Vector control agent Sandy Atkins quietly moves along the fence of
an East Memphis home. It’s a sunny morning, and she expertly moves
bushes aside with a wooden baton, looking carefully for any sign of
rodents.
As the weather warms up, more local residents may find themselves
“smelling a rat,” so to speak. Shelby County households pay a 75-cent
monthly fee for vector control services through the Memphis and Shelby
County Health Department.
In this case, the resident saw a giant rat on her patio. When Atkins
got to the house, she spotted a Norway, or brown, rat climbing up a
tree. The other common local rat is the roof rat, a rodent whose tail
is longer than the length of its body.
Vector control tries to investigate most rodent complaints within
three business days.
During an inspection, the health department staffer “will look for
things that can contribute to rat infestations, such as pet food,
standing water, sewage outcropping, improper storage of wood, and
general sanitation concerns,” says L.C. Garth, manager of vector
control services.
Often the infestation is caused by dog feces, a primary food source
for urban rats.
“Rodents will also make ‘rat runs’ or tracts on the ground that go
from one location in the yard to their burrow,” Atkins says.
After finding nothing along the property’s perimeter, Atkins
searched a nearby shed, placing rodent bait in it. Even if she doesn’t
find evidence of rats, Atkins always places bait on the property as a
preventative measure.
After the inspection, the health department may issue citations to
home-owners who do not maintain their property in a sanitary
manner.
Homeowners can alleviate rat problems in and around homes by keeping
yards and storage areas clean and free of debris.
To report a problem to vector control, call 323-8473.
