Some Newmarket residents are expressing concern about an increased number of rat sightings in the community.
Residents are reporting on social media an uptick in the rodents in their neighbourhoods. The Town of Newmarket confirmed it has received 21 calls regarding rodents this year, many of them related to a property standards issue, like improper garbage storage and long grass.
“We see them every day and night,” one Newmarket resident said on social media. “I had to take down my bird feeder because last night, there were three adults and three young (rats) all together below the feeder.”
Rising rat populations have become a concern in some municipalities across the province. City of Toronto staff have been tasked with creating an action plan to reduce the rat population there. Ottawa council is urging Health Canada to expedite the review of a form of rat birth control not approved in Canada yet.
Local biologist Aileen Barclay said she has seen the social-media chatter. Although she said it is uncertain to what degree the local rat population has increased, lower predator populations or a bumper crop for wild berries could be factors.
Ultimately, Barclay said rat populations are supported by food being available and they will go where they can find them near homes.
“People leaving any kind of food source outside, unsecured garbage,” Barclay said. “Any population is limited by food availability … If there’s a boom in population, it’s because of available food.”
The Town of Newmarket said its animal services department does not respond to calls for rodents or pests, but there are steps that people can take to address rodents.
“Rats and mice are common pests in the GTA that affect all municipalities and are typically found in urban environments. Unfortunately, large urban environments, like Newmarket provide excellent habitats for rodents,” the municipality said. “It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why residents might be seeing these animals in their neighbourhood. However, during the warmer weather, lush vegetation and food sources like waste and compost provide shelter and food."
The town offered tips, including not leaving food outside, avoid taking waste to the curb early, use animal-resistant containers, clean up pet food and bird seed debris, cut tall grass and weeds, and remove clutter and wood piles outside.
“Property owners are encouraged to contact private wildlife control companies to assist with the safe and humane removal of healthy wildlife,” the town said.
Jared Dickinson, owner of Pest Hound Inc. pest control company, said he has been getting more calls about rat problems but does not believe that indicates a significant rise in the population.
“Any large city anywhere in the world has a large population of mice and rats,” he said. “Often, when there’s rats in the home, there’s a good reason.”
Pest control operators use snap traps and sometimes poison bait to control a rat problem. But if rats are getting into a home, Dickinson said it’s key to find the hole they are using and seal it with a one-way door device.
Spotting rats outdoors is far from unheard of, he said.
“I’ve had a lot of people in the north end of Newmarket that will call me because they saw a rat outside,” he said. “Well, that’s not unusual. They are tremendously common animals.”
Barclay said it is key to remove food sources, including bird feeders. She noted that there are feeders that can better ensure that the food does not get to the ground for rats to access.
She said letting cats out is a poor way to control the population.
“It’s dangerous for the cats,” she said, adding that cats are also not effective at rat population control.
Dickinson said glue traps are a poor way to handle rats and that snap traps are more effective.
But he said if rats are an issue, it is important for people to figure out what is going on to source them.
“Keep a tidy garage. Don’t accumulate clutter in your basement,” he said.
Besides some widespread control programs, Dickinson said there is not much municipalities can do about a rat increase.
“The rat population has been a little bit sensationalized, but it is impossible for me to ignore I have been getting more calls,” he said.
Each year, pest control company Orkin Canada releases a top 25 "rattiest cities" list, ranked by the number of rat and mice treatments provided at residential and commercial locations. In Ontario, Toronto tops the list, followed by Mississauga and Ottawa; York Region locations making the list are Markham at 13, Richmond Hill at 15 and Woodbridge at 24.
The Town of Newmarket said if a property owner suspects that the appearance of rodents and pests is due to a property standards violation, they are encouraged to call at 905-895-5193 or email [email protected] to report it. You can also call York Region Public Health for any concerns related to businesses or restaurants causing the appearances of rodents at 1-877-464-9675.
— With files from the Canadian Press
