Rats! Fort Erie councillor asks if town has a rodent problem

Does Fort Erie have a rat problem?

Possibly, said Ward 6 Councillor Ann-Marie Noyes.

During last week’s council-in-committee meeting, Noyes raised this issue after a resident voiced concern about a proposed development in the Crescent Park neighbourhood, saying he was suffering from a rodent presence caused by the poor condition of the property near his home.

Later in the meeting, Noyes asked that staff provide an update on its rodent control bylaw and an explanation of what role the municipality is playing in curbing critters from infiltrating homes.

“It’s an issue we need to address,” said Noyes in an interview after the meeting.

“I have heard it from people in the last couple of weeks.”

Noyes also raised questions during the meeting about a potential 30-day timeline related to residents being eligible for a municipal rebate program, but told Niagara This Week she had since been given information from staff, and she is satisfied it doesn’t take the town long to respond.

However, she said, the town needs to consider measures to prevent rodents from popping up on private properties.

“It’s something, as a council, we need to review and be proactive with,” she said.

In 2019, Bertie Public School in Ridgeway was demolished after it had sat empty for three years.

There was a “major problem” with rats when the school was razed to the ground, she said.

Noyes said the town is taking action.

“I think we’ve recognized the problem more and more” but the town “isn’t quite solving the problem,” she told Niagara This Week.

Cole Patton, junior communications and marketing adviser for the town, said a rebate program offered by the municipality was implemented earlier this year and has only been used by one resident.

Patton said once an online form and an invoice showing a professional service has been paid is submitted to the town, the approval process is initiated.

“We strive to complete these as soon as possible, but it can take two to three days to reimburse the funds,” said Patton, adding it is recommended the process be initiated by calling the bylaw office to arrange an inspection of the property, which typically can be arranged within a few days.

Asked if bylaw staff have laid fines against people recently who aren’t keeping their property up to standard, and thus contributing to a rodent problem, Patton said there are “always ongoing investigations” in relation to lot maintenance and property standards investigations.

Staff are working on providing an update to council, he said.

Niagara Region environmental health manager Colin Horne said rodent issues fall under property standards, which in Niagara is the responsibility of the lower-tier municipalities.

“Our role at public health is to work collaboratively with municipalities to support community education and prevention efforts,” he said.

Rodents are naturally present in all communities across Niagara, and levels of activity can fluctuate.

“As far as we are aware, there has not been a notable increase in rodent-related concerns within Fort Erie,” he said.

To help prevent rodents on their property, residents can keep yards and outdoor areas free of clutter, garbage and tall grass or weeds.

Securing garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids and setting them out the morning of collection is also advice he provided.

Residents should store firewood at least 30 centimetres off the ground and away from buildings.

Sealing gaps or cracks in foundations, doors and windows is another measure that can be taken.

Residents can also use steel wool or caulking to fill small openings around pipes or vents.

When cleaning areas where rodents have been active, wear gloves and a mask, advised Horne.

People should dampen droppings with a bleach-and-water solution before wiping and wash their hands thoroughly afterward.

Deceased rodents should be double-bagged and placed in a garbage bin with a secure lid, said Horne.

Tom Davies, owner of the Truly Nolen franchise in Niagara, said his team is not aware of a rat problem in Fort Erie and hasn’t seen an increase in calls, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t an issue.

“Now we’re going to be paying attention to it,” said Davies after being contacted by Niagara This Week.

He said it’s “not unusual” for rats to move into properties when there are below-standard lands nearby.

When empty buildings are torn down, that can cause issues as well.

When the General Motors plant on Ontario Street in St. Catharines was razed, people in that area had complaints.

“When that got knocked down, we had a noticeable influx in calls for years,” said Davies.

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