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 Thomasina91裸聊视频檚 with his wife Thomasina Murdock.
Tjerkstra said he knew there were rats in the area about a year ago.
91裸聊视频淥n one occasion we had some customers saying they were walking by the shop,91裸聊视频� 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.
91裸聊视频淵es, we are the ones who called (for an inspector). I said we needed help.91裸聊视频�
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 1/491裸聊视频� in the 91裸聊视频渂uilding envelope.91裸聊视频�
Stainless steel mesh is the material used to secure the exterior of the building.
It91裸聊视频檚 been a stressful, time-consuming and expensive fix.
91裸聊视频淲e are 98 per cent there, he said Friday. 91裸聊视频淲e are going to reopen, all being well, sometime this week.91裸聊视频�
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.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 not like all the rats in Princeton were looking for Thomasina91裸聊视频檚 and woo hoo, they have a bakery.91裸聊视频�
He notified the municipality of the problem.
91裸聊视频淚 advised the town and the town acknowledged that.91裸聊视频�
Mayor Spencer Coyne said rats in Princeton are unrelated to the flood.
91裸聊视频淭hey come to town with freight and from everywhere else,91裸聊视频� said Coyne. 91裸聊视频淩ats have been growing in concentration in the area for seven to eight years.91裸聊视频�
The municipality does not have a role in rodent control, he added. 91裸聊视频淯ltimately it91裸聊视频檚 private property. It91裸聊视频檚 the responsibility of the owner of the property. It91裸聊视频檚 just like your house. You have to set traps every now and again.91裸聊视频�
Tjerkstra said he and Murdock are grateful for the encouragement they91裸聊视频檝e received from friends and patrons throughout this ordeal.
91裸聊视频淧eople have shown their support while we are going through this91裸聊视频hey feel bad for us.91裸聊视频�
However, he describes the past few months as 91裸聊视频渄ebilitating,91裸聊视频� especially after several years of the restaurant industry reeling from the pandemic and travel restrictions.
91裸聊视频淭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,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚n the end, we believe it will be worth it and we look forward to serving our loyal customers again in the days ahead.91裸聊视频�
Tjerkstra and Murdock have operated Thomasina91裸聊视频檚 since 2012.
