You hear scratching behind the basement wall late at night. In the morning you spot a small hole by the foundation and tell yourself it is probably nothing.
A rat inspection Mississauga property owners book once or twice a year finds entry points, burrows, and early signs before a few rats turn into a colony. Catching rats early is faster, cheaper, and far less damaging than dealing with them after they have settled in.
The problem is not rare here. Mississauga ranked sixth on Orkin Canada’s 2025 list of Canada’s rattiest cities, which is based on that company’s rodent treatments, so it reflects one company’s data. At The BS Pest Control, we are based in nearby Brampton, and this guide explains what an inspection covers and how often you need one.
Key Takeaways
- A rat inspection checks the outside and inside of your property for burrows, entry points, droppings, gnaw marks, food sources, and hiding spots.
- Rats can get in through a hole the size of a quarter, and they gnaw through wood and plastic.
- Most homes should be inspected twice a year, in spring and fall. Food businesses and multi-unit buildings need more frequent checks.
- Early detection is the cheapest form of rat control Mississauga property owners can buy.
- If rats are found, the fix is trapping, sealing entry points with the right materials, and cleaning up what attracts them.
- Pricing depends on the property size and the level of activity. A free inspection gives you a clear quote.
Table of Contents
- What Does a Rat Inspection in Mississauga Include?
- How Do You Know If You Have Rats?
- Why Do Regular Inspections Matter More Than Waiting for Signs?
- How Often Should Mississauga Properties Get a Rat Inspection?
- What Happens After the Inspection Finds Rats?
- How Much Does It Cost and How Do You Choose a Rat Exterminator in Mississauga?
- FAQs
- Conclusion
What Does a Rat Inspection in Mississauga Include?
An inspection covers the outside, the inside, and the things that attract rats. The goal is to find where rats live, how they get in, and what keeps them coming back.
Here is how a visit usually goes:
- Outside check. The technician walks the property, looking for burrows along foundations, under sheds and decks, and near fences. Rats in this area prefer to live in burrows outside.
- Entry points. The team checks gaps around pipes, vents, doors, garage seals, and utility lines. A hole the size of a quarter is enough for a rat.
- Inside check. Basements, crawl spaces, attics, kitchens, and storage areas are checked for droppings, nests, and gnaw marks.
- Food and water. The technician looks at garbage bins, compost, pet food, bird feeders, and leaks.
- Written findings. You get a clear report of what was found and what needs to be fixed.
Our rat removal service starts with a thorough inspection like this, so we can find the activity, spot the entry points, and judge how serious the problem is.
How Do You Know If You Have Rats?
Look for droppings, gnaw marks, burrows, greasy rub marks, and nighttime noises. A single sign is a warning, and several together usually mean active rats.
Check for these signs:
- Droppings: Dark, capsule-shaped, and larger than mouse droppings
- Gnaw marks: Chewed wood, plastic, wiring, or food packaging
- Burrows: Holes in the ground along foundations, under patios, or beside sheds
- Noises: Scratching or running sounds in walls, ceilings, or attics at night
- Smell: A strong musty odour in closed spaces
- Tracks and rub marks: Greasy smears along walls and baseboards
| Sign | Rats | Mice |
| Droppings | Larger, capsule-shaped | Small, like grains of rice |
| Entry hole | About the size of a quarter | About the size of a dime |
| Nesting | Often in burrows outside | Often inside walls and storage |
If you see one rat in daylight, it can be a sign of a crowded nest nearby. Rats are mostly active at night, so a daytime sighting is worth taking seriously.
Why Do Regular Inspections Matter More Than Waiting for Signs?
Because rats multiply fast, hide well, and do damage before you notice them. By the time you see one, a group may already be living in your walls or yard.
Here are the main reasons to inspect on a schedule:
- They breed quickly. The brown rat is the most common rat in Peel Region. According to the Region of Peel’s rat prevention guide, a female can have up to three litters with 8 to 12 pups.
- They eat a lot. A family of 16 rats eats about 5 kg of food a week.
- They damage property. Rats cannot chew through metal or cured concrete, but they can gnaw through wood, plastic, and insulation.
- They hurt your health. The City of Mississauga notes that rats can damage property, contaminate food, and spread disease.
- They stay hidden. Burrows under patios and sheds can hide a colony for months.
A common scenario goes like this. A small gap near a utility pipe goes unnoticed in summer. By fall, rats are using it to reach the basement, where they nest in stored boxes. The first sign is a smell, and by then the damage and cleanup are much bigger than a simple repair would have been.
An inspection catches that gap early. Spotting activity at the start is far easier and cheaper than clearing out a full infestation.
