Reporting Rats to Louisville Metro 311
Louisville Metro does have a rat program, and plenty of people don't know about it. According to the Department of Codes and Regulations, if you live in a single-family home and have a rat problem, the department may place rat bait at your property. The way in is Metro 311.
It's a good first call, especially for rats in the yard or the alley. It won't trap rats in your basement or seal your house, so it helps to know where the city's part stops.
How to make the report
Call 311 from a Louisville phone, or (502) 574-5000. Metro 311 passes rat reports to Codes and Regulations, which investigates. Have your address ready and be specific: where you've seen rats, burrows or droppings, and whether it's your property, a neighbor's or a vacant lot.
- Phone: 311, or (502) 574-5000
- Who handles it: Department of Codes and Regulations
- Rat baiting: may be offered for single-family residences
- Neighbor or vacant lot issues: report trash, debris or tall weeds the same way
The rules on trash, weeds and debris
Louisville Metro's property maintenance rules say structures and property must be kept free of rodent harborage and infestation. Weeds and grass can't be taller than 10 inches. Yards need to be clear of trash and debris, and that applies to vacant properties too.
The city's own rat prevention advice is plain and worth following. Fix leaks and don't leave standing water. Clean up spilled food around trash containers. Put garbage in cans with lids, not in boxes or paper bags. Don't leave pet food out overnight. Clear trash out of yards and alleys, cut back high weeds and overgrown bushes, don't stack firewood against the house, and seal holes.
Where the city stops and a company starts
City baiting is outdoor work. Rats inside your walls, basement, crawl space or attic are the owner's job. So is finding and closing the holes they use, and cleaning up after them. That's where a private pest control company comes in. See rat control, rat proofing and attic cleanup.
Renters should go to the landlord first, in writing. Businesses aren't single-family residences, so they'll need their own commercial program.
City programs change over time. Check with Metro 311 for what's offered when you call.
Common questions
Does the city charge for rat baiting?
Ask Metro 311 when you call. Program details can change, so get it from them directly.
Can I report a neighbor's yard?
Yes. Tall weeds, trash and debris can be reported to Metro 311 for Codes and Regulations to look at.