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: Orléans 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 co-ordinated approach focused on education, prevention and control measures.
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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.
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