Rat extermination happening in Rodgers Forge
You have probably seen the signs posted saying that Baltimore County is doing rat extermination in Rodgers Forge. This was not requested by the RFCA, but we are sharing information from the county, including what that yellow or red tape you might have found on your property means.
Also, please please please keep your garbage can lids on tight. County code requires it, and it prevents rats from feasting on your garbage and making themselves at home in Rodgers Forge.
“Baltimore County has identified a number of homes in your community that have rat harborage and infestation. [The county has] made the decision to invest resources in your neighborhood by contracting with an outside licensed pest control company to eradicate the rats at no direct cost to homeowners or tenants.
Should your community receive this treatment, Code Enforcement will be posting notification signs at the main entrances of your community. These signs will have contact information and the start date of the extermination.
You can also assist Baltimore County in the rat eradication efforts by cleaning and maintaining your yard, removing any accumulated outside stored items, avoid the feeding of pets outside, removing any fallen fruit or vegetables, removing animal feces daily, and obtaining and use durable garbage cans with tight fitting lids.
There will be one of two types of rodenticide used during the extermination process.
The first type of rodenticide that may be used, is a powder called Ditrac. The exterminator will inject the powder deep into the burrow and collapse the opening after treatment. The powder will coat the rats’ fur and during its cleaning process the rat will ingest the powder. It will take a couple of days to a week for the treatment to work. Storm drains will also be treated with a professional grade bait block called Contrac.
The second type of rodenticide that may be used is Maki® paraffin rodenticide pellets and will be used for burrow baiting applications. Loose pellets will be inserted deep into burrows. Rats consume a lethal dose of pellets in one night’s feeding and dead rodents will appear four to five days after feeding begins. The pellet contains an anticoagulant, bromadiolone. Only properties that have visible rat infestation will be treated. When a property is inspected by the exterminator, a ribbon will be tied to the fence. A yellow ribbon indicates that there was NO rat activity found on the property. A red ribbon tied to the fence is to show that the property was treated by the exterminator.
For 8-10 days following the treatment of your property, please keep your pets inside. Should you need to let your pet outside please visually monitor your pet and discourage digging or chasing of rats. If pets consume bait, call a veterinarian at once. If swallowed, this material may reduce blood clotting ability and cause bleeding.
If you find a dead rodent, spray it and the surrounding area, with a disinfectant mixture of 1/4 cup bleach and 2 cups of hot water. Do not touch the rat with your hands! Wear gloves and use a shovel to place the dead rodent in a plastic bag and seal it. Discard the bag into your properly sealed trashcan to be removed on trash day.
If you have any questions about either rodenticide, please call the Maryland Poison Control Center at 1-800-222- 1222. For questions about the process, please contact Code Enforcement at 410-887-3351
Thank you for your cooperation with the County’s continuing effort to rid the rats.
DISCLAIMER: Any owner/tenant/occupant that opts out of permitting Baltimore County and/or its agents to enter their premises for rat extermination, must complete and sign the “Do Not Grant” form on the 2nd page of this document, and return the waiver before the extermination date advertised on the posted sign in your neighborhood.”
