food and garbage in tightly sealed containers to eliminate easy food sources. Setting traps and using rodent deterrents can help manage minor issues, but don’t hesitate to call in professionals for larger infestations.

2. Ants (Carpenter and Pavement Ants)

Ants might look harmless, but these tiny intruders can cause large issues. Carpenter ants tunnel through wood, compromising building structures, while pavement ants turn your food storage and dining areas into their personal smorgasbord.

Offices, warehouses, and outdoor spaces are particularly vulnerable to these industrious pests, especially when crumbs or clutter are left unchecked.

Prevention Tips: Keep food sealed in airtight containers and clean up crumbs immediately. Seal cracks in walls, floors, and windows to block entry points, as even the smallest gaps are an open invitation. Outdoors, remove debris like wood piles or fallen branches that serve as prime nesting spots.

3. Cockroaches

Cockroaches are the uninvited guests no one wants, but everyone fears. These resilient pests show up without warning and are notoriously difficult to evict once they settle in.

Often found in kitchens, restrooms, and damp, dark corners, cockroaches spread bacteria, trigger allergies, and multiply at an alarming rate, and frankly, pretty gross to look at, making a small problem escalate quickly if not handled promptly.

Prevention Tips: Start by fixing any leaks and reducing dampness, as cockroaches thrive in moist environments. Keep food prep areas, waste disposal spots, and even those hard-to-reach corners squeaky clean to deny them any incentive to stick around. Regular professional pest inspections are your secret weapon to catch early signs of infestation, ensuring a roach-free environment before things spiral out of control.

4. Spiders

Spiders might not chew wires or raid your food, but their webs and creepy-crawly appearances are enough to give anyone the heebie-jeebies. This is not particularly recommended for customer-facing areas. It just makes your business look bad.

These eight-legged lurkers are often found in storage rooms, basements, and ceilings, and thrive in dark, undisturbed corners. While most spiders in Calgary are harmless, and their bites result in mild reactions, their presence can ruin a clean, professional image, leaving clients and employees on edge.

Prevention Tips: Regularly sweep and vacuum to remove webs and reduce hiding spots. Stacks of boxes and neglected corners are prime real estate for these critters, so declutter. Installing outdoor pest-repelling lights can make your property less inviting to spiders looking for a cozy spot. Make it a habit to inspect high-risk areas like basements and storage rooms.

5. Flies

Flies are the ultimate nuisance pests, buzzing around kitchens, garbage areas, and entryways with a knack for spreading diseases and creating unsanitary conditions.

Their presence can quickly turn a clean, professional space into an unhygienic health hazard and leave a lasting negative impression on customers.

Whether they’re contaminating food prep areas or hovering over waste bins, flies are not just annoying – they’re a threat to your business reputation.

Prevention Tips: To keep flies at bay, install air curtains or fly traps near doors and windows to create a barrier they can’t easily cross. Ensure trash bins are not only emptied regularly but also kept clean and tightly covered to prevent them from becoming breeding grounds. Torn window screens and unsealed doors are open invitations for flies, so repair those promptly and install door sweeps.

Why Pests Are a BIG Problem for Commercial Properties

Pests in commercial spaces can become a major issue with far-reaching consequences. From health risks to reputational damage, here’s why keeping them out is non-negotiable.

• Health Risks: Pests can contaminate food, surfaces, and air quality, spreading diseases like Salmonella, Hantavirus, and E. coli. This poses a direct threat to employees and customers, particularly in food service and hospitality industries. Nobody wants a business to be "that place" where someone got sick.
• Property Damage: Rodents chew through wires, creating fire hazards, while insects like termites or carpenter ants can weaken structures and ruin inventory. Repairs and replacements aren’t cheap, and ignoring the problem can quickly escalate costs.
• Reputation Concerns: One pest sighting in a retail shop or restaurant can lead to bad reviews, lost customers, and a tarnished brand image. In today’s world of online reviews, even a single customer complaint can spread like wildfire.
• Employee Morale: A pest problem can affect employee well-being and morale. No one wants to work in an environment where they’re dodging flies or dealing with rodent sightings in the breakroom.
• Increased Costs Over Time: Neglecting pest control can lead to compounding issues, with costs increasing over time. Early intervention is always cheaper than addressing a full-blown infestation.
• Regulatory Issues: Many industries, especially food service, are held to strict pest control standards. Failing to comply can result in hefty fines, legal action, or even business closures. Regular pest management isn’t just about keeping things clean; it’s about staying operational.

Why Choose Buzz Boss for Commercial Pest Control in Calgary

Buzz Boss is your go-to expert for maintaining a pest-free commercial space. Here’s why businesses trust us:

• Experienced Technicians: Our certified team has the expertise to handle everything from rodents in warehouses to cockroaches in kitchens.
• Eco-Friendly and Humane Solutions: We prioritize safe, environmentally responsible methods, offering humane options for pest control.
• 100% Satisfaction Guarantee: If pests return, so do we – and at no additional cost.
• Health Regulation Compliance: We help your business meet local health and safety standards, avoiding fines or operational disruptions.
• Preventive Focus: Our pest exclusion services proactively seal off entry points, ensuring long-term pest prevention.
• Comprehensive Coverage: From inspections to monitoring, we tailor our services to your specific needs.

Your Business Deserves a Buzz-Free Zone

Don’t let pests crash your business party! With Buzz Boss, you can focus on what you do best while we keep your commercial space pest-free.

From rodents, and spiders to roaches and flies, we’ve got you covered with our targeted commercial pest control solutions and eco-friendly treatments.

Ready to protect your business? Book a free estimate today!

Serving Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Red Deer, Saskatoon, Okanagan, and Kelowna, we’re your trusted commercial pest control partner across Western Canada.