By Dominic Taylor-
Canadians in Toronto is experiencing an increase in rats following the lockdown which has seen restaurants and other businesses shut down. This has meant less rubbish being left on the streets, eliminating the major source of food for rodents and forcing them to look elsewhere for scraps.
Social distancing rules which have confined many Canadians to their homes, like many all over the world, has resulted in less garbage being left on the streets and in dumpsters. The consequence has been rats searching for other sources to feed, posing a threat to the homes of ordinary Canadians. A press release put out by Abell’s Quality Assurance Auditor Dusana Bondy said:
“Rats 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 1″ — that’s about the size of a quarter.” The company reported that most calls are coming from urban centres including Toronto, Halifax, Winnipeg, Montreal, Regina and Vancouver.
“The 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,” Bondy said. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), rats can spread approximately 35 different diseases to humans either directly through rodent contact or indirectly via ticks, mites or fleas that have fed on an infected rat.
“For restaurant owners and other businesses, especially during times of closure when rats can move around unnoticed, it’s important to keep on top of your pest control,” Bondy said. “The last thing anybody wants to be dealing with during this pandemic is a rat infestation to add to an already stressful time.” Abell Pest Control recommends that Canadians to inspect the exteriors of homes or businesses and seal up any cracks or holes. Individuals have also be urged to clear yards of clutter and debris where rats can hide, and keep a clean kitchen and store food tightly and securely.
Nearly five per cent of Canadians claim to be on the edge of declaring bankruptcy, and a further nine per cent close to doing so. Financial concerns are evident on the minds of many Canadians, though majority are in favour of lockdown measures which they see as essential to the overall health of the nation. Having a lesser but serious disease arrive as a result of Covid