A nighttime video of more than a dozen rats weaving through a parking lot just off Moody Street has Waltham residents and restaurant owners on edge as outdoor dining season approaches. Traps are already lined up along sidewalks up and down the corridor, but sightings keep stacking up, and the latest footage has neighbors and businesses pressing City Hall to move faster.
Rat Video Cranks Up The Pressure
The clip, shared with NBC10 Boston, shows a long line of rodents coursing through a lot on Saturday night. Businesses told the station this is not a one-off problem, but something they have been dealing with repeatedly. NBC10 Boston reported that it reached out to the city’s health department and the mayor for comment on the ongoing issue.
City Cites Inspections, Rules And A Rodent Program
According to the City of Waltham Health Department, Waltham already runs an active rodent-control program that leans on inspections, educational outreach and an online complaint form where residents can report what they see. The department points to an existing ordinance that requires trash to be stored in barrels with tight-fitting lids, and says inspectors are enforcing that rule. Property owners who do not comply can receive warnings and citations, and the city posts prevention tips and guidance aimed at both businesses and residents.
Trash, Traps And Long-Running Fixes
Advocates and neighborhood groups have been pushing for changes for years, trying to tackle both overflowing trash and how the city goes after rats. The Waltham Times reported that the city began installing enclosed "smart" trash receptacles on Moody Street as part of that effort. Community groups have also urged Waltham to shift toward less-toxic control methods after wildlife deaths raised alarms about the use of anticoagulant poisons. Even so, business owners say rat sightings are still common and worry that images like the latest video could scare off summer customers on one of the city’s signature dining strips.
Neighbors Say Moody Street’s Image Is On The Line
Residents and restaurant owners told NBC they are exhausted by recurring rat sightings. Zinnia Kong described Moody Street as "kind of like the city's postcard" and said she does not want that image defined by rodent infestations. Others say they now avoid walking near the lots where the video was shot and fear that would-be diners will do the same after seeing the footage. Business owners told the station the problem has been ongoing for quite some time, and they are calling for faster enforcement and more aggressive cleanup.
The Health Department asks residents who see rat activity on public property to report it using the city’s online complaint form or by calling the health inspector at 781-314-3305, so inspectors can follow up. For more information on prevention, reporting and Waltham’s rodent-control efforts, visit the City of Waltham.
