The City of Brantford shared rodent-control tips on social media this week, urging residents and businesses to take immediate steps to prevent rodent infestations. With rats and mice capable of chewing through walls, contaminating food, and spreading diseases, city officials say a few simple changes around the property can make a big difference.
The city’s message, posted on July 27, 2026, echoes advice from pest-control experts across Southern Ontario: eliminate the three things rodents need to survive — food, water, and shelter. That means securing garbage, cleaning up pet food and bird seed, removing clutter and debris where rats can hide, and sealing any gaps or holes that could let them inside. The City of Hamilton offers detailed guidance on how to tackle these attractants, advice Brantford officials are encouraging residents to follow.
Complaints about rodents on private property can be reported to the City of Brantford’s Bylaw Team, which enforces the Property Standards By-law. This bylaw requires owners to keep their premises free of rats, mice, and other vermin. In cases where a landlord fails to address an infestation inside a rental unit, tenants can file a complaint by calling Customer Service at 519-759-4150 or using the online form on the City of Brantford website.
The city’s Public Nuisance By-law, enacted in 2019, also prohibits overfeeding birds and wildlife, a practice that can create an unintended food source for rats and cause rodent numbers to spike. In recent years, residents across Brantford have reported more rat sightings, with factors such as ongoing construction, new developments, backyard chicken coops, and the rollout of green bins all contributing to the problem. Milder winters have also allowed rat populations to grow larger and survive longer than in the past.
“Rodents, including rats and mice, can be a major problem for residents and businesses in Brantford. They can cause damage to properties, contaminate food and spread diseases,” the city stated in its post. While larger municipalities like Toronto and Ottawa have launched formal rat-response plans, Brantford’s approach focuses on empowering residents with practical prevention tips and enforcing existing property standards.
Residents who spot rats or suspect an infestation are encouraged to remove all possible food and water sources, tidy up yards and storage areas, and block entry points to homes and outbuildings. The city reminds everyone that small actions, like storing garbage in tightly sealed bins and cleaning up fallen fruit from trees, can help keep rodents away from entire neighbourhoods.
