A new front has opened up in the war between the rats and Humboldt County food establishments, and that front is smack-dab down the middle of that one corner of the mall where you get your Mini-Dog Pretzel Bites and/or your White Chocolate Macadamia Nibblers.

This is according site inspection at the Bayshore Mall yesterday afternoon, at which health inspectors report that they have noted the unmistakable presence of the vile pests at two Mall mainstays. These have been closed until such time as humans can regain the upper hand.

The report on Mrs. Fields Cookie Store states that the inspector:

Observed rodent feces in multiple cabinets, on syrup boxes, in packaged food containers, on to-go single-use cups and to-go bags, on lidded containers of baking supplies and in storage of reusable plastic bins, as well as various locations on the floor perimeter.

Find the full report here.

The situation over at Pretzel Time #3579 (DBA Pretzel Maker) was no happier:

Observed rodent feces in areas that include the following locations: On glove boxes in back room, drink container sleeves, to-go containers and cup sleeves, cheese bags, tops of syrup boxes, in cabinets, on floors, pretzel mix overpack. Observed chewed plastic Google Street View image. on cup sleeves in front counter.

Also, Pretzelmaker was determined to have too strong of a chlorine mixture for cleaning purposes … which maybe you’d think would ameliorate matters? Guess not.

Find that report here.

Some rats are about to die. May God have mercy on our souls.