Zoe Kirk, RDOS
Public Works Projects Coordinator:

I have now had 2 reports of folks just north of Oliver trapping rats, taking them to Willowbrook and releasing them! Folks have approached our Mosquito Control crew to talk about the issue.

“This year professional exterminators are predicting a ‘good’ year for rats – which means a ‘bad’ year for humans that may have safe harbour for vermin in their yards and gardens. Each year up to 80% of rats die over winter, but with conditions being as they were last winter, warm and wet, we could see an upsurge over this summer of rats.” Says RDOS Public Works Projects Coordinator, Zoe Kirk. Public Works Projects Coordinator.

It is important to keep attractants managed, survey around our homes and properties for possible rat burrows, nests or easy places for them to hide.

Rat Facts
•Rats are very agile and can scale brick or other rough walls.
•Rats can jump up to 1 metre vertically and 1.3 metres horizontally. They are strong and capable swimmers, even against strong currents.
•Rats are intelligent and quick learners. They can adapt to exploit many different situations.
•A single rat can leave up to 25,000 fecal pellets per year and a pair of rats can shed over a million body hairs per year.
•It is a common misconception that rats will pass the rabies virus. Even though rats can carry this virus, rats in BC have not been shown to have rabies.
•Norway rats and Roof rats are not native to North America.
•Rats do not commonly live in the wild; they are associated wherever there are human settlements.