Rats have recently been seen in Montreal, notably in a UQAM building and in Émilie-Gamelin park. Should we be worried about the presence of these rodents in the metropolis? To see more clearly, we chatted with an exterminator.
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Why are there so many rats in the metropolis?
Since 1is January 2022, Montreal bans the use of some thirty pesticides, including seven rodenticides. This new ban undermines the control of vermin on the territory of the city, says Nathaniel Leavey, co-owner of the extermination firm Les Entreprises Maheu.
Because of this regulation, exterminators must use traps rather than poison blocks, which is less effective, continues the exterminator.
“Imagine there are one or two rats caught in the trap. There’s no more room for [tuer] other rats. While a block of poison can kill 5 [à] 20 rats”, explains the expert in extermination.
The presence of rats in Montreal, a good or a bad thing?
Let’s first make one thing clear: “In all large cities, there is bound to be a presence of rats, which is necessary,” insists Nathaniel Leavey.
Rats are ‘cleaners’, ‘drain unblockers’ and they will get the pipes running as they should, he adds.
“However, you have to control them,” says Nathaniel Leavey. We are compared a lot to New York [où la population de rats est bien plus importante], but we are not there yet. And it shouldn’t.”
Does the presence of rats mean that Montreal is a dirty city?
Overall, Montreal is not dirty. However, certain districts or districts of the metropolis, in particular certain corners of the city center, have problems of insalubrities, affirms Nathaniel Leavey.
He also calls for caution, while the Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough plans to pick up garbage every two weeks (rather than every week).
“In the suburbs, the trash cans are less accessible, because they are in large wheeled bins. In Montreal, plastic bags make rats happy.”
Joël Lemay / Agence QMI
How to limit the number of rats?
In addition to traps, exterminators and citizens can use warfarin to repel rats. For this poison to be effective, however, several doses are necessary, which is not optimal, he points out.
While rats are becoming more and more visible on the island, the City has also announced this month that it will soon remove one of the rodenticides from its blacklist, diphacinone, to the great pleasure of exterminator. However, the municipal council must adopt this withdrawal before the product can be used again.
To be effective, diphacinone must be ingested repeatedly by the rat.
MARIO BEAUREGARD/QMI AGENCY