Tree or Black rat (Photo 191276271 © Carlos Aranguiz | Dreamstime.com)

By Kevin Rothwell

No city policy on the issue

Pigeons and rodents a problem in derelict Vernon buildings

Apr 30, 2021 | 5:00 AM

There has been some concerned expressed by residents to Vernon city council, over the lack of a policy to deal with rats, mice and pigeons in abandoned buildings.

“There was a tear down of some older homes on 35th, and there were pigeons staying in those homes. I have had calls from a couple of residents saying those pigeons have moved on,” Coun. Akbal Mund stated during council inquiries at the Monday (April 26) council meeting. “I directed them to Pete Wise (local wildlife expert) as to how they should be taken care of.

Mund stated that residents wanted him to bring it up in council, that there should be something in place to deal with properties that have been derelict for years.

“They become home to infestations of critters, we have the same thing for mice or rats. It has come up before, anyways I know we don’t have a policy on it,” Mund added.

There have been a growing number of reports of black rats moving into new neighborhoods.

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Orkin Pest Control publishes a list of most rodent infested locations in B.C. Cities are ranked by the number of rodent (rat & mice) treatments the company performed from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. This ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments.

In 2020, Kelowna was number six on the list and Vernon was number 11.

Orkin 20 rattiest cities (photo credit: Orkin Canada)

Orkin has a few simple rodent prevention tips:

• Close the Gap: Seal any cracks or holes in your foundation with weather-resistant sealant. Install weather stripping around windows and doors, as well as door sweeps.
• Trim the Trees: Landscaping can be a big-rodent attractant. Keep shrubbery cut back at least one meter from the exterior walls of your home to eliminate any hiding spots for rodents.
• Cut Off the Water: Eliminate any moisture sources, necessary for pests’ survival, such as clogged gutters or water gathering in trash or recycling bins.
• Inspect both inside and outside your property for rodent droppings, burrows and rub marks along baseboards and walls. The more quickly rodents are detected, the better.