The rat infestation in DC appears to be on the rise after authorities announced that 311 has received close to 6,000 calls through April of this year for this reason.
Districts 1 and 2 have the most rodent problems, which include areas like Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant. For this reason, the inspector of the DC Department of Health, Johnny Zelaya, detailed some of the causes of this situation.
“There are a lot of restaurants, there are a lot of businesses and there are a lot of multi-unit buildings so there is a lot of population in that area,” he said.
Zelaya and other experts from across the country participated Wednesday at the DC Rodent Control Academy.
It became clear to the attendees that the problem of this pest can be controlled, but not eradicated.
Maintaining daily hygiene is listed as one of the solutions to control this pest, according to health agencies.
DC Health Authorities conducted a tour of the city as part of measures to exterminate rats. The capital is one of the five cities with the most rodents, according to the Orkin company.
“Every day they can clean: wash the garbage cans so that the smell of the garbage is not there. If we are going to put the garbage, the day it is collected would be better,” Zelaya recommended.
The experts emphasized that anything can feed the rats, and as long as the animal can eat, it won’t succumb to the poison.
“Rats remember exactly where they get food. If you keep your house very clean and cover the possible entrances of these pests, the rodents will pass by to the house of the neighbor who does not clean well, “explained Bobby Corrigan.
Apart from calling 311 to request fumigation and counseling services, the capital’s guidelines stipulate that those who violate the rules of order and hygiene in residential or commercial buildings can be fined $500 per violation.
Orkin’s latest reportthe pest control agency, ranked Washington DC as the fourth city with the most rodents nationwide.
