Bob Kluver is the owner of AllPest Exterminators, located in the heart of Dundalk on Dundalk Avenue. Kluver has more than 35 years of experience in the pest control industry and lives in Dundalk.
How long has Dundalk had a rat problem?
It?s been that way for the last couple of years, but it?s gotten very bad. We have a retail store as well and sell pest control, and we have a lot of people coming in and buying bait. More so than usual. We [can] hardly keep the stuff on the shelf.
Why do you think the population is suddenly getting worse?
For one thing, the community had a campaign recently to get rid of the feral cats in the area and take them to the SPCA. Since the feral cats are gone ? and they collected quite a few ? the rat situation is worse. And they can?t seem to get any help from the county.
What are your “top tips” to keep rats away?
Keep the trash in the can. Make sure there isn?t dog feces in the yard. Clean up the yard.
I guess the rat problem could be considered good news for an exterminator. How?s business?
Business is good, but our office is located right here in Dundalk, and we?re not real happy about the rat situation either. It takes everyone to fix. Everyone has to do their part. It has to be a community-wide effort.
