Vancouver's rodent population shows no sign of slowing down, including in the downtown core.
A light installation greets visitors to the plaza on the south side of the Vancouver Art Gallery with a dazzling flourish of glowing hues after dark. However, it also illuminates some scurrying vermin in the area.
V.I.A. recorded a flourish of rats scurrying on the cement steps near where dozens of people congregated to snap selfies under the string of colourful lights, grab a bite from food trucks, and make their way to shops and retailers in the area.
Mike Londry, owner of Westside Pest Control, says emboldened rats aren't exactly a new phenomenon in the city. His team encounters large, "comfortable" rats in various locations in the city, although some areas see more brazen rat behaviour.
However, the pest control expert says rat populations have increased lately, and continue to rise with urbanization. In some instances, this means rats feel less concerned about humans near them.
"We're seeing an increase in rat and mice populations across the board," the 17-year pest control veteran tells V.I.A. "It's always a steady increase or occasional uptick. It never seems to be the opposite."
Conditions favourable for more rats in Vancouver
Londry estimates rat populations in the region have roughly doubled over the last 20 years thanks to ever-abundant food sources, a mild climate, and proximity to Vancouver's port. Additionally, the province's ban on second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) has made controlling populations more difficult.
The pest control expert recognizes that the more potent rodenticide can negatively affect other wildlife, including birds of prey, cats, and other wildlife, particularly when used by homeowners.
Londry adds that some rodents may build immunity to weaker poisons, possibly increasing their populations. He also sometimes sees other companies use stronger, prohibited poisons when he takes over jobs.
No neighbourhoods are rat-free in the Lower Mainland
Westside Pest Control visits businesses across Metro Vancouver, meaning no cities or neighbourhoods are rat or mouse-free. Rats even make their way into some Vancouver restaurants, although mice are the typical culprits in these settings.
The Vancouver weather forecast also plays a role in how often the animals are spotted; they go inside when it gets cold, not unlike people.
Londry and one of his colleagues recently encountered "one of the largest rats" they had seen on a call to an old building on Cambie Street.
"It was very comfortable and ran at my operations manager," he describes.
Still, nothing compares to the rats located in Vancouver's harbours.
The rats residing in multi-member burrows beneath the docks should be avoided - for good reason.
"In Coal Harbour, they just pop their head out of a burrow and stare at you," he said.
"It's quite unnerving."
