Tag: oh rats

Northeast Philadelphia residents frustrated by ongoing rat problem: “You can’t live like this”

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Tree-lined residential street with row houses and parked cars

Residents in several lower Northeast Philadelphia neighborhoods say a growing rat problem is disrupting daily life, damaging property and raising health concerns. Now, City Council is calling for a more aggressive response. Residents in Oxford Circle, Castor Gardens and Summerdale said rats have become difficult to control in recent months, despite efforts to keep the rodents away. “They’re pretty big. They’re not small rats,” Eugene Rivers, an Oxford Circle resident, said.

“They’re pretty big.” Rivers said rats tear open trash bags, scatter garbage and startle residents walking outside at night. “They’re everywhere,” he said. Although the rats have been a longstanding problem, residents said the infestation has worsened in recent months. Their attempts to control it have brought little relief. “I’m ready to relocate,” Gail Burris, another Oxford Circle resident, said. Burris said neighbors have tried poison, peppermint spray, mothballs and even freezing their trash until collection day. She said rats continue to damage cars and burrow in yards. “You can’t live like this,” Burris said.

“My grandkids get in my car, and they’re like, ‘Why do we smell mothballs, Mom-Mom?’ It’s just a lot. It’s a lot.” Philadelphia City Council member Dr. Anthony Phillips, who represents the 9th District, said the city needs to take stronger action to address the infestation. “I feel like the city has not responded in a way that is arduous,” Phillips said. Phillips recently proposed a resolution urging the city’s sanitation, public health and licenses and inspections departments to coordinate their efforts to combat the problem. The resolution calls for a targeted response that addresses vacant properties, improperly stored trash and repeat offenders, including the use of hefty fines.

City Council unanimously approved the resolution, recognizing the rat infestation as a public health emergency. Phillips said residents who properly maintain their properties are also suffering because of the actions of others. “There’s a lot of good neighbors in this community that are suffering because there are individuals that are not necessarily cleaning up after themselves,” he said. City officials are urging residents to store trash in hard-sided containers and limit the amount of time garbage sits on the curb before collection. Residents can report rat activity by calling 215-685-9000.

Source: Northeast Philadelphia residents frustrated by ongoing rat problem: “You can’t live like this” – CBS Philadelphia

A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.
Proverbs 18:16

Hunted for Following Jesus

In some communities, Muslims who leave Islam to follow Christ face rejection, threats, violence, and even death because of their faith. For Muslim-background believers, choosing to follow Jesus can place…

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Rat birth control program expanding to Albany Park

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Rats feeding beside spilled food and overflowing trash bins on an urban street

Chicago is consistently named one of the “rattiest” cities in America and an effort to change that is expanding. As more communities are turning to rat birth control, community leaders on the Northwest Side are trying something new — getting neighbors involved. A community info session was held on Tuesday night a few weeks ahead of the launch of a new rat birth control program in Albany Park by the North River Commission.

It’s similar to programs seen in Bucktown and Lincoln Park. “They’ve seen a reduction in the rat population,” said program manager Farah Elnahal.  Elisabeth Hays lives in the area and says the expansion can’t come soon enough. “My house is out of control. There’s rats in our yard. My dog is always like trying to catch them. It’s awful,” she said. “My car … they ate my radiator lines recently. They ate a craft project I made. It’s out of control.” An out-of-control problem she says is costing her. The repair set her back $900 and was not covered by her insurance. “Yeah, this would be amazing if it’s successful,” she said. Reps with Evolve were at the meeting, too, saying the bait is a nontoxic, nonlethal approach that restricts fertility in male and female rodents.

It takes one to two breeding cycles — or six to eight weeks — to see results. One goal is to see less property damage. Unlike other communities that used third parties to deploy the bait, program leaders in Albany Park want to get neighbors involved. About 10 to 12 volunteers will fill about 40 bait stations across the area. “Albany Park does have a big restaurant community and especially on Lawrence and Kimball here. We also have the Kimball Brown Line station. So we do see a lot of pedestrian activity. So we think this is the best place to start,” Elnahal said. The launch of the program is set for the end of October

Source: Rat birth control program expanding to Albany Park – CBS Chicago

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

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