Rat problem in Brussels pedestrian zone is getting worse

The pedestrian zone around Boulevard Anspach in Brussels is plagued by rats - and local residents and traders have said that the situation is worsening - largely as a result of discarded food remains. 

“Some people dump whole loaves of bread or pizzas there, others the leftovers from their fast-food meals. For rats, all of this is a feast,” said Andreas De Kerpel, spokesperson for Brussels public cleanliness alderman Anas Ben Abdelmoumen (PS).

The high levels of rat activity amid the presence of people indicate an active infestation.

This is despite efforts from authorities to curb the problem, including a pest control task force created in May and a tripling of the budget for rat control from €35,000 to €100,000. 

There were also 15 digital rat traps installed in the area this summer following successful trials near the Atomium. These devices from Belgian company Strygoo not only lure and catch rats, but also collect data on how often the rats visit. 

The digital traps support other, traditional daily pest control efforts, but Abdelmoumen warns that a structural solution is needed to make the pedestrian zone less attractive to rats looking for food.

Due to what some local residents have described as the "fast-foodification" of the area, litter containing food waste is abundant. 

The city council is asking restaurant owners to secure their rubbish bags well and Abdelmoumen is calling for people to not leave food scraps on the street, including people who are doing so in order to feed birds.

“Since measurements began in February this year, 1,073 rats have been caught during 137 operations,” said Brussels mayor Philippe Close (PS). “Since 2025, there have been more than 2,000 operations in total.”

According to Close, operations and measures were stepped up further during the hot summer months this year. 

The mayor also reminded shopkeepers and hospitality business owners that they can call on the pest control service free of charge.