Licensed Rat Exterminator in Toronto for Homes & Businesses

GTA Exterminators is the leading provider of rat control and elimination services in the Greater Toronto Area. For rat removal, we’re just a call away. Protect your property from the damage rats can cause. If rats are causing disruptions in your business, contact our certified team for a consultation. Rats are known to be common pests in Toronto, they can be a big problem for homes and businesses as they can cause damage to properties, contaminate food and spread disease. Rats need food and shelter and large urban environments provide excellent habitats for them to survive and thrive. Rats in your home or business are a very serious pest problem. Not only are rats extremely destructive, but they're also notorious for spreading disease. On rare occasions, rats have even been known to attack small children and pets. If rats have invaded your property, you need to take action now. While there are hundreds of rat species worldwide, the two that are common to urban areas are Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus. Knowing the type of rat you have can help you develop a strategy to get rid of them. Also known as black rats, these pests likely originated in Malaysia and Southeast Asia thousands of years ago. It didn't take long for these pests to make their way all over the world aboard ships. For this reason, they're also known as ship rats. Rattus rattus is often cited as the rat that brought the plague to Europe during the Middle Ages. Of the two species, roof rats are the smaller of the two, with a body length of 12.75 to 18.25 cm. They are black to brown, with a light underbelly. These rats are excellent climbers, and often invade a home or business through rooftop vents and chimneys. In the wild, they'll build nests in rock cliffs and trees. Due to this habit, you'll generally find this species nesting in attics, ceilings, and upper walls. Also, these rats prefer to eat fruit. But, if they can't find fruit they'll eat almost anything. Also known as brown rats, these rodents did not originate in Norway, but in China. These rats likely got the moniker due to arriving in England aboard Norwegian ships. These rats are more resistant to cold than roof rats and are the dominant species in frigid northern and eastern cities. Norwegian rats are larger and more aggressive than roof rats, another reason why they reign supreme in urban settings. Norwegian rats are gray or brown, with a body length of 15 to 28 cm. These burrowing rats love to live in alleys and dumpsters. Norwegian rats love to eat grains and seeds in the wild, but in the city, they will eat anything. They have many ways to get inside your property, including through the sewer. Once inside, they may prefer to live in the basement. Like black rats, Norwegian rats spread disease and are a danger to people, pets, and property. As sneaky, nocturnal creatures, you may not actually see the rats that are hiding around your property. But, they will leave telltale signs. Both rats and mice leave similar signs of their presence, including droppings and tearing into food packages. You may notice that something has been gnawing at your furniture or walls. Also, you may hear them rustling in the walls and ceilings, or scurrying about at night. But, rats are much larger than mice. Mouse droppings are tiny, compared to a 10mm long rat dropping. Rats will also leave more obvious urine and odor compared to a mouse. Your dog or cat will also alert you to a rodent problem; if your pet has fixated their attention on a spot on the wall, there could be a rodent nest inside. If your cat brings you a dead rat as a present, likely, there are more somewhere around your property. Finally, you might find a rat's nest either inside or outside when you're moving something. For example, you could move the refrigerator and find that a rat has built a nest underneath it. Getting Rid of Rats Ridding your property of these destructive and disease-carrying pests is a two-step process. You'll need to both take rat exclusion measures, as well as kill the rats. An exclusion means keeping the rats from coming around your property in the first place. This involves denying them food and blocking off entry points to the inside of your property. First of all, keep your outside trash cans and dumpsters tightly closed. This will discourage rats from foraging for food through your trash. Also, outside bird feeders can attract rats. Unfortunately, if rats are eating from your bird feeder, the bird feeder will need to go. Fruit and nut trees can also present a food source; pick up any fruit or nuts that have dropped to the ground. Also, secure any food inside your home that comes in a bag or a box. Plastic bins might work, but a rat can chew through plastic, so metal and glass containers are better. Also, don't leave pet food out overnight, and don't leave dirty dishes in the sink. You'll also need to block off any potential entry points, such as damaged vents, vent pipes, broken screens, and basement windows. You'll need to go around both the ground level of your property as well as the roof. Of course, vents are meant to allow airflow, so block those off with a sturdy wire screen. If you're unsure what to do, your pest control professional can help you with rat exclusion. Exterminating Rats If rats are already inside your home or business, they need to be eliminated. However, poisoning rodents indoors presents a few problems; if the rodents eat poison and die inside a wall, they'll rot and stink up your house for a long time. Also, small children and pets could get into the poison. This makes traps indoors a better solution. The best way to deal with a rat infestation is to call a pest control company, GTA Exterminator can safely set indoor traps, as well as traps and bait stations outside. Rats are a serious problem that needs immediate and decisive action. When it comes to handling rat problems in your home or workplace, GTA Exterminators can help. To get a clear idea of how severe your rat problem is and how much it will cost to eliminate them, visit our free estimate page. Our licensed rat control exterminators have the skills, experience and tools for effective rodent control. In an urgent situation where rats have infested your commercial business and you require immediate action, we have the solution.

1. Inspection & Assessment – Conduct an inspection of the property to identify rat activity, nesting areas, entry points, and potential food and water sources.

2. Infestation Review – Evaluate the extent of the rat infestation, including contamination risks, structural damage, and potential health concerns.

3. Rodent Identification – Identify the rodent species present, such as Norway rats or roof rats, to determine the most effective treatment strategy.

4. Professional Treatments – Implement industry-approved rodent control products and treatment methods to safely and effectively eliminate rat activity.

5. Exclusion & Control Methods – Install traps and tamper-resistant bait stations, and seal entry points to prevent rats from entering.

6. Prevention Measures – Reduce the risk of future infestations by improving sanitation, eliminating food sources, reducing clutter, and removing harborage areas.

7. Monitoring & Maintenance – Perform follow-up inspections and provide ongoing maintenance programs to ensure long-term rat control and prevention.

8. Documentation & Reporting – Maintain inspection reports, treatment records, and monitoring logs to support compliance, safety, and service transparency.