Rats need many of the same things we do: food to eat, water to drink, a safe place to live, and the company of their families. Unfortunately, our neighborhoods sometimes provide them with those resources.
Having rats doesn’t mean a neighborhood is dirty or poorly-kept. Most neighborhoods have at least some rats, and any neighborhood can find itself with a large infestation. The beautiful landscaping, gardens full of fruit and vegetables, and earth-friendly compost bins that make your neighborhood appealing to people also make it appealing to rats.
A rat infestation in any neighborhood is a community-wide problem that requires a community wide solution. There is never a single residence or business entirely responsible for the problem, and cleaning up a single property won’t fix it. Instead, you and your neighbors will need to change the environment in your community so that rats no longer have access to the things they need to survive.
San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District’s San Carlos Roof Rat Project is a pilot program that we hope will help neighbors coordinate their efforts to reduce rodent populations throughout their neighborhood. The goal of this program is to organize and empower residents of your neighborhood to resolve conditions that attract and sustain rodent infestations, including overgrown vegetation, entry points to structures, and food sources.
This program will train residents to serve as leaders and members of community rodent prevention teams. You don’t need to be an expert to help out with this program. No previous knowledge of rodent prevention or control is necessary; all training will be provided. Teams will be provided with ongoing instruction, supervision, and support from San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District’s certified vector control staff.
The San Carlos Roof Rat Project will launch in El Sereno North (an area bounded by Brittan Ave., Cordilleras Ave., Belmont Ave., and Laurel St.). Baseline data collection will occur in mid October.
Training for community rodent prevention team leaders will take place the week of October 24th. If you are interested in attending the training, please contact Public Health Education and Outreach Officer Megan Sebay at msebay@smcmvcd.org.
