Your city. The rattiest city, 9 years in a row!
We knew this city was rainy, but how about ratty too? 😱
You might have read recent articles in the news about Canada’s Rattiest cities. Previously, Vancouver had won the gold for 7 straight years. But sadly only 2nd in 2025. What a shame. Somewhere, the committee must be asking themselves—”what will it take to reclaim the title next year?”
You can read the latest 2025 Rattiest City report here.
Why are we so ratty?
Any populous city is bound to have rat problems. Where there are humans, there are rodents too. Where there is a concentration of restaurants, bars and ensuing dumpsters, no doubt there will be rampant rat populations.
Vancouver has always had a steady increase in rodents numbers each year but over the last 18 months we’ve seen significant growth, and a migration of rats into more residential areas. Unfortunately this means that some residents are experiencing rodent problems for the very first time.
Rodenticide Ban – one main reason for the surge in rat and mice populations can be attributed to the BC Government’s ban on the use of poisons, which aims to prevent secondary posing on non-target animals. It’s the right decision, but it’s providing extra challenges for the pest control industry in combating populations. Owner Mike Londry talks with Vancouver Is Awesome about the concerning mice populations, back in the Spring this year.
*PROCEED WITH CAUTION*
Rats are harmful and can carry diseases. Please take extra care if you decide to embark on tackling rodents yourself, or cleaning up a rodent mess. Rodent excrement can cause Salmonellosis and other viral infections through contact, or indirectly through food or water contamination. Be mindful when cleaning a crawlspace not to come in contact with rodent spoils. We have a clean-up service that helps with this.
OK. So, it’s all well and good being the rat capital, but what can we do about it? Here are 6 tips to help with DIY Rat Control.
#1 – Inspect your crawlspaces and storage
Mice tend to live in close quarters to humans, typically nesting in the floors, walls or crawlspace directly adjacent to the kitchen, so that they are as close as possible to food sources.
Rats on the other hand do not normally co-habitat with people, keeping their distance in attics, wall voids and unfrequented crawlspaces. Rats normally use the home as a place of harbourage only. For mice your lovely home is a 5-Star All-Inclusive Resort.
Inspect your attic, crawlspace, basement, garage, sheds, and any other area that you don’t visit very often.
Look for signs of rodent presence including droppings, grease mark trails, torn up insulation outside below potential entry points and marking or staining on the underside of soffits. Here’s one shot by our tech this year
#2 – Looks for signs of entry
Once you’ve checked your crawl spaces, then we want to investigate the rest of your property for signs of entry.
Check up high, if you have a ladder. Tiled roofs are notorious for providing easy access into homes for rodents.
When roofs are converted from cedar shakes to asphalt shingles there is often a gap that gets left between the facia and plywood creating a perfect entrance for rodents such as rats and squirrels.
When checking the exterior, there are a number of areas where we can look for signs of pest ingress. Some areas of note include gutter lines, door frames, soffits, window frames, roof vent, garage doors, & more.
Having an inspection and/or service done by Westside Pest Control will identify rodent entryways under roof tiles, overhanging gutter lines, and gaps in siding like this one. Learn more about our 25-point pest inspection
#3 Bird Feeders = Rodent Buffet
Bird feeders are like a gold mine for rodents. For rodents, they’re a reliable, calorie-rich food source. Once seeds start falling to the ground, rats and mice quickly catch on.
Install a tray or seed catcher that is cleaned regularly beneath any bird feeders. Place feeders at least a few metres from your home or garage. Or Remove bird feeders altogether if you are seeing evidence of rodent activity, like droppings or burrows.
We know it’s tough to cut off the backyard birds, but keeping rodents away from your structure is priority number one.
#4 Clear Clutter Along the Foundation Line
Minimize clutter around the foundation line, in garages and inside and around outdoor sheds.
Rats and mice love clutter. Woodpiles, plastic totes, stacked planters, even old toys can offer perfect shelter. Once they’re comfortable near your foundation, the next stop is usually your crawlspace, basement, or garage.
Here’s what helps:
- Clear a 24-inch zone around the base of your home.
- Store gear in sealed bins on raised shelves rather than stacked directly on the ground.
- Keep outdoor sheds, garages, and carports tidy. Rodents often enter unnoticed and build nests in corners or tucked-in gear.
Think of this zone as your pest “no-fly zone” on the ground. If it’s clean and open, it’s not nearly as appealing to rodents looking for cover.
#5 Remove Climbing Vines and Dense Leaf Cover
This one’s big. While rodents can climb rough surfaces like stucco or brick, they’d much rather scale a leafy vine or tangled blackberry bush. Thick vegetation gives them grip, protection from predators, and a clear runway right into your siding, vents, or roofline.
Eliminate climbing vines, blackberries and other leaf cover around the foundation line. Plants should not be climbing into the siding, up vents or into window sills. Rodent use these as pathways.
