Rats, Rodents In Bloomfield: Health Department Has Tips For Residents

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Bloomfield Department of Health recently offered local residents some tips on rat and rodent prevention.

According to the health department, rodents are attracted to unsanitary conditions and spaces that provide them with three things: a place to eat, a place to sleep, and a place to breed. “Prevention is key!” the health department urged.

Some tips for “defending your home and environment” include:

• Make sure all garbage cans have tight-fitting lids and are free of any holes
• Tidy your property to get rid of clutter
• Clear any branches, leaves or any accumulation to decrease areas where rodents may choose to live
• Make sure to raise any items such as firewood, logs or debris off the ground at least six inches
• Seal any gaps leading from the outside into your home

In 2019, the Bloomfield Health Department announced that it is continuing with ongoing “rodent control” efforts in the township, which has seen a recent increase in “rodent activity.”

Health officials said the rise in rodent population may be due to several factors, including repeated mild winters, aging infrastructure/redevelopment and improper trash management. Read More: Bloomfield Continues Ratrace: 'Rodent Control' Efforts Underway

The problem isn’t confined to Bloomfield; other surrounding communities have also seen a rise in rodent sightings, officials said.

• See Related: Rodents Multiply In Nutley; Town Asks For Public's Help With Trash

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