Thursday, March 14, 2024

Montgomery County rolling out rat-resistant trash cans in downtown Bethesda


New, rat-resistant trash cans have begun appearing in downtown Bethesda. The first I have seen are on Cordell Avenue in the Woodmont Triangle - you can see an existing can to the left of the new one in the photo above for a comparison. Rodents are not a new phenomenon in Bethesda, but seemed to get a noticeable population boost with the increase in outdoor dining during the pandemic. There are two issues beyond the food, rubbish and dog waste that attract rats: the furry devils getting into open-top cans from above, and gnawing their way in from underneath.


The new cans address both weaknesses. They seem to be cutting-edge, as I don't see these pop up when I search for a similar product online, and they aren't shown in news reports about new trash cans being deployed in other cities. The cans are sealed, and are opened to receive refuse via a pedal or handle. Secondly, the material appears to be chew-proof. For the final test, we fly in Pizza Rat from New York.

8 comments:

JAC said...

It's the streetery's. Ha! Speaking of that silly thing, now 4 years post Covid, Woodmont Triangle, as Robert mentions here, will soon be jammed up with jersey barriers and tables in the middle of the street as we've been told it's coming back. It's been so nice having those streets open. The businesses have also no doubt benefitted from patrons easily parking in walking in to conduct their business. Hopefully, Robin Ficker will get a petition going to reject the return of the streetery. Dumb made up word by the way.

Anonymous said...

I've seen some mighty sleek, happy rats behind the restaurants in that area.

Learning

Anonymous said...

Instead of worrying about rats, why not focus on the hoodlums robbing Nike and CVS.

Anonymous said...

"4 years post Covid" is absolutely not correct, unless by "Covid" you actually mean when the pandemic was officially declared.

Anonymous said...

All words are made up lol. Do you think some words are just naturally occurring?

Anonymous said...

I don't like touching the handle of something just to throw something away... #MrMonk #FelixUnger

Anonymous said...

Robbing Nike ('til someone gets hurt) is free advertising for them but CVS is a whole different deal. Our Local
"Officials" won't get too worried until.the perps get to the Incontinence aisle.

Anonymous said...

Ooooh, thanks for your opinion.