Rat infestation will only get worse, warns Hamilton Public Health

Consider it a cautiontohomeowners and renters in every area of Hamilton: we're in the midst of a rat infestation, and it's only going to get worse.

The number of calls to Hamilton Public Health about rats have already doubled compared to the same time last year, said Robert Hall, director of health protection. And he expects the number of rat callsto increase for at least two more years.

That's why the city is devotingmore resources to help homeowners with them, he said.

They're coming above ground to start making themselves present.- Robert Hall, Hamilton Public Health

"They're coming above ground to start making themselves present," Hall told the city's board of health on Monday.

Hall has a few theories on why we're seeing more rats. It could be the weather, he said. It could be because they're scurrying away from bait traps the city is placing in sewers. The city spent about $18,000 last year dropping bait traps into manholes.

The more likely cause, he said, is construction. Every time there's a dig, rats scatter and seek shelter elsewhere.

Jim Miner, owner of Action Pest Control Servicesin Hamilton, also blames the construction. His busiest zones, he said, are areas of Oakville where there's a lot of construction.

"Once you start digging anywhere, the rats come out," he said.

• Rat booms follows construction crews

Miner has noticed an increase not just in rats, but in urban wildlife in general, from mice to squirrels to bed bugs.

Where there's one rat, he said, there are probably more. Female rates have about four litters per year, each average as many as six babies. And baby rats mature quickly a female rat can start breeding two months after birth.

Rats are communal, he said. When they have a food source, many of them will congregate and live there together. He's noticed a lot of rat calls in the North End and on the Mountain, particularly areas of the Mountain where there's a lot of new development.

The city, meanwhile, is fielding a record number of rat calls already.

In 2012, it got 36 rat complaint calls. That increased to 58 in 2013, and 121 in 2014. Central Mountain and the lower city saw the most rat calls.

From January to April last year, Hall said, the city fielded seven rat calls. It fielded 20 in that same time period this year.

Plenty of people get rats and don't call the city, Hall said. But if they do, the city can help.

This year's budget includes a new part-time health inspector to deal with rat complaints. That person will distribute information to people about rat behaviour and how to keep them out of the house.

Rat calls by year

• 2010: 56
• 2011: 44
• 2012: 37
• 2013: 58
• 2014: 121

How to prevent rodents from getting into your home

• Clean the area around your home to get rid of nesting sites.
• Storegarbage in rodent-proof containers with tight-fitting lids.
• Cut tall grasses and weeds.
• Remove sources of food, including fallen fruit, pet food left outdoors, bird feeder, grass seed, etc.
• Secure compostors to keep rats from getting inside.

What if there's a rat on myproperty?

• Snap traps are easy to use and effective.
• Baited traps should be placed in areas with rodent activity, but don't set the trap until the bait has been taken once.
• Place traps along walls in areas where pests are active. Place the trigger side against the wall.
• Keep children and pets away from traps and chemical products.