Burlington, Oakville among most rat-infested cities in the province

Both Burlington and Oakville are on Orkin Canada’s annual list of Ontario cities that had the most rodent treatments between Aug. 1, 2020, and July 31, 2021.

Burlington is 12^th on the list and Oakville is 13^th, following behind the cities with the largest populations in the province.

Orkin reminds residents that, as traditional feeding options for rats like dumpsters have lessened during the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been a corresponding rise in residential calls.

They offer several tips for homeowners to minimize the likelihood of rodent infestations:

• Trim your trees — Landscaping can be a big-rodent attractant. Keep shrubbery cut back at least one meter from the exterior walls of your home helps eliminate any hiding spots for rodents and avoids 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.