How to deal with rats on your property

Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with an unprecedented rat infestation and are asking the city to step in and help.

Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with an unprecedented rat infestation and are asking the city to step in and help.

This comes after dozens of rats took over Kylia White and her husband Kelly O’Neill’s property over the past couple of months.

"Thousands of dollars of property is being destroyed, like thousands," White told CTV News Ottawa’s Dave Charbonneau Monday.

Rats typically come out when they feel safe, according to Jason Constantini, service manager from Orkin Canada.

"If you're seeing them during the day, that usually means there's a larger infestation than a smaller infestration," Constantini told CTV Morning Live's Stefan Keyes Wednesday morning.

Some areas are more infested than others, said Constantini, citing multiple factors, including sanitation and construction in the area.

He notes that infestation picks up in the spring or fall compared to winter.