Key to Rodent Control: First Block Holes, Experts Advise: Look for Traces, Cut Off Food Sources, Clean Environment
New Taipei City Environmental Protection Department and pest control experts suggest that the key to rodent control is primarily source management: prioritize blocking holes, maintaining a clean environment, and cutting off rodent food sources. This approach aims to reduce the risk of Hantavirus transmission, with chemical extermination being a secondary measure.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 17:55
- 🔍 Collected: May 6, 2026 at 18:01 (6 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 6, 2026 at 18:14 (12 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Huang Hsu-sheng, New Taipei, May 6) The issue of rodent infestation continues to be a concern. The New Taipei City Environmental Protection Department and pest control experts today both suggested that rodent control should focus on source management, prioritizing blocking holes and maintaining environmental cleanliness, cutting off rodent food sources. Chemical extermination should be a secondary measure to reduce the risk of Hantavirus transmission.
New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih stated in an interview today that Hantavirus prevention relies on the concerted efforts of citizens and the city government to implement environmental cleanliness and rodent extermination measures, starting from source management. "Weekly cleaning days" particularly emphasize preventing food waste residue.
Zhang Qi-yi, from the engineering department of a private pest control company, told a Central News Agency reporter in a phone interview that rodents have strong vitality and reproduce quickly. Hantavirus, rat-bite fever, and other serious infectious diseases are carried by rodents, and the importance of rodent control should never be underestimated. "In the past one or two years, there has indeed been a significant increase in the number of rats in Taipei City."
Zhang Qi-yi emphasized that the primary key to rodent control is to block holes to prevent rats from entering indoors. Especially, rats have unique bone structures, and if doors, windows, and door gaps are not tightly closed, even small crevices can provide an opportunity for rats.
Zhang Qi-yi said that if building holes are not sealed, such as drainage holes, pipe channels, and decoration maintenance holes, rats can easily climb along building pipes, edges, or wires.
Zhang Qi-yi stated that in addition to self-inspection by residents, professionals can find traces of rats from footprints, hair marks on walls, droppings, and food residues. The method of rodent control is to seal possible rat holes and gaps around to prevent them from entering the house.
In addition, it is necessary to cut off rodent food sources by properly storing food, water, and kitchen waste in sealed containers. Otherwise, it will provide abundant food sources for rats. If kitchen waste cannot be disposed of immediately, it must be covered. Avoid cluttering homes and offices, and keep indoor furnishings simple, especially in spaces where rats are likely to hide, such as warehouses and storage rooms, to prevent rats from hiding and nesting.
The New Taipei City Environmental Protection Department told a Central News Agency reporter that maintaining a clean and bright home is the most effective way to prevent rodents, and pipe holes should be blocked to prevent rats from entering the house. Before applying rodenticides, other food sources should be eliminated to improve the bait's effectiveness.
The Environmental Protection Department suggests that traps and baits should be placed along rodent activity paths, with small amounts at multiple points (1 to 2 pieces per spot) and observed regularly, usually requiring 3 to 4 applications. If no capture occurs, the position can be adjusted. Gloves should be worn when using them, and bait stations should be used.
The Environmental Protection Department reminds that if there are pets or infants at home, bait should be kept away from their activity areas. When cleaning up rodent carcasses, wear a mask and gloves, and wash hands with soap to ensure hygiene and safety. (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150506
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(Central News Agency reporter Huang Hsu-sheng, New Taipei, May 6) The issue of rodent infestation continues to be a concern. The New Taipei City Environmental Protection Department and pest control experts today both suggested that rodent control should focus on source management, prioritizing blocking holes and maintaining environmental cleanliness, cutting off rodent food sources. Chemical extermination should be a secondary measure to reduce the risk of Hantavirus transmission.
New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih stated in an interview today that Hantavirus prevention relies on the concerted efforts of citizens and the city government to implement environmental cleanliness and rodent extermination measures, starting from source management. "Weekly cleaning days" particularly emphasize preventing food waste residue.
Zhang Qi-yi, from the engineering department of a private pest control company, told a Central News Agency reporter in a phone interview that rodents have strong vitality and reproduce quickly. Hantavirus, rat-bite fever, and other serious infectious diseases are carried by rodents, and the importance of rodent control should never be underestimated. "In the past one or two years, there has indeed been a significant increase in the number of rats in Taipei City."
Zhang Qi-yi emphasized that the primary key to rodent control is to block holes to prevent rats from entering indoors. Especially, rats have unique bone structures, and if doors, windows, and door gaps are not tightly closed, even small crevices can provide an opportunity for rats.
Zhang Qi-yi said that if building holes are not sealed, such as drainage holes, pipe channels, and decoration maintenance holes, rats can easily climb along building pipes, edges, or wires.
Zhang Qi-yi stated that in addition to self-inspection by residents, professionals can find traces of rats from footprints, hair marks on walls, droppings, and food residues. The method of rodent control is to seal possible rat holes and gaps around to prevent them from entering the house.
In addition, it is necessary to cut off rodent food sources by properly storing food, water, and kitchen waste in sealed containers. Otherwise, it will provide abundant food sources for rats. If kitchen waste cannot be disposed of immediately, it must be covered. Avoid cluttering homes and offices, and keep indoor furnishings simple, especially in spaces where rats are likely to hide, such as warehouses and storage rooms, to prevent rats from hiding and nesting.
The New Taipei City Environmental Protection Department told a Central News Agency reporter that maintaining a clean and bright home is the most effective way to prevent rodents, and pipe holes should be blocked to prevent rats from entering the house. Before applying rodenticides, other food sources should be eliminated to improve the bait's effectiveness.
The Environmental Protection Department suggests that traps and baits should be placed along rodent activity paths, with small amounts at multiple points (1 to 2 pieces per spot) and observed regularly, usually requiring 3 to 4 applications. If no capture occurs, the position can be adjusted. Gloves should be worn when using them, and bait stations should be used.
The Environmental Protection Department reminds that if there are pets or infants at home, bait should be kept away from their activity areas. When cleaning up rodent carcasses, wear a mask and gloves, and wash hands with soap to ensure hygiene and safety. (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150506
Stand with the facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.