Suffolk Town Addresses Major Rat Infestation

HUNTINGTON, NY — The Town of Huntington is working to address a major rat infestation. The rodent problem is centered on the vicinity of West Carver Street and New York Avenue, the town said.

Since learning about the infestation, the town said they are working with Department of Waste Management and the Suffolk County Department of Health Services to correct the rat outbreak.

"While it is difficult to eliminate the rodent population entirely, the Town of Huntington is committed to working with its’ partners in county government to get the situation under control as quickly and humanely as possible," the town said.

The town said they are also in close contact with property owners in the infestation area.

One woman wrote on Facebook that she's "seen rats all over Huntington, the village, the park, homes here in Huntington. I have never seen them before this year. So, can someone give me a solution besides killing or trap and release, which is not legal."

All property owners, including the owner of one of the subject areas, the Gunderman-Gunderman Building, which is currently vacant, have been tireless working to rectify the situation once they were advised of the infestation, the town said.

Supervisor Ed Smyth said: “The property owners engaged professional exterminators, who have
been at the properties on a daily basis and will continue to be there until the problem is resolved. Additional sanitation measures will be implemented to mitigate this issue."

All property owners have exterminators on site and they will remain until the infestation is rectified.

"I called the Suffolk County Dept. of Health. They said they were working on it with the town. That was after a third citing. The last time, a huge rat ran down the steps of the building right at us," another woman wrote on Facebook.

Smyth said no town code violations or summons were issued.

The Town of Huntington posted has a five-point plan to eliminate the infestation on its website:

• Monitor waste placement and storage at commercial and residential properties prior to collection — focusing on all trash storage issues, whether that entails private containers or commercial dumpsters.
• Ensure proper trash storage, all trash stored outside should be stored in rodent-proof containers and dumpsters. This means the containers should not have holes in them and the lids can be securely fastened to prevent entry into the garbage by pests.
• Locations not complying with these guidelines will be referred to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services. Violations not rectified within 24 hours will be followed by a summons.
• The Town Animal Control will be sweeping the Town for deceased animal carcasses for proper disposal.
• The Department of Environmental Waste Management (EWM) will send refuse inspectors to local restaurants and businesses in Huntington Village and Huntington Station at the beginning of each day to investigate refuse storage practices. When a violation is found, a “Notice to Comply” will be issued. EWM will also perform follow-up visits to ensure compliance.

"A full resolution could take a few days but, businesses and residents should be aware that there is a full court press to remediate and exterminate the rat problem," the town added.