Well, folks, it seems our beloved Victoria has snagged a new title—one that isn’t exactly going to make the tourism brochures.
According to pest control giant Orkin Canada, our charming capital city has climbed to the prestigious rank of the 5th rattiest city in Canada and 4th in BC—it appears we have more than just stunning views and tasty treats to offer.
If you’ve noticed an uptick in your furry friends—those of the rodent variety—scurrying around lately, you’re not imagining things.
It seems the capital of BC has a knack for attracting these whiskered wanderers, and we’ve jumped up two spots from last year’s seventh place.
Orkin compiled this year’s rankings based on the number of service calls they received from both residential and commercial clients between August 1st, 2023, and July 31th, of this year.
Toronto, the reigning champion of rodent rendezvous, holds the top spot for the rattiest city in Canada, followed closely by Vancouver.
When zooming in on BC, it’s worth noting that the rest of the island seems to have dodged the rodent bullet (kind of), with only Victoria and Nanaimo (19th) making it onto Orkin’s provincial list.
The top five rattiest cities in BC look like this:
- Vancouver
- Kelowna
- Burnaby
- Victoria
- Richmond
So, what’s the deal? Is it our delicious local cuisine luring in these critters, or perhaps our lovely gardens providing the perfect habitat? Regardless of the reason, Orkin offers some wise tips for keeping these unwanted guests away.
As the temperatures drop and winter approaches, rats are looking for warm havens to escape the cold. Orkin suggests taking a few proactive measures to prevent infestations.
Here are their top tips:
- Trim Trees and Bushes: Keep them at least one metre away from your home’s exterior walls. We’re not saying our gardens should look barren, but let’s keep the rats on the outside looking in
- Fix Water Issues: Make sure there’s no pooling water from clogged gutters or outdoor garbage bins. Rats love a good swim as much as anyone, so let’s keep them high and dry
- Seal Those Gaps: Rats can squeeze through any opening larger than 0.63 centimetres (about 1/4 inch). If your home has any gaps, it’s time for a little DIY and some rat-proofing
- Eliminate Food Sources: Keep your home free of rodent attractants by cleaning up crumbs and spills, storing all food—including pet food—in closed containers, and staying vigilant for droppings, burrows, or rub marks. Remember, if it’s not a delicacy, it shouldn’t be on the floor
As we accept this less-than-glamorous title, let’s do our part to keep the city as rodent-free as possible. After all, we’d much rather welcome two-legged visitors than four-legged ones!
