Officials here said their efforts to address a rat infestation near Borough Hall are working.

Administrator A. Scott Porter told commissioners Wednesday that since the borough enlisted the services of Western Pest Control and initiated a cleanup around the boathouse next to Borough Hall, fewer rats are being seen around the property.

The bay rat problem is not new for Longport, which is surrounded on three sides by the ocean, inlet and bay. Mayor Nicholas Russo penned a letter to residents in October 2018 notifying owners of a rat infestation, which he said at the time is “indicative of seashore living.” In the letter, he advised residents what the borough was doing to address the issue, which in part can be tackled by eliminating their food supply.

At the time he said, “Addressing rodents is a community effort,” and asked residents to patrol their own properties to eliminate any potential rodent food sources, such as dog and cat feces, trash not properly secured with a lid, and bird feeders.