Jamie Cleveland’s routine morning start of his Ford Escape in Dartmouth, N.S., took an unexpected turn when a dashboard warning light signaled a coolant issue. Initially perplexed, he continued driving only to have more warning lights illuminate and the engine begin to shake. Upon inspecting under the hood, Cleveland found that the wires had been chewed by rats, leaving them exposed and engine covered in feces.
This incident marked the third time in a year that Cleveland had to have his vehicle towed to a mechanic due to rat-induced damage, each time incurring a $1,000 cost with a $250 deductible covered by insurance. Several residents in Dartmouth’s Highfield Park neighborhood reported similar vehicle damage caused by rats chewing wires, with complaints unaddressed and the situation worsening.
Residents described a growing rat population in parking lots, with the rodents becoming more brazen and active at night. Despite efforts to seek help from authorities like the rental office, tenancy board, and 311, residents feel frustrated by the lack of effective action in resolving the issue.
One resident shared her concern about her boyfriend’s work vehicle being damaged by rats, witnessing multiple vehicles towed for repairs due to rodent damage. The property manager of Highfield Park Residential Inc., which oversees 20 apartment buildings in the area, acknowledged the increasing rat presence attributed to ongoing construction activities. Measures such as laying traps and hiring a pest control company for fumigation have been put in place to address the rat infestation, with ongoing efforts to mitigate the problem.
While acknowledging the expense involved in these pest control measures, the property manager emphasized the importance of continuing these actions for the well-being of residents and their vehicles. The situation, though challenging, is not unique to Highfield Park, as rat-related issues have been reported in various parts of Halifax Regional Municipality.