After an unprecedented number of reported rat sightings, the village of Wilmette has launched a rat mitigation program for residents free of charge.
Village Manager Michael Braiman said more than 300 homeowners are participating in the program since it started in July.
“It became clear that the problem was not going to improve without village intervention,” Braiman said. “Treatment services can be costly and if a whole block or neighborhood is
infested but only one property is receiving treatment, the treatment is less effective.”
Braiman said by offering the program at no out-of-pocket costs to residents, the village could ensure the greatest number of impacted properties actually received treatment, helping to
prevent further spreading.
So far the village has spent around $48,000 on the program.
Once residents enroll in the program, a contractor will search their property for signs of rat activity and install traps or apply chemical treatment to rat burrows. Then the contractor will return each week to remove dead rats and replace chemicals if necessary, according to the village website.
Braiman said the program is working well.
“The number of reported rat sightings has decreased dramatically since its high this summer and we are receiving positive feedback from residents,” Braiman said.
Besides making the rat mitigation program available, the village is asking residents to help eliminate food sources for rats by promptly cleaning up pet droppings, removing bird feeders and outdoor pet dishes, sealing compost piles and abstaining from displaying decorative pumpkins and gourds outside their homes, according to the village website.
