GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Residents in a west side neighborhood in Green Bay say they’re seeing rats near their homes for the first time.
Green Bay seemed to have a real rat problem in the summers of 2017 and 2018, when the city and county combined to spend at least $10,000 to combat the issue.
John Muir Park is one neighborhood that didn’t have a problem back then but is starting to see one recently.
“My dogs brought it to me like they were world champs, but where there is one there is more and they’re just gross,” said Ross Van Zeeland of Green Bay.
Melinda Eck is the alderperson for the area and posted a warning on her Facebook page a few weeks ago after the latest report.
“It seems like starting in last May that it picked up with more people reporting it to me and the strange thing is it’s not in one area in the neighborhood,” said Eck.
The city says in 2018 there were 277 rat related complaints. After that, there was a big drop in complaints with just 78 in 2019. It has held relatively steady since then with 69 in 2020, 48 in 2021 and another 78 this year.
Green Bay housing and zoning enforcement supervisor Bill Paape has been focused on this issue over the years. He says education during inspections has been key.
“He also said the biggest thing is make sure to clean up any garbage, don’t feed animals,” said Eck. “He even suggested not feeding the birds because the rats are affected by anything food wise.”
As for traps, Eck says she was told the rats eventually outsmart them.
“They know their friends met their demise there,” said Eck.
“Knowing they’re around and witnessing it, I hope that if anyone else sees them, they contact whoever,” said Van Zeeland.
The city encourages residents to report sightings.