How Often Should Mississauga Properties Get a Rat Inspection?
Most homes need an inspection twice a year, in spring and fall. Food businesses, multi-unit buildings, and properties near construction need more frequent checks.
These are common starting points. Your first inspection sets the real schedule.
| Property type | Typical schedule |
| Single-family homes | Twice a year, spring and fall |
| Restaurants and food businesses | Monthly, sometimes more often |
| Multi-unit and rental buildings | Quarterly, plus after any complaint |
| Commercial and industrial sites | Every one to three months |
| Properties near construction or digging | Before, during, and after the work |
Fall is especially important. Rats stay active all year and look for warmth as the weather cools, so a fall inspection lets you seal gaps before they move inside. Spring is the time to check for burrows and new activity after winter.
Also book an inspection after:
- A rat sighting, even a single one
- A move into a new property
- Nearby construction or sewer work
- Finding droppings or chew marks
- A neighbour’s rat problem
What Happens After the Inspection Finds Rats?
The next steps are removal, sealing, and cleanup. The aim is to get the rats out and keep new ones from moving in.
- Humane trapping and removal. The team sets traps in the right spots and checks them often.
- Sealing entry points. Gaps are closed with materials rats cannot chew through, like metal and cement. Stuffing steel wool into a hole is not enough on its own.
- Burrow and nest treatment. Burrows near foundations are dealt with so rats do not return.
- Cleanup. Droppings and nesting materials are removed, and the area is sanitized.
- Prevention advice. You get tips on food storage, garbage, and yard care.
- Follow-up. A return visit checks that the activity is gone.
Good rat removal Mississauga work always includes the sealing step. Removing the rats without closing the gaps only gives the next group a free home.
If you also hear scratching in the walls and are not sure what is making it, our rodent removal service covers mice and other rodents too.
Who else can you contact in Mississauga?
The City of Mississauga lists several contacts for rat problems. Call 311 for property standards concerns, such as garbage or debris on a neighbouring property that attracts rats. For rats in public parks, green spaces, or trails, contact the city’s Parks department through 311. For rat mounds on boulevards, call the city’s Animal Services.
How Much Does It Cost and How Do You Choose a Rat Exterminator in Mississauga?
There is no flat price, because every property is different. Most companies quote after an inspection. Costs depend on:
- Size and layout of the property
- Level of rat activity and number of burrows
- Number of entry points to seal
- Cleanup needs
- Number of follow-up visits
- Whether you want an ongoing prevention plan
Compare what is included, not only the price. Ask if sealing and follow-up visits are part of the quote.
Use this checklist when you look for a rat exterminator Mississauga homeowners can trust:
- License and insurance. Ask for proof.
- A real inspection. Avoid quotes given without seeing the property.
- Sealing included. Rat control without exclusion does not last.
- Humane methods. Ask how the company handles trapping and removal.
- Written report. You should get a clear list of findings.
- Fast response. Rats breed fast, so waiting a week costs you.
- A guarantee. Know what happens if the rats return.
The BS Pest Control is licensed and insured, uses eco-friendly and humane methods, offers same-day or next-day service in most areas it serves, and provides ongoing maintenance plans with routine inspections and preventive treatments. Our satisfaction guarantee backs the work, and inspections and quotes are free.
FAQs
How often should I get a rat inspection?
Twice a year works for most homes, once in spring and once in fall. Food businesses and multi-unit buildings usually need monthly or quarterly checks. Book an extra visit after any sighting or nearby construction.
How small a hole can a rat get through?
A hole about the size of a quarter is enough to let a rat in. Rats also gnaw through wood and plastic to make holes bigger, so even small gaps need to be sealed with metal or cement.
Do rats leave in winter?
No. Rats stay active all year and look for warmth and food when it gets cold. That is why a fall inspection is so useful.
Are rats dangerous?
They can be. Rats damage property, contaminate food, and can spread disease, as the City of Mississauga notes. Do not handle rats or their droppings with bare hands.
Who is responsible for rats in a Mississauga rental?
In Ontario, pest control is part of a landlord’s maintenance duty, so the landlord is responsible for arranging treatment. Tenants should report rats right away, let the technician in, and keep garbage and food stored properly.
Conclusion
Rats do not announce themselves. They find a gap, build a burrow, and multiply while you sleep. A regular rat inspection Mississauga owners can rely on turns that risk into a routine check that finds the problem while it is still small.
Do not wait for the scratching in the wall. Call The BS Pest Control at +1 (437) 329-4500, message us on WhatsApp, or book your free inspection today.
