SMART is an intelligent pest control system that keeps an eye on things you don’t want to see, predicting and preventing costly infestations in an environmentally-friendly way.

By Kyle Dante

Pest control is an issue faced by many communities. Somerville is no exception, having experienced a significant rodent problem for years.

Last year parallels the spike of 2019: 28.07% of the 2021 rodent infestation occurred during the summer, with nearly 41% representing the 2019 spike. Despite the percentage difference, both indicate a large number of rodents. As evidenced by the data, the infestation is bad.

Thankfully, there is a plan in motion. Somerville residents made 1,172 phone calls via 311 in 2021. In total, 335 properties received monitoring information in addition to bait over a three-week period. Most of the rodent concentration calls came from MacArthur St. and Broadway.

On February 15, the Somerville City Council met regarding the SMART Pilot Program. SMART is a data-driven method for rodent control. It uses GPS devices above and underground for collecting data. SMART collects the following data: rodent movement, hitting the rodents, and capturing them. Two specific methods were covered: hammer strikes in the sewer system and rodent boxes that give off an electrical charge.

Detailed site evaluations of target areas are conducted to identify deployment above grade or in the sewer system. ~ Photos courtesy of Modern Pest Services

Both methods will aid in studying rodent movements and their subsequent decline. The hammer strikes, for example, provide a tech hit when a rodent gets attacked by the hammer. A heat signature emits from the hammer strike before the rodent is captured. It will pinpoint the location in aiding the pest control.

On the other hand, the box capture is an update to baiting. The rodent will eat the bait, setting off an electrical charge. As a result, it will catch the rodents in a box equivalent to the size of a paper shredder.

For the pilot run of SMART, there are four Somerville residences as targets. The selected areas are Davis Square, MacArthur St., Lexington Ave., and Guillemette St. According to the program presentation, these areas are among the most frequented.

A new plan is in place for 2022. Residents will continue to receive information and make phone calls for any pest sightings. In addition, there will be a press release, flyer, social media post, and installation video forthcoming. These will inform Somerville about how SMART operates in order to keep them safe. Residential postcards, which played an active role in informing the public of pest infestations, will be increased in March.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne has requested that a Rodent Control Inspector position be created for the team. Ballantyne sent a funding request with a decision for late February or March in mind. This will assist in creating a dedicated body to regulate pest control.