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David Moe:
Alberta remains the only Canadian province completely rat-free, making it the largest inhabited area on Earth without these pests. Rats are native to Eastern Canada, and their journey to Alberta in the 1950s was slow. Once they arrived, the province was fully prepared, launching a robust rat control initiative that eliminated every rat attempting to cross the Alberta/Saskatchewan border.
The Agricultural Pests Act of Alberta, 1942 granted the Minister of Agriculture the authority to classify any animal that threatened crops or livestock as a pest, requiring everyone and all municipalities to eliminate them. If local efforts fell short, the provincial government could intervene and charge the landowner or municipality for the expenses.
Rats were officially classified as pests in 1950. That same year, an amendment to the act required each municipality to appoint a pest control inspector. In 1951, conferences on rat control were held in eastern Alberta, and 2000 posters along with 1500 pamphlets titled "Rat Control in Alberta" were distributed to grain elevators, railway stations, schools, post offices, and private residents.
From June 1952 to July 1953, over 140,000 pounds of arsenic trioxide powder were used to treat 8000 buildings on 2700 farms spanning an area from 12 to 31 miles wide and 186 miles long along the eastern border. Some residents were unaware of the arsenic being applied, and in some cases, they were told the tracking powder was only harmful to rodents. This led to some unfortunate poisoning of livestock, poultry, and pets. Luckily, Warfarin, the first anticoagulant rodenticide, became available in 1953, offering a safer alternative to arsenic. Warfarin is even prescribed as a blood thinner for some heart patients.
The number of rat infestations in the border region rose sharply from just one in 1950 to 573 by 1955. However, after 1959, the frequency of infestations declined significantly.
By 1975, the provincial government took on 100% of the rat control costs. All properties within the control zone, stretching from Montana to Cold Lake, are now inspected at least once a year. Infestations are addressed with bait, gas, or traps, and sometimes buildings are moved or demolished. In certain cases, rats are dug out with a backhoe or bulldozer. In the earlier years, shotguns, incendiaries, and explosives were used in rat control efforts, making it feel like a war zone.
Every year, hundreds of potential rat infestations are reported, but most turn out to be muskrats, pocket gophers, ground squirrels, bushy-tailed wood rats, or mice. Nonetheless, all suspected infestations are thoroughly investigated.
Some white rats have been brought into Alberta by pet stores, biology teachers, and well-intentioned individuals unaware that owning rats is illegal in the province—even the white lab rats or pet rats. Only zoos, universities, colleges, and accredited research institutions are permitted to keep white rats. Private citizens are prohibited from owning white rats, hooded rats, or any domesticated strain of Norway rats. Owning a pet rat could result in a fine of up to $5000.
In 2004, someone released 38 rats in Calgary. By the time rat control officers arrived, most of the rats had already been killed. Local residents had rallied together, using brooms, 2x4s, and shovels to eliminate the rodents. Had the authorities caught the culprit, they could have been fined $190,000 (38 x $5000)—that is, if the neighbors didn’t beat them to it with brooms, 2x4s, and shovels first. Albertans are fiercely opposed to rats.
This post originally appeared on Quora. Click here to view.
