Latest news with #RatMitigationWorkingGroup
Ottawa Citizen
a day ago
- General
- Ottawa Citizen
City sees 40 per cent dip in rat-related 311 calls
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
Ottawa Citizen
a day ago
- General
- Ottawa Citizen
City sees 40 per cent dip in rat related 311 calls
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: Orleans 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 The coordinated approach focused on education, prevention and control measures. Article content
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
These are the hot spots for rat sightings in Ottawa
The City of Ottawa will continue to conduct more frequent garbage cleanup in high-traffic areas, conducting sewer bating and increasing public education campaigns in neighbourhoods to address rat issues across the city. Rideau-Vanier continues to be the hot spot for rat complaints, with 73 calls to 3-1-1 about rats in 2024 and 12 calls in the first three months of 2025. There were 43 complaints about rats in Capital ward in 2024, 38 calls to 3-1-1 from Orleans East-Cumberland and 37 requests for service from Beacon Hill-Cyrville. Ottawa's 3-1-1 line received 512 calls for service about rats in 2024 and 72 in the first three months in 2025. In April, coun. Tim Tierney asked city staff for an update on the city's anti-rat working group and the plan to deal with problem areas this year. Staff say the Rat Mitigation Working Group is using several tactics to address concerns about rats, including public education campaigns to inform residents about best practices to prevent rates, improving waste collection and disposal practices that reduce food sources for rats and regular inspection and maintenance of sewer systems. In response to Tierney's motion or the environment and climate change committee, Infrastructure and Water Services general manager Tammy Rose said, to support wards in addressing rat issues, the city will employ the following tactics: Enhanced Waste Management : More frequent debris and litter cleanup in high traffic and Business Improvement Areas. Major bus stations with a high volume of passengers will have garbage cleared daily. : More frequent debris and litter cleanup in high traffic and Business Improvement Areas. Major bus stations with a high volume of passengers will have garbage cleared daily. Increased Public Education : Bylaw Services officers will respond to the address where a service request about rats is received and proactively inspect the surrounding area. 'This educational and proactive approach helps build community awareness and addresses potential issues before they escalate,' Rose says. : Bylaw Services officers will respond to the address where a service request about rats is received and proactively inspect the surrounding area. 'This educational and proactive approach helps build community awareness and addresses potential issues before they escalate,' Rose says. Sewer Baiting: The city will conduct sewer baiting in areas where an investigation has confirmed rats are in the sewers. The City of Ottawa has also developed a new Rat Sightings Reporting Tool for residents to report rats. 'Requests submitted through the form will be actioned by the appropriate team,' Rose said. 'This is a major step toward tracking and reducing the rat population.' Tierney's motion shows the number of 3-1-1 requests for rats in each ward in 2024.
