Plainview Neighborhood Infested With Rats: Report

PLAINVIEW, NY — Nassau County health officials confirmed a rodent infestation in a Plainview neighborhood near the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway, according to a report. Department of Health inspectors visited the area last week when a homeowner reported neighborhood rat sightings. Officials later confirmed an infestation, WABC-TV reported.

Patch has reached out to the health department for confirmation and will update when we hear back. MaryEllen Laurain, a spokeswoman for the county health departmnet, told the news outlet inspectors spoke to the homeowner about how to keep rats away.

"Nassau County does not provide extermination services," she said. "The Department of Health does provide education and guidance to homeowners on eliminating conditions that attract rodents."

According to the health department's website, there may be "just as many rats in the suburbs" as in cities.

"It is just easier to see them in the city because there are fewer places to hide," health officials said. "Rats like our yards with places to hide, places to build their burrows, and a lot of food."

While rats are skilled swimmers — they can swim more than a half-mile if necessary — rats cannot come into Nassau County through the sewers.

"We have a closed sewer system that does not have any open places for them to enter the sewer system," health officials said.

Rats can also be active any time of the day. The rodents do not see well and prefer areas that are quiet and dark. But they're active at other times of day too, more so if there are safe areas for them to run.

The county also offered advice for those seeing the rodents for the first time.

"Rats travel throughout the county," the health department said. "There may have been rats living in yards near you. When rats set up a home in an area, they may be seen in two or three yards, but a neighbor four, or five homes away would not know there are rats in the area. Having rats doesn't mean someone has a 'dirty' yard. Rats simply find a good source of food, look for shelter, and build their homes. Once rats are exterminated, if their food and shelter is removed, it is likely you will not see them for another 7 (or 15, or 30) years."

Sometimes, rats are just passing through. But residents can hire an exterminator call the health department for more information on how to get rid of them.