Montreal and surrounding area
Rat extermination in Montreal
Spotted a rat in the yard, the basement or near the bins? The Norway rat burrows, gnaws and travels through the sewers. We inspect inside and around the building, eliminate and block the entry points.
- CD5-certified technicians
- Entry points sealed
- Written guarantee
- Montreal and surrounding area
Residential and commercial · Montreal, Laval, South Shore and North Shore
Think you have rats?
The signs that tell rats apart from mice:
- Dark elongated droppings, clearly larger than a mouse's
- Burrows or holes near the foundation, the shed or under a deck
- Heavy movement noises at night, in the walls or ceiling
- Gnawed wood, plastic or cables, sometimes damaged pipes
- Greasy rub marks along exterior walls
- A rat seen in broad daylight — often a sign of an established population
A rat gnaws through what blocks its way, including hard materials. Finding and blocking the access points therefore matters as much as the elimination itself.
How our intervention works
Rats are handled from the outside in: most of it plays out around the building.
Indoor and outdoor inspection
We look for burrows, runways and ways into the building: around the foundation, service entries, vents, garage doors, drains.
Elimination
Devices suited to the location — outdoors or indoors — and to the presence of children and pets, installed where the activity actually is.
Sealing and exclusion
The access points found are blocked with gnaw-resistant materials. Without this step, a new colony takes the same route.
Follow-up and guarantee
We come back to confirm activity has stopped and adjust if needed. The treatment is covered by a written guarantee.
Limited offer · Only 6 days left
10% off bed bugs, cockroaches and rodents treatments
Valid for any intervention booked by August 31, 2026. Mention code AOUT10 when you call.
Free on-site inspection and quote, written guarantee: always included, offer or not.
What our clients say
Reviews published on our Google profile.
« Quick and very professional service. The team explained the problem and solution clearly. Impeccable result, highly recommend! »
« Honestly amazing service. They responded quickly, arrived on time, and explained everything without stressing me out. »
« Thanks for your help. My home is finally clean again. Fast, professional service and excellent customer care. »
WHY CHOOSE US
Why choose 514 Extermination for your rats?
With rats, the source is often outside — an alley, a construction site, a sewer. That's exactly why the work goes from the outside in: we protect the building even when the source isn't on your property.
Outside as much as inside
Burrows along the foundation, under a deck or shed, runways along exterior walls: most of a rat case plays out outdoors.
Locked bait stations
Outdoors, bait goes in secured, locked stations: out of reach of children, pets and non-target wildlife.
Exclusion and sealing
A rat gnaws through what blocks it. The access points found during the inspection are closed with gnaw-resistant materials — otherwise a new colony takes the same route.
We tell you what's beyond your property
If the source is an alley, a construction site or a neighbour, we say so plainly rather than selling you repeat visits. What we can fix on your property, we fix.
CD5-certified technicians
Holders of the CD5 certificate, Health Canada approved rodenticides dosed by a professional, strategic and secured placement.
Free inspection, written guarantee
We assess the situation at no cost and with no obligation. The treatment is covered by a written guarantee handed over at the end.
Prefer to handle it by phone?
Call (514) 835-2108Frequently asked questions
How do I know if it's rats or mice?
Where do rats come from in a residential neighbourhood?
What should I do about burrows in the yard?
Is it safe for children and pets?
How long before it's resolved?
What if the problem comes from the neighbourhood?
How much does rat treatment cost?
Learn more about rats
The Norway rat: Quebec's sewer rat
The Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), also called the brown rat or sewer rat, is the most common rat in Quebec urban areas. Much larger than the mouse, it measures 17 to 23 cm (without the tail) and weighs 100 to 500 g. Its body is brown-grey on the back, yellowish-grey on the belly, with a thick scaly tail, small ears and small eyes.
Its sight is poor, but its highly developed hearing and smell make it extremely wary — which complicates amateur treatments.
A formidable breeder
- Sexual maturity at just 2 months.
- 5 to 6 litters per year, of 7 to 12 pups each.
- Gestation ~20 days; breeding season April to November.
- A female can produce up to ~60 pups a year.
- Lifespan: usually under a year, but the colony itself persists.
Rats live in hierarchical groups of 40 to 60 individuals, sometimes up to 200. A visible presence often hides a much larger population.
Impressive physical abilities
The rat is an athlete: it swims, dives, climbs and gnaws almost anything. It can fit through an opening of about 2 cm, come up through pipes and drains, and gnaw wood, plastic, even some soft metals. That's why a makeshift plug isn't enough: exclusion must use sturdy materials.
Health risks
The rat is a vector of serious diseases. It can transmit, directly or via its parasites (fleas), leptospirosis, salmonellosis, rat-bite fever, tularemia and other infections, through contact with urine, droppings or a bite. Its waste contaminates food and surfaces. Even though it's rather evasive and rarely bites, its presence is a real health risk for the family.
Property damage: structure, plumbing, fire
Rats cause significant damage:
- Weakened foundations from their galleries and burrows.
- Gnawed pipes that can cause water or gas leaks.
- Damaged electrical wires — fire risk like with mice.
- Contamination of pantries and stores.
In Montreal and riverside areas (near the river, old sewer networks), rat pressure is higher.
Signs of an infestation
- Large droppings (1-2 cm) in corners, attics, behind furniture
- Strong urine odor
- Gnawed packaging and wires
- Holes in walls, floors or around foundations
- Movement sounds and squeaks at night
- Burrows with multiple exits near foundations
How to prevent an infestation
The rat exploits the smallest weakness. To limit the risks:
- Seal openings larger than 2 cm solidly with sturdy materials (steel wool, metal, mortar) — rats gnaw through plastic and wood.
- Secure trash and compost with airtight lids.
- Avoid leaving pet food or seeds outside overnight.
- Clear the perimeter: wood, debris, dense vegetation near foundations.
- Fix leaks and faulty drains that provide water and access.
Given the rat's intelligence and wariness, prevention complements professional treatment — it doesn't replace it once the colony is established.
Go further
Prepare before the intervention
What to clear and store so the technician can work effectively.
After the treatment
What's normal to see, and when to call us back.
Rat or mouse?
Size, droppings and traces: how to tell them apart.
All our rodent services
Mice, rats and full building exclusion.
Rat extermination by area
A rat problem to deal with?
Call us: we inspect inside and around the building, and tell you what needs to happen, no obligation.