By Maggie Downs
Enquirer staff writer

DELHI TOWNSHIP - Every spring for 10 years, the residents of Gilcrest Lane have received new neighbors.

Rats.

This year, the Hamilton County General Health District has received 76 rodent complaints; 21 of them from Delhi.

Monday the health district addressed the issue at a community meeting for those in the affected area. About 500 people - all in the Gilcrest Lane area - were invited. About 70 attended.

"We've got to keep the homes clean and the yards clean," stressed Chris Eddy, director of environmental health at the health district.

Bery Pannkuk, technical director at ScherZinger pest control, and Health Commissioner Tim Ingram were also on hand.

Jan Kathman made an impassioned plea for more action from the county. Two years ago, a rat bit Kathman's left foot.

"They come up out of the storm drains and run around the streets," she said.

Several manholes were baited with poison throughout the township June 1 and on Monday.

Joel Smith, who lives on Gilcrest Lane and has two young children, said he doesn't want so much poison in his neighborhood.

"This is a perfect example of people not working together," he said. "The county can only do so much. The rest is on us."

Health officials said sealed trash cans, removing pet droppings daily and temporarily putting away bird feeders will help.

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E-mail mdowns@enquirer.com