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Rodent Information & Reporting

Rodent Information and Reporting
Have you seen a rat in your neighborhood?

Report a Rodent Sighting

How We Can Work Together to Prevent Rodents 

Rats have been a part of the Massachusetts ecosystem since the area was originally settled in the early 17th century. They are commonly found in most
urban areas, including Marlborough and other neighboring communities.

It is our shared goal, both as a city and as a community, to work together to mitigate the population of rodents in Marlborough. This is a continuous process that will be most successful as a community effort. Because rats move freely around neighborhoods, the city encourages neighbors to work together in the identification and prevention of rodents and to maintain properties that are unattractive to rats.

Like all animals, to thrive, rats need three things: food, water, and shelter. The best way to prevent rats from making a home in your neighborhood is to make your house unattractive to rats by taking away sources of food, water, and shelter. Learn what you can do to make your home unappealing to rats.

Click on each image for a list of sources of food, water, and shelter for rats in your home:

 

 

Food

 

Water

 

Shelter

 

What is the Health Department Doing?

The role of the Marlborough Health Department is to educate the public on rodent issues. There are 3 areas of focus when it comes to
rodent problems:          

   Prevention

  • Educating residents and businesses on how to make properties less attractive to rodents by the use of fliers, door hangers, and social media posts.
  • Phone calls and on-site visits to residents and businesses to share best practices.
  • Participating in local and regional working groups to stay up to date on current trends for prevention and treatment.
  • Collaborating with city departments and professionals in the field.

  Identification

  • Assisting residents and businesses in identifying problem areas and what to look for including droppings, chew marks, burrows, etc.
  • Use of real-life examples including pictures on educational material and "Additional Resources" on the main Rodent Information & Reporting page.

  Remediation

  • Empower property owners to contact a professional pest control company for an assessment and removal of rodents.
  • Gather best practices from trusted resources including the CDC.

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What Should Residents Do?

This flow chart outlines best practices for when you see signs of rodents on your property and what to do. To report a rodent siting see the link below.

See a rodent in your neighborhood? Report a rodent sighting. This will allow city officials to track pest control issues and trends.

For professional advice and/or possible treatment options, contact a licensed pest control company. Many offer a free consultation.

  • If you rent, talk with your landlord.
  • Ask around and talk to neighbors for referrals and recommendations.

            A reputable company will:

  • Inspect your property before giving a quote.
  • Give you a detailed written report and action plan personalized to your property and your needs.
  • Make referrals for structural repair.
  • Revisit and re-evaluate until your pest problem is gone.
  • Educate you on how to prevent rats in the future.

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Additional Resources

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  Articles

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   Frequently Asked Questions