Victoria is the second rattiest city in B.C. for 2018. Photo courtesy CBC.
For the second year in a row, Orkin Canada has named Victoria as the second-rattiest city in the entire province.
The pest control company released its annual list on Tuesday and Vancouver took the number one spot, followed by Victoria and then Burnaby.
Some other Vancouver Island communities were included in the list. Duncan is number eight, Nanaimo is in 12th place, Sidney is in 13th place and Port Alberni takes the 16th spot.
The top 20 rattiest cities in British Columbia (Orkin Canada)
Cities are ranked by the number of rodent (rat and mice) treatments the company performed from Jan. 1, 2018, through Dec. 31, 2018. The ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments.
Rats and mice are active year round and are prolific breeders. They can chew on insulation, siding, wallboards and wiring. They can also consume and contaminate stored food and transmit diseases.
Signs of a rodent problem include rodent droppings, dirty rub marks along frequently used routes, noises in walls, and chew marks on wood or food and around pipes.
Orkin Canada recommends the following to get rid of rodents:
- 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.
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