Vancouver Tops as Rattiest City Fifth Year in a Row
Orkin Canada's annual Rattiest Cities list for British Columbia is out!
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 2, 2021 /CNW/ - Orkin Canada has released its list of the rattiest cities in British Columbia, with Vancouver ranking first for the fifth time.
This year's list brought a few notable changes from the year prior: Vernon moved to number seven (from 11) and North Vancouver moved down to 13 (from 8). Duncan also moved down to number 18 (from 14), while cities such as Terrace and Sidney didn't make it on this year's list.
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.
This year's top 10 rattiest cities in British Columbia are:
- Vancouver
- Burnaby
- Victoria
- Surrey
- Kelowna
- Richmond
- Vernon
- Abbotsford
- Langley
- Coquitlam
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. Download here for a complete list of British Columbia's rattiest cities.
Orkin Canada warns that as the cooler weather approaches, rodents may be looking for shelter. But fear not suburban residents as 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
Taylor Brown, [email protected], 647.573.6630; Meetu Madahar, [email protected], 416.817.4668
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