Boston-The city today will begin distributing more than 2,600 rodent-resistant trash caddies - paid for by Harvard University - to cut down on a rat infestation in North Allston that some residents blamed the school for unleashing when it excavated a 5-acre hole for its new science complex.

Harvard community liaison Kevin McCluskey yesterday insisted that its construction site is not connected with the area’s rat problem. Nevertheless, he said, “We are proud to collaborate with the city” to help eliminate the source of food for the rodents: easy access to garbage.

The 64-gallon, wheeled bins - they cost $100 each - are made of heavy-grade plastic and have attached lids. They are part of a multi-pronged attack that includes educating residents to cover their garbage cans and extensive baiting of sewers around the construction site, said John Meaney, the city’s chief health inspector.

Meaney said the efforts have cut down the rat problem “big time.”

Ted Gallagher, a Franklin Street resident who in a front-page story in the Herald last April told of fending off a rat in his kitchen, agreed. “It’s gotten a lot better. They’e still around but not in the same capacity as before,” he said.

Source: www.bostonherald.com