04/20/2020
RATS! ANOTHER THING TO THINK ABOUT !
With Covid-19 causing restaurants, hotels and other industries to close or slow operations down, there is less garbage on the streets waiting for pickup. For rats, this means their daily smorgasbord or leftover delights has become scarce.
In a recent National Geographic article, Bobby Corrigan, a well-known rodentologist who specializes in urban rats, said βas particular colonies of rats lose their established food sources β whether itβs litter and trash cans in parks, or dumpsters outside restaurants β they will start fighting over any food thatβs leftβ¦ Others will strike out into the unknown, looking for new food sources.β
βRats can enter homes and buildings under door gaps, cracks in foundations or gaps around pipes. A determined rat can squeeze its way into an opening of only one inch β thatβs about the size of a quarter,β says Dusana Bondy, quality assurance auditor at Abell Pest Control.
During Canadaβs Covid-19 pandemic, Abell Pest Control has seen a 50 percent increase in rat-related calls compared to 2019, with most inquiries coming from urban centres like Toronto, Halifax, Winnipeg, Montreal, Winnipeg, Regina and Vancouver.
βThe most important reason to keep rats outdoors is their disease-carrying ability. Pathogens such as salmonella and e. coli can be transmitted via rats and these are very dangerous for humans to be exposed to. As rats scurry around forced to find new food sources, home and business owners must know how to prevent them from getting inside,β says Bondy.
The key is to inspect buildings for holes on the exterior and seal them carefully. Keep yards and parking lots clear of clutter and debris where rats can hide.
Inside, donβt attract rats by leaving food out. Keep a clean kitchen and store food tightly and securely. Ensure that staff are following god food hygiene practices and not taking food to areas other than common eating areas.
βFor restaurant owners and other businesses, especially during times of closure when rats can move around unnoticed, itβs important to keep on top of your pest control,β added Bondy.
βThe last thing anybody wants to be dealing with during this pandemic is a rat infestation to add to an already stressful time.β