Professional crawling insect control and prevention for homes, businesses, and managed properties across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
Crawling Insects Control Services in Vancouver
- WHAT ARE CRAWLING INSECTS
Crawling insects are a broad category of pest insects that move on foot rather than by flight and are among the most commonly encountered pests in residential, commercial, and managed properties across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Common crawling insect pests in the region include cockroaches, ants, silverfish, earwigs, centipedes, and spiders. While some species are primarily a nuisance, others pose serious health risks, cause structural or material damage, or indicate underlying conditions within a property that require attention. Crawling insects are highly adaptable and can establish in virtually any environment where food, moisture, and shelter are accessible.
- WHY CRAWLING INSECTS ARE A SERIOUS PROBLEM
The risks associated with crawling insects vary depending on the species involved, but in all cases an untreated infestation tends to grow and spread over time. Cockroaches are among the most significant crawling insect pests in terms of health risk, carrying bacteria and pathogens that contaminate food preparation surfaces, packaging, and stored goods. Ants can contaminate food, cause structural damage in the case of carpenter ants, and establish large colonies that are difficult to eliminate without professional treatment. Silverfish and earwigs cause damage to stored paper, books, wallpaper, and organic materials. In commercial settings including restaurants, food facilities, warehouses, and healthcare environments, any crawling insect activity presents serious hygiene, compliance, and reputational risks.
- WHAT ATTRACTS CRAWLING INSECTS
Crawling insects are attracted to properties that offer warmth, moisture, shelter, and reliable access to food. Kitchens, bathrooms, laundry areas, and utility spaces with moisture are among the most common harbouring areas for multiple crawling insect species. Gaps in the building exterior, poorly sealed entry points, cracks in foundations, and aging building materials all provide access and shelter. In commercial settings, food storage areas, drains, waste management zones, and loading docks create conditions that attract and sustain crawling insect populations. Properties that are not regularly inspected or maintained are consistently more vulnerable to crawling insect pressure across all property types.
General Information About Crawling Insects
CRAWLING INSECT ACTIVITY IN VANCOUVER & THE LOWER MAINLAND
Vancouver and the Lower Mainland’s mild, wet climate creates year-round conditions that support a wide range of crawling insect species. Unlike colder regions of Canada where insect activity slows significantly in winter, the Lower Mainland’s relatively mild temperatures allow many crawling insect species to remain active indoors throughout the year. Cockroaches, ants, and silverfish in particular thrive in the warm, humid interior environments found in residential buildings, commercial kitchens, food processing facilities, and managed properties across the region.
Cockroach activity is a persistent concern in multi-unit residential buildings, restaurants, food processing facilities, and commercial kitchens throughout Metro Vancouver. The density of older residential and commercial building stock across Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and Surrey provides cockroaches with ideal harbouring conditions in wall voids, utility chases, and drainage systems. Once established in a multi-unit building, cockroaches can spread between units through shared plumbing and utility infrastructure, making coordinated professional treatment essential for strata councils and property managers.
Ant infestations are among the most commonly reported pest issues across the Lower Mainland, affecting residential properties, commercial facilities, strata buildings, restaurants, and warehouses throughout the region. Carpenter ants are a particular concern for older properties with moisture-damaged timber, as they excavate wood to create nesting galleries, causing structural damage over time. Pavement ants and odorous house ants are frequently encountered in commercial kitchens, food storage areas, and residential properties throughout the region, establishing large colonies that are difficult to eliminate without professional treatment targeting the nest directly.
PROFESSIONAL CRAWLING INSECT CONTROL & PREVENTION
Effective crawling insect control begins with accurate identification of the species present and a thorough inspection of the property to locate harbouring areas, entry points, and the conditions contributing to the infestation. Different crawling insect species require different treatment approaches, and applying a generic treatment without proper identification rarely produces lasting results. Phantom Pest Control provides professional crawling insect inspections and targeted treatments for residential properties, commercial facilities, restaurants, food processing operations, strata complexes, and managed portfolios across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
Treatment is applied directly to the areas where crawling insects are harbouring, travelling, and breeding, using professional-grade products selected for the specific species and the environment. For cockroaches, treatment targets harbouring areas in wall voids, under appliances, in drainage systems, and along utility runs. For ants, treatment is directed at trails, entry points, and nest locations both inside and outside the building. For silverfish, earwigs, and other moisture-associated species, treatment is combined with recommendations to address the underlying moisture conditions that are sustaining the population. All treatments are carried out with the safety of occupants, employees, food products, and the surrounding environment in mind.
