Borough of New Providence
It has come to our attention, with the help of our residents, that rats have been seen in certain areas of the Borough. The Westfield Regional Health Department has provided us with some precautions to take in order to prevent rats and other rodents from forming homes in your homes.
• Clean up your yard and driveway of all debris, and cut any high grass and/or weeds.
• Place all garbage in metal or plastic containers with tight fitting lids.
• Use adequate sized garbage containers to prevent overloading and spillage of garbage onto the ground.
• Eliminate possible rat harborage areas under porches and outside staircases, and around shed foundations by using fencing or blocking openings where possible.
• Pile all wood or other material stored outside into closely packed units at least six (6) inches off of the ground.
• Compost (leaves/grass/garden material) should be placed into a compost bin.
• Food for birds should be placed on a platform at least four feet from the ground and be constructed to eliminate food from spilling to the ground.The feeding of domestic animals outdoors should be avoided, or the area should be checked and cleaned on a daily basis.
• Gardens should be fenced with small meshed wire and maintained on a regular basis.
• Animal feces must be cleaned up on a regular basis.
• Remove any fruit that has fallen from trees on a daily basis.
• Obtain a professional exterminator to inspect and bait your property, if you notice any evidence of rat burrows on your property.
If you have any questions or would like to report a rat sighting please contact the Board of Health (908) 789-4070.
