Major Rodent Extermination Battle: Ministry of Environment Emphasizes Environmental Sanitation First, Chemicals as Auxiliary
The Ministry of Environment has announced new guidelines for rodent control in response to recent reports of rat infestations in Taipei. The guidelines emphasize prioritizing environmental clean-up and using rodenticides only as a last resort, aiming to balance ecological protection and public health.
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- 📰 Published: May 2, 2026 at 15:35
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Wang Shu-fen, Taipei, 2nd) Recent public feedback has reported a surge of rats in the streets of Taipei, with widespread use of rodenticides in some areas. In response to the rodent extermination issue, the Ministry of Environment stated today that environmental sanitation should be prioritized, with chemicals used as an auxiliary.
The Ministry of Environment issued a press release, stating that rodent extermination is a long-term effort requiring public participation. It calls on local environmental protection bureaus and public and private sectors to work together on a strategy of "environmental sanitation first, chemicals as auxiliary," to protect public health while also considering ecology and community safety.
The Ministry of Environment reminds that when carrying out public environmental rodent control, a more cautious strategy should be adopted, prioritizing the implementation of the "three noes for rodent prevention" principle. Chemical control (rodenticides) should be considered a last resort, to ensure environmental safety and prevent accidental harm to young children or pets.
The Ministry of Environment states that the core of rodent prevention lies in source management, strictly enforcing "no entry for rats, no food for rats, no shelter for rats." When preparing public areas, thorough cleaning and dredging should first be carried out in dirty spots, food waste disposal areas, and sewers to cut off food sources for rats. If rats remain after environmental clean-up, physical control tools such as traps should be prioritized.
Regarding the use of rodenticides, the Ministry of Environment quotes Professor Emeritus Hsu Erh-lieh of National Taiwan University's Department of Entomology, advising local governments and relevant control units to strictly adhere to the "three rules for drug use." First, the last resort principle: only consider using rodenticides when the effectiveness of physical control is limited. Large-scale drug application should not be a routine, sole control method, to avoid environmental burden and the risk of poisoning non-target organisms (such as dogs, cats, and birds).
Second, appropriate and concealed placement: when using environmental chemicals, the principle of "appropriate dosage, concealed corners" must be strictly followed. Application points should be chosen in hidden places frequently visited by rats. For areas with high rat infestation frequency, inspections should be strengthened. If rat holes are found, rodenticides can be directly placed into the holes and then sealed; for outdoor use, rodenticides should be placed in bait stations to prevent direct contact by young children and pets, clearly marked, and regularly checked for consumption and replenished to increase the success rate of rats consuming the bait.
Third, avoid outdoor use, be cautious with sticky traps at home: to comply with animal welfare and reduce subsequent cleaning difficulties, the use of sticky traps in public open spaces should be avoided as much as possible, to prevent accidental harm to other non-target animals.
The Ministry of Environment stated that when local governments distribute or apply rodenticides, they should strengthen the promotion of correct drug use knowledge. Citizens can also refer to the Ministry of Environment's "Home Rodent Prevention Blind Spot Check-up" to inspect holes in their homes, seal food, and clear clutter. If rodenticides must be used, qualified environmental chemicals approved by the Ministry of Environment should be purchased, and the label instructions carefully read to ensure human and animal safety. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150502
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(Central News Agency reporter Wang Shu-fen, Taipei, 2nd) Recent public feedback has reported a surge of rats in the streets of Taipei, with widespread use of rodenticides in some areas. In response to the rodent extermination issue, the Ministry of Environment stated today that environmental sanitation should be prioritized, with chemicals used as an auxiliary.
The Ministry of Environment issued a press release, stating that rodent extermination is a long-term effort requiring public participation. It calls on local environmental protection bureaus and public and private sectors to work together on a strategy of "environmental sanitation first, chemicals as auxiliary," to protect public health while also considering ecology and community safety.
The Ministry of Environment reminds that when carrying out public environmental rodent control, a more cautious strategy should be adopted, prioritizing the implementation of the "three noes for rodent prevention" principle. Chemical control (rodenticides) should be considered a last resort, to ensure environmental safety and prevent accidental harm to young children or pets.
The Ministry of Environment states that the core of rodent prevention lies in source management, strictly enforcing "no entry for rats, no food for rats, no shelter for rats." When preparing public areas, thorough cleaning and dredging should first be carried out in dirty spots, food waste disposal areas, and sewers to cut off food sources for rats. If rats remain after environmental clean-up, physical control tools such as traps should be prioritized.
Regarding the use of rodenticides, the Ministry of Environment quotes Professor Emeritus Hsu Erh-lieh of National Taiwan University's Department of Entomology, advising local governments and relevant control units to strictly adhere to the "three rules for drug use." First, the last resort principle: only consider using rodenticides when the effectiveness of physical control is limited. Large-scale drug application should not be a routine, sole control method, to avoid environmental burden and the risk of poisoning non-target organisms (such as dogs, cats, and birds).
Second, appropriate and concealed placement: when using environmental chemicals, the principle of "appropriate dosage, concealed corners" must be strictly followed. Application points should be chosen in hidden places frequently visited by rats. For areas with high rat infestation frequency, inspections should be strengthened. If rat holes are found, rodenticides can be directly placed into the holes and then sealed; for outdoor use, rodenticides should be placed in bait stations to prevent direct contact by young children and pets, clearly marked, and regularly checked for consumption and replenished to increase the success rate of rats consuming the bait.
Third, avoid outdoor use, be cautious with sticky traps at home: to comply with animal welfare and reduce subsequent cleaning difficulties, the use of sticky traps in public open spaces should be avoided as much as possible, to prevent accidental harm to other non-target animals.
The Ministry of Environment stated that when local governments distribute or apply rodenticides, they should strengthen the promotion of correct drug use knowledge. Citizens can also refer to the Ministry of Environment's "Home Rodent Prevention Blind Spot Check-up" to inspect holes in their homes, seal food, and clear clutter. If rodenticides must be used, qualified environmental chemicals approved by the Ministry of Environment should be purchased, and the label instructions carefully read to ensure human and animal safety. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150502
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, transmitted, or used without authorization.