Quick answer
Edmonton has no resident rats (Alberta’s Rat Control Program deals with any that turn up) and, according to the City, no termites. The City identifies insects for residents, controls mosquito larvae and takes standing-water reports through 311, but treatment in your home is private. HomeStars reviewers in Edmonton reported an average job cost of $879, higher than Toronto, Ottawa or Calgary.
This guide covers what is different about pests in Edmonton, the City services you can actually use, who is responsible in a rented home, and what private pest control typically costs. We are a comparison and referral service, not a pest control company.
Local pest facts for Edmonton
No resident rats
Alberta says it has been rat-free since 1950, when its Rat Control Program began after Norway rats were found on a farm near Alsask on the Saskatchewan border. The province keeps a Rat Control Zone about 600 km long and 29 km wide along that border, from Cold Lake to Montana. CBC News reported in May 2025 that infestations rose to 573 by 1959 and fell to zero by 2003, according to the provincial government, and that most rats now reaching Alberta are hitchhikers, for example in grain shipments. Occasional infestations are found and eradicated. If you think you have seen a rat in Edmonton, photograph it safely, note where, and report it on 310-FARM (3276). The province also says pet rats are illegal in Alberta.
No termites, but carpenter ants
The City’s insect identification pages say plainly that there are no termites in Edmonton. The most damaging ants are native carpenter ants, which excavate galleries in wood and can cause serious structural damage if left unchecked, while most other ants are a nuisance at worst. Exotic species such as Pharaoh ants can nest in apartments and other buildings year-round, usually after arriving with plant material. Our guide to carpenter ants versus termites explains the signs.
Free help identifying what you have found
The City’s Pest Management section identifies insects for residents. You can send a description and photo online, post a specimen in a rigid container, or drop one off at 12304 107 Street NW (Monday to Friday, 7 am to 3 pm, using the self-serve box inside the main entrance). The City aims to identify most specimens within three business days. The City does not list a charge for this service, and knowing what you have before you call a company can save a wasted visit. See also our cockroach identification guide.
What the City of Edmonton does
Mosquito control
Edmonton treats mosquito larvae in roadside ditches and other temporary water, using Health Canada-approved biological larvicides. The programme runs from early April until August or September. The City moved to an entirely ground-based programme in 2022, ending aerial treatment by helicopter. It notes that the programme does not reduce adult mosquitoes that fly in from fields around the city. Residents can call 311 to report standing water in residential areas; crews inspect and treat if required.
Pesticide use near your home
Under the City’s Pesticide Exemption Program, residents can ask the City not to apply pesticides on City property within 30 metres of their home. City staff and contractors then stay clear unless there is a “pertinent need”, such as swarming or stinging insects, in which case the resident is contacted 48 hours beforehand. The City publishes daily maps of where crews plan to treat.
| Situation | Who handles it | Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Identifying an insect | City of Edmonton Pest Management (online, post or drop-off) | No fee listed by the City |
| Standing water breeding mosquitoes in a residential area | 311 | No fee listed by the City |
| Pests or sick trees on public property | City of Edmonton (online report) | No fee listed by the City |
| Suspected rat | Alberta Rat Control Program (310-FARM) | No fee listed by the province |
| Pests in a rented home the landlord will not deal with | Alberta Health Services, Environmental Public Health (Health Link 811) | No fee listed |
| Mice, wasps, bed bugs or ants in a home you own | Private pest control company | Private cost |
What pest control costs in Edmonton
HomeStars reported an average pest and animal control job cost of $879 in Edmonton (lowest $175, highest $1,550), based on reviews across all job types. Of the eight cities in that guide, only Hamilton ($1,042) was higher. National ranges by pest:
| Pest | Reported typical range (CAD) | What it usually covers |
|---|---|---|
| Mice | $250 to $650 | Standard package, 2-3 visits |
| Rats | $300 to $750 | Standard rat job |
| Bed bugs (chemical) | $400 to $1,000 | Usually at least two visits |
| Bed bugs (heat) | $1,200 to $4,000+ | Often one session |
| Cockroaches | $150 to $400 | Single treatment |
| Wasp or hornet nest | $150 to $350 | Per visit |
| Ants and general insects | $150 to $350 | Per visit |
| Squirrels, raccoons (wildlife removal) | $200 to $600 | Per job |
Source: HomeStars 2026 cost guides (homestars.com), updated August 2026. Checked September 2026. Reported typical ranges, not quotes.
