Rats and mice are pests that carry disease and can damage your property. Recently, there has been an increased trend in rats and mice infestations in Toronto.
Some of the diseases carried by rats and mice can be deadly, so if you notice any scratching sounds at night, any sounds of scurrying, have seen damaged food packages, droppings, holes in and near foundation walls or dusty surfaces, you probably have a rat problem.
Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency has put in place regulations regarding the methods for removing and killing rats outdoors that came into force in 2010 for residential areas and revised in 2013 for agricultural areas, covering Ontario and the rest of Canada. If these regulations are not followed it could lead to a fine of up to $5,000. To be within legal requirements it is advisable to hire a reputable licensed exterminator for rat extermination services in Toronto
The regulations were put in place because scientific research in Canada and the US found that some products (rodenticides) contain chemicals that are harmful to humans, in particular, pose a risk to small children, toxic to the environment and small animals.
Changes have been made regarding which products can are registered for use to kill rats in and around buildings. The regulations are as follows:-
- Baits must be placed in secure bait stations that are tamper resistant and where children, pets, wildlife and livestock cannot access.
- Outdoor baits and above ground use of products must be placed within tamper-proof bait stations.
- Residential and outdoor use of rodenticides containing certain ingredients is now illegal.
- Restrictions have been placed on the use of rodenticides containing Bromethalin, Brodifacoum, Bromadiolone, Difethialone, Chlorophacinone, Diphacinone, Warfarin and Zinc Phosphide. While these can be used indoors do be aware of concentration levels.
For outdoor use around building the following can be used: Zinc Phosphide, Warfarin, Chlorophacinone, Diphacinone and Bromadiolone.
For landfills, only Chlorophacinone and Diphocinone may be used.
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DIY Outdoor Rat Removal
There are a few great alternatives that you could consider using to get rid of rats outdoors in Toronto.
1. Traps
The best, most humane and most reliable way to eliminate rats outdoors is using old-fashioned snap-traps. These snap shut on the rodents’ neck, breaking it and killing the pest instantly.
Watch Out For: rats are very suspicious foreign objects and changes in their surroundings so leave the trap out with bait but not set. Wait a few days and set the trap when the rat has been taking the bait consistently.
2. Electric Trap
There are popularly known as mouse or rat zappers. This trap is reusable and used bait to attract the rat. Once the rat walks into the trap, it is shocked by up to 8000 volts of electricity killing the rat instantly. This is considered a humane method to kill rats. The entrance doesn’t allow anything bigger than a rat or mouse to enter the trap. A dog or child inserting a paw or finger will be shocked just enough to reflexively pull away.
Watch Out For: make sure the trap is designed specifically designed for outdoor use. These tend to short when exposed to moisture.
3. Live Traps
Some people cannot bear the thought of killing an animal in spite of the nuisance these critters cause. Live traps may be a viable option. The trap is enclosed and lures the rodent with bait before locking it inside. Inspect the trap regularly to ensure that a trapped rodent doesn’t stay in there too long. The rat may die of dehydration, exhaustion or exposure if left in there too long which defeats the humane purpose of using a live trap.
Watch Out For: be mindful of how you handle the trap to avoid contact with the rat or its excrement. Make sure where you release the rat won’t be a nuisance for someone else. You may want to reconsider this option unless you have an expert opinion to the contrary. Relocated rodents of all kinds have a dismal survival rate in their new environments.
4. Glue Traps
This, along with poisoning, is the arguably the worst way to get rid of rats. Watching a rat struggle to free itself from the trap is a harrowing experience especially for children and sensitive people. The rodent may leave behind legs, pieces of skin and more. The rats go through severe stress and agony for hours before they die.
Watch Out For: this trapping method is considered so inhumane that many hardware stores won’t stock the traps.
Rat in Garden During the Day
Most gardening enthusiasts have likely dealt with rats at least once. Rats are attracted to gardens because they offer food, water, and shelter. A rat will dig dirt and create a burrow that is near to the garden. Urban gardens are particularly attractive. Rats prefer urban dwellings because the human population is decent and there are plenty of food scraps to go around. If you are having issues keeping rats out of your garden, it can cause issues.
Rats Nests in the Gardens
Rats can tear your garden apart. Next, they can contaminate your fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Knowing how to get rats out of your garden and how to keep them out can help.
What You Can Do
For starters, you will want to reduce the attractiveness of your garden. Rats are omnivores. They eat fruits, vegetables, and meat. In fact, rats need animal protein. Without it, they cannot sustain themselves. A rat will only eat fruits and vegetables for so long. If there is no animal protein nearby, they will move on in search of their dietary needs.
Compost piles and gardens often go hand in hand. If you have compost pile near to your garden, make sure it does not contain any animal protein. Avoid tossing leftovers and table scraps into the compost pile, which includes oil, meat, and any other source of fat. You should only toss garden scraps into your compost pile.
