New “DC Rat Rangers” Engages District Residents in Safe Rat Prevention
Citywide initiative will bring educational rat walks, webinars, and outreach materials to all eight wards while promoting safer, more effective alternatives to rodenticides
WASHINGTON, D.C. — DC Responsible Rat Management today announced the launch of ‘DC Rat Rangers’, a citywide community engagement program designed to equip District residents with the knowledge and tools needed to address rat issues through sustainable, evidence-based prevention strategies.
The DC Rat Rangers will feature a series of interactive rat walks, educational webinars, and informational materials that help residents better understand rat ecology and the collective actions that can reduce rat populations across neighborhoods.
“It is clear that we need a new way to address the rat population,” says coalition member Max Broad of DC Voters for Animals. “We have been using poison as the first line of defense for decades. DC Rat Rangers centers a community-driven response.”
The signature rat walks will be led by anthrozoologist Holly Gerberich and urban rodentologist Gerard Brown in all eight wards of the District, giving residents a unique opportunity to learn firsthand about rat behavior, habitat, and the environmental conditions that contribute to rat population growth. Participants will learn how to spot signs of rat activity, explore practical prevention measures, and discover how coordinated community action can help the city turn the tide on rats. Attendees will ‘graduate’ as an official DC Rat Ranger and receive a free t-shirt.
“One of the reasons we’re losing the war on rats is because we know so little about them. My hope is that these walks will help DC residents understand the distinct connection between their habits and the life of a city rat,” says Gerberich.
Anthrozoologist Holly Gerberich in action on a DC rat walk.
DC Rat Rangers is an initiative of DC Responsible Rat Management, a coalition working to end the unintended harms caused by rodenticides while preventing conflict between residents and rodents. The coalition advances this mission through a three-pronged strategy:
Public Awareness of systemic, prevention-focused solutions to rat management.
Scientific Research on innovative and effective rat management applications.
Policy Advocacy to advance sustainable and humane approaches to rodent control.
A key policy priority for the organization is the Rodent Education and Management Yields (REMY) Results Act of 2026, introduced by Councilmember Christina Henderson. The legislation would strengthen rat prevention efforts through enhanced public education and the deployment of rat-resistant waste containers while reducing risks to unintended victims of rodenticides, including children, pets, and urban wildlife.
The first Rat Walk will be on Wednesday, August 5 in Ward 5’s Carver-Langston neighborhood. Additional walks will be announced throughout the summer and fall.
DC residents can also sign up for educational webinars, including:
ANC Commissioner Webinars
Public Webinars
Registration information for all DC Rat Ranger walks, webinars, and educational opportunities is available at https://www.dcratsolutions.com/rat-rangers