Ohio capital city fights rat problems with fliers

[October 02, 2013]  COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Without money to bring back its rat-control program, the health department for Ohio's capital city plans to map complaints and spread fliers educating residents about dealing with the rodents.

The Columbus Dispatch (http://bit.ly/16Qdf6o) reports the city's service line has received over 200 rat complaints involving rental properties this year, almost reaching the total for last year. In August, Columbus also started logging complaints from nonrental properties, with more than a dozen so far.

Some people hope Columbus Public Health resurrects a rat-control pilot program conducted a few years ago, but the proposed 2014 budget doesn't include money for that.

Virginia Tomolillo has trapped 22 rats in her yard this year. She blames a neighbor who leaves dog food outdoors, and she says city education efforts might help.

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Information from: The Columbus Dispatch, http://www.dispatch.com/

[Associated Press]

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