This program will benefit low and moderate-income persons. Rodent infestation greatly contributes to the decay seen in many communities. Rodents cause extensive food loss and are destructive to property. Many individuals use rodentcide to attempt to eliminate the problem, however, this may create other potential problems when such poisons are not properly handled. Poisons not handled by trained professionals, may cause harm to children, animals and the environment. This community-wide program educates the public on ways to reduce rodent populations through “rat-proofing” buildings and maintaining proper sanitation.

The Miami-Dade County Health Department proposes to continue and expand the Comprehensive Rodent Control Program. In this year’s funding, the program will cover and provide services to the entire Miami-Dade County area. Services to be provided include, but are not limited to: rodent control complaint investigations, public education and training, rodent surveys, public and town hall meetings and active participation in community/regulatory task forces, community presentations, activity progress reports, code compliance and enforcement. For example, the department has developed a brochure in English, Spanish, and Creole and other educational materials to educate and train the public on rodent control/abatement. The inspectors and supervisors that work for this program are highly trained, qualified and experienced in the area of community hygiene, which includes rodent control/abatement activities. The program’s staff routinely surveys communities to identify and document rodent problems (i.e. harborage, rodent activities and unsanitary conditions).

Once these issues are identified, a plan of action to control rodent activities will be put in place and implemented. A community/ regulatory base approach will be utilized to identify/address non-compliance issues (health and safety standards, solid waste, flooding/standing water, sewage overflows, housing violations and others). The program’s staff informs and educates in the community’s primary language, empowering the population to take control over this serious problem, and to protect the health, safety and property of their families. Finally, the program coordinates/conducts regular meetings with homeowners associations, and state and local regulatory agencies to review, evaluate and address code violations.

DESCRIPTION:
The comprehensive rodent control program for the residents of Miami-Dade County, to reduce the active rodent population by eliminating 95% of all identified environmental factors under the control of the residents. Rats and mice are disease carriers and can cause over twenty (20) infections and severe illness including plague, typhoid, salmonella, leptospirosis, rat bite fever and Hantavirus. Many of these illnesses can be fatal and have the greatest impact on the most vulnerable members of our community including the very young and the elderly. Reduction in the rodent population reduces these serious public health threats, and improves housing conditions. Miami Dade County Health Department will provide limited rodent abatement through a contractor whenever conditions constitute an imminent health and safety risk according to Florida statutes Chapter 386.041.

Public Health Impact: The diseases carried by rats and mice can temporarily incapacitate or cause death. Children and the frail elderly are often the victims. The diseases from rodents can spread quickly within the community and reach epidemic proportions.

Community Impact: Rodents cause tremendous damage in the community and the losses are both human and economic. Illnesses caused by rodents result in lost productivity and in many cases, expenditure through publicly funded health care facilities. Rodents also contaminate and destroy food supplies in warehouses, grocery stores, and homes. In addition, rodent infestation in buildings and homes can cause damage and even fires from gnawing electric wiring. Rodents and garbage can have the largest negative impact on the quality of life in specific neighborhoods than any other environmental conditions.

Objectives:

I. Conduct rodent surveys in communities of poor sanitation conditions, using the Department of Health data
II. Develop a database to store and analyze all specific rodent survey information
III. Investigate 100% of all rodent complaints (public and municipal) reported to the program within three working days.
IV. Provide public education and information to the residents of Miami Dade County
on rodent control and abatement and community hygiene. Organizing clean
up campaigns in target areas.
V. Provide quarterly report to track the compliance with the objectives.
VI. Provide limited rodent abatement when conditions warrant intervention. The Miami-Dade County Health Department will determine when conditions constitute an imminent health and safety risk according to Florida Statutes Chapter 386.041.

Objective I.
Key Activities.

1. Use existing environmental quality index data to identify/select potential target areas
to conduct rodent surveys.
2. Select communities with poor sanitation conditions using existing Environmental
Quality Index.
3. Conduct block-by-block comprehensive surveys of selected target areas.


Objective II.
Key activities.

1. Develop specific scientific forms to capture rodent data from target areas.
2. Analyze information in database to efficiently utilize resources for the benefit of the
residents of Miami Dade County
2. Analyze the data gathered by the surveys and develop a course of action for control
rodent population.

Objective III.
Key Activities.

1. Investigate all rodent complaints received within three (3) working days.
2. Investigate and track all reported rodent bites reported to program.
3. Initiate referrals to other code enforcement agencies for violations, which do not
fall under the program.
4. Conduct cleanup campaigns in areas that are identified as having major problems
with trash and Garbage.


Objective IV.
Key Activities.

1. Conduct presentations on rodent control and abatement for residents of Miami Dade
County (Public schools, Parks and other local government agencies).
2. Distribute rodent control brochures to the residents or organizations in three
languages (English, Spanish and Creole).
3. Provide educational information to assist the public on controlling the environmental factors that supports the growth of the rodent population.
4. Enlist the aid of community leaders to help disseminate and coordinate educational activities.
5. Organize clean up activities with the participation of residents and Miami Dade County agencies including: solid waste, code enforcement and other local governmental agencies.
6. Participate in health fairs and other community events to ensure that information is
reaching the residents.

Objective V.
Key Activities

1. Enter data surveys, inspections, rodent bites, and complaints into database.
2. Generate management reports to track compliance with the objectives.
3. Generate quarterly report.

Objective VI.
Key Activities

1. Identify conditions that warrant intervention from field surveys and complaints.
2. Establish a contract for rodent extermination service.
3. Follow-up inspections to determine the effectiveness of extermination process.
4. Implement measures to insure the rodent infestations do not re-occur. These
measures will include rodent proofing and eliminating conditions that contributed to
the original infestations.