Brussels-City launches rat control taskforce

The City of Brussels has created a Rat Control Working Group to step up its efforts in the fight against rodent nuisance and to improve urban hygiene and public health.

“Only by joining forces can we stop the plagues of rats,” said Anas Ben Abdelmoumen (Socialist), Brussels alderman for finance and public hygiene.

Brussels has a carried out 517 rat-clearing operations on its territory since January. Some 80% of these interventions happened in the Pentagon, Neder-Over-Heembeek and Laeken. The setting up of this rat taskforce is a new step in Brussels policy on public hygiene.

At a recent meeting, representatives of the Port of Brussels, the Foyer Laekenois social housing organisation, Bruxelles-Propreté, Brussels water company Vivaqua, Brussels Environment, Infrabel and the Stib discussed which methods are used to control rats, how responsibilities are divided and how cooperation can be improved.

Housing companies Logement Bruxellois and the Foyer Laekenois said they used ferrets to fight against rats. Bruxelles-Propreté and Vivaqua emphasised the need to have public spaces that are less attractive for the unloved rodents, for example areas unsullied by overflowing rubbish bags or litter.

“The first meeting of our taskforce shows that there is a shared will to work better together in the fight against rats,” Ben Abdelmoumen said after the meeting. “I want to build on these exchanges to pursue a coherent and sustainable deratification policy.”

A city-wide coordinated approach to rat management will stop rats moving between untreated regions and rat population rebounds, the group said.

The use of modern technology such as linked sensors placed beneath rubbish bins will also enable rat controllers to take action before infestations take hold, and is better than using chemical baits and rat poison.

Ben Abdelmoumen said that the regulation of rat populations is based on several pillars:

• Targeted rat eradication: the City’s teams are active on a daily basis in public spaces and private homes;
• Urban cleanliness: 190 sweepers keep the streets clean every day, removing any food residues, which are the main source of attraction for rats;
• Fighting illegal waste dumps and unoccupied properties, which are havens for rodents; and,
• Raising awareness among residents and shopkeepers, particularly of the importance of not feeding stray animals (especially bread for pigeons) and of ensuring the proper management of organic waste.

Ben Abdelmoumen also said that while rodenticides are effective, their use requires strict supervision as they can present “a real danger to dogs”. This is why signs placed in specific deratting areas state that dogs must be kept on a lead.

“We are careful to limit the use of rodenticides to what is strictly necessary, and favour a comprehensive approach,” he added.

"This includes supervised professional intervention, structural solutions (cladding, sealing off accesses), preventive measures (reducing food waste) and active awareness raising among residents and shopkeepers.

"Ensuring clean and healthy neighbourhoods is a daily job that requires the commitment of each and every one of us."