ATHOL – A map of Athol in the Health Department is covered with dozens of red push pins—each one representing at least one call complaining of rats.

Health Agent Deb Vondal said this has been the worst year for rodent calls, in her memory.

“These are the most calls we’ve gotten and I’ve been here 17 years,” she said. “We would get an occasional call. Now, when I see an exterminator, I talk to them and they say, ‘Oh, yeah. This is occurring everywhere.’”

Vondal said that when there is a complaint of a rat, nearby neighbors are notified. In addition to the notification letter, a sheet that includes tips on how to address the problem is included in the mailing. The unwanted abundance of the rodents, she said, is not just a local problem.

“Rats are increasing, not just here in Athol – this is a problem across the state and New England,” Vondal said. “Who knows what the reason is. Part of it has to do with the start of COVID when restaurants shut down and rats didn’t have their usual dumpsters to feed on, so they’ve gone elsewhere.

“But there’s also weather that has increased the problem. First, there was too much water, then there wasn’t enough. There like any other rodent; like mice, they get established. So, we do our best to check out a situation, particularly if there’s chickens or bird feeders.”

Trash is another potential cause for the rise in rodent-related calls. Vondal said homeowners and renters often need to told to clean up trash on their property. Trash, she advised, is supposed to be kept in a clean and sanitary manner, and recommended the use of rodent-proof containers. The health agent said the proper storage of trash awaiting disposals or pickup is part of the town’s sanitary code.

“We’ve been giving out educational materials, unless there’s an obvious violation like, say, there was some overflowing trash somewhere—that’s different,” she said. “Rats, just like people and every other living thing, need three things: food, shelter, and water.”

Vondal said she and Assistant Health Agent Jane O’Brien have told residents from time to time to remove bird feeders, at least temporarily.

“Once the rats are there, it’s an easy source of food,” Vondal said. “Chickens – we have information to give people if they have chickens. Not that the chickens cause rats but, again, it’s a food source. So, we give out information on how to keep your chickens safe and how to store their feed.”

Homeowners are also advised to check their foundation for any holes and to fill in any they come across.

“I know people freak out about rats, but there’s also mice and chipmunks, there’s all sorts of wildlife that can get into people’s homes,” Vondal said. “Rats do a bit more damage, but some other animals can also. Being that they’re everywhere, we’re just trying to keep it under control.”

Vondal did say that, in spite of the large number of rat complaints this year, there have been no reports of anyone being bitten. Still, people should remain cautious since rats can carry and transmit a number of diseases to humans.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, rats can spread several diseases through direct contact, including Hantavirus, Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome, Leptospirosis, Monkeypox, Rat-Bite Fever and Salmonellosis. Information on how residents can respond if they spot rats in their neighborhood or around their homes is available at the Health Department office at Town Hall.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.

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