Rats have become a daily sight on the streets of Parc‑Extension, a neighbourhood in Montreal, according to a resident who has observed the rodents every day. The presence of the animals has drawn attention from a local exterminator, who notes that citywide rodent-related service calls have risen since the COVID‑19 pandemic.
The exterminator explained that the number of calls for rodent control across Montreal has increased consistently since 2020, the year the pandemic began. The trend reflects a broader pattern of higher demand for pest‑management services throughout the city.
Residents of Parc‑Extension have expressed concern about the visibility of rats in public spaces. The daily encounters have prompted some to seek professional extermination, while others have reported the sightings to municipal authorities.
City officials have been tracking the rise in rodent complaints as part of their public‑health monitoring. The upward trajectory in service calls since the pandemic has led to discussions about preventive measures and resource allocation for pest control in affected neighbourhoods.
The situation in Parc‑Extension mirrors the larger issue facing Montreal, where the post‑pandemic period has been marked by an increase in rodent activity. Continued monitoring and response efforts are expected to address the concerns of residents and curb the spread of the problem.
The continued influx of rodent complaints has kept the issue on the municipal agenda, with authorities monitoring the trend and considering additional resources for pest control.