NEAR NORTH SIDE — The city has been ramping up its efforts to curb the growing rat population, including dedicating new crews and using a new tool in the fight.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel said the department of Streets and Sanitation has added 10 crews to its bureau of rodent control. There are now 28 crews fighting rat populations across the city.
Added in April, the crews have been able to complete about 41 percent more rat abatement over the same time last year, Emanuel's office said in a news release. Preventative baiting has increased by 22 percent, the mayor said.
The city also announced Tuesday that it has begun using dry ice in the battle against rats. Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Charles Williams said using dry ice is more humane, effective and cheaper than other abatement efforts like poison and trapping.
Officials also announced plans for the creation of a "rodent task force" to make sure the crews are never lacking for logistical or strategic support.
Changes to rat abatement in the city come after the complaints from citizens about rats have skyrocketed. Emanuel acknowledged the problem, saying issues of rats are one of the most "constant" and "regular" complaints the city sees, Emanuel said.
Rat complaints are up nearly 50 percent this year — and the city is on pace to get 50,000 complaints in 2016. By comparison, there were 36,425 complaints to 311 last year.
Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) said he hears as much about rat control as he does schools and crime.
"It's a serious problem," Hopkins said. "It's a public health issue. We need to take our game to the next level if we're to control the rat problem."
As well as beefing up anti-rat crews, the city has unveiled an education initiative to teach residents how to best keep rats away. Hopkins said his staff has personally reminded restaurants and other businesses to keep garbage bins locked.
New informational posters are being put up where ever the city baits for rats, Emanuel's office said. The posters will help residents understand how to eliminate food sources for rodents.
Chicago was named the "rattiest" U.S. city two years running, in 2013 and 2014, by the Orkin pest-control company.
Related Coverage:
• Rat Sightings In Chicago Are Absolutely Soaring
• Chicago Has 'A Real Problem' With Rats, Rahm Admits
• City's Official Page About Rats Is The Stuff Of Nightmares
• Killing Rats With Dry Ice Is Chicago's New Way To Fight The Growing Scourge
• Rats 'The Size Of Dogs' Unleashed On Neighborhood During Construction Boom
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