Rats have always been part of life in cities, but across Canada, urban infestations are becoming harder to ignore. More homeowners, businesses, and municipalities are dealing with rat activity in neighbourhoods that didn’t face the same pressure a decade ago.

As cities expand, construction increases, waste systems are strained, and warmer winters keep rodents active longer. The result is a steady rise in complaints and a growing need for fast, professional response.

This guide breaks down what’s driving the surge, what signs to watch for, and when it’s time to request professional rodent control.

Rat Complaints Are Rising Across Major Canadian Cities

Public reporting data shows that rat activity is increasing in some of Canada’s largest urban centres.

Service Requests in Toronto Have More Than Doubled

Toronto’s official Rat Response Plan reports that rodent-related service requests rose from 1,165 in 2015 to 2,523 in 2024. The city links this increase to warming temperatures, population growth, and urban development.

Calls in Montreal Have Jumped Sharply in Two Years

Montreal has also seen a major rise. Rat-related 311 calls increased from just over 1,000 in 2022 to more than 1,700 in 2024, with some boroughs reporting calls that doubled or tripled amid ongoing construction.

These numbers reflect a broader pattern of growing Canadian rat complaints, especially in dense urban areas.

Rat Infestations & Urbanization

Rats and other rodents thrive where people live in close proximity; this is why rat infestations and urbanization are so closely linked. As cities grow, they create more opportunities for rodents to find food, shelter, and hidden travel routes.

Urbanization contributes to rat activity through:

Dense housing and shared infrastructure: Rats move through walls, utility corridors, and connected basements.
More food waste in public spaces: Overflowing bins, compost, and restaurant waste provide reliable meals.
Aging sewer and drainage systems: Underground networks offer warmth and protection year-round.
Constant development and disruption: Construction forces colonies out of established nesting areas and into nearby buildings.

Climate Change Is Making City Rat Problems Worse

Urban growth isn’t the only driver. Climate change is also changing how rats behave in Canadian cities.

A major 2025 study found that 11 of 16 cities worldwide showed significant rat population increases over recent years. The strongest predictors were:

Rising temperatures
Higher human population density
Increased urban development

In simple terms, milder winters mean rats stay active longer, find shelter more easily, and reproduce with fewer seasonal slowdowns.

Why Rats Are Harder to Control Once Established

Rats are not a simple nuisance pest. They are highly adaptable and fast-moving, and it can be very challenging to get rid of rats once a colony is established because:

Rats avoid unfamiliar objects, making traps less effective at first
They nest in hidden spaces like sewers, walls, and crawlspaces
They reproduce rapidly when food is available
Activity often spreads beyond one property into surrounding buildings

In cities, rats don’t stay confined to one backyard. Early intervention from a commercial or residential rodent control professional can mean the difference between a small issue and a widespread infestation.

Signs of an Urban Rat Infestation

Rats are often active out of sight, especially in basements, alleyways, and shared garbage areas.

Watch for:

Droppings near bins, storage rooms, or utility spaces
Scratching sounds behind walls, especially at night
Burrows near foundations, sheds, or sidewalk edges
Gnaw marks on plastic containers or wiring
Strong ammonia-like odours in enclosed areas
Daytime sightings, which can indicate heavier activity

If these signs appear, a professional rodent inspection can confirm what’s happening before the problem spreads further.

Prevention Steps You Can Take Right Now

Prevention works best when it focuses on food access, shelter, and entry points. Here are practical steps to keep rats out of your home or business:

1. Secure garbage and compost

Use sealed bins and avoid leaving waste bags outdoors overnight.

2. Remove outdoor food sources

Fallen fruit, birdseed, and pet food attract rodents quickly.

3. Seal access points around buildings

Close gaps near pipes, vents, and foundations.

4. Keep storage and basements organized

Clutter gives rats more nesting cover.

5. Monitor shared spaces in multi-unit buildings

Rats often spread through garbage rooms, garages, and utility corridors.

Identifying a rat infestation early reduces the chance of it getting out of hand and helps avoid the need for urgent reporting or emergency response later.

When to Call a Professional Rat Exterminator

Rats are rarely an isolated issue. If signs of activity keep returning, the problem is often larger than it looks and may extend beyond one area of the property.

Rentokil Terminix’s residential and commercial rodent control services focus on identifying entry points, nesting areas, and movement patterns. Our licensed pest control technicians will address the source of the issue and apply prevention measures to reduce the risk of rats returning.

Act Early To Limit Rat Activity

Rat activity in Canadian cities is being driven by ongoing development and changing conditions. Once rats settle in, infestations can spread quickly through nearby buildings.

If you suspect rat activity, early inspection is the most effective way to protect your property and prevent escalation. Book your free estimate today. Rentokil Terminix’s licensed rodent control professionals are available 24/7 to help keep rats out.

We’re open 24/7 | Call 1-888-801-6348

FAQs

Why are rats increasing in Canadian cities now?

Urban growth, construction disruption, and warmer temperatures are creating ideal conditions for rats. Dense housing, accessible food waste, and reduced winter slowdowns all contribute to rising activity in many city neighbourhoods.

Do construction projects attract rats?

Construction doesn’t attract rats directly, but it often displaces colonies from underground nesting areas. When habitats are disturbed, rats move into nearby homes, garages, and commercial spaces in search of shelter.

How fast can a rat infestation grow?

Rat populations can grow quickly once they establish access to food and warmth. A small number of rats can become a larger infestation within a few months, especially in dense urban environments.

Who to call if you see a rat?

If you see a rat inside your home or around your building, it’s best to contact a licensed pest control provider right away. Professional inspection helps confirm the source and prevents the issue from escalating.

How to investigate rat problems?

Start by checking for droppings, burrows, gnaw marks, and scratching sounds near basements, garbage areas, and utility spaces. Because rats often nest out of sight, a professional inspection is the most reliable way to understand the full extent of activity.

What do professionals use for rodent control?

Professionals use a combination of inspection tools, exclusion work, targeted baiting or trapping, and follow-up monitoring. The goal is long-term prevention—removing rats safely and blocking the pathways that allow them to return.

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Why Rat Infestations Are Surging in Canadian Cities