Can't stop, won't stop.
When it comes to rats, Vancouver can't stop winning the title of B.C.'s rattiest city (it feels more like losing, however).
The city has been crowned the province's top rat city by Orkin, Canada’s largest pest control company. Cities are ranked by the number of rodent (rat and mice) treatments the company performed from Aug. 1, 2021, through July 31, 2022. The ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments.
Burnaby followed Vancouver in second, and Kelowna placed third. Victoria came fourth, with Richmond rounding out the top five in B.C.
Surrey landed in sixth, with Vernon in seventh. Coquitlam placed eighth, with Port Coquitlam in ninth. Langley rounded out the top 10.
Vancouver was also ranked B.C.'s most rat-infested city in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
The City of Vancouver has a guide on how to identify a rat or mouse infestation including keeping an eye out for burrows, noises, droppings and chew marks. The most common rodents in the Vancouver area are the Norway (brown) rat, the roof (black) rat and the house mouse.
Of course, people actively try to control the rat population, but it isn’t always an easy task. Nevertheless, the BC SPCA reminds residents to choose humane ways of doing so.
Visit here for our guide on how to handle living in B.C.'s rattiest city (the humane way).
Orkin Canada's rodent prevention tips
- Close the Gap: Seal any cracks or holes in your foundation with weather-resistant sealant. Install weather stripping around windows and doors, as well as door sweeps.
- 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.
- 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.
