On February 13, 1917, Boston Women’s Municipal League held it’s first and only “Rat Day”. The overcrowded North End, and even the posh precincts of Back Baym was seeing an increase amount of rats according to Mass Moments. The well-educated women of the league sought to solve the problem by launching an anti-rat education campaign that turned into “Rat Day.” Prizes where given to city residents who turned in the largest amount of rat carcasses. However, cold weather and disappointing results stopped the event from repeating.
The Women’s Municipal League (WML), was formed in 1908, “to promote civic betterment.” According to the league’s historian, the women believed that it was their job to keep the city clean by scientifically removing garbage and ashes from streets and alleyways as well as freeing the markets of dirt, dust and flies. Also, they believed the air should be soot and smoke free.
A subcommittee was formed to deal with serious rat and fly problem. They became so well informed that their reputation spread along with this slogan: “If we have to go to New York for our hats, New York comes to Boston to ask about rats.”
Today, Boston ranks second behind New York City, in having the most rats, according to Animal Planet’s “10 Worst Rat Cities In The World“. This is believed to be because of a milder winters and high areas of garbage in one area.
In the summer of 2012, the Fenway area was brought to attention when hundreds of rats where found running rampant. In the post “Hundreds Of Rats Were Romping Around In This Boston Neighborhood” John Meaney, the ISD’s environmental director, said it was the worst congestion he has seen in a while.
According to a City of Boston brochure, rats generally live for one year where they can have six to twelve pups per litter, up to seven times a year. Rats are also able to jump up to three feet and climb wires and poles relatively well. The best way to prevent rats is to keep clean.
The women of BWML would be appalled to hear Boston’s ranking and increasing rates of rats. Hopefully, this cold winter will strike down the rat population for this upcoming year.
(Photo courtesy of boston.com)
