If it feels like you’ve been spotting more mice or rats lately, you’re not imagining it.
Every winter, pest control company Orkin Canada takes stock of where rodent activity is most common across the country.
Their annual “rattiest cities” list is based on the number of rat and mouse treatments carried out between August 1st, 2024 and July 31st, 2025, including both residential and commercial calls.
This year’s national ranking places Victoria at number two across all of Canada, surpassed only by Toronto. Vancouver sits in third place and Burnaby and Surrey round out the top ten.
Several Metro Vancouver communities also appear throughout the list, tightening BC’s grip on the country’s rodent hot spots.
While the list always sparks a bit of humour, it also highlights a growing challenge for many BC communities where mild winters and dense urban growth create ideal conditions for rodents to thrive.
BC cities make up eight of the top 25 “rattiest” locations in the country. Vancouver, Victoria, Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, Kelowna, Langley and Delta all appear on the national ranking.
That is a sizeable concentration compared to provinces with colder winters, where rodent activity tends to dip more dramatically.
Victoria’s high placement reflects reports from homeowners and businesses who have been dealing with more rodent sightings over the past few years. Warmer winter seasons and increased construction continue to push rats and mice into new spaces and older neighbourhoods.
The national top 10:
- Toronto
- Victoria
- Vancouver
- Burnaby
- Richmond
- Mississauga
- Kelowna
- Ottawa
- Scarborough
- Moncton
Orkin also released a provincial list showing which BC communities saw the most rodent activity. Victoria sits in the number one spot for 2025, ahead of Vancouver and Burnaby.
Richmond and Surrey also appear in the top 10, while Nanaimo lands at number 13.
On Vancouver Island, three communities made the provincial top 20:
• Victoria (1)
• Nanaimo (13)
• Sidney (18)
Saanichton placed just behind Sidney in the 19 spot, showing that rodent activity is being reported across multiple Vancouver Island communities instead of only in the urban core.
Experts say a combination of mild temperatures, aging infrastructure and urban densification creates an ideal environment for rodents. Vancouver Island communities in particular do not experience the deep freezes that help reduce populations elsewhere in the country.
Dense landscaping, backyard chickens, composting habits and waterfront storm drains also play a role.
Orkin Canada recommends a few simple steps to help reduce the chance of unwelcome visitors:
• Keep shrubs and branches trimmed at least one metre away from exterior walls
• Remove standing water around the home by cleaning gutters and emptying bins that collect moisture
• Look for droppings, burrows and rub marks along walls so issues are caught early
• Seal any gaps larger than a quarter inch and install weather stripping where needed
• Store food, including pet food, in tight containers and avoid leaving dishes or crumbs out overnight
With winter settling in, it is a good reminder for homeowners and businesses to stay on top of prevention before small problems turn into bigger ones.
