Rats On The Rise In Flower Mound After Historic Rains

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FLOWER MOUND (CBSDFW.COM) - More and more Flower Mound residents are contacting Environmental Services lately with concerns about rats and mice scurrying around their homes.

"Definitely over a 100 percent increase of what you normally see," said resident Robert Taylor, "but I think it's both weather and rain... we've had historical rains, and a new construction going on in the Flower Mound area."

Taylor is right. The number of rodents are on the rise in north Texas thanks in part to the warm winter weather and lots of rain.

"They come out from kind of a mild, mild, lazy winter looking for food," said Environmental Health Manager, Tom Vyles about the critters that don't like human contact.

Tips to help keep rodents from ruining your day:

Feed pets inside so the food doesn't attract rats.
Use a covered and elevated compost bin.
Keep wood piles away from the house so rats don't have a place to live.
Rodents are attracted to grease and fats left on barbecue grills.
Take down bird feeders.

"If homeowners are feeding birds they're also feeding rats and mice. Rats love bird food," said Vyles.

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