Residents Complain About Downtown Orlando Rat Problem
Posted: 4:42 pm EDT April 19, 2005Updated: 5:41 pm EDT April 19, 2005
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The population is going up in Orlando, and not just with people. Abandoned restaurants, overfull dumpsters and building demolitions have all contributed to more rat sightings in downtown Orlando. The city admits it has heard the complaints.
Orlando is known for Mickey Mouse, but another rodent is moving in. The rats are likely citrus or roof rats. Not only are they unsightly, they are unhealthy. Droppings can lead to disease. The city says it has heard the complaints and has put out some traps and does require rodent control certificates for any demolition project."Nobody's ever proud of a thing like that, but we are doing everything we can to control it and make the situation better," said permitting services division manager Tim Johnson.The problem is so significant in Central Florida, a rodent trapping company has a website called OrlandoRats.com.A local rat expert said that fixing or controlling the population is tough. One adult female can produce up to 60 offspring a year.As of now, the city of Orlando is letting individual businesses fight their own battle.
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