Also, make sure you remove any nearby trash bags. Place all trash bags in a trash bin. Make sure you have a lid for the bin that seals tightly when closed. A tightly sealed lid prevents rats from climbing up and into your trash bin to access food. Any access to the right foods will keep rats in place, meaning it will make it more difficult for you to have them removed.
If you have any pets, such as a dog, make sure you scoop their feces out of your yard. Dog feces contains animal protein, which can provide nourishment to rats. While it may seem disgusting, rats will consume feces, so they can sustain their dietary needs. Do not attempt to feed any stray animals nearby as this will also attract rats to your property, and your garden.
If rats continue to plague your garden, contact a professional. Never attempt to remove rats from your garden physically or using any form of rat killer. There are local ordinances in place that offer legalized protection for wildlife. Since rats are wildlife, they fall under the protective guidelines. You are not allowed to use anything that proves inhumane or cruel.
How to Get Rid of Rats Outside
If you live in the major cities of Canada, including Toronto, you are likely not a stranger to the sight of a rat scurrying down the sidewalk. The sight is distressing for many, especially considering that rat problems seem to be out of control lately. Mild winters and an increase in construction is partly to blame for the problem.
While seeing a rat running down the sidewalk alongside with you or directly in front of you might seem stressful, imagine having rats running around outside your home. Many homeowners struggle with rats that take up residence on or near the property. Fortunately, there are ways to get rid of rats outside your house.
How to Get Rid of Rats Outside the House
The best way to remove rats from your property is to deny them their necessary resources. If rats cannot find a decent supply of food and water daily, they will move on in search of what they need. Typically, a rat needs approximately 10 ml of water for every 100 grams of body weight. Therefore, if the rat weighs 300 grams, they would need 30 ml of water.
Rats are scavengers by nature, so it is not hard for them to find a source of food and water. In fact, rats use coprophagy to survive. In other words, a rat will resort to eating the feces of another species so they can survive. Feces often contains undigested particles of food, so eating feces can provide rats with their daily nutrition. By denying rats both food and water, you can easily remove them from outside your home. Start by purchasing outdoor trash bins with secure lids. Trash is like a buffet for a rat. If you place a trash bag in a trash bin without a lid, they will easily find their way inside to eat the garbage.
Make sure you keep the outside of your home tidy and clean. Trim grass so that it does not grow tall and provide nesting areas for rats. Pick up any trash and litter you find in your yard. If you have outdoor pets, make sure you clean up their food and water bowls immediately. Do not leave them sitting out for an extended period, especially not overnight.
Rats in the Backyard
Even though a rat is the last thing you want to see running across your yard, if an infestation has occurred, there isn’t much you can do about it on your own. So, the best solution is to hire the best company to do rat control in your backyard and prevent future infestation.
Rodent control products are often harsh and can contain many hazardous ingredients in them. They might include pesticides which can harm your plants or even kill them, or if you have kids, might be toxic to them as well. Many homeowners believe small rat traps might also do the trick. Sure, you might catch one or two, but small traps aren’t powerful enough for large rats. And, even if you catch a couple, this isn’t going to prevent further infestation.
How to Get Rid of Rats in Your Yard
So, how do you go about eliminating the problem, and resolving it from occurring again in the future? Hire the professional rat control company to deal with your rat problem. Why hire contractors who are licensed and certified to get rid of rats in your yard?
They have the right equipment and supplies. If they have to use traps, poisons, or other methods to kill and eliminate the rats, they know which ones to use. Not only to avoid killing/damage plants but also to ensure safety in the backyard. In addition to this, they know how to spot the root of your issues. They will know how to:
- Spot where the infestation has begun.
- Find the source, and kill it from the root.
- Target the actual problem (not just what you visibly see, but actually where the infestation has occurred).
Professionals will also take the approaches necessary to prevent the future infestations from occurring. So, they are going to eliminate the current infestation and get rid of rats which are in the yard, and are going to use preventive solutions to ensure you do not have to deal with this situation anytime again in the future.
Even if you take care of your backyard, and use proper preventive measures, the rat infestation can occur. When you hire the right professionals to eliminate the infestation, you don’ t have to worry about this issue in the future. So, rather than try a DIY trap get proper rat traps from our online store or consider hiring The Exterminators to ensure the rat removal, and prevention from future infestations as well.
Hire a Professional Exterminator to Get Rid of Rats Outdoor
The best way to get rid of rats for good is to hire an exterminator. Only a professional can lay the traps optimally for the best results. The expert is also in a position to advise you about additional measures you can take to keep the rats out in future such as cleaning up your yard, trimming trees, depriving the rodents of food and water and filling holes.
Insist on a warranty for the job to ensure that the exterminator follows up at no extra cost in the event that the rodents return.
To ensure that you comply with the regulations avoid trying to resolve the solution yourself. It is advisable to hire a reputable licensed exterminator for best results and swift removal of rats from your property. Contact the Exterminators, we also offer a complete range of rat control products. For more information call: 647-496-2211.
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Updated: August 17th, 2018
