Jamie Cleveland’s routine morning start with his Ford Escape was disrupted by a warning light signaling a coolant issue. Despite initial confusion, Cleveland continued driving, only to encounter more warning lights and engine shaking. Upon inspection, he discovered that rats had chewed through wires, causing significant damage to his vehicle. This incident marked the third time in a year that Cleveland had to tow his car to a mechanic due to rat-related damages, each repair costing him $1,000.
Residents in Dartmouth’s Highfield Park neighborhood have also reported vehicle damage caused by rats chewing wires. Despite complaints, the pest problem persists and appears to be worsening. Cleveland mentioned that hundreds of rats inhabit his parking lot, becoming increasingly bold and active, especially at night.
Concerned residents have resorted to parking on the street to safeguard their vehicles. One resident shared that her boyfriend’s work vehicle was damaged by rats, while others have seen multiple cars towed due to similar issues. Efforts to address the problem have been met with frustration, as residents feel no one is taking responsibility for resolving the rat infestation.
Highfield Park Residential Inc., which owns multiple apartment buildings in the area, acknowledged the escalating rat population, attributing it partly to ongoing construction activities. Property manager Wanda Savoury stated that steps are being taken to address the issue, including fumigation and trap installations. A pest control company has been enlisted to fumigate areas where rats are prevalent, with treatments scheduled for completion by the end of the week.
While the situation remains challenging, efforts to mitigate the rat problem are ongoing. Residents hope that these measures will lead to a significant improvement and reduce the financial burden caused by rat-related vehicle damages.