Rodent population expected to skyrocket following pandemic winter

The pest control business is expected to boom along with the rodent population following a pandemic winter.

Shawn Sherwood with Poulin’s Pest Control joined the Greg Morgan Morning Show on Thursday. Sherwood said the rat population has seen an uptick in southern Saskatchewan and expects the mouse population to explode as well.

“We’re getting geared up here for what’s likely going to be a really big mouse season,” said Sherwood.

He explained insects and rodents are starting to wake up and are heading indoors looking for food. He already has received calls from people about ants running around in their houses.

Sherwood said rodents are taking over buildings that were left empty during the pandemic. They like places that are quiet with not much activity around.

“With everybody being locked up in their homes and with a lot of industrial or commercial buildings having very little or no activity, (the rodents) have thrived,” said Sherwood.

If homeowners want to avoid an infestation, Sherwood recommends clearing everything away from the foundations of their homes to eliminate any hiding spots for mice.

“Any opening around your foundation that you can stick your little finger into, you need to find a way to close that off because that’s the size of opening that a mouse can get into your house through,” said Sherwood.

He said new developments on the outskirts of town are a little more susceptible to mouse problems.