On Treasure Island, what used to be a quiet beach community now comes with an unwelcome soundtrack: scratching in the bushes and tiny feet on power lines. Residents say rat sightings have surged around homes left empty since Hurricane Helene, with dozens of rodents darting across yards and streets after dark. The wave of infestations has neighbors pressing the city for faster action and worrying about what could turn into a serious public-health problem.
Neighbors Say Rats Are Taking Over
Neighbors told Tampa Bay 28 they regularly see clusters of rats running across and around an abandoned house on their block, and say it has changed how they move through their own neighborhood at night. Resident Jean Colaianni said the trouble is not limited to a single property and has stopped her from walking after dark. Neighbor Tom Lance warned, "Take care of it now before it becomes a public health issue."
City Moves Toward An Ordinance
James Dixon, identified by Bay News 9 as the city's code compliance supervisor, told Tampa Bay 28 that staff members are reaching out to owners of long-vacant properties and working on an ordinance that would make it easier for the city to clear or demolish unsafe structures. "Which allows the city to formally address the property and deem it unfit and unsafe and allow us to abate the nuisance," Dixon said. Bay News 9 also lists Dixon as the city's code compliance supervisor.
Storm Damage Left Many Houses Empty
A string of storms last year left Treasure Island with huge piles of debris and scores of damaged homes that, in many cases, were never repaired. That drawn-out cleanup was tracked by The Washington Post while following hurricane waste across Pinellas County. The reporting found debris sat for weeks and properties lingered in limbo. Neighbors say that slow recovery has turned into a long tail of vacant or derelict houses that make perfect hideouts for rodents and other nuisances.
Neighbors Want Faster Action
Residents say they are tired of waiting on letters and phone calls to work. They worry about disease, property values, and basic safety, and several say they now plan their evenings around avoiding the streets after dusk. The community is asking for clear timelines for inspections and cleanup so neglected properties stop pulling in pests and adding to neighborhood blight.
What Comes Next
City documents show that recovery and code-enforcement efforts remain a priority as officials juggle property rights, limited contractors, and the logistics of clearing problem sites, according to City of Treasure Island meeting materials. If commissioners approve a formal abatement ordinance, staff could gain authority to declare properties unfit and move ahead with clearing them when owners fail to respond. For now, code staff say they are trying to reach those owners and are prioritizing the worst of the problem properties for follow-up.