What to do:
- Cut back or fully remove any vines climbing your home.
- Keep bushes and plants 12 to 18 inches away from siding, vents, and windows.
- Tackle aggressive growers like Himalayan blackberry early before they turn into rodent condos.
Removing vines makes your home less appealing to rodents and gives you a clear view to catch pest issues early. It also helps prevent moisture problems and siding damage. Win-win.
#6 Seal Entryways
Rats have an almighty bite and will gnaw on virtually anything to wear down their constantly growing teeth to keep them sharp and strong.
Any material that is weaker than their teeth is what’s best to use to keep them out! Rats will find it hard to chew through Solid concrete, Stone, and Hard metal.
At Westside Pest Control, we use a variety of hard metals like thick aluminum flashing, copper wool and galvanised wire mesh plug rodent entryways.
Once you find a hole, block it off using one of these materials. You can purchase them from your local hardware store.
See related: What can rats chew through?
#7 – Clean, Clean, Clean.
One of the best and easiest things you can do to keep rodents away is keep your home, yard, and garbage areas clean. An overflowing garbage area is likely to attract rodents and other pests.
Cleaning rodent spoils
If you find rodent spoils like urine for example, make sure you use a mixture of bleach and water, or any household cleaner. (or Vital Oxide if you’re looking for something stronger)
We do this because any pest is going to get familiar, whether it’s the same rat or a different rat that shows up again. If a different rat shows up on your doorstep or in your basement, and they can smell where spots of urine have been left by previous unwanted rodents, they are going to presume this is a safe space to reside.
By cleaning rigorously, they’ll think it is not such a safe place to be. Rats are highly sensory creatures, their senses play a key part in all the habits that they create.
Other cleaning tips
- Cut back tree branches, bushes or any foliage in contact with the structure
- Don’t let garbage or compost overflow and make sure lids are secure
- Always use high quality rodent proof bird feeders (if you must use them at all!)
Learn more about residential Rat Control
#8 Sensory Deterrents
Rats are very sensory creatures and will use their sense of smell to identify safe spaces. Sensory deterrents can sometimes work to throw them off and make them move onto the next home.
Some home remedy solutions that you could try include;
- Essential oils – You can try spreading Peppermint, Citronella, or Eucalyptus oils around your home’s perimeter and near rat openings and holes. Peppermint is non-toxic and can help to deter rodents. Be advised, these are preventative measures only – once rats or mice have established in your home, no amount of essential oils will not convince them to leave.
- Cayenne pepper – Rats hate it and you can sprinkle near holes or around the outside of your property. You can use it as a deterrent in compost bins, bird feeders, and chicken coops. It will need to be re-applied whenever it rains so in Vancouver is best suited as a summer garden deterrent.
#9 Using Ultrasonic Devices To Keep Them Away
Ultrasonic devices are a good DIY deterrent to keep them out. Ultrasonic devices have become a popular means of helping to prevent rodents and they can be helpful if there are NOT rodents already present. Camping trailers, boats, garages and summer cabins are ideal places to utilise ultrasonic devices for rodent prevention. It’s important to note that rodents are very habitual creatures. If a pest problem has already been established, similar to the use of essential oils and other natural repellants, don’t waste your money on an ultrasonic device, the mice or rats will ignore them.
#10 Store Away Pet Food
Yes, rats go for pet food. All the time. Dry kibble might look harmless sitting in a bowl or open bin, but to a rodent, it’s high-calorie treasure. The smell carries far, and if it’s easy to access, they’ll be back for seconds. And thirds.
If you’re storing pet food in the garage, on the porch, or even inside the house, use containers that rodents can’t chew through. Think thick metal or heavy-duty plastic with locking lids. Tupperware and soft plastic bins might slow them down, but determined rats will still chew right in.
Also, be sure to clean up spills quickly. Even a small trail of kibble is enough to start drawing rodents in. And if your pet eats outside, bring the dish in at night. That leftover food might as well be a dinner bell.
Quick Recap
All in all. Don’t be surprised if you see a rat or two around! We are the Rattiest City!
Unfortunately rats are some of the smartest pests, which is why they present the toughest challenge. Home remedies can work in some instances when used as a preventative measure, but once a nesting site has been formed these remedies are not going to eradicate your problem.
Removing rats from a property can take a number of visits by a professional pest control technician.
To arrange a pest inspection for your home or business, contact us via phone, email, or use our webchat to speak with a pest expert.
What’s included in a Rodent removal service?
Our trained technicians will inspect every inch of your home or business including the roof, attic and crawlspace. Part of our process always involves closing off all potential rodent access points (entry point exclusion). Our goal is to ensure all potential entry points from the roof to the foundation are sealed so that rats and other rodents are unable to re-enter the home or building.
Learn more about our entry point exclusion services
Learn more about rodent control.
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Check out some of our other guides with tips for homeowners.