rats

Our community has recently encountered a rodent (rat)problem. Our roofs are a "shared - condo type roof. We are having a problem with owners not wanting to pay to have them removed. We do have a company service our common areas, but recently with the laws being changed in Florida as to how far the traps are placed to our building structure, the rats are getting in. We are a cluster of eight units, half are trying to take care of the problem and the other half are in denial or so its seems. It is quite expensive to rid the rats, but it has to be done. I am one of the half trying to rid them, however, it is unfair that all are not. Our HOA documents say nothing about rodent removal. this is somewhat understandable, when it is one unit, but we are talking about an entire cluster of units. Is there anything that the HOA can do or should do?
Please help, it is almost impossible to live here.

Eileen,

it is a health issue, I'd call the proper authorities first and report the problem. These are probably roof-rats. Putting rat poison cakes on the roof usually helps, providing your roofs are flat. Make sure all the trees are trimmed and away from the buildings. The buildings' exterior should be inspected and sealed if necessary, although a rat can squeeze thru ½” opening. Also, check if any owner has rodents as pets. That evidently attracts the rats also.

You may have to be more drastic measures if the rats are inside the units and multiplying.

"Rats" that's what I say.