Jamie Cleveland encountered a concerning issue when a warning light appeared on his Ford Escape’s dashboard outside his Dartmouth, N.S., apartment. Initially puzzled by a coolant problem alert, he decided to drive on, only to witness more warning lights and engine shaking moments later. Upon inspection, he discovered that rats had chewed through wires and left feces all over the engine, leading to costly repairs totaling $1,000 on three separate occasions.
Residents in Dartmouth’s Highfield Park neighborhood are facing similar challenges, with numerous vehicles suffering wire damage due to rat infestations. Despite complaints, the pest problem persists, with Cleveland reporting hundreds of rats in his parking lot becoming more audacious by the day. The situation has prompted some residents to opt for street parking to avoid further vehicle damage.
Concerns are widespread among residents, with reports of numerous vehicles being affected in various apartment buildings in the area. The escalating rat problem has left residents feeling helpless, as efforts to address the issue have yielded little result. Property manager Wanda Savoury from Highfield Park Residential Inc. acknowledged the increasing rat population, attributing it to ongoing construction activities in the vicinity.
To combat the infestation, traps have been laid, and a pest control company has been engaged to fumigate affected areas. Significant improvements have been noted following fumigation at one property, with plans to complete treatments at all 20 properties by week’s end. Despite the expenses involved, the proactive measures are deemed necessary to mitigate the rat problem effectively.
