Rats and mice are running rampant in this N.J. town and no one can agree whose fault it is (2024)

For a long time, Jeff Monge didn’t have the rodent issues that other Union Township residents did.

But that changed a couple years ago, when Monge — familiar with the sightings talked about on social media — saw a rat run across his street.

It is two years later, and Monge is dealing with a lot more than one dead rat.

The infiltration on his property has gotten to the point that Monge and his family were not able to enjoy their backyard over the Fourth of July because of the stench of poisoned rats rising up from under their deck.

The rodents have been burrowing in the yard and dying on the property, and Monge has had enough.

Rats have become a fixture in town, he claims, because of overdevelopment and inaction on the township’s part to curb the issue.

“My biggest thing is identifying there is an issue. The issue’s already here,” Monge said. “So what’s the town going to do in a comprehensive manner to solve this issue?”

Union Township’s Public Information Officer Natalie Dasilva said the majority of rodent calls have come from just one section of town — near County Road 509 and Salem Road — where gas lines are being replaced.

She said township officials have investigated each complaint and contracted an exterminator to abate public land and sewers. The health department can confirm when a rodent problem exists on personal property, but they are only allowed to exterminate public areas, meaning extermination costs fall on homeowners.

Township officials did not offer comment on how rodents might have infested the town in the first place. They also did not confirm how long this has been a problem in the area, although some residents said they have been dealing with rodents for years.

Nancy Coelho has had mice on her Union Center property since her family moved to the township three years ago. She believes the root of the problem is a lack of maintenance on a public parking lot next to her house, as well as to a business right behind it.

Dasilva said “numerous residents” who live near the gas line project feed birds and do not contain their garbage, which can attract animals.

But property care is not enough, Coelho says. She believes she’s tried everything — including adopting a cat — to try to keep the mice away. Nothing has had complete success.

“Covering up trash, setting up traps and all that wasn’t enough,” she said. “The residents are doing as much as they could. There’s just some things that are completely out of our control.”

While some of the responsibility lies with homeowners, Monge argues the blame cannot always be on their shoulders.

“Let’s lead so we can all get rid of this issue in this town,” he said, adding he is not opposed to fines being handed out to residents who do not keep up with routine maintenance around their homes.

Gary Jordan, of Bertram Terrace, caught seven rats in his home over a two-month period, he told NJ Advance Media. In the 28 years he has lived in the township, Jordan said he never dealt with a rat issue before this year.

It was several months ago that Jordan and his wife began hearing the rats scurrying around late at night. They discovered the cords inside their dishwasher had been chewed through and packaged food left on the counter had been nibbled upon.

After traps were put out, the rodents moved from the house to Jordan’s backyard and detached garage. It has been about a week, however, since he last saw a rat. He hopes they’ve moved on.

“[Construction workers] are constantly tearing up the roads, but I think the real issue is the overdevelopment,” Jordan said, mentioning a condominium project taking place near Kean University just a few blocks from his home.

NJ Advance Media previously reported a rodent outbreak centered around Huguenot Avenue, where Monge lives and near the gas line project. The township’s health department said at the time it had not identified any “commercial sources” for the infestation.

Union Township Mayor Michele Delisfort said officials will continue to address the issues as residents submit concerns.

“The township is committed to assisting and educating residents on ways to deter any rodents that are present on their property. Our health department has responded in person to complaints received,” Delisfort said in a statement to NJ Advance Media.

Monge would prefer a resolution proposal which involves the township taking more accountability, he said.

“It’s just a thing that we have to have a plan,” he said. “Issues grow and they have to be prepared to deal with it.”

Jenna Wise may be reached at jwise@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JennaRWise. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.

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