Totes not enough to rid town of rats

I read with interest the article "Rodents now face totes in town, village" in the May 2 Amherst Bee. I think we need more than totes to eliminate the rat population.

Recently I encountered one of the "beasts" while driving down our street. I considered hitting it with the car but was concerned (based on the size of this rat) that my air bag might deploy.

In any event, I did call the town to report it. Unfortunately it sounds like their hands are tied. I was told the "sighting" would have to be reported by the property owner in order to have an exterminator contacted/dispatched. Since it was in the middle of the street I'm assuming that would be the "town." So should one assume that unless the "town" calls, nothing will be done? Furthermore, the employee understood that the totes would be distributed in Amherst from north to south … the theory being "there is not a rat problem in north Amherst … let's not push the rats that way … let's push them back to Cheektowaga." It may be a very valid plan, but as a resident that will be caught in the "crossfire," I am not too happy about it.

We've stopped feeding the birds, we pick up animal waste and we've converted to a gas fireplace so as not to have wood piles around. So far it hasn't worked. In addition to the "tote program" I would like to see an extermination and cleanup program. Personally I am not convinced the totes will eliminate their food source, and we're tired of seeing dead rodent bodies.

Mary Ellen Marlette Washington Highway

Snyder