Addressing the Rodent Problem

Here’s an update from the Melrose Health Department.

As many of you are aware, the City of Melrose is experiencing an increase in the rodent population. I would like to take a moment to update you on what the Melrose Health Department and the City of Melrose has been doing to address the current rodent issues.

We understand how disturbing it can be to see rodents and/or rodent burrows in your neighborhood. It is something we take seriously and address immediately. Rodent control is an increasing issue in every community throughout the Commonwealth and is seldom attributed to a single factor. In response, the Health Department has dramatically increased its surveillance of dumpsters and is using the City’s Ticketing Ordinance to enforce violations of the City’s Dumpster Ordinance.

When rodents and/or burrows are found on City property, the first thing that is done is an environmental scan of the area to locate evidence of rodents. This may include burrows, discoloration along walls showing rodent pathways, and droppings. The City is under contract with a licensed pest control company who performs monthly checks of City buildings and performs trapping, baiting, and closing of openings as necessary. If burrows are found on City property, the area is cleared of all brush and/or litter followed by additional trapping/poisoning by the pest control company. We are in the process of doing just that in the City Hall parking lot area. 

If rodents and/or burrows are found on private property, the Health Department works with the home or building owner to assist them in addressing the issue. We give them written information about rodents and rodent control and advise them to hire a licensed pest control operator (LPO) to address the issue on their property. We educate them to ensure that the LPO provides a comprehensive service including a thorough inspection of their property, trapping if appropriate, poisoning if appropriate, and changes to the property to make it less hospitable to rodents. As rodents are seldom limited to one property, we offer to provide information to the neighborhood. If there are dumpsters in the area that are open or overflowing, we address that with the business owner.