2024-03-12 04:00:00
Rats have taken up residence for several months in an unsanitary public square in front of a metro station in Montreal, so much so that even exterminators cannot get rid of them. Disgusted citizens described the infestation as a “public health problem.”
“Citizens complain because the rats are visible, are not bothered, and wander everywhere. They are afraid, among other things for the children who want to play outside,” laments Mary Deros, municipal councilor for the Parc-Extension district.
For several months, rats have been swarming at Place de la Gare-Jean-Talon, which is bordered by the Parc metro station and a Maxi grocery store, and where thousands of people walk every day.
This infestation in a busy public place is a new problem for Montreal, after the uncleanliness of its busy streets was criticized and the numerous reports of potholes last week.
According to citizens, the rodents of the Place de la Gare-Jean-Talon hide among other places in the flowerbeds, in which there are numerous holes. A video shot last fall by the Parc-Extension citizen committee shows several animals entering and exiting these openings in the earth.
The newspaper has also noted the presence of these unwanted rodents on several occasions over the past year.
“It’s a public place, very busy. To be around rats, let’s say it’s a bit special, says Pierre Deschênes, member of the Parc-Extension citizens’ committee, astonished. For us, it is a public health problem.”
Photo Olivier Faucher
Fed by humans
If the snow seemed to have camouflaged the problem during the winter, citizens reported seeing rats at Gare-Jean-Talon in recent days.
Photo Agence QMI, JOEL LEMAY
“It’s under close surveillance. We have not resolved the problem, I agree,” admitted Marco St-Pierre, director of public works for Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension, during the borough council meeting on February 6.
The Maheu extermination companies, hired to intervene at this location, maintain that the main cause of the problem is unsanitary conditions.
“Waste is still left behind by both traders and passers-by. There are people who feed the pigeons, the rats are sure to get involved,” explains co-owner Nathaniel Leavey.
They are in their house
The latter himself describes this case as “very particular” in Montreal. “Even we are surprised because they are not afraid. They are at home, as if they had got used to it”
The district had around ten rat traps installed to try to stop the infestation at Place de la Gare-Jean-Talon. Photo Olivier Faucher
The district indicated to Journal that around ten rat traps were installed in the area. Inspectors also distributed leaflets asking not to feed the animals, in addition to installing posters reminding them of this instruction.
Photo Olivier Faucher
However, it is clear that this approach is not very effective, because a man was throwing food at the pigeons as the Journal SATURDAY.
“I don’t see any results,” laments Ms. Deros, who went out in May 2023 to denounce the growing unsanitary conditions and the presence of rats in her neighborhood.
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