Vermin

My neighborhood has had a rat problem over the last year. The city cut the program that deals with rodent infestations, and surprise surprise, the little buggers made a comeback. I live in the city. Rats are not totally unexpected but I have yet to see one in my 5 years of living here. Two weeks ago, my neighbor found a dead rat on her driveway. Panic ensued! She called the city to send an inspector out & I gave permission to have my yard looked at as well. Nothing was found. Then a few days later, she found another almost dead rat. Inspector called again. I LOVE my neighbor and totally understand that she's freaked over this. But I also get that she's casting glances over the fence & thinking this is all my fault. She shot me an email about the problem and her panic and listed all the things she does to not attract rodents - all things that I happen to fail at: - She doesn't grow a vegetable garden. - She does not compost. - She picks up her dog poo every single day. (I'm regular but with short days, I don't try picking up poo in the dark.) She left a flyer from the city about how to make your compost pile rodent proof. I'm sure all the tips would work but it would also make my composter into not a composter. Totally enclosed, not touching the earth, apparently just a container for veggie scraps. Sighhhhhhhh. I compost responsibly. I did my research and avoid things that draw rodents. All my eggshells are thoroughly rinsed. A few summers ago she was convinced that I was the cause of our mosquito issues because I have a rain barrel - one I treat religiously to avoid mosquitoes. It was so satisfying at the end of summer when she found out that the breeding ground was her gutters. Anyway, in the world of neighbor drama, this is minor. But a bit frustrating to be honest. The rodents have likely been scared up by all the road work happening in the area. They are replacing all the curbs along the intersections. Hopefully once they are done, the panic will die down.