Rats in Ottawa on rise this spring: exterminator

An Ottawa pest controller says the rat population in the city is unusually active, and suggests the messy handling of city green bins may be partly responsible.

Paramount Pest Control spokesman David Saunders said he's getting two to three calls a day. While he's dealt with the odd rat in the fall, he said it's the first time he's gotten calls about the rodents in the spring.

"That means the population are definitely up when they're entering homes, backyards and areas. I've been doing pest control in Ottawa almost 20 years now and I've never seen it like this," said Saunders.

He said he thinks a number of factors could be at play, including how residents are handling their new greenbins.

"Ottawa is doing more recycling of organic things, [so] people just have to be careful that they do it properly cause if they don't, they make an opportunity for a rodent to invade your property and possibly get into your house," he said.

The green bin program was launched in Ottawa on Jan. 4.

Seeing rats 'creepy': Sandy Hill resident

Saunders said if rats have made it into your home, greasy rub marks can be seen on baseboards.

Barbara Havrot said she was in the Sandy Hill neighbourhood in the middle of the day earlier this week when she spotted a rat.

"It's a little bit unnerving, a little bit creepy to see rats in the daytime running around in the city," said Havrot.

City officials, however, said they haven't received any complaints about rats.