Be sure to read through all of the helpful resources on this page. You'll find important flyers and documents at the very bottom.
Vermin/Rodent Control
Vermin are undesirable animals causing harm or damage, such as mice, rats, or cockroaches. Rodents are a specific order of mammals defined by continuously growing incisors, including rats, mice, squirrels, and beavers. Varmints are nuisance wildlife, a regional U.S. colloquialism for vermin, especially larger animals like coyotes or groundhogs that are considered pests. Many times, the terms vermin and rodents are used interchangeably.
Vermin
Definition: A broad term for any noxious, annoying, or disgusting animal that causes damage or spreads disease.
Examples: Rats, mice, fleas, cockroaches, and sometimes larger animals like opossums.
Context: Often refers to smaller creatures that infest homes, damage crops, or spread disease.
Rodents
Definition: A distinct biological order of mammals characterized by their large, continuously growing incisors, which they must constantly gnaw on to keep them short.
Examples: Mice, rats, squirrels, beavers, guinea pigs, and capybaras.
Context: A scientific classification that can include both nuisance animals and less problematic ones.
Reporting Concerns
Property maintenance concerns, including rodent harborage or ground feeding, can be directed to Code Enforcement at:
Email: [email protected]
Information provided to Code Enforcement is considered public record under Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This means the City cannot guarantee anonymity when investigating complaints, and details such as the reporting party’s address may be accessible through a public records request.
Residents concerned about privacy may:
- Report issues without providing identifying information (though follow-up may be limited).
- Contact the City to discuss how complaints are handled and what information may become public.
City Efforts
The City of Plymouth, in partnership with the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), maintains an active pest control monitoring and inspection program for public buildings and properties. Trash is checked and emptied multiple times per week year-round, with increased frequency in summer when pedestrian and pet activity is highest.
Ground Feeding Ordinance
The City Commission was aware that a resident has raised concerns with them, the Planning Commission, and City Administration regarding the practice of “ground feeding,” or placing food on the ground for animals, which can attract vermin. The proposed ordinance prohibited intentionally feeding animals on the ground and require bird feeders to be at least four feet above the ground. Violations of this section would be treated as civil infractions. The ordinance is intended to address deliberate feeding; incidental spillage from birds or squirrels under a feeder would not be considered a violation.
Here is a link to the Ordinance: Chapter 14 - Animals
Alley Maintenance
Public alleys in Plymouth are maintained through neighborhood coordination of adjacent property owners, who are responsible for overall care and condition.
Private Property
Private property owners are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of their property, including the condition of the parking lot and dumpsters, etc. that may be on the property. Should there be a concern about property maintenance, please contact Code Enforcement at: [email protected]
Prevention Basics
Residents can reduce rodent activity by:
- Keeping garbage in cans with tight-fitting lids
- Trimming grass and landscaping; removing weeds and clutter
- Cleaning up pet waste
- Storing firewood and building materials at least 18 inches off the ground
- Harvesting fallen fruit and garden produce promptly
Signs of Rodents
- Gnaw marks on wood, siding, or trash cans
- Worn “runways” in grass, dirt, or snow
- Holes or burrows (1–4 inches wide) in soil or near foundations
- Greasy rub marks along walls and baseboards
- Droppings near garbage or nesting sites
Keeping Them Out
- Food: Do not leave pet food, bird seed, or chicken feed outside overnight. Secure garbage and compost.
- Seasonal Decorations
- Residents should avoid leaving out corn stalks with corn attached, gourds, and pumpkins if they contain edible material. These items attract rodents by providing a steady food source.
- Best practices include:
- Using artificial decorations
- Promptly disposing of natural produce if it begins to rot or shows chew marks
- Keeping decorations off the ground and away from foundations
- Home: Seal cracks or holes larger than ¼ inch with cement, steel wool, or wire mesh—especially around pipes, eaves, crawlspaces, doors, and windows.
- Rat Walls
- Yes, rat walls are required:
- 4” x 24” walls for accessory structures between 200–600 square feet.
- 12” x 42” footings for accessory structures over 600 square feet.
- Yard: Clear brush piles, overgrown shrubs, and debris where rodents could nest.
Rodenticides & Trapping
- Trapping is the preferred method. Snap traps baited with peanut butter are inexpensive and effective. Place them along walls or near burrows. Keep children and pets away.
- Poison is discouraged. Anticoagulant rodenticides are harmful to pets, wildlife, and the environment. If poisons are used, they should be in secured bait stations and handled by a licensed exterminator.
5 Steps to Reduction
- Find Them: Look for burrows, droppings, gnaw marks, or runways.
- Starve Them: Eliminate garbage, pet waste, and other food sources.
- Evict Them: Remove clutter, elevate wood piles, and seal building openings.
- Organize: Work with neighbors—community cooperation is key.
- Exterminate: Use traps or approved burrow destruction methods such as dry ice.
Safety Tips
- Wear gloves when handling traps or droppings.
- Wash hands after cleanup.
- Keep pets and children away from rodent areas.
- Disinfect contaminated surfaces with a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water).
- Vaccinate dogs against leptospirosis, a disease spread by rats.
Disposing of Vermin/Rodents
Dead: Always handle with care. Wear gloves when picking up dead rodents. Place the carcass in a sealed plastic bag and dispose of it in your regular trash. After disposal, thoroughly wash your hands and any tools used, and disinfect the area with a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water).
Live: If trapping live rodents, they must be handled safely to prevent bites or disease. The City recommends contacting a licensed pest control professional to humanely remove or euthanize live rodents. Avoid releasing live rodents elsewhere, as this can spread infestations and disease.
Safety Tip: Keep children and pets away from areas where rodents have been trapped, and always use gloves when handling traps or rodents.