How To Prevent, Report Rats In Brookline

BROOKLINE, MA — The Brookline Department of Public Health has released a list of ways for residents to prevent rats in the town as summer approaches.

According to health officials, outdoor summer activities, including festivals, picnics and outdoor dining, have been found to contribute to the prevalence of rats in public places. Here are some ways to minimize their presence:

• Store rubbish/garbage in covered containers with tight-fitting lids.
• Inspect the exterior of your property to check if rodents are gaining access to or around the building. Any openings around doors, windows, drains, or cracks in foundations should be sealed.
• Should it appear that rodents are gaining access to or around your property, you should obtain the services of a licensed extermination company to carry out integrated pest management techniques.
  • Residents are reminded that loose poison is prohibited in Brookline.
• Remove weeds and debris near buildings and yards.
• Stack lumber and boxes on a rack with a clean open area underneath. Get rid of unused materials.
• Do not place bird food on the ground, and clean any spillage daily.
• Clean animal waste from property frequently.
• When dining in town parks and open spaces, carry out any waste that does not fit in a waste bin. Do not leave oversized items (i.e. pizza boxes) on the ground or stacked on top of trash cans.

“Our department works hard to minimize the presence of rats in town as much as possible, especially through the summer months,” Health Commissioner Sigalle Reiss said in a statement. “But, all those in Brookline have a responsibility to help keep the town clean as well, and we urge those who live and work here to aid in our efforts to prevent rodents. These measures will be most effective through a community-wide effort. ”

The Brookline Department of Public Health said they work regularly to minimize the presence of rats and other rodents in the community alongside other departments, including the Department of Public Works and the Building Department.

Some of these steps include treating public properties, enforcing the state sanitary codes to ensure best practices, enforcing town by-laws to improve trash management and pest control, and education.

In Brookline, individual homeowners are responsible for baiting on their respective properties, said health officials. If the department sees businesses or residences with conditions that contribute to rodent activity, they will issue an abatement notice and complete a compliance inspection seven business days after notification. Non-compliance may result in fines, closure of the business, or a court order.

To file a rodent concern or complaint, email RatReports@brooklinema.gov or call 617-730-2308 and leave a message with the specific location, including address, if possible.