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The City of Somerville is looking for community members to help test an innovative, non-toxic approach to reducing the local rat population.
In partnership with the Cambridge Public Health Department and Cambridge Inspectional Services, Somerville is participating in a Rodent Fertility Control Study using Evolve, a hormonal fertility control product designed to humanely curb rat reproduction. This study aims to determine whether Evolve is an effective long-term solution in dense urban areas like Somerville while reducing reliance on traditional rat poisons, which can harm other wildlife such as birds, cats, and foxes.
The city is seeking residents and property owners in the Lincoln Park area to participate in the study by allowing bait stations containing the fertility control product to be placed on their property at no cost or volunteering to join the field team.
How You Can Help
There are two ways for residents to get involved:
- Enroll Your Property: If you live in the Lincoln Park area, you can participate by allowing bait stations to be placed on your property. There is no cost to enroll.
- Volunteer for the Field Team: Field volunteers help city staff deploy bait stations, collect rat activity data, and help with outreach to neighbors in our study area.
This study builds on existing rodent control strategies in Somerville, which include active surveillance, improved waste containment, and habitat reduction. By testing this non-toxic method, the city hopes to develop a safer, more effective approach to managing urban rat populations.
Sign Up or Learn More
To enroll your property, volunteer for the field team, or learn more about the study, please contact aprivett@somervillema.gov.