Taipei's 'Rat Chaos' Escalates; Experts Urge Physical Pest Control

Taipei is grappling with a significant surge in its rat population, a problem that has escalated to the point of being dubbed the 'Anshu Incident' (安鼠之亂), causing considerable unease among residents. The issue highlights the persistent challenges of urban pest control in densely populated areas.

Professor Emeritus Hsu Erh-lieh from National Taiwan University's Department of Entomology stresses that while rats are a global urban issue, the current situation in Taipei warrants immediate and localized attention. He points out that the absence of past government-led, city-wide extermination campaigns, which used to involve rodenticides in homes, may have contributed to the current increase. These campaigns were discontinued years ago due to concerns about the impact of poisons on non-target animals.

Professor Hsu advises a shift towards 'physical' pest control methods for households, such as glue traps and live-capture cages. This approach is preferred over poisons because it allows for the direct removal of rat carcasses, preventing the spread of fleas, lice, and mites from decaying bodies and mitigating unpleasant odors. He also emphasizes the importance of hygiene during cleanup, recommending the use of gloves and tools, and the spraying of bleach on affected areas before sweeping, to prevent the transmission of diseases like Hantavirus.

While acknowledging the need for potential government-led initiatives, Professor Hsu believes that the immediate focus should remain on community-level self-management and public education. He suggests that the government's role should be to disseminate information on effective rat-proofing techniques for homes and outdoor environments, empowering citizens to take proactive measures against the growing menace.