Just got off the phone with Brad Fisher, GM of Terminix’s OBX operation. My recent observations:
- No rats seen dead or alive by me other than one a few weeks ago being carried off by a hawk on SR-12 in Whalehead.
- Dramatically increased sightings of fox (who love to eat rats) in all of Corolla.
- No sightings of coyote, other than reports of one (who is famous enough to have his own FB page!) on the N end of Whalehead. I’ve seen him and he is BIG. Coyote scare off the fox.
- Diminished population of feral cats for reasons unknown.
- This good news is despite the rental occupancy rate and the piles of trash out at the street.
Brad’s Observations:
- The areas of N Corolla (Corolla Light and up) continue to be a problem, but not as bad as this time last year.
- Owner preventive measures have made a big difference on a specific property basis.
- Brad remains concerned about the activity this Fall/Winter, but that’s his job.
As an aside, for owners with Sunday turns:
- The overflowing and poorly arranged trash cans I saw on Sunday morning’s drive through was horrible, particularly in Ocean Sands Section O.
- Most Corolla neighborhoods have trash collected on Wed and Sat, and Sunday turn guests often miss this.
- In some places, Bay gave up on Saturday and did not return until Monday which left Sunday turn new guests with no place to put the refuse from their shopping trips.
- Please encourage your guests (VRBO) or rental companies to reinforce awareness of trash collection days.
- The more trash, the more rats.
Mike