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.

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