The Current Rat Problem in Toronto

February 11, 2019

Rats continue to be a significant pest problem in the city of Toronto, and it’s surrounding areas. If you have not encountered these pests, consider yourself lucky! In 2018, Toronto was named ‘rattiest’ city in Ontario four years in a row, as reported by City News.

The Toronto Sun recently weighed in on the topic of rat problems and controlling their population. They shared an article discussing the topic of genetic modification, and the role it can play in controlling the rat population. The researchers of Edinburgh University in the article discussed potentially genetically modifying male rats to be able to only produce male offspring to help solve Toronto’s rat problems. The researchers believe that this modification would cut the population of rats (by reducing females) and do so without using any poison. They proposed the rats be modified in a lab and then released into the native city’s population. However, it would be difficult to quarantine an area and prevent new rats from entering. Thus we would inevitably encounter the same rat population problems again.

Current issues involve many rats being able to survive against poisons used on them. For the time being, the Toronto City Council has yet to provide any new plans for the city’s rat problems. It is best to contact a pest control expert to manage the problem. Feel free to contact us at Advantage Pest Control to keep your home rat-free!

– Paolo Bossio