Village councilman: Survey results, sewer inspection reveal rats declining in Palatine neighborhood

A recent survey and sewer inspection are yielding encouraging results for Palatine residents concerned about a rat infestation in their neighborhood, village officials say.

Council Member Scott Lamerand said an inspection last week revealed no leaks in the sanitary sewer system.

He added a community survey indicates that sightings of rodents have dropped significantly since earlier this summer when rat sightings increased enough for the village to hold a special meeting.

About 40 residents attended that meeting on Sept. 11 that detailed sightings of rodents on the 300 and 400 blocks of South Benton and South Hale streets.

Lamerand said about 600 surveys to residents in the area were circulated following that meeting. About 100 were returned.

“The received surveys overwhelmingly indicate rat activity is down and decreasing,” he said. Now, he said, the sightings amount to one or two, “as opposed to ‘I saw 18 on my trail cam.’”

“Things are going in the right direction,” he added. “We’re circling back with folks from the county and experts that we have been dealing with in the area to review those surveys and then figure out next steps.”

The village will look at setting traps in specific locations to gain more information.

Lamerand also addressed recent social media posts regarding rat sightings at a restaurant in a different part of town, noting there was no indication the rats were inside the restaurant.

He said surrounding business operators and building owners worked quickly with pest control to address the issue, with good results.

However, he said, “There is just nothing to connect that site to the neighborhood.”