Citizens Association Hosts Rat Patrol, Hears About GU’s Move-Out Program
By • June 12, 2023 0 1067
By Christi Cline
On May 18, the Citizens Association of Georgetown’s Public Health Committee hosted its second community meeting.
The primary focus: the rats in Georgetown.
A dedicated group of neighbors from 32nd Street volunteering in collaboration with John Wiebenson and Jorge Rochac from the Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID), worked together to help eradicate the rats. Using specially-trained dogs, they identified rat holes and utilized dry ice as a method to eliminate them. This proactive approach demonstrates the community’s dedication to addressing the rat issue in Georgetown.
Ruth Sandy, the District’s code and rodent inspector, presented ways to avoid rodent infestation and deter rats in the neighborhood. She shared insights into rat behavior, common entry points, and preventative measures residents can take to reduce the likelihood of infestations.
Gwendolyn Coleman and Sidiki Tarawali, from Georgetown University’s Office of Neighborhood Life, participated in the meeting to discuss GU’s move-out program, an initiative aimed at coordinating and assisting students during their transition out of university housing. The involvement of GU representatives in the meeting suggests the university is actively engaging with the community and addressing any concerns related to student housing and the moving-out process.
Some of the biggest takeaways from the meeting were how to prevent rodents in your yard; remembering to always store your trash in a tight-fitting lid and on trash days, to make sure to transport your garbage in those cans to keep rodents out.
Water is a source pesky animals need to survive. By making sure you don’t have anything collecting water outside, you’ll have less rodent infestation and fewer mosquitos.
To avoid future shelters for the rats to hide and create burrows, it’s also important if neighbors can remove tall weeds gathering debris or attracting rodent nests in their outdoor spaces.
Remember we need food, water and shelter to survive and so do rats.
Christi Cline is a member of the Board of Directors of the Citizens Association of Georgetown. For more information, visit CAGtown.org.
