Ontario's rattiest cities named
Pest control company Orkin Canada has revealed Ontario's 25 rattiest cities, ranked by the number of rodent treatments the company performed between August 1, 2020, and July 31, 2021 (that's for mice and rats), in residential and commercial spaces.
Toronto, Mississauga, Scarborough, Ottawa, and North York make the top five, but Orkin says the pandemic has exacerbated rodent problems in some areas.
The full list. (Orkin Canada)
"The COVID-19 pandemic has had both an immediate and potentially long-lasting impact on rodent populations, from behavioural changes to ecological adjustments that forced rodents to have to adapt in order to survive," the company says in a press release.
RODENT PREVENTION TIPS
Stylized by Cheryl Santa Maria. Rat image: Life on White/Canva Pro.
Orkin says you can discourage rodents from congregating on your property by doing the following:
Cut back shrubbery at least one metre from exterior walls to eliminate hiding spots and branches that could provide an entry point into your home.
Rodents need water. Eliminate sources by clearing clogged gutters and preventing water from pooling in bins on your property.
Regularly inspect your property for rodent droppings.
Seal possible entry points around your home.
Clean up crumbs and spills and store food in tightly-sealed containers.
