Tufts

Casual rat infestation in the ‘Cac

We all know the feeling. It’s Saturday morning and the sun is creeping under your shades like a sneaky mofo. Across campus, the Coca-Cola man is whistling the theme to an old 70′s sitcom as he makes a delivery to the student center. You are awoken by a nibbling on your ear. “Ah,” you think, “That feels nice…if only I could remember your name…”

If you go to Tufts this conundrum just got that much easier! You might want to try:

1. Scabbers
2. Templeton
3. Remy
4. Rizzo
or
5. Cluny the Scourge

Lucky you Tufts, lucky you.

Tufts Daily “ A drastic increase in the rat population on the Medford/Somerville campus and in neighboring areas of Somerville has prompted action by Tufts, the West Somerville Neighborhood Association (WSNA) and Somerville officials to contain the rats’ spread and decrease their numbers around campus…

‘These rats can pose significant risks to the Tufts community and cause significant damage to property, and they can spread diseases to humans both directly (through bites, contaminating food and water) and indirectly (by way of ticks, mites and fleas),’ WSNA Board of Directors member Edward Beuchert told the Daily in an email.

The rat burrows are typically four inches wide and are often started under porches or under dumpsters that are broken, consistently left open or placed over dirt instead of asphalt or a sidewalk, according to Beuchert.

Members of the Tufts community should contact the Department of Facilities Services if they see a rat or a potential burrow on campus.”