City of New Bedford Responds to Massive Rat Infestation Near Airport

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — Steps are now being taken to control the large number of rats that have infested the area around the New Bedford Municipal Airport in recent days, and the City of New Bedford is calling for an investigation into how it happened.

The rats had apparently come from the waste transfer facility on Shawmut Avenue owned by Harvey Waste & Recycling Services, which suffered a major fire on May 14 that required over 40 firefighters to extinguish.

The rats had people especially rattled this weekend, as videos were shared on social media that showed Shawmut Avenue and the airport playground swarming with rats, while the roadway was littered with dead rats. There were also reports of rats roaming onto Route 140 and reaching other neighborhoods in the vicinity.

The City of New Bedford released a statement just after 4 p.m. Tuesday that said Mayor Jon Mitchell and multiple City departments had visited the area “to assess the problem and initiate corrective actions.”

Get our free mobile app

What Harvey Will Do About the Rats

As directed by the New Bedford Health Department:

• Harvey is placing no fewer than 40 bait stations and 30 snap traps across its property, which Harvey will check twice a day and re-bait as necessary
• Harvey will promptly fumigate burrows across the same area
• Harvey will collect the remains of rats along Shawmut Ave. and surrounding properties
• Harvey will assume all costs related to remediation

What the City of New Bedford Is Doing About the Rats

“The Health Department is also contacting nearby private businesses and helping them to eliminate any potential food sources,” the City statement read. “The Health Department will ensure that Harvey’s pest control contractor addresses any infestation issues at those private properties.”

The City said Animal Control has removed “a significant number of dead rats from Shawmut Avenue,” and that the Department of Public Infrastructure will perform street sweeping of the area as needed.

“The City has also arranged with the Regional Refuse District to accept late-arriving garbage trucks from the city’s waste hauler for offloading so that they need not be parked at Shawmut Avenue overnight, which may attract rats,” the City said.

Anyone who sees a rat should contact the Health Department at (508) 991-6199.

Can Rats Make You Sick?

Residents and business owners should be especially careful about handling the rats or rat droppings, which can be known to cause hantavirus. In addition, rats can be hosts for ticks that carry Lyme disease.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also list numerous other pathogens carried by rodents.

Airport Playground, Portion of Shawmut Avenue Closed

The playground at the airport has been closed until further notice. In addition, the City has closed Shawmut Avenue from Nash Road to the airport entrance, also until further notice. Those needing to access the airport should use the Downey Street entrance off Mount Pleasant Street.

An Investigation into the Infestation

“At the City’s request, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has launched an investigation into how the rats were released from Harvey’s facility,” the City said. “Violations of state law carry potential civil and criminal penalties. The City will be imposing fines for violations of the City Code.”

Councilors Oliver and Choquette Lead the Way on Rat Problem

Ward 3 Councilor Shawn Oliver, whose ward is affected by the rat problem, sent a letter early Tuesday to Mayor Mitchell, the Board of Health and Animal Control asking what was going to be done about the infestation.

He and Ward 1 Councilor Leo Choquette, whose ward is where the infestation originated, put out a list of suggestions of precautions residents should take to help mitigate the potential for rats getting into their home or business.

• Keep all trash can lids tightly closed
• Bring trash barrels out as close to usual pick up time as possible
• Secure shed and garage doors when not in use
• Remove any possible food sources around your property, including pet food, bird seed or compost
• Remove any debris such a junk, trash or leaves on your property that may be used as nesting areas

Tonight’s Ward 1 Meeting Will Have a Rat Update

Tonight at 6 p.m., Choquette is holding one of his regular Ward 1 meetings at the Pulaski School. The agenda was scheduled to be a tax forum and feature Airport Manager Scot Servis as a guest.

Choquette posted to Facebook that Mayor Mitchell is now sending Board of Health Director Stephanie Sloan to the meeting to address resident concerns about the rat infestation. The meeting is open to all New Bedford residents.