A family in Portsmouth, Virginia, says an overgrown cell tower site next to their home keeps drawing rats, snakes, and repeated city violation notices. The Cool Down reported that city records show the parcel has received its third nuisance-abatement notice this year.
I checked The Cool Down’s report and looked up Portsmouth’s nuisance ordinances. The property is a fenced-off telecommunications site that the family says has been neglected for years, with tall weeds and debris that provide cover for rodents and reptiles.
What the family reports
The family told The Cool Down that rats have been seen moving between the overgrown lot and their own yard, and that snakes , including venomous copperheads , have been found near their home. They said they have filed multiple complaints with the city, which led to the three nuisance notices issued this year.
Overgrown lots are a common source of wildlife conflict in residential areas. Tall grass and piled debris give rodents food and shelter, and snakes follow the rodents. For homeowners in Virginia, keeping yards clear of brush, sealing gaps in foundations, and removing woodpiles stored against the house are the standard steps to reduce the chance of snakes and rats taking up residence.
How to handle snakes and rats around the home
Most snakes that turn up in Virginia yards are harmless, but copperheads are venomous and can be dangerous. If you see a snake on your property, do not try to catch or kill it , back away and contact animal control. The same goes for rats: do not handle them, and wear gloves if you must clean up droppings.
One practical step is to follow the 10 easy steps to snake-proof your yard, which include cutting grass short, removing rock piles, and installing a snake fence. Knowing how to identify common garden snakes can also help you tell a harmless rat snake from a copperhead. And if rats are the problem, sealing gaps around pipes and doors, and removing bird feeders that spill seed, can cut off their food supply.
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The notice is published by The Cool Down at www.thecooldown.com.