Full details and sources are on our Canada pest control costs page.
Tell us what you are dealing with and we will look for a pest control business covering your area. You can use the form below or our quote request page.
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Free and no obligation. Tell us what you are dealing with and where, and we will look for a local pest controller who covers your area.
Renting in Edmonton: who is responsible
Under Alberta’s Minimum Housing and Health Standards, the landlord must make sure a rental property is free of insect and rodent infestations, according to the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta (CPLEA). Tenants must keep the home reasonably clean, allow entry for treatment and follow the exterminator’s instructions. If you rent:
- Tell the landlord in writing and keep a copy.
- If nothing happens, contact Alberta Health Services Environmental Public Health, or call Health Link on 811 to speak to a health inspector.
- An inspector can investigate and order the landlord to deal with the problem.
Our guides to pests in a rented home and bed bug signs and treatment explain what to record first.
How to choose a pest control company in Edmonton
Alberta requires any business advertising or providing a pesticide service to hold a pesticide service registration, and to employ a certified applicator with the appropriate class of certificate; the registration is cancelled if it does not. Certificates are issued by class, structural pest control among them, and are renewed by exam or continuing education. Questions to ask:
- What is your pesticide service registration, and which certified applicator will attend?
- Have you identified the insect, or should I use the City’s identification service first?
- For carpenter ants, will you look for the moisture problem and the nest, not just spray?
- How many visits are included, and what does a follow-up cost?
More in our guide to choosing a pest controller.
Pest control businesses in Edmonton
These businesses appear in public business listings for Edmonton. We have not checked their registrations, insurance or work, and they have not paid to appear. Always confirm the provincial pesticide service registration yourself.
Major Pest Control Edmonton Inc
143 Street NW, Edmonton
Website: majorpestcontrol.ca
Precision Pest Control
135A Avenue NW, Edmonton
Website: precisionpest.ca
Pestlink Pest Control Edmonton Inc
Whyte Avenue NW, Edmonton
Website: pestlink.ca
Edmonton Exterminators Ltd
Coronet Road, Edmonton
Website: edmontonexterminators.com
Golden Arrow Pest Control Inc.
62 Avenue NW, Edmonton
Website: goldenarrowpestcontrol.com
Abell Pest Control
105 Avenue NW, Edmonton
Website: abellpestcontrol.com
Wow Pest Control
117 Street NW, Edmonton
Website: wowpestcontrol.ca
Frequently asked questions
Are there termites in Edmonton?
The City of Edmonton says there are no termites in Edmonton. Wood damage is more likely to be carpenter ants or moisture ants.
Are there rats in Edmonton?
Alberta has no resident rat population. Occasional rats do arrive, and the province eradicates them. Report a suspected rat on 310-FARM (3276).
Does the City of Edmonton spray for mosquitoes?
It treats mosquito larvae in ditches and temporary water with biological larvicides from early April to late summer. Aerial treatment stopped in 2022. Report standing water in residential areas to 311.
Can the City tell me what insect I have found?
Yes. The City’s Pest Management section identifies insects from a description and photo, a posted specimen, or a drop-off at 12304 107 Street NW, and aims to do most within three business days.
How much does pest control cost in Edmonton?
HomeStars reported an average job cost of $879 in Edmonton across all pest types. National ranges run from about $150 for a single insect visit to $4,000+ for bed bug heat treatment.
Sources
- Alberta’s Rat Control Program, Government of Alberta (alberta.ca)
- History of rat control in Alberta, Government of Alberta (alberta.ca)
- 75 years of Alberta’s mission to keep rats at bay, CBC News, 10 May 2025 (cbc.ca)
- Insect Identification and Advice, City of Edmonton (edmonton.ca)
- Mosquitoes, City of Edmonton (edmonton.ca)
- Pesticide Exemption Program and Insects, Weeds and Pests, City of Edmonton (edmonton.ca)
- Who is responsible to treat bugs in a rental property?, CPLEA Landlord and Tenant (landlordandtenant.org)
- Pesticide service registration, Government of Alberta (alberta.ca)
- Pesticide Certification Classes, Lakeland College (lakelandcollege.ca)
- Guide To Pest & Animal Control Contractor Costs & Estimates in Canada, HomeStars (homestars.com)
Last checked: September 2026.