Two local cities rank in top 25 ‘rattiest’ cities in Ontario

Nobody likes to see pesky rodents in their homes or when they’re out in their city, so Orkin Canada has released findings on where you’re most likely to encounter one across the country!

Orkin has over 70 years of experience in pest control. Their findings are based on the number of residential or commercial rodent treatments they performed from August 2022 to this August 2023.

They also released a Canada-wide ranking as well as one for Ontario. Our province has four of the top 10 rattiest cities in the country, as well as 10 of the top 25.

In Waterloo Region, Cambridge ranks 14th on Ontario’s top 25, while neighbouring Guelph comes in at 23. Kitchener and Waterloo are not in the top 25.

As for the top spot, that goes to Toronto, while three other cities in the Greater Toronto Area, Mississauga, Scarborough and Brampton, also find themselves in the top five.

Orkin also suggested five key rodent prevention tips:

• 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.