Plymouth Neighborhoods Unite to Combat Severe Rat Infestation Amid City Government Inaction

Residents of Plymouth’s northwest side are mobilizing to confront a major rat infestation that has become a pressing issue for the community. In the absence of effective action from city officials, neighbors, including two city commissioners, are taking matters into their own hands by setting traps, hiring exterminators, and organizing through social media to share information and strategies.

The alarming extent of the problem came to light when Ron Crowe discovered rat holes in his garden while attempting to prove a point to his wife. Intrigued by the situation, he set up a trail camera, which recorded over 80 instances of rat activity in his backyard within a single day. In just a few weeks, the Crowes and their neighbors managed to trap more than 200 rats along Sunset and Auburn streets.

Plymouth residents are reporting multiple encounters with the rodents. For instance, Patty Jamison, who has resided in the area since 1982, had a frightening moment when her dog barked at a group of seven rats on her deck. Within a span of over a week, she and her neighbors successfully trapped 17 rats. To facilitate better communication and collaboration, Jamison oversees a private Facebook group with over 150 members, where residents share tips and raise concerns about the ongoing rat invasion.

Frustration over the city’s inaction is palpable among the residents. During a city commission meeting, they voiced the urgent need for more decisive measures from city authorities. In response, City Manager Paul Sincock indicated that a ground-feeding ban has been put in place to curb the issue. This ban follows reports of residents feeding wildlife, which has been attracting increasing numbers of rats to the area.

Sincock linked the rising rodent population to nearby construction projects, including the M-14 rebuild and various new developments, which have driven rats in search of food and water. To combat the problem, a new ordinance mandates that bird feeders be positioned at least four feet above the ground and prohibits residents from throwing food into their yards, as this can lure rats.

Residents have also been given advice on prevention measures. Suggestions include eliminating food sources, trimming overgrown grass, and sealing potential entry points to homes. Despite these recommendations, many residents remain frustrated with the limited action from the city, calling for more robust leadership and support to tackle the issue effectively.

City officials acknowledge that while education and preventive measures are vital, they have limited authority to intervene on private properties, making community cooperation essential. Exterminators working in the area have noted that the scale of the rat problem is significant, as the issue appears to be spreading beyond isolated neighborhoods.

Health risks associated with rat droppings and urine, which may carry diseases, have raised further concerns among the residents. A community forum has been scheduled, providing a platform for discussing rodent prevention strategies and seeking solutions to the ongoing infestation. There is a growing sentiment among residents for the city to recognize the severity of the rat problem and take responsible action to combat it.

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