BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Homeowners in the Treasure Valley dealing with rat infestations will not get state help this year after lawmakers rejected a bill aimed at tracking and coordinating a response to the growing problem.
Lawmakers voted down Senate Bill 12-71, which would have directed the Idaho Department of Agriculture to map infestations and help coordinate a response as sightings spread from Eagle into Boise. Reports of Norway rat sightings in Boise and Eagle have become increasingly common since 2020, leading local experts to believe that the populations have proliferated to the point that they’re likely here to stay.
Norway rats are known by many names, but are most commonly known for being large, city-dwelling rodents…