Oh rats! With complaints growing, councillors call for stepped up rodent response

London city councillors want staff to take a closer look at ways to combat the city's rat problem, with some city hall politicians saying they're fielding an increasing number of rat-related complaints from residents.

Councillors passed a motion from Coun. Hadleigh McAlister, Monday, which calls on staff to look into ways to improve the enforcement of existing bylaws addressing rodent problems. 

Before councillors shared their rat-related horror stories, East London resident Robert Shields said he and his neighbours are dealing with a major problem in their neighbourhood.

"The rats are about the size of squirrels, they're eating everything we own," he told council. "Nobody is doing nothing about it. It's not just a couple of houses, it's a big area. We're talking holes through our walls.

Shields said the problem has become to big for him to deal with on his own.

"I thought I had a mice problem, my dog brought me a rat in his mouth from my basement," he said. "It's beyond embarrassing. It's not just my problem it's everybody's problem. What can the city do to help us?"

Coun. Hadleigh McAlister brought forward a motion to yesterday's meeting of council's Community and Protective Services Committee, calling on staff to come up with better ways to tackle what he said is a growing rat problem.

McAlister wants a report focused on rat solutions to come as soon as possible and not wait for one to be included in an already underway review of property standards bylaws.

Some councillors mentioned Toronto's rat plan, created last year, which includes a dedicated team to address persistent rodent problems.

Coun. Susan Stevenson told the committee she regularly fields rat-related complaints from residents.

"I've got people saying they woke up with a rat running across their face, nibbling the bananas on their dining room table," said Stevenson. "They're chewing through water lines and wiring and chewing through almost anything to get into the homes."

Stevenson said some of the older homes in her ward have basements with dirt floors.

"They're finding it almost impossible to keep the rats out," she said.

In response to councillors' questions, city staffers said there is already language in bylaws that addresses rodent infestations. However, staff also said it can take up to three days to respond to complaints about rats at specific properties.