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Residents frustrated as rats plague backyards by Michael Gregory Oakville Beaver Staff 7 | Friday, August 1, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com A few neighbouring properties on a north Oakville cul-de-sac are being overrun by rats, leaving residents no other choice than to pick up the costly task of trying to evict the unwelcome furry guests. Halton Region's Health Department recently visited the street nestled near Dundas Street and Neyagawa Boulevard, after receiving a complaint about rats spotted scurrying across backyards and decks. One resident, who asked that his name be withheld, told the Oakville Beaver he first noticed the rodents a few weeks ago. The man has since set traps around the backyard and is catching about a rat a day. "It's scary because of the number of rats," he said. "You certainly don't want to be eating, you certainly don't want to be entertaining when there are rats running around the backyard." The Region has launched an investigation into the rodent sightings and is providing information in hopes of educating residents in the neighbourhood on what may be attracting the rats onto their properties. The Region's Health Department has received 10 complaints about rats since January of this year, with nearly half of those reports made during the month of July. Nicole Matthews, manager of healthy environments in the local health department, said plotting of all the complainant's addresses on a map did not reveal a trend, or a major concern. "The complaints appear to be related to conditions at neighbouring properties such as garbage, and the location of the property where rats are observed," Matthews said, unable to comment on the specifics of the case. "You have to remember, if you're providing food, and you're providing shelter, they'll stick around and that's the message we want to get Rats are common in southern Ontario, including Oakville. | submitted photo to people." According to the Town of Oakville's Property Standards Bylaw, property owners are responsible for any issues with rats and mice on their lands. Residents who become aware of a pest control issue in a neighbouring yard are asked MY FIRST, MY LAST, MY EVERYTHING. to notify the Town so an enforcement officer can visit the property. The Region may also refer a case to Town if the Health Department visits a site, makes recommendations, and a homeowner does not comply. According to section 5.1.1.1 of Oakville's Property Standards bylaw, every yard is required to be kept clean and free from rodents and "any condition which might result in the harbouring of such pests." In cases where a bylaw officer investigates a complaint, there is the possibility of charges being laid, and an order issued to rectify the issue. Phil Bouillon, interim manager of bylaw enforcement and licensing, said if a property owner objects, or is unable to comply with the order, they can appeal to the three-citizen member Property Standards Committee. "Those citizens would hear the concerns from the person and they would make a decision on how to correct the deficiency, and accommodate the person's needs at the same time," Bouillon said. The Oakville & Milton Hu- mane Society does not respond to nuisance wildlife calls, but suggests people use a rat trap cage so that the animal can be safely relocated. The Town's Wildlife Conflict Protocols, a municipal guideline for dealing with conflict situations involving wildlife, argues for the humane treatment of animals and notes the municipality's opposition to catching rodents using glue traps -- although such traps are legal in Ontario. Humane urban wildlife control company Skeddaddle told the Beaver it had seen a 10 per cent increase in calls about rodents in Oakville over the last month. Company president Bill Dowd said the increase is "surprising" given the majority of calls occur in the fall when rodents are seeking shelter in homes. "Any time we have homeowners who call us and say they're seeing them in the backyard, it's typically because they have a large population and the rats are either living in their attic, in their walls, or under their deck," Dowd said. "Rats are communal so you can get hundreds liv- ing together." Skeddaddle recommends homeowners survey their yard for points of entry where rodents may have dug a hole and clean up food such as birdseed that may have fallen on the ground. "Their numbers grow based on den sites and food sources available," Dowd said, recommending people also "keep garbage in sealed containers and put it out in the morning not the night before." The Town's Wildlife Protocols also recommends the following: · Store food, water and garbage in metal or heavy plastic containers with tight-fitting lids · Don't leave pet food or water outside overnight · Consider removing a bird feeder permanently if a rodent problem persists · Remove any abandoned vehicles, old tires or woodpiles, which may serve as shelter for rodents. The resident who spoke with the Beaver said his yard is free from seed and he has been advised by the Region to continue setting traps -- which costs nearly $30 a week. "If it was in my yard, if it was in my house exclusive to that, then I understand I've got a problem and I'll deal with it," he said. "Because of the diseases that rats carry, I would have hoped for more immediate action." For more information on rodent and pest disturbances, or to report a case, Oakville residents can call: · Region of Halton, Health Department at 905-825-6000 · Town of Oakville, Parks and Open Space department at 905-845-6601, ext. 3076 · Town of Oakville, Facilities and Construction Management Department at 905-8456602, ext. 3339 · Town of Oakville, Licensing and By-law Services at 905845-6601, ext 3872. 4080 Fairview Street, Burlington (between Walkers & Appleby) 905-633-7226 Hours: Mon.-Wed. 10-6 · Thur.-Fri. 10-8 · Sat. 10-6 · Sun. 12-5 Interlocking Tumblestone, Retaining Walls, Garden Installation, Sodding & Excavating, Call for FREE Estimate plus more (905) 827-8158 · www.rogerslandscaping.org