South Lake Union’s newest reported tenant isn’t a sexy new Ethan Stowell restaurant or an after-work watering hole for Amazonians — it’s rats.
That’s right. According to this King 5 report, “near Minor Avenue North and Harrison Street in South Lake Union, rats have taken over a fenced in section of hill.”
The rats are out and about “day and night,” not afraid of humans, and apparently it’s getting worse.
This shouldn’t come as any surprise to anyone familiar with rat behavior why these SLU rats are bolder, brasher and increasing in numbers. Anytime you have a massive construction zone, like what Amazon’s doing now, digging up their habitats and “displacing” them if you will, and adding in more people who produce more tasty garbage, you’re going to have more rats.
In fact, go ahead and order the 2005 book, Rats, for an utterly fascinating look at the history of the urban rat.
South Lake Union residents aren’t so amused by their new neighbors though. As Gussie Charles told King 5 when construction digs into another area near her house, it will be “hell on wheels.”
You’re a big city now, Seattle! In other major cities, it’s an off day when you don’t encounter a few of these pesky rodents on your commute to work or around the neighborhood.
Enjoy the King 5 report below: