Brantford Pest Control

Rat Exterminator in Brantford, Ontario

Brantford Pest Control gets rid of rats in Brantford homes, garages, yards and businesses. We find where rats are nesting and getting in, control them with locked, tamper-resistant bait stations and traps, then seal ground-level entry points and advise on what’s attracting them. Estimates over the phone are free.

Rats in Brantford

The rat found in Brantford is the Norway rat, also called the brown or sewer rat. Adults are much bigger than mice, about 18–25 cm long plus the tail, with a blunt nose, small ears and coarse brown fur. Norway rats burrow, so they live in the ground along foundations, under sheds, decks and concrete slabs, in compost bins and along the riverbanks and ravines, then come into garages, basements and crawl spaces looking for food and warmth.

Rats breed quickly. A female can have several litters a year, each with six to twelve young, and young rats are ready to breed within about three months. A couple of rats in spring can become a serious problem by fall, which is when most rat calls come in.

Rats or mice?

	Rats	Mice
Size	18–25 cm body, thick tail	7–10 cm body, thin tail
Droppings	About 2 cm, blunt ends	3–6 mm, pointed ends
Where they live	Burrows outside, basements, garages, crawl spaces	Inside walls, cabinets, attics
Entry gap	About the size of a quarter	About the size of a dime
Behaviour	Cautious, avoid new objects	Curious, explore new things

If you’re seeing mice rather than rats, see our mice and rat control page.

Signs of rats

Large droppings (about 2 cm) along walls, in garages, basements or near garbage
Burrows 6–10 cm wide along foundations, under sheds, decks, slabs or compost bins
Gnaw marks on wood, plastic bins, doors and wiring
Greasy rub marks along walls and the bottom of doors
Scratching or scurrying in walls, floors or ceilings at night
Chewed garbage bags, bird feeders or stored pet food
Pets staring at or pawing at walls or appliances

Our rat control process

Inspection. We inspect the yard, foundation, garage, basement and crawl space to find burrows, runways, nests and entry points, and what’s feeding the rats.
Control. We place locked, tamper-resistant bait stations and traps where rats travel, away from children, pets and non-target animals.
Second visit, if booked. Rats are cautious and can take time to accept stations. With the two-visit option, we come back to check stations, adjust placements and track activity.
Sealing. Our technicians seal entry points at ground level, such as gaps around pipes and foundation cracks, and point out any higher openings they find.
Prevention advice. We show you what’s attracting rats, such as bird feeders, compost, pet food and clutter, and how to fix it.

Rats and health

Rats can carry diseases such as leptospirosis and salmonella through their urine and droppings, and they bring fleas and mites. They also chew wiring, which can cause fires, and damage insulation, stored items and vehicles. Don’t sweep or vacuum rat droppings dry. Wet them with a disinfectant first, wear gloves and seal them in a bag.

Commercial rat control

Restaurants, grocery stores, warehouses and multi-unit buildings need ongoing rat control because of food, garbage and deliveries. Every business is different, so an inspection is required for an exact quote. See commercial pest control.

How much does rat control cost in Brantford?

Most residential rat control in Brantford costs about $280 to $430, plus HST. A single visit is at the low end of the range, and two visits are at the high end. These are typical prices, not quotes.

Job	Typical price range (plus HST)
Rat control, one visit	Low end of the range
Rat control, two visits	High end of the range
Commercial properties	An inspection is required for an exact quote

You get the price before work starts. See our pest control cost guide.

How to prevent rats

Take down bird feeders or use catch trays and clean up spilled seed
Use rodent-resistant compost bins and keep green bins closed
Store pet food, birdseed and grass seed in sealed metal or heavy plastic containers
Clear woodpiles, debris and long grass away from the foundation
Seal gaps around pipes, vents and garage doors
Fix leaking taps and hoses, since rats need water daily

Get a free phone estimate

Call Brantford Pest Control to describe your pest problem and book a visit.

Our services

Why Brantford Pest Control

FAQ

Rat exterminator in Brantford: FAQ

How do I know if I have rats or mice?

Rat droppings are about 2 centimetres long with blunt ends, while mouse droppings are only 3 to 6 millimetres and pointed. Rats also dig burrows along foundations and under sheds and decks, and they leave greasy rub marks along walls. If you’re not sure, describe what you’re seeing when you call.

How do you get rid of rats?

We find where rats are nesting and getting in, then place locked, tamper-resistant bait stations and traps along their routes. With the two-visit option, we return to check stations and adjust placements. We seal ground-level entry points and help you remove what’s attracting them, so new rats don’t move in.

How long does it take to get rid of rats?

Most rat problems take two to six weeks to control. Rats are cautious and often avoid new objects for several days, so it takes time for them to accept bait stations and traps. The two-visit option lets us adjust placements. Sealing entry points helps prevent a new population.

Are bait stations safe for kids and pets?

We use locked, tamper-resistant bait stations, placed where rats travel and away from areas children and pets can reach. Your technician explains where each station is and what precautions to take. If you have concerns about a pet or child, tell us and we’ll adjust the plan.

Why do I have rats in my yard?

Rats are drawn by food and shelter: bird feeders, compost, green bins, pet food, fallen fruit, woodpiles and clutter. Homes near the Grand River, ravines or construction also see more rats. Burrows along the foundation, shed or deck usually mean rats are living on the property, not just passing through.

Can rats get into my house through the toilet?

It’s rare, but Norway rats are strong swimmers and can travel through damaged sewer lines and drains. Much more often, they get in through gaps around pipes, vents, garage doors and foundation cracks. If you think rats are coming from a drain, a plumber can check the sewer line.

Do you seal entry points?

Yes. Our technicians seal entry points at ground level, such as gaps around pipes and foundation cracks, which is where Norway rats usually get in. If we see openings higher up, we’ll point them out. Sealing, plus removing what’s attracting rats, is the key to keeping them out.

How much does a rat exterminator cost in Brantford?

Most residential rat control costs about $280 to $430, plus HST. A single visit is at the low end of the range, and two visits are at the high end. We give you a free estimate over the phone, and you get the price, with HST shown separately, before work starts.

Where we work

Rat control in Brantford & area

Brantford Pest Control serves homes and businesses in Brantford, Paris, St. George, Scotland, Mount Pleasant and Caledonia, including Brantford-area communities such as Cainsville. In the city we work in every neighbourhood, from Holmedale, Eagle Place and Terrace Hill to Echo Place, North Ward, Shellard Lane and West Brant. Not sure we cover your address? Call 519-900-5452 and we’ll tell you.

Other pest control services in Brantford

Not sure what you're dealing with?

Describe what you’re seeing and we’ll point you in the right direction. Estimates over the phone are free.

Rats on your property? Call Brantford Pest Control.

Call 519-900-5452 to describe what you’re seeing and get a free estimate over the phone. Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Leave a message outside those hours and we’ll call you back during office hours.