Halifax and Dartmouth make the list in an unflattering rat race

CITYnews halifax/ By Lucas Casaletto

Two portions of Halifax Regional Municipality once again scurried to the top on Orkin Canada’s annual list of eastern Canada’s “rattiest” cities.

The pest control company released its 2025 rankings this week, based on the number of commercial and residential rodent treatments carried out between Aug. 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025.

Halifax earned second and Dartmouth was ranked fourth. Both faired better than Moncton, which placed first, and is eastern Canada’s rattiest city, according to the report.

This year’s list saw Ottawa and Moncton return to the top 10 in the ranking across the country, highlighting how rodent populations are spreading across more regions in Canada.

Eastern Canada’s top 10

• Moncton, N.B.
• Halifax
• St. John’s
• Dartmouth
• Montreal
• Saint John, N.B.
• Charlottetown
• Summerside, P.E.I.
• Dieppe, N.B.
• Kensington, P.E.I.

Here’s how to keep rodents away

With rodent activity on the rise, Orkin Canada is reminding residents of simple steps to keep rats and mice from turning homes into their playgrounds.

• Trim trees and shrubs: Keep vegetation at least one metre from building exteriors to remove hiding spots.
• Eliminate water sources: Fix leaking gutters, clear standing water from bins, and address moisture issues.
• Inspect for signs: Watch for droppings, burrows, gnaw marks, or rub marks along walls.
• Seal entry points: Close cracks larger than 1/4 inch and install weather stripping on doors.
• Maintain cleanliness: Store food in sealed containers, clean up crumbs immediately, and avoid leaving dishes out overnight.

Click here to view Orkin Canada’s top 20 rattiest cities in British Columbia and Eastern Canada’s top 15 rattiest cities.

Toronto has once again scurried to the top of Orkin Canada’s annual list of the country’s ‘rattiest’ cities, cementing its reputation as the nation’s rodent capital.