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Rat / Rodent Control

Rodents live in cities near people because they can find suitable food, water, and shelter to join our urban way of life. Our nation has studied rodent control programs throughout the country and throughout history. Studies aside, there are many ways we could work together to control rodent populations in our community. Simple property maintenance and proper refuse disposal practices can decrease the rodent populations. Health department ispections can also decrease the rodent populations. Overall, studies concluded that a rodent control program rich in education brings the most success at reducing rodent populations.

The City of Waltham Board of Health will work together with residents, business owners, and other City Departments to promote a better understanding of rat / rodent behavior and how to minimize their presence and impact on the community. Our inspectors are committed to rodent control and providing educational information to the public. By working together we can keep our neighborhoods clean and healthy. There's no way around it! To send the rats packing we all have to work together.

*Click here to report rat / rodent sightings to the Health Department*

What to do if you see signs of rats

On your property:

  • Maintain your property in a sanitary manner & rat-proof your yard and home: Seal cracks, openings, crawlspaces, and attic. Seal chicken coops & compost bins. 
  • Remove food sources & Avoid feeding wildlife: Open garbage (trash bags not in barrels with tight fitting lids), pet and chicken food, bird feeder food, fruit, vegetables, and seeds on the ground. 
  • Remove bird baths & any standing water: buckets, pet bowls, etc. 
  • Keep grills clean; store woodpiles neatly with a foot clearance from the ground.
  • Thin out vegetation & keep grass and shrubbery cut short.
  • Put traps in safe locations on your property. If the problem continues, call a pest control professional for advice. It is the property owner’s responsibility to keep their property free from rats.

Renters:

  • Inform your landlord in writing that you have rats on your property before calling the Health Department. It is the owner’s responsibility to keep their property free from rats. If your landlord does not respond, contact the Health Department 781-314-3305 or by submitting a complaint form on the Health Department website. An Inspector will follow up with complaint. 

Public Property:

  • Call the Health Department at 781-314-3305 or submit a complaint form on the Health Department website. An Inspector will follow up with complaint.

Businesses:

  • If you own the business, review your pest control agreement, you may need to call them again. Also, review your standard operating procedure. If you do not own the business, call the Health Department at 781-314-3305 or submit a complaint form on the Health Department website, an Inspector will follow up with complaint.

Where Rats Live:

  • Rats live in underground burrows which can be found alongside homes, fences, sheds, woodpiles, and tree roots. Burrows can be 2-4 inches wide. Rats can also hide in basements, crawlspaces, attics and sewers. 

Shelter Sources for Rats:

  • Lumber or clutter on the ground, bushes, overgrown shrubbery, weeds, grass over 12 inches high, abandoned vehicles, appliances left in yard, rubbish including: tires, engines, cans, drums, tree limbs, doors, etc.

Additional Info:

Rodent Identification Card:
Click to enlarge
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Rodent Habitation Identification:
222