BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – Rats and rodents were front and center at a public hearing today in Boise.As reports of a rat infestation in the Treasure Valley flood the media, Ada County Director of Weed & Pest Abatement Adam Schroeder said the county is not currently authorized to target the rat population, nor have they been named an invasive species.
He played video of rats crawling around inside a home in northwest Boise.“It’s very alarming when, you know, you can walk outside somebody’s house and see rats crawling inside there,” Schroeder said. “We have detected Norway and roof rats, rising public sentiment is that these populations are increasing.”
The reported spread is concerning as both species can carry potentially deadly pathogens.“Both species have the ability to harbor nasty and devastating diseases, including hantavirus, plague, leptospirosis, salmonellosis and others,” Schroeder explained. “And the status of rat infestations right now? The populations are unknown.”Schroeder recommended a “statewide effort” to inhibit rats from spreading across the state and prevent outbreaks leading to loss of human life…