Ew: Almost half of Canada's 'rattiest' cities are located in B.C.

Vancouver finds itself at the top of many prestigious lists, but a ranking from a national pest control company will have many locals saying, “rats.”

In a new ranking from Orkin, a pest and wildlife control service, Vancouver was ranked the third “rattiest” city in Canada.

However, it wasn’t the most rat-infested city in the province, as Victoria landed higher on the ignominious annual ranking, at number two.

And rounding out the ew-inducing top five are Burnaby in fourth and Richmond in fifth. Toronto, Ont., was ranked the “rattiest” city in the country.

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B.C. is home to 10 of the top 25 rattiest cities in Canada, with Kelowna slotting in at seventh place, Surrey at number 12, Vernon at 15th, Abbotsford in 16th, Langley at 18th, and Delta in the 21st spot.

The cities were ranked by the number of rat and mouse treatments the company performed from Aug. 1, 2022, to July 31, 2025. The ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments.

Aaron Soudant, director of service excellence and quality assurance at Abell Pest Control, who is not affiliated with the ranking, said that “rats are highly adaptable and thrive in urban environments.”

“With changing weather, construction activity, and easy access to food sources, conditions are ideal for rats to survive and multiply year-round, making proactive prevention essential for every community,” said Soudant in a release.

A national survey conducted by Abell Pest Control this fall at the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors conference in Kelowna found that 89 per cent of health inspectors have observed a rise in rat activity over the past three years.

Abell’s data also reveals a 15 per cent increase in rat activity across Canada over the same period of time.

“Construction and pandemic-era disruptions displaced rat populations, pushing them into new neighbourhoods where they’ve since established themselves,” added Abell. “Warmer winters now extend breeding seasons, while accessible food sources, garbage, compost, bird seed, pet food, and commercial waste, sustain larger colonies.

“Aging infrastructure, foundation gaps, and ongoing urban development further contribute to ideal nesting and entry conditions.”

In light of the ranking, Orkin Canada also shared some tips and tricks to help quell and prevent unwanted run-ins with rats.

• Trim the trees: 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.
• Mind 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.

​Alternatively, you could move to Canada’s rat-free province if you suffer from musophobia.

Have you noticed an increase in the rat population in Metro Vancouver? Let us know in the comments.

With files from Daily Hive staff