Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation Crews Increase Preventive Rodent Baiting by 30 Percent over 2012; Resident Requests for Rodent Control Services Down 15 Percent

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The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation today announced crews have completed 30 percent more preventive rodent control inspections and baiting jobs over the same time period in 2013, while resident requests for rodent control services have dropped by 15 percent.

“Rodent activity is a nuisance to property owners and impacts the quality of life for communities,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel.  “By focusing heavily on preventive baiting and working together with residents and businesses, we can get out in front of the problem and eliminate these urban pests from our neighborhoods.”

Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation combats rodents with an aggressive and focused program which includes inspection, baiting and monitoring.  Crews begin by investigating an area to locate the rodent nest, and then bait the burrow with rodenticide to eradicate the nest.   Crews will return periodically to monitor for rodent activity and re-bait as necessary.

Once the area has been baited, crews post signage notifying residents and distribute information to households and businesses providing tips about how they can help keep their communities rodent free, including:

• Report rodent sightings to 311 immediately. If residents see rodents in their area, call 311 and provide the operator with the most detailed address or location of the sighting possible.  The Department of Streets and Sanitation will come out to investigate the area and bait.
• Eliminate food sources for rodents. Rodents will not consume rodenticide if there are other food sources available.  Residents are advised to:

-Make sure your trash is properly contained within a garbage cart;
-Maintain your fruit or vegetable gardens;
-Eliminate or maintain outdoor pet food dishes or bird feeders;
-Clean up after your pets—animal waste, especially dog waste, should be disposed of in a garbage cart.

• Eliminate rodent harborage. Rid outdoor areas of old lumber, overgrown vegetation, brick piles, junk autos, or other debris that could potentially shelter rodents.
• Maintain the area around your business. Restaurants can also help by ensuring their dumpsters and grease containers are secure, and their property and alley are free of food sources for rodents.

For more information on the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation Rodent Control Services, call 311 or visit www.cityofchicago.org/dss.

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