It’s peak rat season in Halifax and pest control experts are tackling them across the city.

"We've probably noticed a 30 per cent increase in rat activity from last year. Definitely on the upswing. Residential calls are up. Commercial calls have taken a major surge,” said Brian Betts, owner of Ace Pest Control.

He blames construction in part, as the work disrupts rat colonies.

"Got lots of construction going on in the city right now. You've got deteriorating infrastructure, you've got sewer crumbling, you've got exterior envelopes of buildings deteriorating,” he said.

The increase in complaints may be due to more rats, but it's also due to more rats moving into new homes.

"This is peak rat season right now and there's no snow cover down, so there's lots of fresh produce out there. People's gardens are tying up so there's maybe some leftover produce in the garden, that sort of thing. Rats are very visible this time of year,” Betts said.

Here are three tips to avoid getting rats:

Get rid of your bird feeder

Keep your property clean

Plug any holes in your house and pipes

Rats can chew through PVC pipes, too, and find their way into homes and buildings by breaking out of plumbing pipes.