For denizens of the neighborhoods north of the Atlantic Yards project, a new weapon in the battle against vermin may soon be at hand.

During the fifth meeting of the Atlantic Yards cabinet on Sept. 22, representatives from Forest City Ratner said it would look into supplying free rat resistant garbage cans for Fort Greene-Clinton Hill residents.

The developer already provides trashcans at several rat "hot-spots" in Prospect Heights. However, along with a rise in rat sightings in Fort Greene have come increased calls for Forest City Ratner to expand the program to the blocks north of Atlantic Avenue.

Residents blame increased excavation, demolition and construction at the Atlantic Yards site for the increase in rodent activity.

Forest City Ratner has said the increase in rat sightings is unrelated to Atlantic Yards construction.

At a community forum on Aug. 17, an official from the city Sanitation Department acknowledged that Forest City Ratner had disposed of trash improperly, but had since cleaned up its act.

Councilwoman Letitia James, D-Brooklyn, offered to cover part of the cost of the garbage costs for Fort Greene-Clinton Hill.

According to Community Board 2 district manager Robert Ferris, the heavy-duty plastic trashcans could have a big impact on the neighborhood's rat problem.

"Garbage cans with lids can be a major deterrent for rats," Ferris said. "Many people put their trash in plastic bags at the curb and the rats are in that in no time flat."