Customer LoginWatertown residents urged to work together to combat rat problem. Rodents spotted on several streets
WATERTOWN, Mass. —Health and pest control officials in Watertown say the community’s rat infestation can be solved if every resident and business owner works together to combat the problem.
According to Wicked Local Watertown, town officials started receiving complaints about rats on Kondazian Street, Coolidge Hill Road and Crawford Street in May. Since then, rats have also been spotted around Bigelow Avenue, Elton Avenue, Nichols Avenue, Quimby Street and Melendy Avenue.
The Board of Health issued order letters to residents of those streets whose properties appear conducive to rat populations. Health Department Director Steven Ward said the town has issued about 20 order letters so far.
Many people who attended the meeting said they were concerned that absentee landlords and irresponsible neighbors will exacerbate the rodent problem in their neighborhood.
“If I treat my property and my neighbor doesn’t, how is that effective for me?” asked Bill Patterson, a Kondazian Street resident. “You come in, you wipe out the burrows, you fix everything that needs to be fixed, and [the rats] are living next door.”
But town officials and pest control experts said if residents eliminate conditions conducive to rats on their own properties, rats will stay away.