WASHINGTON (7News) — It’s that time of year — spring cleaning!
In the District, leaders are rolling out an aggressive approach to repair roads and sidewalks after the brutal winter storms.
They’re also attacking the rat problem in the city by testing out a “rodent control pilot.”
RELATED | Man found dead after being run over by 2 vehicles in Prince George’s County
The work began in Ward 7 this week as crews hit the roads and started repaving streets.
Mayor Muriel Bowser says this year, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) plans to resurface 81 miles of roads and 40 miles of sidewalks.
Spring cleaning
The Department of Public Works (DPW) will do its part to clean alleyways and remove graffiti.
Bowser says the community also has to do its part. You’re asked to call 311 when you see something you think needs attention.
“We live in the most beautiful city in the world. People tell me that all the time when they come to visit,” Mayor Bowser said in a press conference. “We know at this time, just like many people are doing around their own homes and yards, this is the time we clean up from a long winter.”
RELATED | Viral TikTok of rat infestation spurs county crackdown at Maryland apartment complex
When it comes to rats, the Department of Health (DOH) will be using a new strategy: birth control.
“So we’re going to use a series of baiting and tracking powder and a fertility suppressant, and we’re gonna get the rat population down, and then we’re gonna come back in three weeks to see if any of those babies survived and get them too,” DOH director Dr. Ayanna Bennett said.
Dr. Bennett says this new “blitz” approach is meant to work on the life cycle of the rats.
They typically just treat an area and move on, but this time they’ll have to check in on the progress of this new system.
“We don’t generally do the fertility drugs, but we’re gonna,” Dr. Bennett said. “Then that should decrease the population. Any that are born within that time, their life cycle, they should be mature enough to be out and about and getting into our tracking powder and other things in about three weeks. So we will be back in three weeks.”
RELATED | Unsanitary and expensive: Beware of THESE food trucks on the National Mall
Dr. Bennett said on Wednesday that they’ll start the treatment in Adams Morgan, which she said is a rat hotspot.
No word on when it will begin or which area is next.
If you see rats in your neighborhood, the city wants you to call 311 so they can add it to their list of trouble spots around the city.
Local Story
