January 27, 2025
Residents Invited to Assist with Project to Reduce Rat Population in the Cities of Cambridge and Somerville

In an effort to reduce the number of rats in the Cities of Cambridge and Somerville, the Cambridge Public Health Department, Cambridge Inspectional Services, and the City of Somerville are now conducting several field trials to test the impact of a non-toxic hormonal fertility control product called Evolve. The product is being used in specific sites around Cambridge and Somerville with the intention to include additional study locations as the study progresses.
Through this Rodent Fertility Control Study, the team hopes to learn if this product can work in a densely populated urban neighborhood and reduce overall rat activity over time. The study aims to see if the nontoxic Evolve can be used as an effective as well as safer alternative to rodenticides or rat poison, which can harm other animals such as birds, cats, and foxes.
This study will also continue to rely on other rat control strategies like active surveillance, the containment of trash / food waste, and the reduction of habitats supporting rat activity.
Interested in getting involved? There are two ways to participate in this study.
- Volunteer with our Field Team: The Rodent Fertility Control Study team is seeking Cambridge residents who are interested in learning how to deploy bait stations, collect rat activity data, and help with outreach to neighbors in our study area. Interested residents can fill out this form and join us in this work as a volunteer on our field team!
- Enroll your property: The study team is also seeking residents and property owners in the Riverside area immediately around Hoyt Field and the Lincoln Park area of Somerville to participate in the study. By enrolling in the study, you agree to have bait stations (containing the fertility control product) placed on your property at no cost. To enroll, you can fill out our short consent form.
Visit the Cambridge Public Health Department’s Rodent Fertility Control Study and FAQ page for more information on the study. If you have any questions about this study, email us at [email protected] or call 617-665-3800.
For more information on pest control services, check out the City of Cambridge Rodent Resources. If you need to report a rodent sighting, submit a ticket on SeeClickFix, or call 311.