Coquitlam Ranked the 10th Most Rat-Infested City in British Columbia

If the thought of rats makes you a bit queasy, then having your city ranked in the top 10 for rat infestations is likely unsettling. Rats get a bad rap because of their perceived sneaky behaviours and dirty habits. Their history as disease carriers doesn’t help their reputation. We never recommend handling wildlife, but there are several things you can do to prevent infestations, including calling wildlife control in Coquitlam.

So Why Do the Rats Love Coquitlam?

The good citizens of Coquitlam should not take this dubious honour personally. The truth is the rats are just being rats. Urban-dwelling rodents are always looking for a delicious bite to eat. Throughout the pandemic, food waste in the city was at an enormous high. For the most part, people in lockdown cooked at home, so trash bins were overrun with lots of great food options for rodents. This situation was so good for rats that their populations experienced significant growth. Food abundance and population growth spell trouble for the potential of rat and human intersections. Restaurants deal with this situation a lot because of the amount of waste they produce. The tables were turned as dining out for people in residential communities was halted by COVID-19. Home-cooked meals bring hungry rodents looking for easy ways to get nutrition.

Why Waste a Good Opportunity?

Rats are opportunistic creatures. Like many other mammals, this tendency is an instinctual part of their survival. Rats eat foods that are readily available when they have the chance. It’s nothing personal on a rat’s part. It’s just the inner drive to go where the resources are abundant, and the living is easy. Additionally, mammals conserve energy by reducing their need to hunt prey when they can easily find some goodies left in a trash bin. A rat’s sense of smell further complicates the matter. Rodents, in general, have highly sensitive olfactory abilities. They migrate across relatively large territories on the hunt for food sources. Your garbage can is like a rat buffet once they discover it.

What Happens Once They Arrive?

Coquitlam residents began noticing the uptick in rat sightings as the pandemic continued. Now, these mammals are seeking shelter as the weather grows colder. This means homes and businesses are seeing up-close activity. Rats are prolific breeders, so with ample food and comfortable shelter, populations can soar out of control. It is best to seek humane rat removal services at the first sighting or sign of rat entry.

What Should You Do When You Spot Rodents?

The first thing to do when rats are present is to call humane wildlife control experts. We know how to take care of the problem, so rats are safely removed and excluded from reentering your home. This is our three-step approach to effective rodent control:

• Assess and remove: Rats can carry disease and do considerable damage inside your home. A specialist thoroughly assesses your property and makes a plan for removal.
• Clear and clean: Rats leave behind refuse that must be cleared out for health reasons. The cleaning of the area is done to assure your safety.
• Prevent and protect: Rats will reenter places if they are not prevented from returning. We employ effective exclusion techniques to prevent reinfestation of your home.

Despite their poor reputation as a species, rats do a lot of important work in our environment. Keeping garbage picked up and cleaning around your property are good ways to deter rats from taking up residence. Make sure you have trash receptacles that close tightly.

Why Should You Call Us for Wildlife Control in Coquitlam?

Skedaddle Wildlife Control in Coquitlam is your team for expert, humane wildlife removal and exclusion. We take care of rat infestations, so you have peace of mind even when rodents take advantage of unique circumstances. Contact us today for assistance!