A resident of Montreal's Parc-Extension neighbourhood has begun tallying the number of rats he and his daughter see each day on the local streets. The informal count, which started after the animals became a regular presence, highlights a concern that has been echoed by a professional exterminator who says the problem mirrors a citywide surge in rodent complaints that has persisted since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The resident, who wishes to remain unnamed, reported that rats now appear on the sidewalks with such frequency that he and his daughter have turned the observation into a daily activity. Their informal log reflects the broader sentiment among Parc-Extension inhabitants, who have voiced growing unease about the rodents' visibility and the potential health risks they pose.
An exterminator familiar with the situation confirmed that the sightings are part of a larger trend across Montreal. According to the pest‑control professional, the city has experienced a notable increase in calls related to rats and other rodents since the pandemic began, a pattern that experts attribute to changes in waste management, reduced street cleaning, and altered human activity patterns during lockdowns.
City officials have taken note of the rise in rodent reports, though no specific figures have been released for the Parc-Extension area. The increased presence of rats on public thoroughfares has prompted discussions about municipal sanitation efforts and the need for more proactive pest‑control measures. Residents like the one counting the animals hope that heightened awareness will lead to coordinated action to address the issue before it escalates further.
The daily counting exercise underscores how a seemingly small, personal response can draw attention to a broader urban challenge. As Montreal continues to grapple with the aftermath of the pandemic, the visibility of rats in neighborhoods such as Parc-Extension serves as a reminder that public health concerns extend beyond the virus itself, encompassing the everyday environment in which residents live.