A hitchhiking rat found its way from B.C. into a Red Deer garage on the weekend.
Provincial rat specialist Karen Wickerson said the long-trailed critter was spotted on the weekend by a Red Deer man who had recently parked an old pickup at his home that he had transported on a flatbed from B.C. to be restored.
It is believed the black (or roof) rat hitched a ride. Almost certainly tired, thirsty and hungry, the rat was spotted by the homeowner inside his garage.
B次元官网网址淗e saw something move and then he did actually see it in the window trying to get warm in the sun because the garage wasnB次元官网网址檛 heated. He found some chewing as well.B次元官网网址�
When the manB次元官网网址檚 dog showed up, the rat was scared off. The quick-thinking homeowner shut the door of the garage so the rat could not escape. He unsuccessfully tried to corral it in a gopher trap.
However, he did manage to get some photos, which ended up before Wickerson on Monday.
She headed to Red Deer to check out the sighting for herself. And sure enough, it was a rat B次元官网网址� an ex-rat as it turned out. By the time Wickerson got to Red Deer on Monday afternoon the rat was no more.
B次元官网网址淲e found it dead, sitting on the workbench.B次元官网网址�
Likely, the rat succumbed to a lack of food and water during its long journey to Alberta, said Wickerson.
Alberta takes its status as CanadaB次元官网网址檚 only rat-free province very seriously. However, despite 70 years of vigilance and a ban on rats as pets, a couple of dozen or so rats do manage to sneak in each year, mostly as hitchhikers on transport trucks and other vehicles returning to Alberta from B.C., but sometimes from provinces to the east as well.
Last year, 31 rats were identified in Alberta. In 2020, 26 rats were found.
Wickerson said up to five infestations are discovered each year.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 usually in the rat control zone right along the Alberta-Saskatchewan border,B次元官网网址� she said, of the 600-km band running from the U.S. border to Cold Lake. B次元官网网址淭he rest are basically all hitchhikers.B次元官网网址�
Suspected rat sightings are common. The province fielded 460 calls alone last year. Of those, 222 turned out to be muskrats, which because of their long tails are often mistaken for rats.
B次元官网网址淚t is important to follow up because there always is the risk it could be a female rat,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e consider an infestation two or more rats so we do take it seriously and we always trace the source and figure out why they would be here and talk with the people who find it (and tell them) to keep an eye out in case there is another one.
B次元官网网址淏ut most commonly it is just a single.B次元官网网址�
The two types of rat to be on the lookout for are Norway rats, which are the most well-known adversary. Black rats, like the one that showed up in Red Deer are often associated with ports and ships and so are increasingly being spotted in B.C.
The two look quite different. A roof ratB次元官网网址檚 tail is longer than its body, whereas a Norway ratB次元官网网址檚 tail is shorter.
Another source of rats is the Okanagan, from Salmon Arm to Penticton, a popular destination for many Albertans. B次元官网网址淭here are apparently quite a few rats there too,B次元官网网址� she said.
It is a good idea for those returning to Alberta to check out their vehicles and recreational vehicles to make sure they are not bringing unwanted company home.
Wickerson said rats are a menace because of the damage they can do on farms. Rats often get into granaries or hay bales.
B次元官网网址淭hey can eat a large amount but also the urine in their feces renders it unfit for consumption.
B次元官网网址淭hey cause a lot of damage to buildings as well. In the urban areas, that, and the spread of disease, are really the main concern.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚f you find a dead one, definitely donB次元官网网址檛 pick it up with your hands.B次元官网网址�
For those who think they have seen a rat, the best response is to send an email, and make sure you attach photos if you have them, to 310rats@gov.ab.ca. The toll-free rate hotline (310-3276) is also available.
