Orkin has published its list of rattiest cities in Canada, not surprisingly the top spot goes to Toronto.
Cities are ranked by the number of rodent (rat and mice) treatments the company performed from August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023. The pest control company says that this ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments.
Vancouver finds itself in the no.2 position followed by Burnaby (3) and Kelowna (4). Mississauga rounds of the top five.
Many of Ontario’s cities have made it to the notorious list of 25 including Ottawa (8), Scarborough (9), Brampton (15), Sudbury (16), Etobicoke (21), Hamilton (22), Oshawa (23) and North York (24).
Orkin also shared some rodent prevention tips for home and business owners
- Trim the Trees: Landscaping can be a big-rodent attractant. Keep shrubbery cut back at least one meter from the exterior walls of your home to eliminate any hiding spots for rodents and to avoid giving them a “jumping off” point.
- Cut Off the Water: Eliminate any moisture sources, necessary for pests’ survival, such as clogged gutters or water gathering in trash or recycling bins.
- Inspect both inside and outside your property for rodent droppings, burrows and rub marks along baseboards and walls. The more quickly rodents are detected, the better.
- Close the Gap: Look for possible entry points outside the home, seal all cracks larger than 1/4 of an inch and install weather strips at the bottom of exterior doors.
- Keep your property clean, inside and out. Clean up crumbs and spills as soon as they happen to avoid leaving food residue or sugary substances that can attract rodents. Store all food (including pet food) in tightly-sealed containers like plastic bins, and never leave food or dishes sitting out overnight.
