PORT MOODY SCHOOL PLAGUED BY RATS
FROM CHEWED PAPERS AND FECES ON THE CARPET TO A DEAD RAT FOUND IN A CLASSROOM, RATS ARE A BIG PROBLEM AT MOODY ELEMENTARY, AND NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO SOLVE IT
A “mischief” is one word for a group of rats, and an elementary school in Port Moody currently has more mischief than it can handle.
Moody Elementary is one of the older facilities in School District 43, which includes Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam, and that makes it easier for the rats to gain entry — along with the bacteria and diseases they could be carrying.
The school building provides not just shelter but also food brought in by about 179 students from kindergarten to Grade 5, as well as kids in before- and after-school daycare and preschoolers in a Strong Start Program.
The Moody rat infestation is so bad that teachers need to keep their papers in plastic boxes so they won’t be chewed up.
Alicia Purvis, vice-chair of the Moody Elementary parent advisory committee, confirmed the problem Monday.
“At the January PAC meeting, the boards in the actual roof were rattling with a huge rat coming across the roof of the library,” said Purvis. “My son’s shoes have been chewed. Last year in his class (rats) peed all over the carpet,” said Purvis. “They had to watch for poo. This year they found a dead rat in his class. “It’s not fun.” Purvis said the PAC has complained to the school administration and the school district, which is trying to address the situation.
“They keep saying it’s being looked after,” she said.
But because of the children, poison can’t be used and the rats have to be trapped.
Moody Elementary won’t be replaced by a new Moody Middle School for another couple of years.
“I don’t know why it’s not a priority,” said Purvis, whose son Ben is in Grade 1.
There is plenty of construction in the area, including for the nearby SkyTrain stop on the coming Evergreen Line. Such work can drive rats from their nests.
Rats also like water and there are streams all around the area, with Rocky Point Park and Burrard Inlet just blocks away.
The situation doesn’t surprise Judy Shirra, who chairs the school board.
“We’re very much aware of it,” said Shirra. “It’s been an ongoing problem for a lot of years. It’s a very old school and it’s close to water.
“Our staff are on it,” she said. “They’ve hired an extra team (of exterminators), and orientation has been given to the (school) staff on being vigilant to make sure the children understand the ramifications of leaving litter around.
“We’ve increased the janitorial, as well, at the school,” said Shirra.
Charley King, president of the Coquitlam Teachers Association, confirmed that his members have been briefed about the rats.
“Everybody is pretty concerned about it, for sure,” said King. “I think everybody is doing the best they can to work it out.”
The best solution, a new school, is the bigger issue.
“Government hasn’t really done what it needs to do to replace aging facilities,” said King.
David Hargreaves of Rid-All Pest Control said rats cause a lot of damage, such as chewed electrical wires that could result in fires. Other problems are insulation ruined by rat nests, and food contamination.
Rodent droppings can also carry the potentially deadly Hantavirus. Another issue is salmonella.
“All droppings from all animals are contaminated,” said Hargreaves.
The Fraser Health Authority was informed about the rat problem at Moody Elementary in December, but has not received a complaint about the current situation.