In 2006, the Cicero Town Board and Town President Larry Dominick implemented a comprehensive Rodent Prevention & Control Department aimed at improving public health and safety throughout the community. This initiative was part of a broader effort to address long-standing sanitation concerns and improve the overall quality of life for Cicero residents.

As part of this initiative, the Town launched a wide-scale effort to control rodent activity by conducting routine inspections and baiting operations. One of the key steps involved baiting every alley across Cicero to reduce rodent populations and prevent future infestations.

In addition to alley treatment, residents were asked to allow access to their yards, garages, and garbage areas for further baiting and treatment. This part of the program was designed to ensure that potential rodent nesting sites on private property were addressed in coordination with public efforts.

To authorize treatment on residential property, homeowners and tenants were required to sign a complaint waiver. This waiver gave the Town permission to enter the property and perform rodent control services at no cost to the resident. The services included the placement of bait, sanitation guidance, and follow-up visits when necessary.

Waiver forms are available at multiple convenient locations throughout the Town. 

• Cicero Town Hall
  4949 West Cermak Road
  Cicero, IL 60804
  
  
• Cicero Public Library
  5225 West Cermak Road
  Cicero, IL 60804
  
  
• Cicero Public Library, South Branch
  5444 West 34th Street
  Cicero, IL 60804
  
  
• Cicero Public Safety Building
  5410 West 34th Street
  Cicero, IL 60804

Public cooperation played a crucial role in the success of this program. The Town of Cicero remains committed to proactive and sustained rodent control efforts and thanks all residents who participated in helping keep the community cleaner and safer.

How can you help with rodent prevention in your neighborhood?

Observe, Remove & Clean Up!

• Look for chewed teeth marks on food storage containers, doors, windows, baseboards and electrical cords.
• Clear garages and yards of stored material and furniture to uncover any hiding places.
• Clean your yard and cut your grass, control the weeds behind steps leading into your house.
• Keep your alley area clean.

Check!

• Check for freshly dug earth near holes around foundations walls, fences and embankments.
• Check for rub marks – dark smears along hallways or near pipes, beams, edges or stairs or around gnawed holes.
• Check near walls, food supplies and path ways for droppings. Fresh droppings are dark and soft; old droppings are hard or gray and brittle.

Prevent & Control

• Don’t feed rats. Limit their food source by placing trashbags in the containers (toters) supplied by the Town of Cicero. Make sure lid covers are secure.
• Cut off the rat’s water source.
• Remove uneaten pet foods. Don’t fill up your bird feeder.
• Clean up food spills.
• Remove rat’s shelters and hiding areas like appliances, junk piles and woodpiles.
• Keep them out. Replace or fix old, chewed wooden doors in your garage and home.
• Keep your home doors and windows closed or use the metal screen on your doors and windows.