Patch is working on a followup to Baltimore County's report issued recently that states Code Enforcement officials are seeing great success with their rat eradication program, now dubbed "Rat Attack."
After Patch published an article in which county officials touted the program's success, many Dundalk residents posted comments on Dundalk Patch and its Facebook page saying just the opposite.
Residents voiced frustration with trying to reach and get consistent information from Code Enforcement employees; continuing problems with neighbors who don't properly store trash; and continuing problems with junked cars and other backyard debris that provide habitat for the rodents. Residents also complain about gardens and even cars being heavily damaged by the burrowing, gnawing creatures.
Based on the comments I have received so far, I have had a preliminary interview with Code Enforcement Chief Lionel van Dommelen, and plan to meet with him this week.
If you have additional feedback about the rat eradication program or specific problems you believe are contributing to your area's rat population, please contact me at marge.neal@patch.com.
I will take your specific concerns to van Dommelen, and use that information in a followup article.
When you send an email, include a phone number so you can be interviewed by phone.
We are looking for volunteers to help with this effort. The program is launching in March and is called 'Don't Trash Our Dundak'. We are having a training for volunteers next Tuesday, Feb 26 6-8pm and/or Saturday, March 2 10-12pm at the DRC office, 11 Center Place. I encourage people to join us! You can find out more here http://www.dundalkusa.org/pub/DTOD or email me at leah@dundalkusa.org. I hope to see some people at the training! Thanks- Leah
I went to my brothers house in Colgate and there is still rats running everywhere over there and here in Gray Haven where I live. The problem isn't solved!!!!!!
I'd also welcome photos of some of these problems. You can send pictures to me at marge.neal@patch.com. Thanks for the input, Dundalk!
Kim
Over the last 3-4 years, I have trapped and killed over 100 rats in my yard that use it for a thoroughfare. I walk my dog every evening. The nights before trash day, you can hear the rats inside of trash cans piled with bags and no lids. The rats are smart and they know. These nights are when you see the most. I also, as another wrote, use them for target practice with a bb gun. As I stated, the rats are not the problem. We, as a society are the problem. The rats are not going away and they will only grow in numbers unless we ALL do something about it. My guess is it's going to get alot worse and we should recipes for rat.
I agree the County should be involved but only at a Policing level. I don't feel the mass poison baitng is effective or should be at the taxpayers expense. I'd rather see money go to schools than exterminators because of people living like animals. Everyone must deal with it at a personal level. This issue is widespread and should start closer to home. Neighborhood Associations should be the first to react. Associations should first, simply post notices at residences that they feel are inappropriate. The next step would be to notify the County of these notices. Now, at this point, forget the fines. Building inspectors have the power to shut down construction projects. Utilize the same principal. Shut down the residence. After non-compliance, post evicted / do not enter notices and lock it up until compliance has been met. It may be extreme but it may be what it takes. Ex. ( If your vehicle gets repo'd you'll pay the bill to get it back.) Then again, include a fine to cover ALL of the expenses the County would endure for "property police". DON'T COMPLAIN TO THE COUNTY, COMPLAIN TO THAT NEIGHBOR WHO LIVES LIKE AN ANIMAL.
It's not your fault. My yard is nice and my trash cans are covered. The rats nest close to food sources. Look a bit further than you neighbor. Forget the typical spring loaded traps. They don't work. Rats are are smart and avoid them. My success for trapping them has been a cage type, 12" W x 12" H x 24" L. I place a half of slice of bread covered with peanut butter on the plate that triggers the trap to close. Once the rat is trapped, I place the barrel of my be BB gun into the cage. The rats will try to bite it. Thats when you pull the trigger. A minute later, the rat is dead and I double plastic bag it and toss it in the trash