TAMPA, Fla. — That enormous rat nest behind a bus stop at the corner of Hillsborough and Florida avenues in Tampa is finally getting some attention.
The nest, neighbors say, had been around for months.
A pyramid-like mound and a series of tunnels filled with rats earned the area nicknames like "Ratlantis" and "Ratopia."
Just days after 10 Tampa Bay's initial report, the area is now being cleaned up.
Trash and debris have been removed. And several rat traps baited with pesticides have been placed in the area.
The City of Tampa confirms it’s one of their contractors doing the work and is asking people to be patient.
“It just takes time. And it takes a consistent effort from the city as well as our contractor to continue to assess the problem and see if maybe more traps need to be laid or maybe more pesticide needs to be put down,” Tampa Spokesperson Crystal Clark said. “But we are addressing the problem, we do believe we’re going to have it fixed.”
The city says the pesticide they’re using is not dangerous to people, pets or other wildlife.
They estimate the process of getting rid of the rats could take several weeks.