Cornwall Is One Of Ontario’s Most Rat-Free Cities

When it comes to Ontario’s “rattiest” cities, Cornwall isn’t one of them. Toronto is Canada’s worst city for rodent infestations, while Mississauga has the second biggest pest problem in Ontario, a recent report by Pest control company, Orkin reveals. A number of other Ontario spots also make the top 25 list of the nation’s rattiest cities, including Brampton, North York, Ottawa, Oshawa, Sudbury, and Scarborough. Although Cornwall residents will be glad their city is relatively rat-free, smart pest-prevention practices can still play an important role in collectively maintaining this coveted status. 

How to prevent pests

Orkin is advising Canadians to take measures to effectively prevent pests in their homes. For example, it’s important to practise correct garbage storage – rats typically love feasting on garbage and old food. So, be sure to fit your trash cans with tight-fitting lids, and avoid overfilling them. It’s also useful to take the time to apply weather stripping around exterior doors and windows; this simple action can effectively keep rats out of your home. Also, consider making your garden shed rodent-proof. Since garden sheds are typically warm, dry, and secure, they can be a hotspot for breeding rats – particularly during the colder months.  

Adopting an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy can also be a worthwhile approach to pest prevention. According to the U.S. EPA, IPM is defined as “an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices”. IPM can put an end to a reliance on harsh and toxic chemicals, and instead works to stop pests at the source. Preventative measures like good hygiene and sealing holes or cracks around the home can keep pests at bay, while also being kinder to the environment.  

Aggressive behaviour on the decline 

According to Orkin, the growing problem of aggressive behaviour in rodents across Canada is, fortunately, appears to be on the decline. “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”, they say. That said, since rat populations are continuing to boom, increased rat sightings across the county can naturally be expected.  

Pests can be a real nuisance in any home or city. By working to implement simple yet effective pest control measures, Cornwall residents can continue to collectively keep the city clean and rat-free.