Riverside health district to test rat birth control and smart traps
Officials in Ada County will use $250,000 to fund pilot programs for pest control assistance and population management in Boise neighborhoods.
By Stella Brooks ·
Central District Health is preparing to roll out a series of pilot programs designed to curb the growing population of roof rats and Norway rats in the Treasure Valley. Health Director Kristin Ryan presented the plans to the Ada County Board of County Commissioners on Thursday, outlining how the district will deploy $250,000 in funding. The initiative follows a recent ordinance requiring residents to rat-proof their properties, a rule that takes effect on December 1.
The district will allocate $100,000 to a pest control assistance program for low-income homeowners. Ryan stated that the program will cover up to $600 per household for professional services. To determine eligibility, staff will use the state’s circuit breaker program requirements as a benchmark. This includes specific income limits and property value thresholds. For 2025, the income limit was set at $39,130 by the Idaho State Tax Commission.
Ryan noted that approximately 5,000 residents in Ada County meet the financial criteria for the program. However, the available funding will only support about 160 households. "It’s pretty small, but it’s something, and we’ll see how it goes," Ryan said. Staff are currently vetting pest control companies through the Idaho Pest Management Association to ensure they meet the district’s standards for service and financial stewardship.
A second pilot project involves the use of birth control bait stations in the Pierce Park and Collister neighborhoods. These areas were selected due to documented high rat activity. The product contains cottonseed oil and other seed oils that slow reproduction in rats, mice, and squirrels. Ryan emphasized that the product is non-toxic and will not kill animals. "We’re looking for ways to not hurt non-target species," she said, citing concerns about predators like owls dying from conventional poisons.
The birth control pilot is expected to take approximately nine months to show a reduction in the local population. During that period, rats typically undergo three to four breeding cycles. Ryan reported that the company has achieved better results in Chicago than in New York City. She attributed the New York results to the city’s recent shift from open garbage bags to secure bins, a change that reduces rat access to food sources.
The cost for bait and stations is estimated at $55,000. Ryan is in discussions with City of Boise leaders regarding maintenance costs. The city is considering sponsoring the upkeep of these stations and is planning to commit funding to two additional birth control pilots, including one located on the bench.
The district will also deploy smart traps in public spaces such as parks and waterways. These devices use a carbon dioxide cartridge to humanely kill rats and can be monitored remotely. Due to their cost, the traps must be placed behind gates or fences to prevent tampering. State Representative John Gannon has previously described local irrigation canals as rat highways. Ryan said she is planning to consult with irrigation districts about optimal trap placement.
For data collection, the district has purchased the Treasure Valley Pied Piper website, which allows residents to report sightings. Staff are working with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture to share this data in a useful format. Ryan explained that the health district prefers to track overall trends rather than specific invasive species data, which is the primary focus of the state agency.
A public outreach event is scheduled for December 10 at the district headquarters. The event will feature a presentation on the birth control pilot, tips for rat-proofing homes, and a demonstration on building boxes for owls and other raptors. Ryan stated that combining these efforts with personal property maintenance is essential for the pilots to be effective.
Staff are currently building a webpage where homeowners can request pest control assistance. The district will continue to partner with state agencies while prioritizing local data collection through its own digital tools. The pilot programs represent a multi-faceted approach to managing the rodent issue without relying solely on traditional extermination methods.
