Lincolnwood Pouring More Money Into Pandemic-born Residential Rat Control Efforts: ‘see Signs Of Rat Activity … Report It’

For Lincolnwood homeowners who notice signs of rats in their yard – burrowing, droppings or dirt mounds – the village will help with abatement as part of a special program offered free of charge, officials announced.

Public Works Director John Welch told Pioneer Press that the rat control program for residential properties began in October 2021. Currently, the village contracts with MyPestCrew to provide the program’s services.

The rat issue “started back when COVID hit and the restaurants weren’t having as much activity because no one was going out to eat, so rats started migrating into the neighborhoods and trying to find other food sources. So (the rats) were being noticed more,” Welch said.

According to Welch, the Public Words Department has budgeted $12,000 for the rat control program in 2026.

Welch explained that $5,000 was budgeted for the service in 2025. However, that was upped this year because $10,871 was ultimately spent last year for the rat control program.

Calling MyPestCrew knowledgeable and easy to work with, Welch said the Chicago-based business has been the licensed contractor for the rat control program since summer 2024.

“They will look at the property for active burrows and treat the source of the burrows with basically a poison,” Welch said. “There’s a lot (of times) when MyPestCrew will go out and see that there aren’t active burrows and they’ll recommend no further action.”

According to information about the rat control program, signs of rats in a residential yard could include burrows, droppings or dirt mounds near fences or garages.

Welch said the contractor may make notes about a property, such as suggesting that residents clear debris and place piles of wood off the ground to make outdoor areas less attractive to rats.

Citing a weekly report from December, Welch said there has not been much rat activity lately. Only three locations out of nine that had been treated as part of the program still had active burrows and were recommended for follow-up treatment.

Rat activity “goes in waves depending on the time of year,” Welch said. “Let’s get a deep freeze for a good week and maybe it will kill a bunch of these rats. This winter we’ve already beat last year’s snow totals. We just really didn’t get the cold weather last winter.”

Referencing a weekly report from August, Welch said there were more than 25 locations that MyPestCrew visited at one point in summer.

Welch said the village reminds residents about the rat control program through various means, including through the Lincolnwood Connections village newsletter.

“Rats thrive in areas where they can find food, water and shelter,” officials state in the March/April 2025 newsletter. “Protect your properties and deter rats from making themselves at home.”

The newsletter article recommended eliminating food sources, removing water sources, sealing potential entry points, decluttering and maintaining landscaping, and keeping property clean.

According to the village website, garbage spilling out of dumpsters, not picking up pet waste, spilling birdseed from bird feeders, open compost bins, throwing food on the ground for birds, cats and other animals, and dumpsters and garbage containers in disrepair can be food sources for rats.

“This program is for residential properties and does not cover rodents found inside homes or businesses,” the website explains about the rat control program. “If you’re seeing rats in a commercial area, please report it to our Code Enforcement Team.”

The website explains that residents must fill out a waiver to participate in the rat control program and will have to allow unimpeded access to the backyard.

“The more neighbors who sign up, the more effective the program will be,” according to village officials. “If you see signs of rat activity, report it today and encourage your neighbors to do the same.”

Jessi Virtusio is a freelancer.