Oakville and Burlington named two of the top 25 “rattiest” cities in Ontario

If you live in Oakville or Burlington and have seen more rats than usual, you’re not alone–rats are quite common in Toronto and the GTA.

Pest control specialists Orkin Canada recently released a report ranking the “rattiest” cities in Canada, Ontario and other provinces. 

Burlington and Oakville, two Halton municipalities, made the list of the 25 “rattiest” cities in Ontario, with Oakville coming in at number 12 and Burlington at 21. 

In the report, Orkin said municipalities are ranked by the number of rodent (rat and mice) treatments the company performed from Aug. 1, 2022, through July 31, 2023. The ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments.

“Rat and mice calls used to be expected primarily in the fall and winter as they escape the cold outdoors, but now they are becoming a year-round effort,” said Dr. Alice Sinia, pest specialist and entomologist with Orkin Canada, in the report. 

“Longer summer seasons coupled with abundant food sources provide ideal conditions for exponential growth in rodent populations, which is why it is more important than ever to use integrated pest management techniques to tackle all of the conditions that allow mice and rats to proliferate.”

Other cities that made the list include Toronto (1), Mississauga (2), Ottawa (3), Brampton (5), Hamilton (8), Oshawa (9) and Ajax (18).

As for the “rattiest” cities in all of Canada, Toronto ranked number one, while Vancouver came in at number two and Burnaby at number three. Other cities rounding out the top five include Kelowna and Mississauga. 

So, how does one prevent rodents from setting up shop in their home or business without using a banned rodenticide?

Orkin says home and commercial property owners should keep shrubbery cut back at least one meter from exterior walls, eliminate moisture sources such as clogged gutters (and also ensure water isn’t left to pool in garbage or recycling bins), check their property regularly for rodent droppings and other signs of infestation, close off or seal all small entry points into the home or building and ensure the property is free of crumbs and spills, which might attract pests. 

Orkin also suggests installing screens on utility openings and ducts and rodent-proofing sheds. Proper waste storage and disposal is also crucial. 

“Garbage attracts rodents by providing them with food and water,” a news release says. 

“Practice good waste disposal by keeping garbage and food waste away from your property. Use tight-fitting lid containers and be cautious about garbage overflow.”