Rat Eradication Program Proceeding Slowly

A project to eradicate rats in areas of the county with a high number of complaints is behind schedule and proceeding slowly, according to Lionel Van Dommelen, chief of the county Code Inspection and Enforcement Bureau.

In March, officials funded by $150,000 earmarked by the county council.

The program began March 15, with a rat eradication contractor visiting problem neighborhoods around the county and completing the task by autumn, according to Van Dommelen.

Now the timetable has been pushed back until at least December, he said.

"It got off to a slow start," Van Dommelen said. "I have called in a second team of exterminators to help out."

The entire community of Riverview has been targeted for rat eradication, as well as a portion of Arbutus in the 21229 zip code, including Elm Ridge Avenue and Meadow Lane Apartments, according to county officials.

At present, rat eradication crews are in the eastern side of Baltimore County, finishing up in Dundalk and headed to Essex next, Van Dommelen said. 

Van Dommelen was reluctant to say when the rat eradication effort will reach this area.

"I can't give a specific target date" for when crews will be in Riverview and Arbutus," Van Dommelen said. "My best guess is the end of October, perhaps."

The program is expected to conclude by December, he said.