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Quito Faces Massive Rat Infestation: Up to 30 Million Rodents Reported in 2026

From El Comercio · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • Quito struggles with an estimated 30 million rats, averaging 10 rodents per inhabitant, a problem that gained prominence in 2026.
  • Key factors contributing to the rat population include urban growth, high population density, water availability, and abundant vegetation.
  • The most affected areas are Eugenio Espejo, Manuela Sáenz, and La Delicia, with municipal interventions focusing on residential and commercial zones with ample food sources.

Quito is grappling with a significant urban pest problem, hosting an estimated 30 million rats, according to the Municipal Animal Welfare Unit (UBA). This staggering figure translates to 10 rodents for every human resident, highlighting a challenge that has become particularly prominent in 2026 due to increased citizen reports and municipal interventions.

The UBA identifies rats as the city's primary urban plague. Authorities attribute their proliferation to a combination of factors, including unchecked urban expansion, high population density, readily available water sources, and extensive green areas. These conditions create an ideal environment for rats to thrive and reproduce throughout the Metropolitan District.

Several administrative zones are reporting the highest rat presence, notably Eugenio Espejo, Manuela Sáenz, La Delicia, Quitumbe, Eloy Alfaro, Los Chillos, Tumbaco, and Calderón. Vivi Flores, head of UBA's Surveillance Unit, explained that population growth and environmental conditions directly fuel the rodent expansion. Residents in areas like La Tola have reported critical issues related to accumulated garbage and construction debris near Itchimbía, while in San Blas, problems are noted around the Central Market and behind the Julio César Hidalgo Coliseum.

Municipal records from 2026 indicate that rats are the leading cause of pest-related emergencies in Quito. So far this year, the municipality has conducted 117 interventions across 71 neighborhoods, with 90% of these actions addressing rat infestations. The remaining cases involved pigeons and cockroaches. Interventions have concentrated on residential, commercial, and high-traffic areas where food availability sustains the rodent population. Avenida República de El Salvador, in Quito's central business district, has seen significant attention, with the UBA identifying at least 50 active rat burrows in the area.

The population growth and environmental conditions directly influence the expansion of rodents.

— Vivi FloresHead of the UBA's Surveillance Unit, explaining the factors behind the rat proliferation in Quito.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Comercio in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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