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Health district urges residents to remove food, shelter and water to curb rodent uptick
Summary
Central Connecticut Health District epidemiologist and director Charlie Brown told the Newington Town Council the community can reduce rodents by eliminating food, shelter and water sources and coordinating with neighbors; inspectors can issue notices for problem commercial properties.
Charlie Brown, director of the Central Connecticut Health District, told the Newington Town Council that neighborhoods can reduce rodent problems by removing the three key attractors: food, shelter and water.
“Rodents are looking for food, shelter and water,” Brown said, adding that securing birdseed, removing rubbish piles, repairing building gaps and sealing dumpsters reduces local infestations. He said the district has posted an informational video and one‑page guidance and urged residents to report problem properties so inspectors can investigate.
The presentation noted several local drivers of increased rodent sign, including milder winters and recent sewer work by the MDC that may have displaced rodents into neighborhoods. Brown recommended cooperative solutions—neighbors sharing information and jointly removing attractants—and professional extermination for commercial sites or severe infestations.
Councilors pressed staff on what the town can do beyond homeowner actions. Councilor Gonzalez said residents want “something a little bit more concrete” than outreach and requested stronger enforcement where warranted. Brown replied that inspectors can issue notices of violation to commercial properties and, in persistent residential cases, the health department may refer property owners to housing court; fines are possible but are generally a last resort.
Janet, the town’s finance director, and other councilors discussed target locations and enforcement tools. Brown said supervising sanitarian Kristen Amodio attends municipal housing meetings to share inspection findings and help coordinate local enforcement. He reiterated that residents who see rodent activity should call the health district or the town manager’s office to request an inspection.
The council and the district also discussed nonlethal control options; Brown said the health district discourages rodent poisons because of risks to wildlife and pets and described the limited, targeted use of snap traps or professional trapping as safer alternatives.
The presentation closed with an offer to re-send the one‑page guidance to the town for distribution and to follow up with municipal staff on known problem areas.
