Woodbridge, Markham and Richmond Hill among the ‘rattiest cities’ in Ontario

Yorkregion.com
Nov. 2, 2023

Three cities in York Region have been named to Orkin Canada’s list of the 25 “rattiest” in the province.

Toronto sits at the top of both Ontario’s and Canada’s list of the rattiest cities, but Mississauga, Richmond Hill and Woodbridge all made the Ontario list.

Markham sits in spot 13, Richmond Hill came in at 15 and Woodbridge ranks 24th.

Ranks are determined by the amount of rodent (rat & mice) treatments the company performed from Aug. 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023 and includes both residential and commercial treatments.

Here are some rodent prevention tips from Orkin:

Trim your Trees: Landscaping can be a big attractant to rodents. Keep shrubbery cut back at least one meter from the exterior walls of your home to eliminate any hiding spots and avoid giving them a “jumping off” point.

Cut Off the Water: Clear out any moisture sources that are necessary for pests’ survival, including clogged gutters or water gathering in trash or recycling bins.

Inspect both inside and outside for droppings, burrows and rub marks along baseboards and walls. The quicker 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.