Rodents revealed: Reports detail hundreds of mouse and rat complaints in schools across Vancouver
Melanie Cheng, the chair of the Vancouver District Parent Advisory Council, was shocked when she discovered a dead mouse in the staff room of Graham Bruce Elementary school last year. This incident sparked her curiosity about the extent of rodent activity in other Vancouver schools. Thanks to documents obtained by CBC News, Cheng now has details of over 300 complaints about mice and rats logged last year by staff at numerous schools district-wide.
From reports of a “dead rodent smell” at Champlain Heights Elementary to a “rat and mouse infestation” in Killarney Secondary’s cafeteria kitchen, rodents were a common issue in more than 80 Vancouver School Board schools. Teachers and students alike were affected by droppings, live mice, and the scent of dead rodents. Nootka Elementary staff even reported being unable to work in rooms due to the overpowering smell.
Cheng expressed her concerns about the widespread rodent problem, emphasizing how it impacts the learning environment for both staff and students. The Vancouver School Board released a spreadsheet of the complaints, revealing that $280,000 was spent on pest control last year. This budget includes salaries for two full-time staff dedicated to pest prevention.
Despite the efforts to control rodents, complaints continued to surface. Gladstone Secondary faced a bed bug issue, while Britannia’s cafeteria kitchen and Eric Hamber Secondary’s new building were also highlighted for rodent sightings. Even Oppenheimer Elementary had to deal with multiple rat sightings in traps above the school library.
University of B.C. School of Public Health professor Kaylee Byers emphasized the negative impact of living and working alongside rodents, citing health risks associated with mice and rats. She believes it’s possible to keep rats out of vulnerable spaces like schools through proper waste management and exclusion techniques.
The challenges faced by VSB staff in keeping mice out of classrooms were evident in an email exchange highlighting clutter and food storage issues contributing to ongoing mouse problems. Vancouver Coastal Health inspection reports also revealed non-compliance in secondary school cafeterias regarding rodent activity.
Cheng stressed the need for independent oversight to track the progress of the board’s efforts in controlling rodent presence in schools. Transparency and improved protocols are necessary to ensure a safe and inclusive learning environment for all. With a focus on addressing these issues, schools can become spaces where teachers and students don’t have to worry about encountering rodents.
