Oh rats! Hamilton named Canada’s 5th rattiest city

A dubious distinction for Steeltown.

Orkin Canada has named Hamilton the fifth “rattiest” city in the country for the second year in a row.

Toronto tops the list, followed by Ottawa, Mississauga and Scarborough.

The findings are based on the number of residential and commercial treatments done by Orkin last year.

Rat complaints in the city have been on the rise since 2014. There were more than 300 complaints in 2017.

Experts say rodents are very active at this time of year, as they look for food, water and shelter.

It only takes an opening the size of a quarter for a rat to get into a house.

They say homeowners should seal any cracks or holes, keep shrubbery at least one metre from the home and eliminate any moisture sources.

Oakville claimed the 7th spot on Orkin Canada’s list, with Burlington at number eight.

Niagara Falls and St. Catharines were number 21 and 22.