
This week the Region of Durham announced that the four-bag limit for curbside garbage collection will be returning on Tuesday, Sept 8th. This week and next are the last days for the COVID-19 six bag limit.
For more details & important waste tips -like plastic bags are not recyclable in Durham Region see this link https://www.durham.ca/…/return-to-four-garbage-bag-limit-an…
NOTE: a big reason to ensure your garbage is picked up and not left lying around. RATS. I received a complaint on the weekend about rat activity on a beautiful residential street in Ward 1. Please report any rats sightings to Service Oshawa. Looking on the City's website I found this motion which City Council approved in 2017...I think time for an update to raise public awareness:
"Whereas Durham Region Public Health states that rodents eat almost anything, breed quickly, damage buildings and can be carriers of disease which can spread to humans;
Whereas Durham Region Public Health states that given the right conditions, a single pair of rats and their offspring can grow to very large numbers. And some experts say that two rats can grow into 15,000 rats within a one year period;
Whereas rats and mice contaminate about 10 times more food than they eat and can damage buildings and other articles by gnawing through rubber, aluminum and other soft metals (even light steel), cinder blocks, etc.;
Whereas rats carry mites and fleas and spread diseases such as salmonella and leptospirosis;
Whereas currently the Durham Region Health Department plays a role in education, but does not handle enforcement and bylaw in residential areas and those issues are dealt with at the lower tier municipal level;
Whereas in the City of Oshawa there are gaps in services for residents dealing with this extensive rat problem;
Whereas the City of Oshawa only responds to urban wildlife calls if the animal has been injured or is deceased but does not make it clear that it will handle collection of dead rats;
Whereas the City of Oshawa doesn’t currently record Service Oshawa inquiries and complaints related to rats, and because of this, City Council has no data on the potential dangers and locations of a growing population of rats in our city;
Therefore let it be resolved:
1. Service Oshawa immediately start to track inquiries and complaints related to rats regardless of whether there is a known location and it be communicated to residents; and,
2. That staff be requested to create a communication plan that also includes helping residents to understand they can call Service Oshawa when there are dead rats on their property and that residents will receive assistance for proper disposal to limit the spread of potential disease; and,
3. Using models like Windsor's Rodent Extermination Program, staff investigate potential ways to assist residents who have significant rat issues in their neighbourhoods; and these potential programs and costs be presented in the 2018 budget submissions for Council consideration."
I will try and learn more about the potential programs that went to the 2018 budget, as that predates my time on Council, and report further. Meanwhile here is the City link for more info on Rodent Control https://www.oshawa.ca/residents/wildlife.asp
For more details & important waste tips -like plastic bags are not recyclable in Durham Region see this link https://www.durham.ca/…/return-to-four-garbage-bag-limit-an…
NOTE: a big reason to ensure your garbage is picked up and not left lying around. RATS. I received a complaint on the weekend about rat activity on a beautiful residential street in Ward 1. Please report any rats sightings to Service Oshawa. Looking on the City's website I found this motion which City Council approved in 2017...I think time for an update to raise public awareness:
"Whereas Durham Region Public Health states that rodents eat almost anything, breed quickly, damage buildings and can be carriers of disease which can spread to humans;
Whereas Durham Region Public Health states that given the right conditions, a single pair of rats and their offspring can grow to very large numbers. And some experts say that two rats can grow into 15,000 rats within a one year period;
Whereas rats and mice contaminate about 10 times more food than they eat and can damage buildings and other articles by gnawing through rubber, aluminum and other soft metals (even light steel), cinder blocks, etc.;
Whereas rats carry mites and fleas and spread diseases such as salmonella and leptospirosis;
Whereas currently the Durham Region Health Department plays a role in education, but does not handle enforcement and bylaw in residential areas and those issues are dealt with at the lower tier municipal level;
Whereas in the City of Oshawa there are gaps in services for residents dealing with this extensive rat problem;
Whereas the City of Oshawa only responds to urban wildlife calls if the animal has been injured or is deceased but does not make it clear that it will handle collection of dead rats;
Whereas the City of Oshawa doesn’t currently record Service Oshawa inquiries and complaints related to rats, and because of this, City Council has no data on the potential dangers and locations of a growing population of rats in our city;
Therefore let it be resolved:
1. Service Oshawa immediately start to track inquiries and complaints related to rats regardless of whether there is a known location and it be communicated to residents; and,
2. That staff be requested to create a communication plan that also includes helping residents to understand they can call Service Oshawa when there are dead rats on their property and that residents will receive assistance for proper disposal to limit the spread of potential disease; and,
3. Using models like Windsor's Rodent Extermination Program, staff investigate potential ways to assist residents who have significant rat issues in their neighbourhoods; and these potential programs and costs be presented in the 2018 budget submissions for Council consideration."
I will try and learn more about the potential programs that went to the 2018 budget, as that predates my time on Council, and report further. Meanwhile here is the City link for more info on Rodent Control https://www.oshawa.ca/residents/wildlife.asp