The city is doubling up efforts to control increasingly severe rat infestations A new “rat reservoir pilot” program will attempt to make neighborhoods rat-proof by sealing up all its tiny holes and hiring extra exterminators. The city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s “rat expert” Caroline Bragdon told NPR how she sees the streets:
“If you look really carefully, you can even see their hairs,” Bragdon says, pointing to a little hole in the sidewalk next to a sewer grate. “When we see something like this, what we say to each other is, ‘This catch basin is hot.’ You know, ‘This is ratty.’ “
As part of their new plan, the city will also lead more “Rat Academy” classes to teach communities how to avoid infestations. When Bragdon spotted a dead rat on the street she told NPR, “You have the bait station here, and the dead rat over there. At least we got one.” (Photo: Walt Jabsco)
