The Treasure Valley has a rat problem. Boise wants your help to slow it down

With rat sightings on the rise through most of the Treasure Valley, the city of Boise is asking residents to do their part to slow the rodent boom.

For now, the city says, that’s about all it can do.

Citing a “noticeable increase in rat activity over the past few years,” the city on Monday published a page dedicated to rodent prevention on its website to educate residents on best practices to keep rats from entrenching in neighborhoods.

The site offers tips for homeowners aiming to make life harder on the pests, but it acknowledges that the city doesn’t have jurisdiction to tackle the problem head on. That’s because rats fall through the cracks in Idaho code. As relative newcomers to the region, they’re not considered wildlife (the purview of Idaho Fish and Game), classified as invasive species (managed by the state Department of Agriculture) or defined in statute as a threat to agriculture or infrastructure (locally handled by the Ada County Weed, Pest and Mosquito Abatement agency).

There’s an effort underway spearheaded by Ada County Weed, Pest and Mosquito Abatement Director Adam Schroeder to change that, but it will likely take legislative effort and could be a year away, according to a Boise City Council discussion on Oct. 21.

Meanwhile, Mayor Lauren McLean formally acknowledged the city’s new pest in a Facebook post on Friday. And, as of Monday, the city had received 21 calls and emails about rats in the past two years, spokeswoman Maria Ortega told the Statesman.

To date, there’s no formal monitoring of rats, Schroeder told the Statesman in an interview. The closest thing is an informal effort online. A group on the social media site NextDoor called Rats in Eagle & Beyond has more than 700 members, with nonstop posts of rat sightings and trappings.

At the county, Schroeder says he gets two or three calls a week about rats. Constituents have spotted both Norway rats — picture your classic brown subway rat — and roof rats, a smaller, smarter and more agile species that prefers high perches to ground level burrows.

But he doesn’t know how many rats out there, where the populations are concentrated, or how they’re getting from place to place — all key pieces to successful management.

Schoeder is working to get cities on board to push for a cross-jurisdictional approach to rat management, but until then he’s focusing on education. On its website, the city hits most of his points.

Tips to reduce the probability of rat infestations include:

• Seal entry points with metal mesh, steel wool or caulk. These include gaps around doors and windows as well as vents to attics and crawl spaces. The city also says to close pet doors at night and when not in use.
• Fix leaky pipes to cut back on moisture and standing water.
• Manage landscaping by trimming back trees or other plants that can help rats get into your roof or crawlspace.
• Store firewood or debris piles away from your foundation.
• Eliminate food sources. Store food in airtight containers, clean up spills, and keep your trash, recycling and compost carts indoors if possible.
• Keep an eye on birdseed and squirrel food — they can attract rats as easily as welcomed guests.
• Clean up fallen fruit and pick vegetables from gardens. Consider metal netting.

The city urges residents to wear a mask and gloves when investigating a rat infestation, or to call a licensed exterminator.

“Boiseans are encouraged to take simple, proactive steps around their homes,” the city states. “A few small changes can make a big difference.”