This is what happens in front of Elizabeth Pina’s apartment in Ridgewood.
“We try to keep the area absolutely clean but there are a lot of rats. It’s the only thing that rats are multiplying too much in this area of Ridgewood. They get into the rubbish bins, they get into the cars, they eat up the cables, well it’s a nuisance in every way, “said Elizabeth Pina, a Ridgewood resident.
Neighbors between Underdonk Avenue and Delkalb and surrounding areas in Ridgewood say they have reported the situation several times to 311 but are trying to find their own solutions when they don’t get answers.
“They try to cover the holes, they try to block, but they will keep coming out anyway. Rats are very skilled at digging,” added Pina.
“Because sometimes you see too much mess, too much trash. Wherever. I sit there every night and that’s more than five, six, seven rats together and they fight each other over food for whatever, “said Elizabeth Urena, a Ridgewood resident.
Recently the Department of Health reported an increase in cases of leptospirosis, a serious disease associated with the urine of rats.
The agency confirmed that of 13 people diagnosed locally with the disease, one died. An amount greater than that of previous years.
“It’s horrible, it’s harmful. I have an uncle, a doctor, and he told me that it’s harmful. If you touch their pee, it could be a serious illness for you,” added Urena.
Members of the community board believe that part of this problem is due to the fact that during the pandemic, the Department of Health, the agency in charge of exterminating rats, put this work aside to focus its resources and staff on the health problem. that generated the pandemic.
“We definitely have a problem in District Five. It is time for the administration and the Health department to realize that we have a bigger and bigger problem. And people need to go back to do what they normally do for the Health department, “said Garry Giordano, Manager of Community Board 5.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Health department replied by email that they are investigating the situation, but did not say what the alleged increase in rats is due to.
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