Rat complaints in Montgomery County go to the Department of Health and Human Services Vector Control Team. Property owners are responsible for rat elimination, and the county does not supply poison or traps. Chapter 39 of the county code makes it unlawful to allow an infestation or the conditions that contribute to one.
Key takeaways
- Complaints go to the county's Vector Control Team inside the Department of Health and Human Services.
- Property owners are responsible for rat elimination under the county's April 2026 guidance.
- The county does not supply poison or traps, so a homeowner plans the removal work.
- Chapter 39 makes it unlawful to allow an infestation or the conditions that contribute to one.
- Local rat counts and species are not given here, because the sources used do not give them.
- Sealing gaps and removing food and cover are the steps that stop repeat problems.
Who should you call about a rat problem?
Report rat complaints to the Vector Control Team, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, Licensure and Regulatory Services. That is the county's named route for complaints in its April 2026 flyer.
The team handles the county's complaint process. A complaint is a record, and it does not replace the owner's duty to deal with the problem on the property.
A private technician can inspect and seal a property, and can explain what the owner needs to do. The two routes work together.
Who is responsible for the work?
Property owners are responsible for rat elimination under the county's guidance. The county does not supply poison or traps, so the owner pays for and arranges the removal work.
That responsibility applies to houses, townhouses and other properties. For rented homes, the owner or manager carries it, so tenants should tell them in writing.
A homeowner who sees rats should not assume the county will provide traps. The practical step is an inspection and a removal plan.
What does the county code say?
Chapter 39 of the Montgomery County code makes it unlawful to allow a rat infestation or the conditions that contribute to one, according to the county's flyer.
The flyer does not list the conditions the code covers, so a technician's inspection is the way to see what applies to a particular property. Food left out and woodpiles against walls are common examples of conditions that draw rats, and a technician checks for them.
Gaps at the foundation, pipes and vents are the entry points a technician looks for first.
What history is there in the local record?
News reports from the past give some history. In June 2004 there were 436 rat complaints, against 60 in June 2003, and about 100 complaints in 2013, reported as 90 percent below 2004. A county warning in 2021 tied complaints to Brood X cicadas.
These are past figures from news reports and a county warning, not current counts. They show that complaints rise and fall, and they are not a forecast for any year.
This guide does not give current local counts, because the sources used do not give them.
What can a homeowner do now?
Clear food and cover, close gaps where pipes and vents meet the foundation, and call a technician to inspect the property before the problem spreads to a neighbour's yard.
Store food and garbage in sealed containers, and keep woodpiles away from the house. Check the foundation for gaps and seal them with durable material.
A technician can inspect the entry points and build a removal plan, which is the step the county expects the owner to take.
| Who | Role |
|---|---|
| Property owner | Arranges and pays for rat elimination |
| County Vector Control Team | Takes complaints through the Department of Health and Human Services |
| Technician | Inspects, seals entry points and builds the removal plan |
| Tenant | Reports to the owner or manager in writing, and to the county |
Frequently asked questions
Will the county set traps for me?
The county does not supply poison or traps, according to its April 2026 flyer. The property owner arranges removal, and a technician can plan it with you. Call (855) 974-4733 for an inspection.
Is a rat sighting in the yard enough to call the county?
A sighting can be reported to the Vector Control Team. The county's guidance puts the removal work on the owner, so a technician inspection is the next step either way.
Can I be fined for rats on my property?
Chapter 39 makes it unlawful to allow an infestation or the conditions that contribute to one. Whether a particular case leads to enforcement depends on the county, so keep records and act promptly.
Do rats come in from neighbouring yards?
They can. Rats follow food and cover across boundaries, so a technician may check the shared edges as well as your own property.
Sources
- Montgomery County – Rat Control Program flyer (April 2026)
- Montgomery County DHCA – Housing Code Enforcement
This guide is general information for Montgomery County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.