A local cafe that was closed by Interior Health last month due to a rat infestation is ready to re-open this week, according to Jerome Tjerkstra, who operates Thomasina害羞草研究所檚 with his wife Thomasina Murdock.
Tjerkstra said he knew there were rats in the area about a year ago.
害羞草研究所淥n one occasion we had some customers saying they were walking by the shop,害羞草研究所� he told the Spotlight.
Tjerkstra called a pest control company and was told the measures they were taking were satisfactory. However, the issue persisted.
He contacted a second firm, and through the use of traps and other means believed they were eradicating the rodents. Then the situation seemed to worsen again.
Tjerkstra called Interior Health and explained what was happening.
害羞草研究所淵es, we are the ones who called (for an inspector). I said we needed help.害羞草研究所�
Norway rats breed quickly and often, according to Wikipedia. A female can produce up to five litters a year, with a gestation period of only 21 days, and litters can number up to 14.
The health authority closed the cafe so that corrective efforts could be accelerated.
The owners were told to remove all evidence of rodents inside and outside of the building, continue to monitor traps, sanitize the property with bleach and water, and seal or repair all gaps larger than 1/4害羞草研究所� in the 害羞草研究所渂uilding envelope.害羞草研究所�
Stainless steel mesh is the material used to secure the exterior of the building.
It害羞草研究所檚 been a stressful, time-consuming and expensive fix.
害羞草研究所淲e are 98 per cent there, he said Friday. 害羞草研究所淲e are going to reopen, all being well, sometime this week.害羞草研究所�
Tjerkstra said he believes rats are a common problem for property owners in his area.
The structures are old, and the area was seriously impacted by the 2021 floods.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 not like all the rats in Princeton were looking for Thomasina害羞草研究所檚 and woo hoo, they have a bakery.害羞草研究所�
He notified the municipality of the problem.
害羞草研究所淚 advised the town and the town acknowledged that.害羞草研究所�
Mayor Spencer Coyne said rats in Princeton are unrelated to the flood.
害羞草研究所淭hey come to town with freight and from everywhere else,害羞草研究所� said Coyne. 害羞草研究所淩ats have been growing in concentration in the area for seven to eight years.害羞草研究所�
The municipality does not have a role in rodent control, he added. 害羞草研究所淯ltimately it害羞草研究所檚 private property. It害羞草研究所檚 the responsibility of the owner of the property. It害羞草研究所檚 just like your house. You have to set traps every now and again.害羞草研究所�
Tjerkstra said he and Murdock are grateful for the encouragement they害羞草研究所檝e received from friends and patrons throughout this ordeal.
害羞草研究所淧eople have shown their support while we are going through this害羞草研究所hey feel bad for us.害羞草研究所�
However, he describes the past few months as 害羞草研究所渄ebilitating,害羞草研究所� especially after several years of the restaurant industry reeling from the pandemic and travel restrictions.
害羞草研究所淭his is very costly for us in terms of lost business, contracting the services of a pest control company, as well as the work we have to do to seal this old building,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淚n the end, we believe it will be worth it and we look forward to serving our loyal customers again in the days ahead.害羞草研究所�
Tjerkstra and Murdock have operated Thomasina害羞草研究所檚 since 2012.
