Rats Roaming Around Bensalem Township

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA — The Bucks County Department of Health is investigating numerous reports of an uptick of rats in a few areas of the township.

Bensalem Township officials are informing residents that the county's Department of Health Disease Vector Regulations require that property owners exterminate rats on their property.

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Residents also must maintain the premises free of conditions that provide harborage (shelter, food or water) for rodents, officials said.

Maintaining the premises free of rodents include:

• Cease feeding birds and other wildlife, even if it was not a problem in the past
• Store firewood and building materials at least 18 inches above ground and 12 inches from structures
• Clean up pet feces daily (food source for rats); bag feces tightly and dispose of pet waste via regular trash disposal in tightly covered containers
• Store dog food, bird seed, organic matter, etc. in sturdy, rodent-proof containers
• Remove pet food and water bowls after use and do not leave outdoors overnight
• Consider gardens to be an easy food source for rats
• Keep all garbage in tightly covered containers
• Ponds and water features may draw rodents; use repellents, rodent-proof covers, or emptying may be necessary
• •Keep yards clean, lawns and vegetation cut on a regular basis and remove brush/tree debris
• Fill any holes or burrows noticed throughout the property for better monitoring of activity
• Repair openings in sheds with durable material; remove dilapidated structures whenever possible
• Set bait stations or other pest traps for extermination, or call an EXTERMINATOR to assist
• Maintain compost piles by thoroughly mixing and turning weekly