Brampton ranks fifth ‘rattiest’ city in Ontario: report

The “rattiest city” list for 2023 is out and Brampton ranks fifth in Ontario.

Orkin Canada released its list of cities with the worse rat problems. Brampton holds on to the number five spot from last year when it jumped up from the eighth-most rat-infested city in Ontario.

Brampton falls below top four rattiest cities Toronto, Mississauga, Ottawa and Scarborough.

Orkin, a pest control company, ranked the cities based on the number of rodent (rats and mice) treatments the company did between Aug. 1, 2022 and July 31, 2023. This includes residential and commercial treatments.

In Canada, Brampton ranks number 15 below much larger cities. Toronto is number one in Canada while Mississauga ranks fifth.

In an effort to keep rat populations low, the Region of Peel has a Residential Rat Control Subsidy Pilot Program to help residents with the costs with rat issues on the exterior of homes.

Orkin also offers the following tips to reduce rat populations:

• Trim 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.

For more information, visit Orkin.