If you live in Vancouver or the surrounding areas, chances are you’ve either had rodent problems or you know someone who has. Mice and rats are more common in Metro Vancouver homes than many people realize, and they’re not just an issue during the winter months.
At Phantom Pest Control, rodent calls are one of the most frequent reasons people reach out to us. And it’s not because their homes are dirty or poorly maintained, it’s simply because Vancouver is the perfect place for rodents to thrive.
In this post, we’ll explain why rodent problems are so common in Vancouver homes, what attracts them, and what you can do to help keep them out.
1. Vancouver’s Mild Climate Is Ideal for Rodents
Compared to the rest of Canada, Vancouver has a relatively mild climate year-round. We don’t see extreme cold or snow for long stretches like other cities do, which means rodents don’t have to hibernate, they stay active all year.
Rats and mice don’t mind the rain, and they’re happy to move into warm, dry spaces whenever the temperature drops even a little. Basements, attics, crawlspaces, and garages become easy shelters, especially in the fall and winter months.
2. Older Homes Provide Easy Entry Points
Vancouver’s many beautiful character homes and older houses, especially in areas like East Vancouver, Kitsilano, and Mount Pleasant. While these homes are full of charm, they also often come with gaps, cracks, and hidden access points that are perfect for mice and rats to sneak inside.
Over time, these tiny openings around vents, pipes, rooflines, or foundations make it easy for rodents to enter and build nests inside your walls, ceilings, or even under kitchen cabinets.
3. Construction & Urban Development Disrupts Rodent Habitats
New condos, roadwork, and construction projects are always happening across Metro Vancouver. While this is great for city growth, it disrupts rodent nesting grounds, often pushing rats and mice to relocate.
As underground tunnels and green spaces get dug up or replaced, rodents start seeking out nearby homes and buildings for food and shelter. This is one reason rodent activity often spikes in neighbourhoods with lots of development.
4. High Density Means More Food Sources
Vancouver’s dense urban neighbourhoods give rodents everything they need to survive. Garbage, compost, recycling, gardens, pet food, bird feeders, and more. Whether you live in a house, townhouse, or condo, rats and mice can easily find a snack nearby.
In multi-family buildings, rodents can move from one unit to another without being seen, especially through shared walls, ceilings, and underground parkades.
5. Basements and Crawlspaces Make Perfect Nesting Spots
Many homes in Vancouver have unfinished basements or crawlspaces, and these are some of the most common places we find rodent activity. They’re dark, quiet, and often undisturbed for months at a time.
Rodents love these spaces because they can build nests safely, and often stay hidden until there’s already a full-blown infestation.
6. Rodents Can Squeeze Through Tiny Gaps
Most people are surprised to learn that mice can squeeze through holes as small as a dime, and rats can get through a hole the size of a quarter. That means it doesn’t take much for them to get in.
We’ve seen rodents enter homes through:
- Gaps under doors or garage doors
- Open vents or dryer ducts
- Holes around utility pipes
- Cracks in foundations
- Roofline openings or soffits
Without professional exclusion work, these access points often go unnoticed.
7. Rodents Breed Quickly
Once inside, rodents multiply fast. A single mouse can give birth to a litter every few weeks, and rats can produce over 50 babies in one year. So what starts as “just a couple of mice” can turn into a much bigger issue in no time.
By the time you see droppings or hear scratching inside the walls, the infestation is often already well underway.
What Can You Do About It?
The best way to handle rodent problems in Vancouver is through a combination of prevention, inspection, and professional control. Here’s what we recommend:
- Seal entry points around your home with proper materials (not just foam).
- Keep food in sealed containers, including pet food and bird seed.
- Take out the trash regularly, and clean up around garbage and recycling bins.
- Inspect crawlspaces and basements for droppings, nests, or chew marks.
- Call a professional at the first sign of rodent activity, before it spreads.
How Phantom Pest Control Can Help?
At Phantom Pest Control, rodent control is one of our specialties. We don’t just set traps and hope for the best. We take a full inspection approach, identify how rodents are getting in, and provide long-term solutions.
Our services include:
- Interior and exterior inspection
- Rodent-proofing and sealing entry points
- Safe, effective treatment and removal
- Ongoing prevention plans
- Emergency and same-day service
Serving Vancouver and Beyond! Phantom is Here When You Need Us
We provide professional rodent control services for both residential and commercial properties in Vancouver, Burnaby, Maple Ridge, North Vancouver, and Surrey.
Whether you’re hearing scratching in the walls, seeing droppings, or just want peace of mind, we’re ready to help.
Call Phantom Pest Control today or request a free estimate to schedule your inspection. Let’s keep rodents out for good.
