There are two communities in the Tri-Cities with an apparent rat problem as the rodent's population is growing, according to a national pest control company.
Orkin Canada released its annual rattiest cities ranking for B.C., and has Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam among the top 10 at eighth and ninth respectively.
The data was collected between Aug. 1, 2021, and July 31, 2022, and are based on the number of commercial and residential rodent (rats and mice) treatments that Orkin Canada carried out between those dates.
Nationally, Coquitlam ranks 17th among widely rodent-infested cities, while Port Coquitlam just cracks the top 20.
In a news release today (Oct. 19), Orkin believes, in the past year, a wider variety of food sources has become more available to rats and mice as businesses were able to lift previous COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and fully reopen.
"With food more abundantly available in commercial areas, some of the aggressive behaviours among rats and mice that were noted during the lockdowns, such as cannibalism, 'street fights' and territorialism, will likely lessen," the company stated.
"However, with population growth, there will also be increased rodent activity and sightings."
Orkin said 13.5 per cent of all Canadians produced more food waste during the pandemic compared to "non-lockdown times."
Now, with the days becoming slightly colder, the company explained rats are going to be looking for heated shelters, including homes, businesses and other buildings, and lists the following tips for keeping the furry creatures out:
- 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 and to avoid 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.
For more information, you're encouraged to visit Orkin Canada's website.
Vancouver was named B.C.'s rattiest city for a sixth year in a row, while the Tri-Cities' neighbouring municipality of Burnaby was second overall.
