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Mississauga can’t seem to get rid of its rat problem.

Canada’s seventh-largest city has once again ranked in the top 10 on Mississauga-based Orkin Canada’s annual list of the 25 “Most Failed Cities in Canada” (see image below ).

Mississauga ranks sixth on the latest list released Tuesday by Orkin, the country’s largest pest control company. The city ranked fifth in 2022 and last year.

In compiling the 2024 list, Orkin said in a press release that “rodents continue to be rampant across the country,” adding that “these results highlight increasing rodent activity in urban centers.”

Toronto once again ranks first, followed by four British Columbia cities – Vancouver, Kelowna, Burnaby and Victoria – to round out the top five. These cities, with the exception of Victoria which was seventh in 2023, were also in the top five last year.

(Source: Orkin Canada)

After Mississauga, Richmond (BC), Surrey (BC), Scarborough and St. John’s (Newfoundland) complete the top 10 for 2024.

When it comes to rodent infestations in Ontario, Mississauga has consistently ranked second in recent years, behind Toronto, according to the Orkin rankings. The ranking lists the top 25 cities facing rat problems (see image below).

Ontario’s top 10 cities for 2024 are:

• Toronto
• Mississauga
• Scarborough
• Ottawa
• Sudbury
• Brampton
• Hamilton
• Etobicoke
• York North
• London

Other cities on the Ontario Top 25 list include Oshawa (12), Oakville (13), Burlington (17), Niagara Falls (18), Ajax (23), St. Catharines (24) and Whitby (25).

The latest rankings are based on the number of commercial and residential rodent (rat and mouse) treatments provided by Orkin from August 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024.

While pests previously only showed up during certain times of the year, that is changing, according to Orkin, who notes that it is now a year-round problem.

“Previously, the cries of rats and mice were expected primarily in the fall and winter, when they were escaping the cold outside, but now they are becoming a year-round effort,” Orkin Canada officials said earlier . “Longer summer seasons coupled with abundant food sources provide ideal conditions for rodent populations to grow exponentially.”

(Source: Orkin Canada)

Orkin Canada says that as colder weather approaches and rodents seek shelter, there are a number of steps people can take to prevent rats and mice from entering their homes and properties:

• seal any cracks or holes in your foundation and install weather stripping around windows and doors.
• keep shrubs at least one meter from the exterior walls of your home
• get rid of sources of moisture, such as clogged gutters, and repair leaking pipes or faucets, both indoors and outdoors.
• be diligent in keeping trash and old food away from your home
• inspect the interior and exterior of your property for rodent droppings. The sooner rodents are detected, the better, says Orkin
• clear clutter indoors and outdoors, cut back overgrown vegetation and keep grass short

For more information and tips on how to reduce the risk of rodent infestation, visit Orkin Canada online.

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