Rat Exterminator in Montreal

Rats in Montreal: why infestations spread quickly in the city

In Montreal, rats often take advantage of alleys, sewers, basements, backyards, containers, restaurants, rental buildings and construction sites to move around and find food. An infestation can therefore affect more than one unit or more than one business if access points are not corrected.

In dense neighbourhoods, rats can travel between buildings through shared walls, cellars, openings around pipes, drains, shared yards or garbage areas. A single unsealed entry point can allow activity to return even after a treatment.

That is why a professional intervention must go beyond setting traps. You need to inspect the travel routes, understand the source of the problem, treat the activity and recommend the necessary corrections.

Rat or mouse: how to tell the difference?

Rats and mice do not always cause the same signs and do not always require the same strategy. Identifying the right rodent makes it possible to adapt the treatment, stations, traps, recommendations and exclusion measures.

Size, droppings and marks

Rats are generally bigger than mice. Their droppings are also larger, often visible along walls, in basements, near garbage, in garages or around food areas.

The grease marks left by rats can also be more visible, especially along walls, pipes, baseboards or regular travel routes.

Behaviour and travel routes

Rats are often more wary than mice. They may avoid new objects, use precise routes and travel close to walls, foundations, drains, yards and dark areas.

Mice can enter through smaller openings and are often seen in kitchens, walls, cabinets or indoor spaces.

Why identification matters

A wrong diagnosis can lead to an incomplete treatment. SOS Extermination inspects the signs of activity to confirm whether it is rats, mice or another rodent, then applies an adapted strategy.

Looking for a mouse exterminator instead? SOS Extermination can help. Call a mouse exterminator

How do rats get into your building?

Rats can enter a building through openings that are sometimes hard to spot. A professional inspection helps identify access points and reduce the risk of return.

Cracks, foundations, doors and exterior walls

Cracks in foundations, gaps under doors, openings around exterior walls, holes in masonry, damaged joints and poorly sealed garage doors can serve as entry points.

Pipes, conduits, drains and sewers

Rats can travel near conduits, drains, pipes, vents, mechanical outlets and sewer-connected areas. These access points are common in buildings, businesses, basements and restaurants.

Garages, yards, alleys and garbage areas

Accessible garbage bins, open containers, alleys, backyards, food waste, compost and cluttered areas can attract rats and allow them to approach the building.

What attracts rats to your property?

Rats are mainly looking for food, water, shelter and safe travel routes. By correcting these factors, it is possible to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Rats are attracted by:

• food waste;
• poorly closed garbage bins or containers;
• accessible compost;
• pet food;
• poorly protected food supplies;
• humidity or water sources;
• cluttered cellars, garages and warehouses;
• cracks, drains or openings;
• alleys and yards with garbage;
• dense vegetation near the building;
• access to sewers or conduits;
• restaurants, food businesses and storage areas.

To reduce the risks, keep garbage closed, store food in solid containers, reduce clutter, correct openings and clean at-risk outdoor areas.

When should you call a professional rat exterminator?

It is best to call an exterminator at the first signs. Rats often hide during the day and become more active at night, which can delay their detection.

Rat seen in broad daylight

Seeing a rat in broad daylight can indicate significant activity, a lack of food available elsewhere or an infestation that is already well established. In that case, it is better to act quickly.

Droppings, odours or grease marks

Rat droppings, dark marks along walls, persistent odours or soiled areas are common signs of activity.

Noises in walls, ceilings or basements

Scratching noises, nighttime movement or sounds in walls, ceilings, cellars or utility rooms can indicate the presence of rats.

Gnawed packaging, wires or materials

Punctured packaging, damaged electrical wiring, displaced insulation, gnawed wood or torn materials can signal an active infestation.

Activity in a restaurant, business or rental building

In a restaurant, food business, warehouse or rental building, the presence of rats must be treated quickly to limit health risks, complaints and spread to other areas.

Our other extermination services in Montreal

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• Mouse exterminator
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