We Tested 4 Bed Bug Solutions in a Toronto Apartment — Only One Let Me Keep It Completely Private

Ontario law says landlords must pay for extermination. In reality: inspectors enter on their schedule, every neighbour's unit may be checked, and your name goes on record. Many renters report their landlord dragging their feet for weeks — or finding an excuse at lease renewal. You hand over control the moment you knock on that door.

Sprays feel like the fastest private fix. But most pyrethroid-based sprays can push resistant bugs deeper into walls — making the infestation harder to treat. The label warnings about children and pets are not small print. If your cat sleeps on that bed, chemical sprays are off the table. Fumes linger on your mattress for days after application.

Heat treatment is genuinely the most complete solution. There is one problem: it costs between $1,000 and $3,000 in Canada, requires vacating your home for hours, packing everything up — and coordinating with your landlord. For apartment renters, this is rarely something they can pursue independently or quietly. It also requires that exact conversation you're trying to avoid.