Wilmette makes headway on rat problem, but there’s more work to do

Earlier this summer, the Village of Wilmette requested the help of residents to fend off rat infestations, and residents responded.

More than 500 residents have contacted the Village for help with various rat issues since the Village sent a letter to residents in late July. From those calls, the Village has completed 289 free property inspections with another 146 scheduled, reported Mike Braiman, Wilmette’s village manager.

Braiman said this is a sign of “great progress.”

“The response has been really strong, which is very important to getting this problem under control,” he said.

Officials blame multiple years of mild winters for increased rat activity in Wilmette. Numerous reports of infestations led the Village of Wilmette to urge residents for help combatting what Braiman called the town’s worst rat problem in recent memory.

To enable that help, the Village offered resources, such as free property inspections and guidance and up to 100% financial reimbursement to residents who attempt to remediate rats on their properties.

Wilmette’s Rebecca Stewart has been fighting off a rat infestation since May, calling in a Chicago “expert” to help. She wrote to The Record that the family has not caught a rat for more than two weeks — a positive sign.

“We feel like we are in a good spot,” she said, “however, we do remain vigilant and keep traps around where the burrows were, just in case!”

In public areas, including parkways and alleys, the Village continues to address rats using bait boxes through its partner, Envirosafe. The boxes, which have small circular openings, are designed to limit access for any larger animals. Additionally, the bait reportedly delivers a small dose of rodenticide that cannot harm predators, such as hawks, that may feed on the poisoned rats.

Braiman said it is too early to tell how much progress has been made, but he is optimistic based on the participation of resident, as well as reports of dead rats around town.

“I think we’re moving in the right direction,” he said. “It will take several more weeks to have a handle on what the progress is. It will take several months of work to get this under control.”

To that end, the Village continues to encourage residents to email rodents@wilmette.com to report rat activity and to participate in any of the Village-offered services. With questions, residents can contact Wilmette’s code enforcement officer, Ted Blumenthal, at (847) 853-7521 or blumenthalt@wilmette.com.

The Village identified three areas — Lake to Elmwood avenues between 6th and 16th streets; Isabella Street to Maple Avenue between Park Avenue and 18th Street; and Isabella Street to Linden Avenue between 4th Street and Broadway/7th Street — of southeast Wilmette as the most impacted by rat activity.

Regardless if signs of rat activity are found, the Village of Wilmette suggests all residents limit the rodents’ access to food and water. The strategy is co-signed by IDPH, which says food is rodents’ “first reason for living in and around structures.”

Examples of potential rat food include pet waste, garbage, birdfeed, and dog and cat food. The Village suggests keeping all garbage in sealed containers and completely removing birdfeeders and other potential sources of food. Additionally, any objects that can hold standing water should be regularly emptied or removed.

Another attractant for rats is shelter. Wood piles, overgrown vegetation and accessible structures can encourage rat nests, the village says in its July letter.

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