For commercial properties, strata buildings, restaurants, food facilities, and property managers, ongoing crawling insect monitoring and maintenance programs are the most reliable way to keep insect pressure under control year-round. Regular professional inspections catch new activity early before populations become established, and scheduled treatments maintain a consistent level of protection across the property. Phantom Pest Control works with businesses, property managers, and strata councils throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland to develop maintenance programs tailored to the size, use, and specific pest pressures of each property.
CRAWLING INSECTS IDENTIFICATION
COMMON TYPES: Cockroach, carpenter ant, pavement ant, odorous house ant, silverfish, earwig, centipede, and spider
APPEARANCE: Varies significantly by species — six-legged insects with segmented bodies, or eight-legged arachnids in the case of spiders and centipedes with multiple leg pairs
SIZE: 3mm to 50mm depending on species
COLOUR: Brown, black, reddish-brown, grey, or tan depending on species
NESTING AREAS: Wall voids, under appliances, drainage systems, crawl spaces, moist timber, basements, and undisturbed storage areas
ACTIVITY: Most species active year-round indoors in the Lower Mainland, many are nocturnal and avoid light
LIFECYCLE: Varies by species — most undergo incomplete or complete metamorphosis with multiple generations possible per year indoors
REPRODUCTION: Cockroaches and ants are capable of rapid colony growth under favourable indoor conditions, with populations expanding quickly if left untreated
PRIMARY RISKS: Food contamination, disease transmission, structural damage from carpenter ants and wood-boring species, allergic reactions, and compliance risks in commercial and food service environments
SIGNS OF A CRAWLING INSECT PROBLEM
Live insects seen on floors, walls, or countertops especially at night
Droppings or smear marks found near harbouring areas or along travel routes
Egg cases, shed skins, or moulted exoskeletons in undisturbed areas
Unusual musty or oily odour associated with cockroach activity
Ant trails visible along baseboards, countertops, or exterior entry points
Damage to stored paper, books, or organic materials from silverfish
Structural timber damage or sawdust-like frass from carpenter ants
Insects found consistently in the same areas of the property
WHERE CRAWLING INSECTS ARE COMMONLY FOUND
Kitchens, food preparation areas, and under appliances in residential and commercial properties
Bathrooms, laundry rooms, and utility areas with moisture
Wall voids, utility chases, and drainage systems in multi-unit and commercial buildings
Crawl spaces, basements, and foundation areas with damp conditions
Food storage areas, pantries, and dry goods storage in commercial facilities
Loading docks, waste management areas, and drains in commercial and industrial properties
Undisturbed storage rooms, boxes, and clutter in residential and strata buildings
Cracks in foundations, gaps around pipes, and entry points in the building exterior
CONTACT US FOR CRAWLING INSECT CONTROL
PRICING - RESIDENTIAL
Service / Treatment
House (residential) ​
Condo / Apt / Townhouse
Seasonal exterior treatment
Requires 3 days of dry forecast
$250–$450 + GST
—
Stink Bugs
Exterior treatment
$250–$350 + GST
—
Fogging add-on
$195–$250 + GST
—
INSPECTION FEES
Property Type
Fee
Notes
Residential (House)
$150 + GST
+$50 attic/crawlspace (waived if service booked same day)
Condo / Apt / Townhouse
$125 + GST
+$50 attic/crawlspace (waived if service booked same day)
Commercial
Complimentary - Free
Contact us to schedule a free site inspection
DISCOUNTS & SPECIAL OFFERS
SERVICE
DISCOUNT / OFFER
Bundle discount
15% off when combining 2 or more services
Senior discount
5% off for senior clients
Referral discount
$25 off for both the referring client and the new client
Prices are subject to change based on property size, severity of infestation, and specific treatment requirements. All prices are in CAD and exclude GST unless otherwise noted. Standard pricing applies to residential properties in the Greater Vancouver / Lower Mainland area. Commercial clients require a complimentary inspection for a customized quote.
STOP CRAWLING INSECT PROBLEMS TODAY. CONTACT PHANTOM PEST CONTROL.
Professional inspections, targeted treatments, and ongoing maintenance programs designed to eliminate crawling insects and protect your property year-round across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.