Rats, be warned: The Town of Somerset is less likely than ever to be a good place to hide out.

An application for a demolition permit in the Town of Somerset must now be accompanied by a signed affidavit—from a pest extermination company licensed by the state of Maryland—stating that the property is free of rodents.

"It's another way of checking on the environment just before demolition," said Council Member Marnie Shaul at the town's August council meeting.

"Long-time residents say there have always been rats in Somerset, and over the years, some of [the residents] have had to use an exterminating service," wrote Council Members Cathy Pickar and Shaul in the August issue of the Town Journal.

"Demolition of a structure that has a rodent infestation will result in rats taking up residence elsewhere in the neighborhood," they added.

To keep the rodent population at bay, the council voted to amend the Town of Somerset Code to require that applications for demolition permits include the signed affidavit indicating that there are no rodents on the property.

A sample affidavit letter is available on the Montgomery County website.