Thomasina’s owners called Interior Health when they realized they needed rodent control help.
A local cafe that was closed by Interior Health last month due to a rat infestation is ready to reopen this week, according to Jerome Tjerkstra, who operates Thomasina’s with his wife Thomasina Murdock.
Tjerkstra said he knew there were rats in the area about a year ago.
“One time we had customers tell us they were walking past the store,” he told Spotlight.
Tjerkstra called a pest control company and was told the measures they were taking were satisfactory. However, the problem persisted.
He contacted a second company and, through the use of traps and other means, believed they were eradicating the rodents. Then the situation seems to get even worse.
Tjerkstra called Interior Health and explained what was happening.
“Yes, we were the ones who called (an inspector). I said we needed help.
Norway rats breed quickly and often, according to Wikipedia. A female can produce up to five litters per year, with a gestation period of only 21 days, and litters can be up to 14.
Health officials closed the cafe to expedite corrective efforts.
Property owners have been asked to remove all evidence of rodents from inside and outside the building, continue to monitor traps, disinfect the property with bleach and water, and seal or repair all gaps greater than 1/4″ in the “building envelope”.
Stainless steel mesh is the material used to secure the exterior of the building.
This was a stressful, time consuming and expensive solution.
“We are 98 percent there,” he said Friday. “We will reopen, everything is fine, this week.”
Tjerkstra said he believes rats are a common problem for property owners in his area.
The structures are old and the area was badly affected by the 2021 floods.
“It’s not like every rat in Princeton is looking for Thomasina’s and woo hoo, they have a bakery.”
He reported the problem to the municipality.
“I told the city about it and the city acknowledged it.”
Mayor Spencer Coyne said the rats in Princeton were not linked to the flooding.
“They come into town with freight and from everywhere else,” Coyne said. “Rats have been increasingly concentrated in the region for seven to eight years.”
The municipality has no role in rodent control, he added. “At the end of the day, it’s private property. This is the responsibility of the property owner. It’s like home. You have to set traps from time to time.
Tjerkstra said he and Murdock are grateful for the encouragement they received from friends and customers throughout the ordeal.
“People have shown us their support as we go through this… They feel bad for us. »
However, he describes the last few months as “debilitating,” especially after several years where the restaurant industry was reeling from the pandemic and travel restrictions.
“It’s costing us a lot of money in terms of lost business, hiring the services of a pest control company, as well as the work we have to do to seal up this old building,” he said. “In the end, we think it will be worth it and we look forward to serving our loyal customers again in the days to come.” »
Tjerkstra and Murdock have operated Thomasina’s since 2012.