In addition to I-75 improvements between Buck Rd and South Ave over the coming year, there are noise barriers being installed along the edge of I-75 just outside of our neighborhood across Glenwood Rd. Construction crews had to clear out the brush along the hillsides which has caused the wildlife therein to scatter. We’ve had a couple of reports come in of rats being spotted in people’s yards. The City of Rossford has been made aware of the presence of rats in the neighborhood and while they can’t trap them due to it being private property, they have offered the following advice.
- Rats are attracted to animal feces and seed left in yards as a food source. Please clean up your yards and set traps as needed.
- Temporarily stop feeding seed, corn, bread, etc. to birds, squirrels, ducks, and other wildlife until the rodent problem is abated.
- Feed dogs and cats inside – if food is provided outside, pick up the uneaten food promptly – do not leave food outside overnight as rats feed at night.
- Keep garages and sheds clear of clutter, store items off the floor so you can spot gnawed wood or droppings easily along walls or in corners.
- Sheds installed on wood, brick, pavers, stone, or dirt can allow for easy burrowing by rats. Inspect the base of the shed to be sure there are no burrow holes visible.
- Remove wood and brush piles from the yard and keep firewood stacked at least 18″ off the ground to prevent rats from burrowing under it.
- Cut tall grass, weeds, and overgrowth from your property to reduce areas where rodents hide and keep garbage in plastic bags inside of trash cans.
- If you find rat droppings, wear rubber gloves and mix 1 part bleach to 10 parts water and spray the droppings or urine and then use a paper towel to remove the waste for disposal.
- Dead rats should be placed in a plastic bag before being put in a tightly covered trash can. Burying the rat is not recommended.
- Wash hands with hot water and soap after handling traps, poison bait, rodent waste, or dead rodents.
If you have further questions about rodent activity or prevention, call the Wood County Health Department at (419) 354-2702.