Hello everyone, I'd like to chime in, in hopes of helping out with some of the
concerns regarding the rodent issue. Back in the early 2000's, I use to work
for Orkin and coincidentally I had a few customers in this same complex. If I
were to assume that extermination methods have not changed, there are only a
couple ways to get rid of the rats. You either poison them or you set out old
school rat traps. Both methods are effective but depending on the
circumstance, one method will work better than the other. In dealing with
large numbers, as we are now, poison is really the only way to suppress the
population.
Poison, however, will really only be effective if there are no other food
sources for the rats. They will almost always choose the food in the trash
over the poison if they have access to it. Because of this, extermination of
the rats will have to be a joint effort between us and Orkin. Orkin can lay
out poison from now until next year but the problem won't start to improve
until we stop allowing the rodents easy access to our trash.
As I understand it, the reason the compactor was removed was to have it cleaned
and to have the space around the compactor cleaned since over time trash had
begun to build up on the grounds around the compactor. This trash had become a
continuous source of food for the rats making the problem worse. I noticed a
couple of days ago that there was a drain hole at the base of the temporary
dumpster and rats were going in and out of the hole.... again having easy
access to the trash. I'm sure this easy access was impeding the efforts of
Orkin. Today I went and bought some steel wool and plugged the hole. I was
taught when I worked at Orkin that rats tend not to chew through it because it
cuts their gums. You may want to give it a try at your homes if you find small
entry points that need to be closed off to prevent the rats from invading.
As for the length of time it will take to fix this problem, there is no way to
really know. It all depends on how good of a job we do of making sure the
rodents can't get to our trash. If we can keep them out of our trash, they
will then start to get desperate for food, eat the poison and the problem will
improve sooner rather than later.
________________________________
From: highland-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<highland-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of Traci Houston
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, June 7, 2017 11:31 PM
To: planetzane@xxxxxxxxx; highland-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [highland-discuss] Re: RATS!
Where is the back turn?
Sent from Yahoo Mail on
Android<https://overview.mail.yahoo.com/mobile/?.src=Android>
On Wed, Jun 7, 2017 at 11:27 PM, Zane Strebor
<planetzane@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I wonder about the health department as well because I just looked out my
window and saw one run out a drain pipe up near the back turn. They are
everywhere!
On Wed, Jun 7, 2017 at 11:20 PM, Wenona Belton
<wcbelton@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:wcbelton@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
I am interested in the answers to the questions posed by Ms. Houston and wonder
if perhaps the health department should be notified?
Thank you,
W. Belton
On Jun 7, 2017, at 10:24 PM, Traci Houston (Redacted sender "tracihouston" for
DMARC) <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
While circulars were posted to everyone's door I'm not sure all the residents
truly recognize the severity of this rat infestation. I sure didnt! This is
what should be communicated. If residents knew they were at risk with their
health, informed that the rat infestation could potentially grow where rodents
could enter our homes, and that our property values could be negatively
impacted - maybe people would listen. This is very serious! I absolutely do not
take this problem lightly. In fact, Im scared to even go to the dumpster now.
As a homeowner and resident I would like to know what is the overall detailed
action plan to address this issue?
I know that the extermination process started today but what's involved? What
specifically is the exterminator doing? Who is the exterminator? Are they
coming daily? Weekly? How long will the process last? Does the exterminator
have an aggressive plan of attack? When do they anticipate we will be rid of
these rats? Is this easy to do? Or is this a long term project? What role do
all residents have (other than proper disposal of trash) during this process?
Do we need to schedule any extermination to our individual homes and who pays
for it? Who do we contact for questions or if we see a rat in our homes?
My next question is what specifically is being done about the dumpster? I
assume the trash compactor doesnt work at all? If not, what is the plan to have
a working dumpster or are we going to have more frequent trash pick-up? When
will any action be taken? Whats the timeline?
What responsibility does the HOA mgmt company have in this entire process - if
any at all?
Lastly I think it would be extremely helpful to over-communicate during this
crisis - yes, crisis. If we dont communicate the seriousness of this issue
people will not be aware of this grave problem. If I wasnt part of this group
thread I wouldnt be aware of anything. If we dont arrest the problem now we
could be at serious risk for other problems none of us want diwn the road.
There should be communications that are posted/emailed/mailed/text to all
residents that a) outline the problem we currently have and how it occurred b)
communicate the actions that have been taken and next steps and c) how we can
collectively prevent this from happening in the future. Along with these
communication channels we need some type of signage - even if temporary -
around all common areas reminding everyone about the trash guidelines.
I have not seen this type of detailed communication just yet. Is there a plan
for one? I am more than willing to assist with writing the communication and
distributing to my fellow neighbors.
Can someone answer these questions?
Thank You
Traci
Sent from Yahoo Mail on
Android<https://overview.mail.yahoo.com/mobile/?.src=Android>
On Wed, Jun 7, 2017 at 6:38 PM, Tiffany Harlow
<tiffany.harlow@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:tiffany.harlow@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
Yeah the person who left the trash needs to come back and get it. We are all
adults here. Members of the board, friends of the board and random other
community members should not have to do this every time. It's getting
ridiculous.
And for the record, if you know you live next door to a neighbor who is not on
this list or who doesn't get the info, each one teach one, pass the info along.
Word of mouth is not a new concept.
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 7, 2017, at 6:36 PM, Zane Strebor
<planetzane@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:planetzane@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
Just drove out the gate and there were 2 huge rats feeding off that bag of
trash on the ground. Someone really needs to move that bag of trash.
On Jun 7, 2017, at 5:44 PM, Jodie Victor
<jodievictor@xxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:jodievictor@xxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
I've been gone since the Sunday morning, but have read all the emails from
another state. I just left the neighborhood after being home for about 15
minutes. Sitting by the compactor is a bag of trash. As I waited for the gate
to open, a rat exited the bag of trash. It is apparently not clear to all
residents of what is currently going on in our community. Why is that so?
I am a renter, but I am curious why a private company is being used for trash?
Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/ghei36>
________________________________
From: highland-discuss-bounce@
freelists.org<mailto:highland-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<highland-discuss-bounce@
freelists.org<mailto:highland-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> on behalf of
Joseph Curtis <josephcurtis07@xxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:josephcurtis07@xxxxxxxxxxx>>
Sent: Wednesday, June 7, 2017 4:27:07 PM
To: Highland
Subject: [highland-discuss] RATS!
There is a dead half eaten rat in the back of the pool deck! Behind the trash
can. And many many live rats around the trash dumpster. We need to put the plug
back in the dumpster because the rats are using it as a door into the dumpster.
buffet time!
Joseph Curtis
Sent from my mobile phone.
--
Zane
Publisher
Strebor Books/ATRIA Books/Simon and Schuster
Office 202-618-BOOK
"Subjecting yourself to the perception others have of you will keep you
ordinary."
