Kroger store in Smyrna cleared of rodents and contaminated products
A Kroger store in Smyrna, Georgia, has passed a follow-up inspection by the Georgia Department of Agriculture after it was found to have a rat infestation last week. The store, located on South Atlanta Road, had to dump all the contaminated products in a landfill on Tuesday as ordered by the state.
The rat infestation was discovered by a former employee, Amber Dent, who quit after a rat jumped on her coworker while they were unloading a pallet. She reported the problem to the Department of Agriculture, which sent inspectors to the store on Friday. They found rat droppings, urine spots, gnawed products, and burrows in the storage area and a trailer behind the store.
The department issued a stop sale on all the exposed products and ordered Kroger to hire an exterminator and clean up the area. Kroger said the incident was confined and has been resolved in compliance with the state regulations. The products involved in the infestation were stored in an isolated location and not sold in the store, according to a Kroger spokeswoman.
Customers react to the rat infestation
Some customers who shop at the Kroger store were shocked and disgusted by the news of the rat infestation. They said they would not buy any food from the store until they are sure it is safe and sanitary.
“I don’t believe it; I don’t believe it. No hell no, I don’t believe it,” one shopper said.
“It’s unfortunate, but it’s not surprising. This particular Kroger tends to be very lax,” another shopper, Christine Craig, said.
“It does not surprise me that they have issues with rats because it always seems like it’s kind of a mess in there,” Craig added.
Some customers said they would switch to other grocery stores nearby or shop online instead.
“I come in here for very specific things and I make sure I clean them off really well. But definitely not someplace I come unless I absolutely have to,” Craig said.
“I’m going to go somewhere else. I’m going to go to Publix or Walmart or something like that,” another shopper said.
“I think I’ll just stick to Instacart for now,” one customer said.
How to prevent and report rat infestations
Rats are common pests that can pose health risks and cause damage to property. They can carry diseases such as salmonella, leptospirosis, and hantavirus. They can also contaminate food and water sources with their droppings and urine. They can chew through wires, pipes, insulation, and wood, creating fire hazards and structural problems.
To prevent rat infestations, experts recommend the following tips:
- Seal any gaps or holes around doors, windows, vents, pipes, and wires that rats can use to enter buildings.
- Keep food and garbage in tightly closed containers that rats cannot access or chew through.
- Clean up any spills or crumbs that may attract rats.
- Remove any clutter or debris that may provide shelter or nesting materials for rats.
- Trim any overgrown vegetation that may hide or harbor rats.
- Use traps or baits to catch or kill rats, but be careful not to harm pets or children.
- Hire a professional pest control service if the infestation is severe or persistent.
