Why NDG’s rat problem may be difficult to eradicate

A rats’ nest in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (NDG) caused a stir last week when video surfaced on Facebook of rodents scurrying around the corner of Cavendish and Somerled.

READ MORE: Large rat colony at busy intersection has NDG residents demanding action

A worker from the Shell station on the corner — which owns the land the nest is on — told Global News it will hire an exterminator.

Monique Fournier, who owns Eco-Pro Extermination, told Global News that it won’t be easy to roust the rodents out of their makeshift den.

“It’s not an enclosed area,” she said. “It could be difficult.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It's not an enclosed area," she said. "It could be difficult."

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READ MORE: Montreal rodent population on the rise

People could tamper with traps, and pets could unwittingly eat poison, she said.

Fournier said one possible solution could be to use so-called rat-boxes that restaurants discreetly leave outside their premises because they aren’t prone to being used by other animals.

READ MORE: ‘Ratzilla is taking over my yard’ says Moncton resident calling on city to evict pesky rats

To add to the dilemma, it appears as if a resident is feeding the rodents who live in the mound, which also includes a snow bank.

“I don’t see it as a major public health issue,” said Jon Davy, an NDG resident.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I don't see it as a major public health issue," said Jon Davy, an NDG resident.

“To me, the problem really is that someone’s feeding them.”