Rodent Control Program

The City’s Inspectional Services Department encourages residents to take advantage of a free resource to help combat rodent problems—the Private Property Rodent Control Program. This program offers exterior rodent control services to residential properties with four or fewer units at no cost to property owners or tenants.

Launched in 2021, the program has already provided rodent control assistance to over 900 qualified properties. The initiative not only addresses immediate rodent infestations but also emphasizes education and prevention. According to David Power, Project Coordinator for Environmental Health, a key component of the program is ensuring that residents understand how to reduce conditions that attract rodents in the first place.

One of the primary factors contributing to rodent infestations in Cambridge is improper sanitation. Power emphasizes that residents must take responsibility for their trash and yards, as even one neglected property in a neighborhood can attract rodents. “Everyone needs to take care of their trash and yards,” Power said. "Managing curbside garbage, eliminating food sources, and maintaining clean outdoor spaces are critical steps in preventing infestation."

To provide effective rodent control services, the City of Cambridge partners with a licensed and insured pest control company. The program follows a structured process to ensure thorough inspections, professional treatment, and monitoring. Power explained that the process begins once an application is submitted and approved.

How the Program Works:

Initial Inspection:

A city inspector visits the property to assess rodent activity and provide recommendations.

Pest Control Treatment:

Within one to two weeks of the initial inspection, a contracted pest control company contacts the applicant to schedule service. The contractor then inspects the property, identifies problem areas, and applies appropriate treatments. Applicants can opt-in to non-rodenticide options.

Follow-Up Visits:

The pest control company conducts three follow-up visits to monitor progress and reinforce treatment, if necessary.

Final Review:

On the last visit, the contractor then removes any equipment used for rodent control, and a city inspector conducts a final property evaluation.

The City is considering a long-term feedback system in which they check in with program participants a year after treatment to assess the program’s effectiveness and gather data on any potential recurring issues.

Rodent control is not just an individual responsibility—it requires a collective effort. By ensuring that all residents properly manage waste and maintain clean properties, entire neighborhoods can benefit from reduced rodent activity. Cambridge’s Private Property Rodent Control Program is a valuable resource, but long-term success depends on continuous prevention and community cooperation. Cambridge Inspectional Serveries Department is offering free exterior services to residential properties. The city is now encouraging residents to take part in the Private Property Rodent Control Program to help combat rodent problems.

Launching in 2021, this program has provided rodent control services to over 900 qualified properties. The inspectors also educate residents on rodent prevention as David Power, the project coordinator for environmental health, explained. Working with a contracted, licensed and insured company, as well as professional reports and monitoring, they make sure the pest control company meets expectations.

Power explained the process once an application is accepted, first is a visit from a city inspector who will give an evaluation of concerns. Then in one to two weeks the applicant will be contacted by a contractor to schedule an initial service, they will evaluate the property and provide treatment to help with any rodent problems. There are three follow-up visits after this and on the final visit the contractor will remove the equipment that was placed for the rodent control and the city inspector will review the property one last time.

Sanitation has been the main source that prevents rodents, “Everyone needs to take care of their trash and yards," said Power. One bad apple in the neighborhood can attract multiple unwanted pests. Managing curb side garbage and keeping away food are two ways that everyone can do to help keep rodents away from neighborhood properties.

Power says that there are no plans to expand the program yet, but the team would like to do more general outreach such as a monthly or bi-monthly email or post to educate more people. They are also considering implementing a long-term feedback plan where they check back in with residents a year later.

It is important that residents also take it upon themselves to know the steps to prevent rodents. The first step is to look for evidence in places where rats live such as nests or burrows. Look for droppings as well as holes and gnaw marks on wood or plastic trash barrels. Check walls and grass for signs of runaways as well.

The second step is to wash away any dropping and track marks as rats communicate and attract each other through their urine and droppings. Getting rid of clutter removes giving rats places to hide, sleep, nest and reproduce. It is also crucial to control weeds, shrubs and bushes.

Step three is to stave the rats by managing your garbage and keeping away all food.

Step four is to shut them out by sealing all holes and cracks in foundations, walls, floors, underneath doors and around windows. Step five is to wipe them out with rodent baiting, but the poisons must be handled by professional pest control companies only.

Working together as a community is the best way to help prevent rodents for all. Making sure everyone in the neighborhood does their part in taking care of their trash and cleaning up will prevent the attraction of rodents to houses and neighborhoods.