Rodents

Reporting a Disease Concern

1. Call 311 to report a rodent or rabbit that has died with no apparent trauma (it was not prey and was not hit by a car)
   • Mice are not collected or tested
2. City of Albuquerque will collect rodents found in the following areas for plague and tularemia testing:
   • North Albuquerque Acres
   • Neighborhoods east of Tramway Blvd
   • Foothills
   • East Mountains communities up to the Bernalillo county line

The City of Albuquerque does not provide rodent control services. Contact a pest control company if you have a rodent infestation in or around your home.

Reporting an Infestation

1. Inform property management (owner, landlord, or management company) of the infestation; this should preferably be done in writing.
   • If no action is taken within 10 of days call 311
2. Call 311 to report the untreated infestation to the Urban Biology Division
   • Rodent infestation complaints are only taken for residents of the City of Albuquerque living in multi-unit housing
     • However, we would be happy to answer any general questions regarding rodent infestation.
   • It is important to leave good contact information for the necessary follow-up on your report
   • Please allow up to 72 business hours for initial contact from someone in our division

The City of Albuquerque takes rodent infestation reports/complaints for large apartment complexes, small four-plexes, tri and duplexes. We will also take reports on group homes, community centers, as well as hotels and motels.

The City of Albuquerque does not perform pest control services.

Single unit homes (rented or owned) should contact private pest control (We do not recommend or endorse any particular service). Our office would be happy to answer any questions that you may have about cockroaches, call 311 and request a call back.

Rodent Borne Diseases

Plague & Tularemia

Both diseases are caused by bacterial agents that infect rodents, rabbits, cats, and dogs and can be transmitted to humans.

• Plague (Yersinia pestis) is spread by the bite of an infected flea, touching or skinning an infected animal without protective clothing, and inhaling droplets from the cough of an infected person or animal.
  • Symptoms include feeling sick all over, chills, headache, high fever, pain and swelling of the lymph nodes.
• Tularemia (Francisella tularensis) is spread by the bite of an infected tick or  deer fly, touching or skinning an infected animal without protective clothing, and inhaling aerosolized bacteria.
  • Symptoms include sudden fever, chills, headaches, diarrhea, muscle aches,  joint pain, dry cough, and progressive weakness.

Both diseases occur naturally in New Mexico. In Bernalillo County, most cases are reported from the East Mountains region but there have also been cases from the western foothills and north Albuquerque Acres. 

For more information view the links on the left-hand navigation bar or visit:

• New Mexico Department of Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Plague or Tularemia