Rodent Control and Prevention

Need help with a rodent issue? Log in to Citizenserve through the link below and apply for our free Rodent Assistance Program.

SMART Box Dashboard  

Explore the City's updated public SMART Box map to see where City-owned smart traps are deployed and where rodent activity is being detected. 
 

Report an Issue 

To report a rodent issue, contact 311. 

Make a Service Request Online

or

Call 311 (dial 617-666-3311 if calling from outside of Somerville) 

TTY/Hearing Impaired (only) dial 866-808-4851

Email 311requests@somervillema.gov  

Look for rodent activity: What evidence might I see if rats or other rodents are on my property?

Burrow holes

Burrow holes lead to underground rat nests. They are generally around 2-4 inches with smooth edges. They tend to be found under plants or items stored outdoors, so it’s important to regularly and proactively search for them. Rat nests usually have more than one entrance, so it is likely that you will find multiple holes. (View Image)

Droppings

Rat droppings are around ½ - ¾ of an inch long, with blunt edges. They tend to be found near trash or other food sources. You can tell the difference between new droppings and older ones by how they look, which can help identify how recently there was rat activity in that area. Newer ones are dark and shiny, while old droppings are chalky and dry. (View Image)

Gnaw marks

Like many other rodent species, rat teeth grow continuously, so they habitually chew on things to file them down and keep them short. Thus, looking for recent marks from rat chewing on things like garbage cans, fences, or under porches can also indicate where rats are getting their food, where they’re living, or the routes that they take to travel between the two. (View Image)

Runways

Rats take the same pathways, called runways, over and over between their burrows and their food sources. The runways may extend over several properties, as rats may live at one location and feed at another. This repeated movement leaves certain signs that make it possible to identify rat presence and locate their burrows or food sources. Runways are generally located along a vertical surface such as a fence or wall. They can take the form of tamped down plants, dirt paths where plant life has been worn away or packed down earth. The oils on rat fur can also leave dark marks on surfaces that they frequently rub against while traveling, such as fences, walls, or the lattice under porches. (View Image)

Report a Rodent Issue

I have seen rodents in my home or in my yard. Who should I call?

If you notice any evidence of rodent activity on your property, contact a professional exterminator to properly eradicate the issue. Exterminators can be found in the local phone book or online.Ask to see proof of MA state licensure for pest control before you sign a service contract.

Who do I contact if I have concerns about rodents or health issues on private property?

Inspectional Services is responsible for enforcement of the State Sanitary Code, which covers sanitation violations on private property. The City also enforces the Somerville Code of Ordinances Section 11-38: Rodent Control. Inspectional Services health inspectors respond to housing and sanitation complaints, and also regularly inspect and issue violations for yard overgrowth, debris and other property conditions that can lead to rodent habitat.Please note that private property owners are responsible for keeping their properties and buildings/rental units safe and healthy as specified by local and state codes.

To report a rodent or health concern, please contact 311 by phone or online. If you can give specific information as to where you suspect rodents are feeding or burrowing, that is extremely helpful.

Who should I contact if I see rodents on public property?

Inspectional Services conducts inspections when rodents are reported seen on public streets, sidewalks, parks, plazas, and other public spaces. Inspectional Services health inspectors regularly inspect and issue violations for trash and recycling improperly set out on the sidewalk, which can be a source of food for rodents. Inspectional Services works closely with the Department of Public Works, which is responsible for rodent control in public parks and squares, public buildings, and construction projects on public property. To report a rodent issue on public property, please contact 311 by phone or online.

What will happen after I report a rodent control issue to the City?

Every rodent complaint is reviewed and inspected by Inspectional Services. If the rodent issue is on public land (including city streets), the City has a contract with a professional exterminator and will bait the area as deemed necessary by the City. If the complaint is on private property, Inspectional Services will enforce the State Sanitary Code and local ordinances when applicable, up to and including requiring private landowners to bait their property as deemed necessary for public health.

How can I check on the status of my rodent control request?

When you report a rodent issue to 311, a work order is created for Inspectional Services. Each work order has a unique work order number. To check on the status of the work order, a resident can call 311 or log in online to view the status of the work order.

Questions?

Please contact Alicia Privett, Environmental Health Coordinator, at aprivett@somervillema.gov.