Bolder Rodent Activity and Migration to the Suburbs Among New 2021 Changes Orkin Canada's Annual Ontario's Rattiest Cities List is Out!
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 18, 2021 /CNW/ - Orkin Canada released its annual list of the top 25 "rattiest" cities in the province of Ontario, with the City of Toronto and its suburbs ranking in the top three spots.
This year's list brought a few notable changes from the year prior: Ottawa moved to number four (from 12). Sudbury moved down to 19 (from 8), while Kitchener, which didn't make it on last year's list, ranked last.
Multiple lockdowns this past year have meant more people are cooking and eating at home. A recent survey found that Canadians produced 13.5% more food waste during the lockdown than non-lockdown times. Food abundance means potential increases in rodent populations, which is why people may be seeing more rats and mice in residential neighbourhoods.
Orkin Canada experts have observed bolder behaviour among rodents. Mainly nocturnal, increased sightings of rodent activity during the day have become more common, as well as migrations from resource-depleted urban centres to food-rich suburban areas, where rats and mice may have been able to reproduce and drive up the population.
City rankings are based on the number of commercial and residential rodent (rats and mice) treatments that Orkin Canada carried out from August 1, 2020, through July 31, 2021.
The top 10 rattiest cities in Ontario in 2021 are:
1. Toronto
2. Mississauga
3. Scarborough
4. Ottawa
5. North York
6. Etobicoke
7. Richmond Hill
8. Brampton
9. London
10. Oshawa
For a complete list of Ontario's rattiest cities please download here.
But fear not suburban residents, as the cooler weather approaches and rodents may be looking for shelter, there are tactics that can be employed to mitigate rodents from entering your homes and frequenting your property:
- Seal cracks or holes in your foundation and install weather stripping around windows and doors
- Keep shrubbery at least a 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
- For more information about rodent prevention, visit orkincanada.ca
About Orkin Canada
Orkin Canada, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rollins, Inc. (NYSE:ROL) is the country's largest pest control provider and leader in the development of fast, effective and environmentally responsible pest control solutions. One key program is the Home Pest Protection Program that prevents and eradicates pest infestations and provides key information about pests. Orkin Canada provides professional services to both residential and commercial clients from coast to coast. For more information, visit www.orkincanada.ca, like www.facebook.com/OrkinCanada or follow @orkincanada.
SOURCE Orkin Canada
For media inquiries, contact: Taylor Murphy at 647-573-6630 or [email protected]; Meetu Madahar at 416-817-4668 or [email protected]
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