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Rats invade elementary school in Alabama

In this Jan. 27, 2015, file photo, a rat crosses a Times Square subway platform in New York. It's a problem practically as old as New York itself, how to handle the untold legions of rodents residing in the city. Last year, the city received more rat-sighting calls than ever before, and officials, led by a city rat scientist, are trying new and innovative ways to control the population, with mixed results. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
In this Jan. 27, 2015, file photo, a rat crosses a Times Square subway platform in New York. It's a problem practically as old as New York itself, how to handle the untold legions of rodents residing in the city. Last year, the city received more rat-sighting calls than ever before, and officials, led by a city rat scientist, are trying new and innovative ways to control the population, with mixed results. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) In this Jan. 27, 2015, file photo, a rat crosses a Times Square subway platform in New York. It's a problem practically as old as New York itself, how to handle the untold legions of rodents residing in the city. Last year, the city received more rat-sighting calls than ever before, and officials, led by a city rat scientist, are trying new and innovative ways to control the population, with mixed results. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

By Associated Press 1 min read

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Authorities say they’re working hard to eliminate rats from a Huntsville Elementary School.

Huntsville City Schools spokesman Keith Ward tells WHNT-TV that several steps are being taken to eradicate the rats from McDonnell Elementary School.

Officials say they’ve placed rat traps outside the school outside the building, and resealed an old heating unit where they believe the rats have been gaining access to the school.

Officials say a third-grade classroom is most affected. Ward said crews are doing a “deep clean” of the room. He said that involves taking every book off every shelf and every storage container out of every cabinet.

Ward said the school will likely move students from the affected classroom to a different one while they monitor the situation to make sure the rats are gone.