Residents living on a street in Toronto’s Leaside area are grappling with a rat invasion allegedly triggered by a neighbor who persistently feeds wildlife in her backyard. Jennifer King, a resident near the accused homeowner, disclosed that the rat problem escalated to the extent that she had to engage an exterminator, incurring a hefty $3,000 expense, as the rodents had infiltrated the walls and attic of her residence, causing a disturbing nuisance with their presence audible within the walls.
Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin, representing the homeowners on Randolph Road, shared that a resident on the street faced charges a few months ago for unlawful wildlife feeding. Additionally, the homeowner is under scrutiny for property standards violations due to accumulated garbage on her property. Until recently, it was lawful to feed animals on personal premises. However, in 2023, an amendment to the city’s animal bylaw prohibited backyard wildlife feeding, except for songbirds.
Following the amendment, the city received numerous complaints from homeowners alleging violations of the bylaw, with a tally of 3,787 in 2023 and 3,897 in 2024. City officials emphasized the risks associated with feeding wildlife in private yards, stating that it can attract unintended animals like rodents, posing public health and safety hazards that are challenging to mitigate once established.
King highlighted her firsthand experience with the issue, noting her 25-year tenure on Randolph Road had been rodent-free until earlier this year when rat tracks and pathways surfaced in the snow. By springtime, rats, some as large as possums, roamed freely in her backyard, even during daylight hours, causing damage to her property. Despite her plea to the neighbor to cease feeding, the practice persisted.
A friend of King, Janet Bolton, recounted witnessing a swarm of rats in King’s backyard, expressing concern for her friend’s well-being. The problem appears localized to one or two blocks of Randolph south of Eglinton Avenue and west of Laird Drive. Multiple residents co-signed a letter urging the neighbor to discontinue wildlife feeding, citing potential risks of increased aggression, property damage, and health hazards associated with animals associating homes with food.
Chernos Lin outlined potential consequences for the homeowner, such as a cleanup order for the yard debris and fines up to $100,000 for violating the wildlife feeding bylaw. Investigations are ongoing into the property standards complaint, with the bylaw charge set for court proceedings in November.
King speculated that nearby construction activities in late 2024 at a vacant lot on Laird Avenue might have disrupted rats, drawing them to the street due to the attractant in the neighbor’s backyard. Despite the current lull in rat activity due to cold weather, concerns loom over the upcoming spring season.
Chernos Lin advised on the importance of neighborly communication to prevent minor issues from escalating, urging residents to report incidents to 311 for prompt city action. In cases of unresolved disputes, contacting the city councilor for mediation assistance is recommended to navigate neighborhood conflicts effectively.