Get help with rats and mice

Ways to prevent a rat problem

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  Take steps to make life more difficult for rats

  • Clean up. Garbage and clutter give rats a place to hide.
  • Rats eat your garbage, so store all garbage in hard plastic rat-resistant containers with tight fitting lids. Provide enough trash containers for all of the occupants of your property. Any exposed garbage will attract rats.
  • Keep landscaped areas around your property free of tall weeds and trim shrubs that are close to the ground.
  • Check for cracks or holes in the foundation of your building, sidewalk, and under doors and repair them by filling and sealing them.
  • On the street or in a park, put your litter in a can and do not feed birds or other wildlife.
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  How the City helps

  • Address complaints for garbage or debris issues that may attract rats and rodents on City property
  • Address complaints for garbage or debris issues that may attract rats and rodents at rental apartment buildings, or if rodent issues are not addressed by a landlord
  • Regularly empty street and park litter cans and carts
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  What you can do to ensure rodent and pest control on private property

  • Store garbage in rodent-proof containers with tight-fitting lids
  • Reduce clutter to prevent hiding spots (wood piles, old tires, and so on)
  • Eliminate sources of food (fallen fruit, pet food left outdoors, grass seed, and so on)
  • Secure composters to prevent rodents from entering
  • Keep areas around bird feeders and bird baths clean
  • Cut tall grass around the house
  • Seek private pest control services in case of rat infestation