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The City of Toronto recently launched its Rat Response Plan to help reduce rat activity across the city through prevention, education and coordinated action. While rats are common in urban environments, residents and businesses can play an important role in preventing infestations by removing sources of food, water and shelter.
Here is some information alongside prevention tips about rat activity in Toronto and the simple actions communities can take to help prevent it.
Why are rats common in urban areas?
Rats are found in cities around the world because urban environments provide easy access to the food, water and shelter they need to survive. Neighbourhoods, commercial areas, parks and construction sites can all provide suitable habitat for rats if food sources and places to hide are readily available. Large, densely populated cities like Toronto can create ideal conditions for rodents when preventative measures are not taken.
What attracts rats to homes and businesses?
Rats are primarily attracted by three things: food, water and shelter.
Common attractants include:
- Garbage stored in unsecured containers.
- Food waste left outside or not properly disposed of.
- Fallen fruit from trees and gardens.
- Pet food left outdoors.
- Bird seed and spilled food around bird feeders.
- Overgrown vegetation, wood piles and clutter.
- Construction materials and debris.
- Cracks, holes or openings that provide access to buildings.
How can residents remove sources of food, water and shelter?
The most effective way to prevent rat activity is to make properties less attractive to rodents.
Residents and businesses can:
Remove food sources
- Store garbage in animal-resistant containers with tight-fitting lids.
- Secure composters and properly use Green Bins for food waste.
- Clean up fallen fruit and spilled bird seed.
- Avoid leaving pet food outdoors.
Remove shelter
- Remove clutter, debris, wood piles and other materials where rats may nest.
- Keep yards maintained and cut tall grass and weeds.
- Regularly inspect properties for signs of rat activity.
Prevent access
- Seal cracks, gaps and small holes around homes, garages and sheds.
- Repair damaged foundations, vents and other entry points that rats can use to get inside buildings.
What is the City’s Rat Response Plan?
The City’s Rat Response Plan is focused on reducing rat activity through education, prevention, enforcement and coordinated action across City divisions.
The plan recognizes that addressing rat activity requires a city-wide approach and emphasizes public education about prevention, improving awareness of best practices, supporting proactive property maintenance and strengthening coordination among City services. The goal is to help residents and businesses better understand how to reduce conditions that attract rats and how to respond when issues arise.
What should people do if they notice rat activity?
If residents observe rat activity on their property, they should take steps immediately to identify and remove food, water and shelter sources.
Additional actions may include:
- Inspecting the property for burrows, droppings or signs of rodent activity.
- Improving waste storage and property maintenance.
- Sealing entry points into buildings.
- Contacting a licensed pest control company if necessary.
For apartment and multi-residential buildings, tenants should first report concerns to their landlord, building owner or property manager. If the issue remains unresolved, they can contact 311.
What role do residents, businesses and property owners play in preventing infestations?
Preventing rat activity is a shared responsibility.
Residents, businesses and property owners are responsible for maintaining their properties and taking proactive steps to remove conditions that attract rodents. Proper waste management, regular property maintenance and prompt action when signs of rat activity are identified are among the most effective ways to reduce infestations.
By taking preventative measures and addressing issues early, property owners can help reduce rat activity in their own communities and support broader city-wide efforts to manage Toronto’s rat population.
For more information visit: Rat Control – City of Toronto
