Pest-control company ranks the Sault among 'rattiest' in Ontario

A pest control company has tabulated their ranking of Ontario cities which made the most calls for rodent treatments in 2016 — and Sault Ste. Marie has made the list.

Orkin Canada released their ranking of “rattiest cities” on Tuesday, based on the number of commercial and residential rodent treatments (rats and mice) conducted in those cities.

Sault Ste. Marie ranked No. 18, faring better than ninth-ranked Sudbury but behind Timmins at No. 22.

Toronto was ranked first in the province, followed by Ottawa and Mississauga.

In previous years, Orkin was contracted by the city for a rat abatement program within Sault Ste. Marie, but was recently replaced by Abell Pest Control.

Since 2010, the residential rodent control program has averaged 304 calls per year, with a spike of 661 calls reported in 2015.

Windsor’s city council recently voted to reinstate that city's rat-baiting program — it came in seventh place in Orkin’s 2016 listing.

Sault Ste. Marie and Windsor are the only two cities in Ontario offering rat abatement services to residents free of charge.

In a press release, Orkin recommends a number of tips to prevent rodents, including the sealing of cracks or holes in your foundation, trimming shrubs away from your house and eliminating moisture sources.

“Rodents are capable of transmitting a number of serious diseases, and cause millions of dollars of damage to properties every year. Homes with small holes or cracks in perimeter walls are most at risk,” the release said.