City sees 40 per cent dip in rat related 311 calls
The City of Ottawa appears to be winning its war on rats.
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In 2024, Ottawans made 40 per cent fewer 311 calls about rats than in 2023, according to a memo to city council from Marilyn Journeaux, a director in the city's infrastructure and water services department.
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'Across all data points, the city saw a decrease in the number of rat related calls in 2024,' wrote Journeaux.
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There were only 512 rat-related calls in 2024, compared to 845 calls in the previous year.
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There were 72 calls in the first three months of this year.
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Ottawa Public Health, a secondary source of rat inquiries, received just six calls in 2024, compared with 22 calls the previous year.
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The report says the city will continue to conduct more frequent garbage cleanup in high-traffic areas and sewer baiting in problem areas. The city also plans to increase public education campaigns in neighbourhoods to address rat problems across the city.
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The wards with the most rat-related calls last year were:
• Ward 12: Rideau-Vanier, 73
• Ward 17: Capital, 43
• Ward 1: Orleans East-Cumberland, 38
• Ward 11: Beacon Hill-Cyrville, 37
• Ward 23: Kanata South, 33
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In 2023, the city launched what it called the 'Rat Mitigation Working Group' to bring together representatives from several city departments to develop effective solutions.
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The coordinated approach focused on education, prevention and control measures.
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The City of Ottawa appears to be winning its war on rats. Article content In 2024, Ottawans made 40 per cent fewer 311 calls about rats than in 2023, according to a memo to city council from Marilyn Journeaux, a director in the city's infrastructure and water services department. Article content Article content 'Across all data points, the city saw a decrease in the number of rat related calls in 2024,' wrote Journeaux. Article content Article content There were only 512 rat-related calls in 2024, compared to 845 calls in the previous year. Article content Article content There were 72 calls in the first three months of this year. Article content Ottawa Public Health, a secondary source of rat inquiries, received just six calls in 2024, compared with 22 calls the previous year. Article content The report says the city will continue to conduct more frequent garbage cleanup in high-traffic areas and sewer baiting in problem areas. The city also plans to increase public education campaigns in neighbourhoods to address rat problems across the city. Article content The wards with the most rat-related calls last year were: • Ward 12: Rideau-Vanier, 73 • Ward 17: Capital, 43 • Ward 1: Orléans East-Cumberland, 38 • Ward 11: Beacon Hill-Cyrville, 37 • Ward 23: Kanata South, 33 Article content In 2023, the city launched what it called the 'Rat Mitigation Working Group' to bring together representatives from several city departments to develop effective solutions. Article content Article content The co-ordinated approach focused on education, prevention and control measures. Article content Article content Looking ahead, the municipal authorities have instituted a number of measures, including a Rat Sightings Reporting Tool for residents to alert the city of possible problems. Article content
