Why Does Alberta Have No Rats?
WouterThe province of Alberta is the only populated area in Canada that does not have rats. The reason for this is geography. The province is relatively remote and has no major urban areas. This has kept the rat population low, and the province has maintained its rat-free status for decades. In the 1950s, the government implemented a strict rat-control program.
In response to this rat problem, the Alberta government launched a “War on Rats,” enlisting the help of trained “Rat Patrollers” to combat the rodent problem. It also established a rat hotline where residents can report infestations. The phone number is 310-RATS. The hotline is run by a former Mountie, who works for the provincial government.
The first rat sighting in Alberta was recorded in 1950. These rats were introduced from Great Britain and have been munching their way through North America ever since. The first recorded sighting of them in Alberta occurred in 1950, and the Alberta government acted quickly to eliminate the colony. However, in the same year, the Department of Agriculture found more than 30 colonies of rats in Alberta.
Norway rats are not native to the province, but they are a widespread pest in many parts of the world. They cause huge damage to crops and properties and carry 35 different diseases. They were introduced to North America on sailing ships during the late eighteenth century. For decades, Alberta did not worry about the rats until 1950 when they were discovered in a border town with Saskatchewan. After a hit squad successfully eradicated the infestation, the rats soon came back.
