Have you seen rats on a property or inside your dwelling? Find out everything you need to know about what to do next.
Although they do not live in sewers, rats often use sewer lines to travel from one area to another in search of food. They are primarily attracted to locations where food is accessible—such as garbage, compost bins, or poorly sealed homes. Extreme temperatures can also push rats out of their nests. In Côte Saint-Luc, the presence of rats may be linked to the age of the area and its proximity to CP rail yards.
The City’s Engineering Division (via its contractor Simo) may place poison in sewers or public infrastructure, but it is up to residents to act on private property by hiring an exterminator.
How to mitigate against surface rats
- Store trash in tightly sealed containers—preferably metal or heavy-duty plastic—to prevent access.
- Empty birdbaths, pet bowls, and clear clogged gutters to eliminate water sources.
- Clear away wood piles, debris, and overgrown areas that could serve as nesting spots.
- Keep shrubs and trees well-maintained and away from roofs and structures.
- Close gaps and cracks in foundations, walls, and around pipes and vents.
- Cover vents, chimneys, and floor drains with rodent-proof mesh or screens.
- Don’t leave garage doors, screen doors, or patio doors open unattended and ensure garage doors seal tightly to the ground.
How to mitigate against sewer rats
- Have your home’s “normally closed backwater valve” inspected by a professional. These valves prevent sewer water (and rats) from entering your home through plumbing.
- Avoid using garburators, but if you do, then use cold water when running the garburator, and always run it long enough to flush food fully through the system.
What to do if rats are observed in a dwelling or a home
If you observe rats inside your dwelling, you must notify your landlord immediately. If you are the owner, contact a licensed pest control company.
Use of pesticides
Pesticides used to exterminate rats belong to the rodenticide category.
It is not necessary to obtain a permit to use these types of pesticides inside a building or inside sewers.
For use outside buildings, the exterminator must get an annual permit to use commercial pesticides.
On public property
If you observe rats in a park, alley or any other place accessible to the public, immediately contact 514-485-6800.