Rats have become a common presence on the streets of Parc‑Extension, a neighbourhood in Montreal, prompting a local resident to start counting them with his young daughter. The pair have begun tracking the number of rodents they see as the sightings grow more frequent, turning a routine walk into a makeshift survey.
The resident, who wishes to remain unnamed, said the activity began after he and his daughter noticed the animals appearing almost every day. Together they tally each rat they encounter, noting the locations where the rodents are most often seen. The informal count reflects a growing concern among some neighbourhood residents about the visibility of the pests.
An exterminator familiar with the area confirmed that the increase in rat sightings is not isolated to Parc‑Extension. According to the professional, calls for rodent control across the entire city have risen sharply since the COVID‑19 pandemic began. The pest‑control specialist linked the uptick to changes that occurred during the pandemic, suggesting that the broader trend is affecting multiple districts throughout Montreal.
Citywide, Montreal has reported a surge in service requests related to rodents since the start of the pandemic. Municipal agencies have recorded a noticeable climb in complaints and work orders dealing with rat infestations, indicating that the problem extends beyond a single neighbourhood. The rise in calls aligns with the resident’s observations in Parc‑Extension, underscoring a city‑wide challenge that has persisted for several years.
While the resident’s tally is a personal effort, it mirrors a larger pattern of increased rodent activity that city officials and pest‑control providers are monitoring. The situation highlights an ongoing public‑health and sanitation issue that municipal services continue to address amid the heightened demand for rodent management throughout Montreal.