The NYC Department of Health (“DOH”) recently announced its latest initiative designed to transform pest management throughout the city. This comes not a moment too soon according to those of us in the Heights who never get used to the sight of rats in the neighborhood, whether they’re in front of our homes, down the street or frolicking on the Promenade.

The City’s “Enhanced Rodent Control Program,” being tested now in the Bronx, represents a switch from the usual complaint driven system. The program calls for inspectors to comb city blocks, using handheld computers to record signs of rodent activity as well as sources of food and harborage. After logging rat-related conditions in a target area, DOH will conduct repeated exterminations, requiring property owners to change rat-friendly environments.

Closer to home, we were pleased to learn from the Parks Department that DOH has stepped up its extermination practices in partnership with Parks personnel. They will focus on downtown Brooklyn area parks, including Borough Hall Park, Columbus Park and the Promenade. It’s good to see Mayor Bloomberg getting much tougher on rats. Ratatouille may be up for an Academy Award, but it didn’t change our mind about the disgusting critters. Begone with them!