THE IMPACT OF CONSTRUCTION ON PESTS

In the summer of 2016 Toronto has undergone multiple construction projects. Toronto saw 22 major road closures and 30 subway closures this past summer, making downtown Toronto a hot mess of traffic. Construction not only causes an increase in traffic and congestion in Toronto, but it also causes an increase in pest problems. The correlation between construction and pest control problems are due to the fact that construction disturbs the nesting grounds of mice and rats, making them look for other grounds of real estate to call home. Rats and rodents rely on humans for survival, as they take advantage of the food we leave out, and live in the cracks and crevices found in the foundations of our homes. If you think you may have a rat or rodent infestation, give us a call!

HOW THE TTC IMPACTS PESTS IN TORONTO

With population booming, residential and commercial; construction on the rise and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) subway line running under the city, pests, especially mice and rats have gained a stronger foothold. They are able to move more freely through connecting tunnels, cracks and crevices causing damage and infestations to homes and businesses they invade along the way. These underground highways make it difficult to contain pests and rodents.

The TTC subway is home to a multiple number of lines that branch out north, east south and west of the City. It connects neighbourhoods and neighbouring suburban cities, giving millions of people access to additional transportation services, businesses, institutions and residences. Whether using the subway for work or pleasure, it is a vital part of Toronto’s transition system.

Toronto’s Line 1 Yonge-University, a U-shaped line established in 1954, is the oldest and busiest subway lines in Toronto, averaging 732,000 daily users. Running under Yonge Street to Union station in the heart of downtown Toronto, the line intersects with major roads in Toronto such as University Ave, St. George and Spadina. Line 1 has 32 stations and is 30.2 km in length.

Downtown Toronto is home to various historic and commercial buildings, as well as older homes and apartment buildings which are susceptible to infestations. As the vast majority of this subway line runs downtown Toronto, the most popular form of housing is apartment buildings of five storeys or higher. Living in apartment buildings pose various challenges regarding pest control, especially if you are renting an apartment. It is important to know your rights as a tenant, as the appearance of a building is not always an indicator of a pest problem.

TTC’s Line 2 Bloor-Danforth is an east-west subway line which opened in 1954. This line connects to Line 1, and the most travelled portion of this line is located in Old Toronto’s midtown known as Yorkville. Yorkville runs from Bloor Street to the south, Davenport to the north, Yonge Street to the east and Avenue Road to the west. This location has officially been named “The Annex.”

The Annex is mainly residential, with multiple older, Victorian style homes, with the vast majority built between 1880 and the early 1900’s. Older homes pose a lot of problems regarding pest control issues. Over time, cracks in the exterior gives pests - such as mice, rats and cockroaches - the opportunity to enter and infest homes. In this case, it is important to be proactive and to check to ensure cracks and crevices are sealed to prevent rodents and insects from entering your home. While you may think a small hole may seem insignificant, rats are able to fit through a size of a quarter and mice are capable of fitting through the size of a dime. A common issue with older homes is that the windows may be old and inefficient. This not only raises your electricity bill, but also opens the possibility for pests to find their way inside and infest the dwelling.

Line 3 Scarborough (or better known as the Scarborough RT) runs entirely within the city of Scarborough. Established in 1985, the vast majority of this line runs above ground and intersects with Line 2 Bloor-Danforth at Kennedy terminal. In Scarborough, over half the population lives in houses, with apartment buildings of 5 storeys or higher being the second most popular form of housing. Similarly, Line 4 Sheppard is the newest and shortest addition to the TTC, and runs entirely underground in North York, along Sheppard Avenue East between Yonge Street and Don Mills Road. This area is also heavily populated with multiple story apartment and commercial buildings. The TTC tunnels and older building structures make it easy for mice, rats, roaches and other pests to move and find new homes. It is not easy to determine if an apartment building is ridden with troublesome pests. You cannot tell by simply looking at the apartment exterior or even a unit if a pest infestation is present or if you are at risk for one. The neighbouring building could be infested which could eventually plague you, your family or your tenants. Figuring out how to get rids of mice or how to get rid of rats is becoming more challenging. The most common concern with aging apartment buildings is how to get rid of cockroach infestations. Having a Toronto pest control company, that understands the city and neighbourhood is key for successful pest extermination.