R'Wood Business Owners Unfazed by Rat Infestation

Many Ridgewood business owners said they are not worried about—or had not even heard of—a large rat infestation in the southeast corner of the Central Business District.

According to Ridgewood Health Division Supervisor Dawn Cetrulo, 20 rat burrows were found in three areas within Block 3704. The area extends along the east side of E. Ridgewood Ave. between Walnut St. (by Homemade Pizza) and S. Maple Ave (near Renato's), and also encompasses a portion of Dayton Street.

The village was notified by a complaint on Nov. 9 and has since sent a pest control company to treat the three infested areas, Cetrulo told Patch. How many rats are present or how long they've been at Block 3704 is not clear, officials say. 

There have been no reports of health issues related to the infestation, according to Cetrulo. An increase in health inspections have been conducted in the affected area since the complaint, she added.

The Health Division head could not identify a specific cause for the rat presence. "Anytime there is a food and water source with a place for harborage, there is the potential of a rat problem," Cetrulo said in an e-mail.

Village Manager Ken Gabbert speculated Wednesday that the unusually high amount of water in recent months could be a factor in the rats marching down E. Ridgewood Ave. of late. 

Still, Gabbert said, "We are amazingly relatively free of [rats]" compared to many other downtowns.

Owner of and Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce President Tom Hillmann said he has been aware of periodic rat-sightings caused by trash left out too long. Hillmann said he did not believe the recent sightings were a serious issue.

"Until we have any bears rolling around the business district, I don't see a big problem," Hillmann said.

Executive Director Joan Groome said the chamber will be sending a warning out to its members. She found it was strange the infestation happened in a part of the business district that does not have many restaurants.

, , , and are among the dining establishments within Block 3704.

Several business owners and managers in Block 3704 told Patch Thursday that they were not concerned or had even heard about the infestation. Village officials said they sent out a three-page letter outlining steps to eliminate the rats.

Between pesticides and winter, "Hopefully we'll wipe them all out," Gabbert said.