By Sue Suchyta
Downriver Sunday Times
ALLEN PARK – Officials reiterated at Tuesday’s City Council meeting that they are taking a proactive approach to the city’s rat control challenge.
City Administrator Eric Waidelich said ordinance officers are working closely with residents to address problems and concerns.
Homeowners need to make sure pet droppings are cleaned up immediately to make sure that they aren’t providing a food source for rodents. Weeds also must be cut down.
“We’ll go to businesses and make sure everything is clear around the Dumpsters,” Waidelich said.
The city has a contract with an exterminator, Advantage Pest Control of Trenton, which is trying to identify rodent entry points, like sewers, and bait them so the rats can be eliminated.
“We aren’t ignoring what people are telling us,” said Police Chief Dean Tamsen. “We’re trying to help them.”
“We hope people are going back home and cleaning up pet droppings,” said ordinance officer Pete Simakas. “Businesses typically have exterminators on contract.”
Vegetable gardens and fruit trees create season food sources when organic matter is left lying around for rodents to eat. Decaying vegetables and windfall fruits should be disposed of so they aren’t a seasonal rodent food source.
“We are trying to be proactive by addressing it with a rat-kill kit and rat bait stations at cost (for residents),” added Tamsen.
The city’s rat control program began Aug. 17. Poison will be given out at no charge at the ordinance department at City Hal from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.
Bait boxes are available for $5. In order to receive the poison, residents must sign a waiver stating that they will properly dispose of any rodent carcass.