Rat Task Force Helps Torrington, But West Hartford Now On Alert

Earlier this year my hometown of Torrington had a problem with rats after an old factory was torn down, and the rats scattered about searching for a new home. Did some of them make their way to West Hartford?

2025 has been a great year for wildlife in Connecticut, but it's also been a great year for vermin and invasive species to try to carve out a piece for themselves. We've had our eye on the Spotted lanternfly for a few years, and now they've spread across our state. Rats are an enemy that we've kept at bay for centuries, but this is twice that they've made the headlines in 2025.

To refresh your memory, exactly one year ago in October 2024 the City of Torrington tore down an old factory in downtown, and although the site was taken down without much fanfare, the aftermath was that residents in downtown saw a huge increase in the rat population. So much that Torrington created a special 'Rat Task Force' to handle the problem, which they did. I saw a few of these rats along the Naugatuck River last Fall, and I haven't seen one since. Good job Torrington Task Force.

But wait, it's not over, today Hartford's wfsb.com is reporting that West Hartford residents are reporting an increase in rat sightings in their town. According to the report, a local exterminator estimated that they've seen a 20% increase in 2025 for their services. Did the former rats of Torrington head East to settle in the warm confines of Blue Back Square? With each old industrial factory removal, will we see another wave of rats unleashed upon the surrounding area? Is it time to factor in rat-removal as part of any revitalization plan? Stranger things have happened.