Jamie Cleveland encountered a troubling situation when he started his Ford Escape outside his Dartmouth, N.S., apartment one morning. A warning light signaling a coolant issue appeared on the dashboard of his SUV. Despite his initial confusion, he decided to test if the problem was serious by driving around. Within minutes, more warning lights illuminated, and the engine began shaking.
After pulling over and inspecting under the hood, Cleveland realized that rats were the culprits. The rodents had chewed through wires, leaving them bare and surrounded by feces. This incident marked the third time in a year that Cleveland had to tow his vehicle to a mechanic due to rat-induced damage, each costing him $1,000.
Residents in Dartmouth’s Highfield Park neighborhood have also reported similar incidents of vehicle damage caused by rats chewing wires. Despite complaints, the pest issue persists and appears to be escalating. Cleveland described the situation in his parking lot as “outrageous,” noting the boldness of the rats, which roam freely even at night.
CBC News conducted an evening investigation and observed numerous rats scurrying around several parking lots in the area using infrared night vision binoculars. Concerned residents, including Cleveland, have resorted to parking on the street to protect their vehicles from further rat-related harm.
The rat problem extends beyond Cleveland’s building, with multiple apartment complexes in the neighborhood facing similar challenges. Residents are alarmed by the increasing rat population, with one woman recounting how rats damaged her boyfriend’s work vehicle and witnessed several others being towed away due to rat-related issues.
Efforts to address the infestation are underway, with Highfield Park Residential Inc., which owns multiple apartment buildings in the area, taking action. Property manager Wanda Savoury acknowledged the rise in rat numbers, attributing it to ongoing construction activities. Although the situation is being addressed through fumigation and trap placement, residents remain concerned about the pervasive issue.
Despite the challenges, Savoury remains committed to resolving the problem and has seen improvements following fumigation efforts. The company aims to complete treatments at all 20 properties by the end of the week, emphasizing the importance of ongoing measures to combat the rat infestation.