Pesky rats: St. John's to deal with wandering rodents

The City of St. John's is implementing a program to deal with rodents displaced by construction projects.

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Coun.Art Puddister said council approved the program during their meetingon Monday night, that would see rat populations controlled prior to building developments taking place.

"What happens right now, when a vacant piece of land is redeveloped, the rodents just move out and go in to the neighbourhoods, or if an old building is torn down the rodents just move on," he said.

Rodent control has previously been left to the discretion of developers. However, Puddister said the city's new program will require a formal plan to deal with rodents, including a three week pre-development assessment carried out by pest control consultants.

Checking for rats

Pest control officials often recommend that a rodent treatmentprocess take place for six to eight weeks prior to development.

Councilis trimming the pre-development rodent control period to three weeks, however,as thebuilding season in the city is often limited by poor weather.

City staff would then review and inspect the properties following the consultation period.

The program will apply to all new subdivisions and commercial or industrial developments, including vacant plots of land or existing buildings that are being refurbished.

"We are saying to the people in the construction industry that when you come with an application, you will need to have this assessment," Puddister said.

The program hopes to prevent rodents from intrudingonneighbouring property owners when land is developed or an older building is renovated.

Puddister said the program will begin immediately.