Author: Kurt Treftz, Cascade Pest Control
Ada County’s Reach for Tax Dollars to Combat Rats
As reported in the BoiseDev Treasure Valley residents are frustrated and worried about the frequency and persistence of rat sightings. And they are repeatedly contacting the County expecting them to do something about it. As a result, County officials have considered asking the state for financial help to combat the rats.
Other cities in the Pacific Northwest that have long encountered rats, such as Seattle, Tacoma and Portland have little or no tax monies devoted to rat management. Residents and businesses are pretty much on their own.
This is largely due to the fact that rat-borne diseases, such as Hantavirus or the plague, are not terribly threatening at the moment. More to the point, any idea of “eradicating” rats might be extremely difficult if not beyond reach. This is because rats are extremely capable, highly adaptable, and multiply quickly.
Boise and Ada County Rodent Problems
Boise and Ada County have always had a ‘rodent’ problem, but prior to now, the rodents have always been mice.
Rats—both Norway rats and Roof rats—were introduced in recent years and they have taken hold. Furthermore, the rats are doing what rats are famous for, they are breeding rapidly.
Brief History of Transporting Rats
Why now? Rats have always been transported and introduced to various cities throughout the US. In fact, these rats are considered “Old World rats” because they originated in Europe, and before that they came from the Orient, Asia Minor and Siberia.
Originally, these rats were brought to North America on sailing ships. Ropes that tied ships to docks were fitted with large round disks in an attempt to keep the rats from reaching shore. Over time, port cities all had rat infestations and eventually they were transported by trucks and freight trains all over the United States.
Rats in Boise and Surrounding Ada County Cities
It can be safety assumed that rats have always been randomly and repeatedly dropped in Boise and other surrounding Ada County cities over many years, but the dry climate wasn’t particularly suitable for them.
The native mice were able to live well in the greater Boise area because they can live off the moisture in whatever seeds and other food they eat. But rats must drink water; there has to be a water source for rats to thrive.
So, what has changed to allow these rats to now be so successful in Ada County?
Although there are climate and geographical differences between Seattle and Boise, we can learn from what happened there.
Seattle sits within King County and for many decades rats were largely confined to the port city of Seattle and a few other shoreline communities.
As early as 1980 few rats were seen in most areas of King County away from the shorelines. But that all changed as suburban development grew. And grow it did until the various adjacent suburban developments made contact with each other and formed a contiguous suburban sprawl.
And now with suburban residential neighborhoods in place pretty much throughout Ada County, all of them with folks watering their lawns, shrubs and gardens, the water rats require is now in place.
Rats Are Commensal
One more thing about rats; they are “commensal” meaning they are dependent on living with or around humans. And, so, something else is contributing to the rapid rise of rats in Boise, Garden City, Eagle and Ada County in general—people’s habits.
We love our pets and often leave food in pet bowls outside. Similarly, bird feeders spill seeds that are eaten by any number of rodent species, including rats. Rats can get into garbage, find scraps of food after a backyard dinner, eat spilled grease within a barbecue, and much more. Rats can even eat dog droppings if needed.
So, perhaps a greater question is at hand: are the conditions now such that rat abatement / eradication programs would have little success? How much of this is about an acceptance process vs any attempt to return to Ada County’s historical absence of rats?
Expert Rodent and Rat Control in Ada County / Treasure Valley
Either way, Cascade Pest Control is poised to help in any way in the greater Boise area. Cascade has over four decades of rat management expertise that we bring to Ada County / Treasure Valley.
Call 888-989-8979 for rat control services.
