Woodstock Named One of the Rattiest Cities in Ontario

Monday, 18 October 2021 14:29

Woodstock, London, Cambridge and Kitchener all cracked the top 25 in Orkin's rattiest city list for 2021.

Orkin, Canada's largest pest control company, has released its list of the most rat infested cities in the country'

The rankings are based on the number of treatments the company performed in each city between August 2020 and July 2021.

Orkin says Toronto, Mississauga and Scarborough ranked first, second and third respectively on the list of 25.

Woodstock cracked the top 25, coming in at 22 on the list. London fared much worse coming in 9th overall. Cambridge and Kitchener also cracked the top 25 coming in at 20 and 25th place overall respectively.

Orkin says when restaurants in commercial areas closed during the pandemic lockdown, rats began to migrate to urban areas in search of food.

At the same time, a survey found we produced 13.5 percent more food waste during the lockdown which fed the rodents and led to an increase in the rat population.

Here are some tips from Orkin for keeping the rats away:

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.