Alberta hit with largest rat infestation in over a decade
Alberta is known internationally for a pretty quirky claim to fame: it’s been “rat-free” since the 1950s, which is why many people might be surprised to hear two Calgary recycling depots are facing infestations. They’re not just small infestations either; it’s the biggest infestation in the province since 2012!
The province has confirmed infestations at two separate recycling plants, one at Cascade Recovery+ and the other at Capital Paper Recycling.
Cascade says it found Norway rats at its Recovery facility in Calgary. Hugo D’Amours, spokesperson for Cascades, says the City of Calgary and Alberta Agriculture are aware of the situation, and they are working with a pest control contractor to resolve the issue.
D’Amours says it’s not uncommon to find rodents at recycling facilities.
“Cascades is a city contractor that sorts recycled material from curbside collection in Calgary. We therefore receive containers, packaging and printed material from every [Calgarians’] door in order to sort it and allow it to be recycled. As the containers or packaging placed in the blue bin may contain food residue, there is also a risk that rats will be transported to our sorting facility. With about 160 trucks coming in every day, thereās always a risk,” D’Amours explained.
Karen Wickerson is Alberta’s rat and pest control specialist and says they were found at the facilities a few years ago, and the number has fluctuated throughout the years. She adds they have a good handle on it now and “populations are declining.”
With the weather being so cold, it also encourages the rats to stay inside and keep from spreading because they would rather stay warm and where there is food.
She also added that people sometimes question what a “rat-free” status means.
“From our perspective, we don’t allow rats to permanently establish in the province, rats do get in, I can’t inspect every vehicle, I can’t control that. When they do get in though, we work to eradicate them quickly.”
Calgarians can do their part to reduce the risk of these infestations by carefully cleaning and drying recyclables before taking them to the depot. This way, the amount of food residue is reduced and less likely to attract rodents.
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