Rats are the unfortunate reality of most every urban environment. But BHCA has received an alarming number of complaints about rats from all corners of the neighborhood. So many complaints, in fact, that we have formed a rat committee to work on the issue.
If you notice rats on your or a neighboring property, we urge you to reach out to 311 and submit an online service request to the city’s Department of Public Works. In response to your complaint, an inspector from DPW’s Rat Rubout Program will come to the property, inspect the area, and if necessary, bait the property.
Submitting a 311-service request is simple. Click the 311 link here and key “rat” into the search bar. Click the “Rat Rubout” option to have an inspector come to your property for inspection and baiting. Select the “Housing Inspection – Rodents” option to report landlords not handling rodent issues for their tenants, active rat burrows on unoccupied properties, and neighboring properties with rodent issues.
In response to your 311 complaint, you should receive a tracking number indicating the date by which your issue will be resolved and a follow up email to let you know the outcome. Your complaint and resolution will also be tracked by BHCA.
According to Michael Parsons Ph.D., a qualified urban rodentologist, “When food is plentiful, there’s no check on rat growth. When the cycle of regular feeding has been broken, then rats will disperse, injure, kill and even consume one another.” Let’s work together to rub them out.
–Mary Ellen Chambers
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