The Department of Public Works in Baltimore said it has seen major improvements in the city's rat problem over the past two years. The announcement follows tweets from President Donald Trump that called parts of Baltimore a "disgusting, rat- and rodent-infested mess."Officials with DPW said they have worked the past two years to create healthier living conditions in the city's public housing as part of the Healthy Elimination of All Pests Long-Term Campaign.The department released multiple facts to back their claims. Officials said they have increased inspections from 100,000 to 160,000 per year. Through those inspections, officials said they reduced identified rat burrows by nearly 85%, from 1,863 to 282.DPW officials credit the inspections for a decrease in 311 calls for rat abatement by 38% in the past two years. They said other East Coast cities have seen increases in the same time period.Officials said the best way to continue controlling the rat population is to bag trash and place it in designated green city trash cans and to report illegal dumping to 311.​

The Department of Public Works in Baltimore said it has seen major improvements in the city's rat problem over the past two years. The announcement follows tweets from President Donald Trump that called parts of Baltimore a "disgusting, rat- and rodent-infested mess."

Officials with DPW said they have worked the past two years to create healthier living conditions in the city's public housing as part of the Healthy Elimination of All Pests Long-Term Campaign.

The department released multiple facts to back their claims. Officials said they have increased inspections from 100,000 to 160,000 per year. Through those inspections, officials said they reduced identified rat burrows by nearly 85%, from 1,863 to 282.

DPW officials credit the inspections for a decrease in 311 calls for rat abatement by 38% in the past two years. They said other East Coast cities have seen increases in the same time period.

Officials said the best way to continue controlling the rat population is to bag trash and place it in designated green city trash cans and to report illegal dumping to 311.