“They're at home”: A rat-infested public square in Montreal disgusts the citizens

Rats have taken up residence in an unsanitary public square opposite Montreal's metro station for months, so much so that even exterminators can't get rid of them. Frustrated citizens described the infestation as a “public health problem”.

“Citizens complain because the rats are visible, not bothering and roaming everywhere. They fear, among other things, the children who want to play outside,” laments Mary Deros, Municipal Councilor of the Park-Extension District.

Rats have been roaming the Place de la Gare-Jean-Talon, bordering the Parc Metro station and the Maxi grocery store, for months and thousands of people walk by every day.

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The infestation in the crowded public place is a new problem for Montreal, which has been criticized for the unsanitary nature of its busy streets and there have been several reports of potholes in the past week.

According to citizens, the rats of the Place de la Gare-Jean-Talon hide in other places in the flowerbeds, which have many holes. Video shot last fall by a park-extension citizen committee shows many animals entering and exiting these openings in the ground.

News magazine The presence of these unwanted rodents has also been identified on several occasions over the past year.

“It's a public place, very busy. To be around rats, let's just say it's a little special, wondered Pierre Deschenes, a member of the Park-Extension Citizens Committee. For us, this is a public health issue.

Food by humans

If the winter snow seems to mask the problem, citizens have reported sightings of rats at Gare-Jean-Talon in recent days.

Photo Agency QMI, JOEL LEMAY

“It is under close surveillance. We have not solved the problem, I agree,” admitted Villere-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension public works director Marco Saint-Pierre at the borough council meeting on February 6.

Maheu eradication agencies appointed to intervene at the site have attributed the problem to unsanitary conditions.

“Traders and passers-by still leave waste. There are people who feed the pigeons, and the rats definitely get caught,” explained co-owner Nathaniel Leavy.

They are at home

The latter himself described the case as “very unique” in Montreal. “We are also surprised because they are not afraid. They are at home as they are used to.”

At Place de la Gare-Jean-Talon, around ten rat traps were set up in the district to stop the infestation.

Photo by Oliver Faucher

District indicated Newspaper About ten rat traps were set in that area. Inspectors put up posters reminding them of these instructions and also distributed pamphlets asking them not to feed the animals.

Photo by Oliver Faucher

However, it became clear that this method was not very effective, because one person threw food at the pigeons. Newspaper Saturday.

“I don't see any results,” said M.^me Deros, moved out in May 2023 to denounce the increasingly unsanitary conditions and the presence of rats in his neighborhood.