Norway rats not welcome in Alberta; rat patrol aims to keep them out (CHAT News File Photo)

By Brian Konrad

Cypress County Rat Patrol on the job

Dec 9, 2021 | 12:05 PM

DUNMORE, AB — Alberta has a reputation as a rat-free province and it’s something officials fiercely defend.

With that in mind, staff with Cypress County are conducting their semi-annual rat patrol.

They concentrate their efforts in the area roughly 10 kilometres from the Saskatchewan boundary.

Infestations of Norway rats were found at the city landfill in 2012, and again in 2014, and Cypress County agriculture supervisor Lisa Sulz says their routine patrols aim at keeping the rodents out.

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“Very rarely do we find the Norway rat or the roof rat,” says Sulz.

Sulz says the rats that may turn up locally usually hitch a ride on a truck or a train coming from out of province.

“Occasionally there are rats that are found, not just in Cypress County but in other places as well,” adds Sulz.

Residents can watch for signs of rat activity, which includes round holes under grain bins, scat that’s larger than mouse droppings, and an oily line along boards where a rat might have been rubbing its fur.

People should contact the Cypress County office or the provincial rat control program if they suspect rat activity.