Idaho Legislature Says “Nope” to Looming Rat Invasion

Over the last decade, growth in the Treasure Valley has been nothing shy of a 'boom'. If you've lived here for long, you can remember when most of this new construction was 'just a field' but even those that have only been here for a handful of years have seen enough growth to understand just how rapid it has been.

Some changes aren't so welcome here in the Treasure Valley, and no we aren't teeing up a California joke.

Moving into Boise more than 'Californians'?

Rats...in the streets of Boise...

They're becoming a real issue.

They're something you think of when it comes to piles of trash or sewage gutters on the streets of New York City -- but according to Idaho lawmakers, their recent appearance in the Treasure Valley has Idaho 'on the way' to being the big apple with these rats running around.

A bill in the Idaho legislature was voted down to address the problem this week.

The bill, which originally advanced among bipartisan Idaho legislators, began by addressing 'rodents of unusual size', stating that there has been a dramatic increase in rats, which present a threat to public health by way of their ability to transport diseases-- transmittable to humans.  They also note potential economic damage to agriculture and property.

The rats are called a public health 'nuisance' by the proposed emergency declaration.

The bill died in the House by a vote of 38-32. The concern? Resources and you guessed it: state funds (budget).

Many believe that this is a local problem to counties or health districts and not the State of Idaho.

Have you see a rat issue at your home?

Expect more discussion on this come in Idaho but for now--the State of Idaho let the rats live to see another day.