BROOKLINE – Town Administrator Mel Kleckner and Health Commissioner Dr. Swannie Jett wish to provide community members with tips to help prevent rodents following an uptick in rodent sightings in town.
The Brookline Rat Task Force is working to help minimize the presence of rats and other rodents in the community through the mitigation work on public properties, enforcement of state sanitary codes, town by-laws and educating the public.
The Brookline Department of Public Health warns of a possible increase in the prevalence of rats, which may be due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Closures of restaurants and businesses have decreased the amount of food available to rodents, forcing the animals to search for alternative food and water sources.
“While there normally is an uptick in rodent sightings during the summer, Brookline is experiencing more than usual this year. We are implementing many measures to decrease the presence of rats and other small rodents in town, but these efforts will only be effective if community members take steps to mitigate the problem, too,” said Dr. Jett. “We ask that our community members help us so that this does not become a more widespread issue.”
The Town of Brookline wishes to share the following tips with residents and business owners to help minimize the presence of rodents:
- Store garbage in covered containers with tight-fitting lids.
- Inspect the exterior of your property to check if rodents are gaining access inside or around the building. Any openings around doors, windows, drains, or cracks in foundations should be sealed.
- Obtain the services of a licensed extermination company to carry out integrated pest management techniques if it appears that rodents are gaining access to or are around your property. Residents are reminded that loose poison is prohibited in Brookline.
- Remove weeds and debris near buildings and yards.
- Stack lumber and boxes on a rack with a clean open area underneath and always dispose of unused materials.
- Do not place bird food on the ground and ensure that spillage is cleaned daily.
- Clean animal waste frequently.
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