Did you know the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on rat populations across the province?
According to Orkin Canada pest control, COVID-19 lockdowns and the temporary closures of non-essential businesses have resulted in rodent “hotspots” popping up across the province.
When restaurants and other commercial structures were shut down due to the pandemic, it was more difficult for rats to find food in their usual spots.
During lockdowns, cities also saw less foot traffic. This allowed rats to venture further out than they usually would to find new sources of food and explore temporarily closed restaurants and other food services.
This created the optimal habitat and breeding conditions for rodents, resulting in these population “hotspots”.
Now, Orkin Canada has released their 2021 list of BC’s “Rattiest” cities and Victoria made the list.
Cities are ranked based on the number of rodent treatments Orkin performed between August 1st 2020 through July 31st 2021.
Our very own Victoria ranked number three on the list, behind Burnaby in second place and Vancouver topping the list in first.
You can see the full list below:
- Vancouver
- Burnaby
- Victoria
- Surrey
- Kelowna
- Richmond
- Vernon
- Abbotsford
- Langley
- Coquitlam
- Chilliwack
- Port Coquitlam
- North Vancouver
- Delta
- West Vancouver
- Nanaimo
- Maple Ridge
- Duncan
- Powell River
- Kamloops
As Winter approaches, Orkin Canada reminds residents to take precautions to help keep rodents out of their homes and businesses.
When there is an increase in rats, there is also an increase in rodent fleas, mites and ticks that are found on rodents. These have the potential to infest areas and buildings and can migrate to other areas as rodent populations spread.
