A possible increase in the rat population in Bridgewater has grabbed the town’s attention.
Council has agreed to task a pest control expert to assess the situation.
Mayor David Mitchell says it may be due to recent construction in residential and commercial areas.
“That was what I had read when they were talking about cities like Halifax and Toronto. When there’s construction in one area it displaces them, and so they start to congregate,” says Mitchell.
Mitchell says he has no idea how many rats may be in the town but the expert assessment will provide those details and where the pests are located.
“I’m not overly concerned right now because I don’t have the data to say we have a huge problem or not. I know we have a rat issue but ask me the question after the data comes back with the numbers.”
The assessment is expected to last three months and will cost the town $1,200.
It is required to be done before the town decides if it wants to move ahead with pesticides to reduce the rat population.
