David Wiener sets a trap by his deck. He removed the lattice around the deck so he could gather rats that died under- neath after eating rat poison. Residents, city leaders scurry to curb a growing rodent problem. Robin Schwartz JN Contributing Writer I t's open season right now in David Wiener's yard. The north Oak Park resident who lives on Stratford Place is hunting rats daily and catching them at an alarming rate. Since mid-July when he started setting traps, Wiener says he's caught and killed 22 rats around his tidy, compact property. He pointed to one trap lying in the grass that snagged two small rats at once. But poison has now become his weapon of choice because he says many of the rats are so large they're escaping the traps. "It's a nightmare; I can't stand the sight of them!" Wiener said. "I'm just appalled by it. Rats sicken me with all the diseases they carry. People have seen them out during the day, alive in garbage cans. They can eat through cement, plaster and wood; all they need is a hole the size of a quarter to get into your house." Wiener and his wife, Suzi, have lived in their house since 1976. This is the first time in 36 years they recall seeing rats in their yard. Wiener stepped up his do-it- yourself extermination efforts when he discovered tracks in the grass leading to half a dozen rat holes under his backyard deck. He also unwittingly became a Pied Piper on the issue when he started voic- ing concerns to neighbors, city leaders and anyone who would listen. "If they're in my neighbor's yard, that's affecting my property," he said. "If they're anywhere in my area — that's a threat to me. I don't understand why everybody doesn't feel the way I do, but they don't." After he recently complained to one neighbor about that family's uncovered trash, someone threw eggs at Wiener's house; he's not sure whether it was a random prank or retaliation for speak- 8 August 16 • 2012 ing out about the problem. Wiener's sister and brother-in-law, Ellen and Sandy Greenberg, live nearby on Talbot. They've also trapped dozens of rats and have been in regular contact with city officials. "The mayor [Marian McClellan] even came to my house one Saturday unan- nounced; a representative from the health department came to the house," Ellen said. "This isn't the way we want to live. This is a battle you can't win unless everyone's involved. We need everyone to come on board — people are not taking this problem as seriously as it is." Widespread Problem McClellan says rats are not just nesting in Oak Park; the rodents are a widespread problem across the state, in part because of the unusually mild winter. Other cities, including Warren and Shelby Township, are stepping up extermination and enforcement efforts. The increasing num- bers of complaints in Oak Park also have been attributed to road construction on Coolidge, which may be driving rats from their homes. But, the biggest problem by far is gar- bage left outside of homes and businesses for extended periods of time in plastic bags or uncovered containers. Pet drop- pings also are considered a "food source" and can attract rats. Wiener says he sees trouble spots up and down the streets every week. "I've seen uncovered, overflowing gar- bage calls; cans that have been turned over, plastic bags ripped apart, chewed- up aluminum foil and open pizza boxes," he said. "Everybody needs a rat-proof garbage can. We need it yesterday. I don't see much progress. Some people are kill- ing rats, yeah — but, I don't care how many rats you kill — there are more right behind them. It's just a continuing prob- lem some people do not seem to think is of the utmost importance." Another neighbor, Don Rosenberg, who lives on Loretta, says he and his wife, Shelly, are so fed up they're considering taking legal action or leaving town. "We've lived here since 1988," Don Rosenberg said. "We love the area, our house is paid for, but we're looking to move." The couple just ripped out their vegeta- ble garden because they noticed the veg- gies had little bite marks in them. They also say they're afraid to let their dog out at night because of the rats. "It's unnerving, it's disgusting:' Rosenberg said. "We've got people in the neighborhood who just don't care. One nearby house has pans of cat litter on the side of the house. The city has cited them several times but has yet to take them to court. I'll bet you there's a Ritz Carlton for rats right there." Good Riddance! The city of Oak Park recommends people take the following steps to avoid attracting rats. Don't provide food • Properly store garbage and rub- bish with tight-fitting lids. Do not put out exposed plastic bags. • Do not leave out excess pet food or pet supplies. • Make sure bird feeders are at least 4 feet off the ground. • Thoroughly clean dog runs and pens. Rats will eat pet droppings. Don't allow nesting • Clear all unnecessary articles, junk and large rubbish items. • Cut tall grass and weeds. • Store firewood and lumber in racks at least 18 inches off the ground. Spreading The Word Amid staff reductions and falling reve- nues, Oak Park only has one code enforce- ment officer to investigate rat complaints. But the mayor says the city recently re- assigned an additional person to help out. Oak Park also is working with waste man- agement contractor, Tringali Sanitation, to report problem homes. "Our attorney is working on an amend- ment to the nuisance ordinance that will hasten compliance when code viola- tions are not handled in a timely man- ner," McClellan says. "The objective is to encourage compliance rather than levy fines that create hardships. Oak Park is taking this problem very seriously, but the problem will not be solved overnight." In addition, city officials are spreading the word about things residents can do to help get rid of rat infestations and discour- age new ones (see sidebar). They posted a 12-page brochure titled, "Oh, Rats!" on the city's website and Facebook page. It encourages renters and homeowners to "get rid of all unnecessary articles, junk and large rubbish items; cut weeds and grass regularly; store lumber/firewood on racks at least 18 inches off the ground; and clean dog kennels/pen areas daily" The city also is urging residents to upgrade their garbage cans to 96-gallon wheeled containers with attached lids, which Tringali sells delivered for $90. Local attor- ney, Solmon Radner of Oak Park, is helping organize a series of informational town hall meetings where people will be able to ask questions and speak with the code enforce- ment officer in the coming weeks. "I hope to create awareness because there are some people who are still living in denial," Radner says. "If we give [rats] places to live and eat and if we make life comfortable for them, they're going to stick around." Trouble signs • Look for holes or fresh digging under concrete slabs, near garbage storage areas, along earth banks and near brush piles. • Watch for rat droppings (black, shiny and capsule-shaped, about three-quarters of an inch long and with blunt ends). • Other typical evidence includes narrow, beaten paths of earth free of debris, greasy smear marks indoors, along walls and steps, and gnawing on door ledges, corners, stored materials, wood and other items. ---I For more information or to report a rat problem, call Oak Park's code enforcement division: (248) 691-7450 or go to www.oakpark-mi.com .