Brampton ranks fifth on list of ‘rattiest cities’ in Ontario

There are some lists you want to top, and then there’s Orkin Canada’s top 25 list of the “Rattiest Cities in Canada.”

Orkin Canada has released its annual list of the most rat-infested citites in the country, and Brampton has moved up the rankings on the less-than-desirable list compared to 2021.

Nine Ontario cities made Orkin’s list this year with Toronto once again dubbed Canada’s rattiest city, while Mississauga came in second on the list for the second year in a row.

But Brampton jumped up from the eighth-most rat-infested city in Ontario last year to the fifth-most in 2022.

Of all the Canadian cities included on the list, Brampton was ranked 18th overall.

For Ontario, Scarborough came in third, Ottawa fourth and Brampton (eighth on last year’s list) took fifth spot in 2022 on the not-so-desirable list. Sudbury, North York, Oshawa, Etobicoke and Oakville all rounded out Ontario’s top 10.

Orkin said that food sources for rodents are abundantly available in urban and commercial areas again as COVID-19 pandemic fears declice.

“With food more abundantly available in commercial areas, some of the aggressive behaviours among rats and mice that were noted during the lockdowns, such as cannibalism, street fights and territorialism, will likely lessen,” Orkin said in a release. “However, with population growth, there will also be increased rodent activity and sightings.”

With colder weather fast approaching, Orkin says rodents are looking for shelter and offered tips to help keep rats and mice at bay:  

• seal cracks or holes in your foundation and install weather stripping around windows and doors
• keep shrubbery at least one metre away from exterior walls of your home 
• get rid of moisture sources, such as clogged gutters
• be diligent in keeping garbage and old food away from your house
• inspect both inside and outside your property for rodent droppings