Pickering trying to address the problem of rats in urban life

Education and collaboration are the keys to dealing with the complicated problem of rats in cities, declared Pickering Councillor David Pickles after introducing a motion to develop a program to educate the public on how the keep the rodents out of the home and to work with the development industry to address potential infestations before they begin.

Rat populations are on the rise from warmer climates and the availability of food and habitat due to poor waste storage practices, poor property standards and a lack of knowledge but Pickles noted developers also have a role to play.

“It’s important to deal with the situation before the property is developed so we’re not pushing rats from one property to another.”

The plan will be for city staff and Durham Region’s Health department to look at best practices from other municipalities – including Toronto and Ottawa – to see what would work for Pickering and the region as a whole and to develop public education packages on rat prevention.

In many cases, Pickles acknowledged, the problem is exacerbated by mental health issues and the fact there are multiple jurisdictions and departments dealing with the problem, such health inspections (Region) and property standards (City).

“It’s very difficult for bylaw to deal with these situations on private property and other agencies often have to be called in,” he said. It gets very complicated. We need to come up with a comprehensive plan.”

Councillor Maurice Brenner, who seconded the motion and emphasized the solution will not involve rodenticides or other poisons, said the problem of rats is not just a Pickering problem.

“This is right across the GTA. You break ground, you get rats,” he said. “So it’s important to work with the development industry.”

“And we won’t have to ‘reinvent the wheel.’ There are best practices out there.”