PSA: Rat Activity in New Bedford
What You Should (and Shouldn’t) Do Rats in New Bedford.
Rat Activity in New Bedford, MA
In the wake of the recent fire at the local dump in New Bedford, many neighborhoods, particularly along Shawmut Avenue, are seeing a sharp increase in rat activity. As a local pest control and public health company based right here in New Bedford, we want to provide our community with accurate, helpful information to stay safe and proactive.
🐀 Why This Is Happening
The fire displaced thousands of rats that had previously nested in the affected area. Now, those rodents are seeking new food sources, shelter, and water, often on residential and commercial properties. It’s important that we, as a community, respond quickly and responsibly.
✅ What You Can Do Right Now
- Declutter your property: Remove debris, stacked materials, old furniture, and unused items that could provide shelter.
- Eliminate standing water: Buckets, kiddie pools, birdbaths, old tires, and clogged gutters can all attract rodents.
- Clean up landscaping:
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- Cut tall grass.
- Rake up leaves and branches.
- Trim bushes and shrubs from the ground up so the area beneath them is open and visible.
- Secure your garbage: Use tightly sealed trash bins and avoid leaving food or pet waste exposed outdoors.
- Inspect for entry points: Look for gaps around foundations, doors, and utility lines. Rats only need a hole the size of a quarter to gain entry.
❌ What You Should Not Do
Do not use rodenticides on your own.
It may seem like a quick fix, but when rodenticides are used improperly, they pose a serious risk to:
- Pets (dogs and cats can ingest bait or poisoned rodents)
- Birds of prey (hawks, owls, and other raptors suffer when they eat poisoned rats)
- Children and non-target wildlife
Only certified and licensed professionals should handle rodenticide deployment, ensuring proper placement and use of tamper-resistant stations that minimize environmental harm. They will also know which rodenticides will be the most effective and decrease the chances of off target concerns. Not all rodenticides are created equal.
👷♂️ We’re Here to Help
At profishant, we’re not just certified, we’re committed. We know how to eliminate rodent problems safely, effectively, and humanely. We are currently offering inspections for homes and businesses affected by this recent spike in activity.
We also want to remind our community that pest control isn’t just about products, it’s about strategy, prevention, and education.
📞 Take Action Now
Call us today at 888-776-0444 or visit www.profishant.com to schedule an inspection. Let’s work together to protect our homes, our pets, our wildlife, and our city.
Stay safe,
The team at profishant, inc.
Serving New Bedford and surrounding communities with care and integrity
Article Written By:
profishant, inc.
