North Andover is placing 15 digital rodent traps around the center of town after a rise in rat reports this year.

The North Andover Health Department announced Thursday, Oct. 8, that it is leading a coordinated response called an Integrated Pest Management Plan. The plan combines digital traps, neighborhood prevention letters and professional pest assessments rather than relying on a single treatment.

The traps, called SmartBoxes, are non-toxic, industrial-grade devices that monitor rodent activity and kill pests with a controlled electric shock. Modern Pest Services, a contractor that has worked with other Massachusetts health departments, will install the 15 units. Placement will be based on documented activity, repeated complaints and inspection findings, with the initial focus on the town center.

The department said the boxes both target problem spots and collect data on where activity is concentrated. After three to six months, the town will review the data and either keep the traps in place or relocate them to other documented problem areas.

Neighbors near reported sightings will also hear from the Health Department. For each report, the department is mailing prevention letters to every property within 200 feet. The letters advise residents to secure trash, remove food sources, trim vegetation and seal openings.

Rats don't respect property lines. The department said conditions on neighboring lots often contribute to activity at the reported location, and the letters tell recipients where to file their own reports.

For persistent or complex cases, Modern Pest Services will conduct on-site assessments and recommend a control strategy. The town said it plans to use those professional inspections selectively, not as a response to every complaint.

The Health Department has not identified a single cause behind the increase in reports. More sightings do not necessarily mean more rats, the department said. Construction, weather, seasonal shifts, trash practices, landscaping changes and greater public awareness can all make rodents more visible or prompt more residents to call. The department noted that many Massachusetts communities are dealing with the same issue.

The town is also working to modernize how trash is stored and collected, calling trash a major food source for rats. The Health Department said it is coordinating with residents and businesses on prevention tied to current and future construction projects.

Residents and businesses can report rodent activity through the town's website at northandoverma.gov/549/Report-a-Problem, by phone at (978) 688-9543, or by email. The most useful reports include the location, date and time, what was seen (live rat, droppings, burrows or damage) and any nearby conditions that might be contributing. Reports filed through the website go directly to the Health Department and are also seen by the Town Manager's office.