Mice population boom keeps Ottawa exterminators busy

Exterminators are reporting a record number of mice-related calls, and some homeowners who say they've never had a rodent problem are finding themselves overrun.

Todd Babin, owner of Nature's Way Property Services in Manotick, says he's getting about six to 12 mice-related extermination calls a day.

"People say, I've lived in my house for 10 years, I've lived in my house for 20 years, I've never had mice before, what's going on? And we try to explain to them, the numbers are just through the roof," he said.

Exterminators say they can't pinpoint a single reason for the increase.

Construction might be partly to blame as vibrations from crews digging the light rail tunnel are driving mice out of their homes.

Jeff Bow of Abell Pest control says he's seen a 25-per-cent increase in rodent calls this year.

Mice are experiencing a natural population boom and are moving indoors in search of food, he says.

The best way to keep them out is to pack up any open food and to patch up any open holes that are bigger than a pinkie finger.