A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to on update on the City's Rodent Control Programs

December 9, 2024 1 Rodent Control Program Updates

CITY OF CAMBRIDGE 2 • Rats are a complex community wide issue that can only be solved through a comprehensive strategy and community partnership. • A community-based approach in coordination with a multi- departmental response is the best approach to try and limit the overall rodent activity in the city. • The City utilizes the latest technologies and knowledge available to provide as safe an elimination strategy as possible. • We are ready to assist any property to understand their role in rodent control and guide them towards a solution. Rodent Control

CITY OF CAMBRIDGE 3 The Problem with Rats Why we need to reduce rats • Carry and spread disease • Cause anxiety in many people • Unsightly and can negatively impact a neighborhood Why are rats able to thrive? • Constant food sources and protective harborage What are challenges to address the issue? • Overflowing trash • Overgrowth promoting burrowing activity • Rodent harborage accessibility • Limited access to private property

CITY OF CAMBRIDGE 4 Rodent Sightings • Citizen reporting of rodent sightings is critical to initiating a control program • 2020 – 2022 increases likely due to COVID-19 restrictions; commercial dumpsters got less use and rats foraged more widely. Rising rodent activity data is consistent with most cities globally. *2024 sightings projected as of 11/26/24

CITY OF CAMBRIDGE 5 Rodent Control Efforts on Public Property • Extermination in Parks, Playgrounds and City Building exteriors is managed by Public Works. • Schools, Cambridge Housing Authority, Fresh Pond Reservation, and the MBTA are responsible for their properties • In FY25 $2.4 million capital allocation for 350 new Big Belly units, adds to existing inventory of 290 units • Ensuring proper storage and set out of residential trash and compost plays a key role in rodent reduction • Rodent Task Force comprising of participants from Public Health, ISD, DPW, Harvard, City of Somerville, School Dept., Cambridge Housing Authority, and invited guests

CITY OF CAMBRIDGE 6 Private Property • Massachusetts State Sanitary Code requires extermination when rodent activity is present. • ISD inspectors conduct inspections and cite property owners to correct rodent activity AND correct conducive conditions (IPM) • Provide tips to prevent rodent activity • Work with restaurants to ensure of proper trash disposal and overall sanitary conditions • Inspect construction sites for cleanliness • Inspect all licensed dumpster (food establishments, apartment buildings etc)

CITY OF CAMBRIDGE 7 Private Property Rodent Control Program • Housing with 4-units or fewer can receive Free Rodent Control Services for up to 60 days • Over 1,000 applications since 2021 • 74% of participating properties have been deemed resolved

CITY OF CAMBRIDGE 8 Recent Initiatives • Project Coordinator recently attended the National Rodent Summit in NYC as one of only @ 120 invitees from around the world. • Hosted Cambridge Rodent Academy two-day event bringing together 70 attendees from city departments, local businesses, and neighboring city agencies to learn about rats, IPM, and effective, safe control. • Working with other departments such as Schools, City buildings, Cambridge Housing Authority, Cambridge Health Alliance. Collaborate with Sanitation, Recycling and Compost teams. • Burrow RX - non rodenticide tool to treat rat burrows. • Canine detection and eradication dogs. • A Rodent Infertility trial is underway to study the efficacy of this treatment approach as a part of an overall plan to decrease the reliance on Second Generation Anti-Coagulants.

CITY OF CAMBRIDGE 9 Smart Boxes and Smart Pipes Data • Smart Box: Non-rodenticide electronic trap maintained by vendor. • Smart Pipe: Electronic trap maintained by vendor and deployed in sewers. • Vendor sends weekly reports of rodents caught. All data is uploaded to OpenData platform. • Reported catch numbers are typically higher to start and then level off. If a trap is no longer reporting catches, we move it to a new location.

Questions?