In May of 2023, the Health Department hosted a community rodent forum to bring community voices to the forefront. To kick off the event, the Health Department provided a brief presentation where they discussed the following issues related to rodent control:

How We Got Here

- The Health Department has been tracking data related to rodent activity since 2017 and observed an increase in complaints & inspection requests.

- Factors including increased human population, increased food waste, repeat mild winters, and aging infrastructure has contributed to an increase in rodent activity.

What The Health Department Is Doing

The Health Department has numerous programs and activities aimed at addressing rodent activity in Arlington.  Each of these program’s stem from Integrated Pest Management principles to promote prevention and environmentally friendly options first. Explore the rest of this page to learn more about Health Department programs.

Legal Landscape

The Federal Government regulates pesticides through a federal Law which gives the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the power to register and regulate pesticides. Under this Federal law, states have the primary enforcement responsibility. In Massachusetts, pesticides are regulated through the MA Pesticides Control Act which gives power to the MA Department of Agriculture and Resources. This structure prevents local municipalities from enforcement powers and the ability to set stricter standards.

In 2022, Town Meeting approved a Bylaw that would require all licensed pest control applicators register and notify the Health Department prior to applying second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) in Town. However, the Attorney General ruled that this Bylaw would violate state law. Special legislation was filed at the State for home rule legislation.

What Next?

During the Forum, community members had the opportunity to discuss what they would like to see from the Town, their neighbors, and the community at large to address rodent activity. The Health Department received almost 200 thoughtful responses and is in the process of categorizing, analyzing and proposing changes to existing programs and developing new programs as a result of these conversations.

You can view comments here.

Questions or comments?

You can e-mail any questions or comments to boh@town.arlington.ma.us.

The Arlington Health Department educates businesses and residents of Arlington in a number of ways. At the heart of all education efforts is providing information about Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as a first defense against pest activity. Some of our recent education efforts include:

- Humans and Rats: Basics - As part of the Metro Public Health Collaborative, Arlington, Belmont, Brookline, and Newton have created a four-part series about what you and your neighbors can do to help reduce rat populations.

- 2022 Rodent Webinar - The Department provided information about IPM, Town initiatives, and ways residents can combat rodent activity.

- Restaurant Pamphlet - This pamphlet is distributed to restaurants during their regular inspections as a way to have conversations about IPM and environmentally friendly pest management options.

- Neighborhood Letters - Neighborhood letters are sent out to areas where our inspectors have observed high levels of rodent activity. They help provide information on best practices.

Since 2015, the Arlington Health Department has offered rodent assessments on both public and private property. During these assessments, Health Department staff walks with the property owner to identify possible attractants, harborage areas, and activity levels. Staff takes the time to offer suggestions about how to implement Integrated Pest Management strategies to improve sanitation and exclude rodents from the property. In cases where there is heavy rodent activity, they may suggest the property owner reach out to a licensed pest control operator to discuss a more in-depth IPM to address the issue.

 To request a property assessment, call 781-316-3170.

Assessments Performed:

^{_{Last Updated : May 2023}}

Total Assessments to Date: 1, 414

2023 To Date: 66

2022*: 115

2021*: 147

2022*: 277

2019: 319

2018: 292

2017: 198

^{*The COVID-19 pandemic and Department response efforts impacted the number of assessments during the indicated years.}

The Health Department monitors trends in data activity through a number of mechanisms. Since 2015, the Health Department has been mapping complaint and assessment data using Graphic Imaging Systems (GIS). This data allows the department to perform spatial analysis and identify areas of Town where there is increased activity. Using this data, we are able to perform inspections and provide targeted outreach to address any conditions that may contributing to the increased activity.

More recently in 2022, the Health Department began a pilot SMART Box Program. SMART Boxes are a multi-catch system that uses electric currents to exterminate rodents which enter the box. The Health Department receives regular data about where and when the boxes make a kill. Analyzing this data has helped the Department identify areas of increasing activity. 

When our Inspectors identify rodent activity on public property, we contract with a licensed pest control operator to implement an IPM for the property and take steps to eliminate rodent populations. Although a policy took effect in 2023 to prohibit the use of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides on town property, the Health Department has been utilizing environmentally friendly options for decades in collaboration with our PCO. Some of these methods including have a PCO apply carbon dioxide treatments and deploying SMART boxes to address infestations.

To ensure we implement IPM principles, we work closely with other departments like DPW and planning to ensure that we are addressing the underlying attractants contributing to the rodent activity in the area. Some examples of these partnerships have included:

- In 2023, a dead three that was hosting a rodent nest was removed by DPW. This helped remove harborage areas and addressed rodent activity in the area.

- In 2022, the Department worked with DPW to remove overgrown flower boxes on a public way which were providing harborage for a rodent population. At the same location, the Department worked with DPW to replace a dumpster in poor conditions. Once both conditions were improved, the infestation subsided.

-In 2017, DPW worked with the health department to remove shrubbery and underground infrastructure in Arlington center to address a known infestation. 

Burrow Holes

Burrow holes lead into underground rat nests are a sign that your property may have a rodent infestation. Burrow holes are generally 2-4 inches with smooth edges. It is common to find then under plants or items stored outside, so it is important to regularly inspect these areas. Rat nests will typically have more than one entrance, so it is likely you will find more than one hole.(View Image)

Is it a rat burrow or another animal?

Often we see rabbit or chipmunk holes being confused with rat burrows. One way to tell the difference is to use a stick or other long item to test the depth of the hole. With a rabbit or chipmunk hole, you will quickly find the end whereas with a rodent burrow, you will not be able to find the end.

Rat Droppings

Rat droppings are around 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch long, with blunt edges. They're likely to be around trash or other food sources. You can tell the difference between new droppings and older ones by how they look. New droppings are dark and shiny while old droppings will be chalky and dry. This can help you identify for recently there was rat activity in the area. (View Image)

It is important to clean up rat droppings as the presence of droppings can signal to other rats that there is safe and reliable access to food or harborage. To clean up rat droppings, sweep or vacuum up the droppings and discard. You may also want to clean the area using a bleach solution. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning up pest droppings, even if you are using gloves!

Gnaw Marks

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

If you find gnaw marks or other holes on your trash barrels, fencing or porches, it is important to replace or repair them. The gnaw marks and holes can provide access to food and safe living for rodents in the area.

Rodent Runways

Rats are creatures of habit and take the same pathways, called runways, over and over between their burrows and their food sources. Runways may extend over several properties, as rats may live at one location, and feed at another. This repeated travel creates 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 may appear as tamped down plants, dirt paths where plan life has been worn away, or packed down earth. Additionally, the oils on rat fur can leave dark marks on surfaces that they frequently rub again while traveling such as fences, walls, or the lattice under porches. (View Image)