RAT EXTERMINATOR - MONTREAL & SOUTH SHORE

Activity

Rats are nocturnal creatures, primarily active during the night when they venture out in search of food and water. These rodents are incredibly resourceful and can adapt to a variety of environments, making their activity range from kitchens and basements to attics and even inside walls. While they prefer to stay hidden during the day, rats are known to move quickly through tunnels, cracks, and other concealed spaces, making it difficult to spot them until they are already widespread. Once a colony is established, rats can move between apartments or homes, especially in multi-unit buildings where they use shared walls, plumbing, and ventilation systems to spread.

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Feeding Habits

Rats are omnivores and will eat almost anything, but they are particularly drawn to food scraps and garbage. They have a keen sense of smell, which allows them to find food in places where humans may not even notice it. They are known to raid kitchens, pantries, and trash bins, leaving behind contamination in the form of urine, feces, and gnaw marks. Their feeding habits often cause damage to food stores, wiring, and insulation, leading to both hygiene concerns and structural issues. The presence of rats can lead to serious health risks, as they are known carriers of diseases such as leptospirosis, hantavirus, and salmonella.

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Size and Appearance

Adult rats are relatively large rodents, with sizes ranging from 18 to 22 centimeters in length, excluding the tail. They have thick, brown or gray fur with lighter underbellies and long, scaly tails. Their sharp, continuously growing teeth are used for gnawing on various materials, from wood and plastic to wiring and insulation. Young rats, or pups, are smaller and more vulnerable, often difficult to detect until they reach maturity. Their nests are usually hidden in places like wall cavities, attics, or behind furniture, often near food sources.

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Presence in Quebec

Rats are a growing problem in Quebec, particularly in urban areas like Montreal. They thrive in environments with abundant food and water, such as apartment buildings, restaurants, and garbage collection areas. Their presence is often linked to poor sanitation, overflowing trash bins, and easy access to shelter in attics, basements, and other secluded places. Rats are notorious for quickly adapting to their surroundings, and an infestation can spread rapidly if not addressed promptly. In Montreal, older buildings with outdated plumbing and electrical systems are particularly susceptible to rat invasions.

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Indoor Behavior

Rats are masters of concealment, often hiding in spaces that are difficult to reach or see. They seek shelter in areas like behind walls, under floors, inside cupboards, and around plumbing fixtures. Their presence is often first noticed by the sounds of gnawing, scratching, or scampering in walls or ceilings. They avoid daylight and are most active when humans are asleep or away. The spread of rats within a property can occur quickly, with entire colonies moving from one area to another through walls or crawl spaces. DIY solutions, such as traps and bait, may provide temporary relief, but they rarely address the root of the problem.

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Outdoor Survival

Rats are highly adaptable and can survive in various outdoor environments, but they generally seek shelter indoors where food and warmth are readily available. They are particularly drawn to areas with human activity, such as alleyways, dumpsters, and construction sites. While rats can survive harsh outdoor conditions for short periods, they are primarily indoor dwellers and will only venture outside when necessary. Once inside a building, they are more likely to establish a permanent home and reproduce, leading to significant long-term issues.

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Reproduction and Infestation Growth

Rats reproduce rapidly, with a single female capable of giving birth to up to 12 pups per litter. A pair of rats can result in dozens of offspring within a year, and infestations can grow exponentially if not dealt with. Rats reach sexual maturity quickly and begin reproducing within a few months of birth. The speed at which rats breed makes them especially problematic, as they can establish large populations in a short time. Professional pest control measures are necessary to halt the spread of rats and to ensure that all hidden nests are eliminated.

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Common Locations in Montreal

In Montreal, rats are commonly found in older buildings, commercial kitchens, and public spaces where food waste is prevalent. Areas with frequent construction or renovations also offer ample opportunities for rats to gain entry and establish nests. Places with poor waste management systems, such as food courts and trash collection zones, are particularly vulnerable. The city’s dense population and high turnover in apartments further increase the likelihood of encountering a rat infestation.

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Difficult to Eliminate

Rats are incredibly resilient and difficult to eradicate once an infestation has taken hold. Their ability to hide in small spaces, reproduce rapidly, and gnaw through various materials makes them one of the toughest pests to control. Additionally, DIY treatments and over-the-counter traps often fail to address the problem adequately, merely reducing the visible population without addressing the root cause. To truly eliminate rats from your home or business, professional intervention is required. Pest control experts use targeted approaches, including baiting, traps, and exclusion techniques, to ensure that rats are removed and cannot return.