Project Overview

Reports

Commodities

• Community and Urban Pest Management: institution/shelters/municipal buildings/public places, public health

Target Pests

Practices

• Pest Management: exclusion, mechanical control, monitoring/scouting, pesticides, prevention, sanitation

Urban rodents, specifically rats, represent a persistent challenge for municipalities, where they cause loss of business, structural damage, food contamination and spread pathogens posing potential public health risks. Rats inhabiting transportation hubs, abandoned lots, sewers, parks and other public spaces are often perceived as a municipality’s responsibility. To combat rat problems and respond to resident complaints, municipalities undertake large-scale management. Interestingly, despite the shared challenges of developing and executing these programs, there is no formal coalition dedicated to advancing the science and implementation of municipal rodent management. Furthermore, there are only a handful of technical resources intended for this important audience, and subject area experts are similarly rare. As municipalities face new challenges (e.g., changes in rodent behavior and distribution resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic), communication between municipalities is paramount.

            Therefore, we propose the development of a Municipal Rodent IPM Working Group to facilitate communication between municipal rodent managers and incorporate the knowledge of experts with practical skills and pest behavioral insights, such as industry representatives (manufacturers, consultants and applicators), and academicians. This working group would advance the adoption of rodent IPM by creating a listserv to share information resources, trouble-shoot challenging situations, identify the most pressing short- and long-term research needs, and facilitate adoption of new techniques and technologies. Two virtual meetings will provide a forum to discuss municipality approaches to monitoring and management, identify challenges they face and opportunities they perceive to advance IPM implementation. Participation by scientists and industry representatives will help to forge new relationships with nearby municipalities for research and extension opportunities. A white paper analyzing the current state of urban rat management, and a strategic plan to plot the long-term course of the working group will form the foundation of a sustained effort to manage rats at the municipal level.

1. Assemble a diverse group of stakeholders involved in rodent management, primarily those working in the Northeast - but including representatives from all of North America.
2. Create a listserv (such as, Municipal-Rodent-IPM-L) to facilitate communication amongst group members for the purpose of information sharing and collaboration.
3. Set up two Zoom conferences with stakeholders to share information about programs and understand the challenges and opportunities in municipal rodent management.
4. Identify the 3-5 most pressing research needs for academicians/rodent scientists to address and further the science of municipal rodent IPM.
5. Compile a white paper about the current state of municipal rodent management.
6. Submit article to Pest Control Technology Magazine defining and highlighting the role of pest management professionals in municipal rodent management.
7. Produce a factsheet guide to assist municipalities based on the information from the white paper.
8. Create a strategic plan for the Municipal Rodent Management Working Group.