Emmanuel Perez and his young child have developed a new routine during their daily walk to daycare in Parc-Extension. Perez mentioned that they now engage in counting the rats they encounter along the way, reaching a high count of 11 on one particular morning. Perez sees this as an opportunity for his daughter to practice counting skills.
The number of rats observed by Perez and his family has notably grown in the past year, attributing this increase to the presence of garbage, food waste, and poorly maintained areas that create favorable conditions for rodents. Perez, a long-time resident of Parc-Extension, noted that the rat issue spans across various properties and streets within the neighborhood.
According to Eric Corcoran, a technical supervisor at ABC Pest Control with 16 years of experience, reports of rodent sightings have been on the rise not only for Perez but across Montreal since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Corcoran highlighted that urban areas like Parc-Extension are particularly susceptible to rodent problems due to factors such as high population density, industrial zones, and proximity to highways and railway tracks.
Corcoran emphasized that improper waste management practices, including changes in garbage collection schedules and poorly maintained compost and food disposal, contribute to the rodent issue. While composting is not the root problem, issues arise when organic material accumulates around bins, vegetation grows unchecked, or waste is not stored correctly.
During a recent CBC visit to Parc-Extension, several deceased rats were visible in the neighborhood, raising concerns about potential health risks. Perez noted an increase in dead rat sightings following city interventions to address the problem. Corcoran advised against handling dead rats due to potential health hazards and recommended contacting the borough for proper disposal.
The Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension borough reported a decline in citizen requests for rat extermination in recent years, despite ongoing efforts to manage the rodent population. The borough highlighted initiatives such as hiring exterminators, setting traps, enforcing waste disposal regulations, and conducting targeted cleanliness campaigns in affected areas.
Although official data shows a decrease in rat-related complaints, residents like Perez believe that the problem persists and that people may have grown accustomed to the presence of rats in the neighborhood. Perez expressed disappointment in the perceived lack of attention and support from the city in addressing the ongoing rat issue in Parc-Extension.
