Rat Control in Toronto & the GTA
Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) are the dominant rat species in Toronto and the GTA. They are burrowing animals — they nest in the ground, under slabs, beneath compost bins, and along building foundations — and they enter structures at grade level. A rat can compress its body to pass through a gap roughly the diameter of a quarter, and they follow the same established trails repeatedly, leaving grease marks on surfaces they brush against regularly.
Rat pressure in the GTA intensifies seasonally: late autumn as temperatures drop (rats move inside from garden and yard burrows) and early spring when outdoor food sources become active again. Older areas of East York, Scarborough, and the downtown core with mature tree cover and alley access see disproportionate rat activity — food waste access and covered travel routes are the primary drivers.
Rats are prolific breeders. A female produces 5–6 litters per year with up to 12 young per litter, and young are sexually mature within 3–4 months. An early and aggressive response to rat activity — before the population has time to establish — is significantly more effective than waiting until the problem is obvious.
- Licensed & insured — Ontario Reg. 63/09
- Same-day & next-day service
- Humane methods
- 5-year warranty on sealing work
- Across the GTA, Oakville to Oshawa
- 24/7 emergency line
Signs of a rat infestation
- Droppings along walls and behind appliances — rat droppings are roughly 20 mm, capsule-shaped, with blunt ends
- Gnaw marks on food packaging, structural wood, plastic pipes, or wiring — rat incisors can cut through lead pipe and concrete block over time
- Grease smear marks (dark, oily staining) along baseboards and wall junctions at floor level — these mark established rat runways
- Burrow holes at the base of a foundation wall, beneath a concrete slab, or in the garden soil near a compost bin
- Sounds in walls or ceiling at night — heavier and slower than a mouse, often with dragging sound
- Holes in food storage areas or disturbed pet food left out overnight
How we handle it
Activity assessment and runway mapping
We identify active burrow sites, entry points into the structure, and rat runways inside the building. Understanding where rats are travelling is necessary to place bait stations and exclusion work correctly.
Bait station deployment
Tamper-resistant, lockable bait stations are placed along active runways and near burrow openings, both inside and outside the structure as appropriate. Stations are checked and replenished on a scheduled visit cycle. All bait use follows Ontario Reg. 63/09 requirements.
Entry point sealing
Rats typically enter at grade — pipe penetrations, gaps around conduit, open foundation vents, and gaps under garage doors. These are sealed with heavy-gauge mesh and appropriate fillers that rats cannot chew through. Foam and caulk alone are not effective.
Follow-up visits and population confirmation
Rat control is not a single-visit service for an established infestation. We return to confirm the population is collapsing, adjust bait placement as activity shifts, and confirm all entry points are holding before closing the file.
Ontario pesticide regulations for rodenticide use
Rodenticide bait use in Ontario is regulated under the Pesticides Act and Ontario Reg. 63/09. Durapest operates under a commercial exterminator licence and uses rodenticides in accordance with label requirements — tamper-resistant stations, correct placement, and scheduled monitoring. Residents purchasing over-the-counter rodenticide products should be aware that Ontario restricts the sale of certain second-generation anticoagulants at retail level due to secondary poisoning risk to raptors and other wildlife.
Rat control in the GTA is most effective when both the population inside and the entry points are addressed simultaneously. Sealing entry points without eliminating the existing population traps animals inside and tends to escalate damage; eliminating the population without sealing entries allows reinfestation from the same pressure source.
View all pest control & wildlife removal services we offer across Toronto and the GTA.
Service Areas for Rat Control
We provide specialized rat control services in the following neighborhoods and cities:
$295 to start
Final price depends on the animal, the number of entry points, and the sealing work needed. You get a firm quote after the inspection — no surprise charges.
Rodent Control Package
Complete mouse and rat control, built for long-term results.
View planRat Control — Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get rid of rats for good?
Trapping alone only thins the numbers. We trap and remove, then seal the entry points around your foundation, pipes, and vents, and clean the affected areas so the problem doesn't simply restart.
How are you getting in?
Rats use gaps around utility lines, vents, foundation cracks, and damaged seals. We find and close them — the sealing work is backed by our 5-year warranty.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Durapest is licensed by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and operates in line with Ontario Reg. 63/09. Our technicians are trained and insured for both residential and commercial work.
Do you offer a warranty?
Yes. Treatments come with a warranty, and any sealing or exclusion work is backed by our 5-year warranty. If covered pests return within the warranty period, we come back and re-treat at no extra cost.
How soon can you come out?
We offer same-day and next-day service across most of the GTA, from Oakville to Oshawa, with 24/7 dispatch for emergencies. Call us and we'll give you a straight answer on the next available slot for your area.