PEABODY — The city is expanding its rodent control program with “SMART boxes,” which kill rodents with an electric current, according to Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr.’s office.
Peabody has contracted with Modern Pest Control to implement the SMART box program, and with A-1 Exterminators to implement a pest population control project. There are no toxic materials or pesticides used in the SMART boxes, and trapped rodents remain inside the box until they are removed by a technician for disposal.
There are currently 55 SMART boxes deployed in Peabody, focused on areas with high rodent activity. This program was launched in June. The fertility control project uses a bait product called “Contrapest” which inhibits reproduction in both male and female rats but does not kill them. There will be 50 Contrapest stations deployed starting in early September, again focused on areas with high rodent activity.
“Like many urban areas in the Northeast, Peabody is seeing an increase in complaints related to rodent activity,” Bettencourt said. “We recognize the potential health and quality of life issues this can pose for our residents and businesses, and we are one of the first communities in this region to implement these innovative approaches.”
“We are pleased to have these new strategies at our disposal, to supplement our existing surveillance, trapping, and traditional baiting activities and to minimize the need to rely on pesticides,” said Peabody Health Department Director Sharon Cameron. “In addition, we really need the partnership of property owners, business owners, and residents to work with us to control rodent activity in the city by eliminating sources of food and harborage. These measures are the most important part of any rodent control program.”
In addition to the SMART box program, Peabody has implemented a number of efforts to control rodent activity including neighborhood education, code enforcement, requirements for Integrated Pest Management Plans at all food establishments and dumpsters, and city ordinances requiring covered trash cans and maintenance of properties.
The city is calling on residents to fight rodent activity by keeping all trash in rodent-proof, watertight containers with tight-fitting lids, eliminating outside food sources like bird feeders and pet waste, eliminating areas for nesting by removing old trucks, cars, and tires, and by cutting and removing overgrown vegetation. Residents are also asked to elevate hay, woodpiles, and garbage cans at least 1 foot off the ground, monitor compost bins closely and discontinue adding food waste if they have rodent activity on their property, and remove food from vegetable gardens and fruit trees that has fallen to the ground.
Charlie McKenna can be reached at [email protected]
