Taiwan Rat Association: Poisoning Cannot Keep Up with Rat Reproduction, Calls for Strengthening Environmental Governance
The Taiwan Rat Association pointed out that poisoning alone cannot keep up with the rapid reproduction rate of rats, urging for a shift towards environmental governance to fundamentally solve Taipei City's rat problem. They emphasized the importance of strengthening waste management and physical prevention measures.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 12:31
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 13:01 (30 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 9, 2026 at 01:19 (12h 17m after Collected)
Taipei, May 8 (CNA) In response to Taipei City's efforts to solve the rat problem, the Taiwan Rat Association today stated that poisoning alone can never keep up with the rapid reproduction rate of rats, and called for replacing the mindset of poisoning with environmental governance.
Taipei City has recently received frequent complaints from citizens about rats appearing on the streets. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an recently led the Environmental Protection Bureau and other relevant departments to hold a "Taipei City Rat Control Press Conference," announcing a comprehensive prevention, disinfection, and cross-departmental approach to the rat problem.
The Taiwan Rat Association today issued a press release, emphasizing that rats are not demons but a warning sign for urban governance, and called for replacing "poisoning mindset" with "environmental governance."
Chang Sheng-man, founding director of the Taiwan Rat Association, stated that the negative impression of rats in society has been overly amplified recently. Many people instinctively think of poisoning, sticky traps, or complete eradication, but this collective hatred not only fails to solve the rat problem but also produces serious side effects.
Chang Sheng-man explained that rats have four major reproductive characteristics: first, a short estrus cycle, with female rats going into heat every 4 to 5 days; second, a very fast gestation period, taking only about 20 days to give birth; third, a large litter size, with 5 to 15 pups per litter, and they can conceive again immediately after giving birth; finally, early maturity, with pups becoming fertile about one month after birth. Therefore, relying solely on "poisoning" can never keep up with the reproduction rate.
Chang Sheng-man called for rat control to return to three basic principles. First, strengthen garbage and food waste management. For the catering and night market culture, if food residues are not properly handled, it is equivalent to providing nutrients for rat reproduction every day. Second, communities, markets, and public facilities should establish inspection mechanisms to block drainage holes and pipe gaps, achieving "no rats living" physically. Third, strengthen civic education and business responsibility. Rat control should not rely solely on the government; residents and businesses should implement proper waste disposal and avoid piling up clutter.
The Taiwan Rat Association emphasized that rats are not demons. When a large number of rats appear in a city, what truly needs to be examined is how humans have created an environment suitable for their survival.
The Taiwan Rat Association suggested that the government should refer to international experience and elevate rat control to an "urban governance plan" instead of staying at short-term spraying and disinfection. Especially under the influence of climate change, the activity time of rodents is prolonged. Only by cutting off food sources and blocking habitats from the source can the rat problem truly be reduced. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei) 1150508
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Taipei City has recently received frequent complaints from citizens about rats appearing on the streets. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an recently led the Environmental Protection Bureau and other relevant departments to hold a "Taipei City Rat Control Press Conference," announcing a comprehensive prevention, disinfection, and cross-departmental approach to the rat problem.
The Taiwan Rat Association today issued a press release, emphasizing that rats are not demons but a warning sign for urban governance, and called for replacing "poisoning mindset" with "environmental governance."
Chang Sheng-man, founding director of the Taiwan Rat Association, stated that the negative impression of rats in society has been overly amplified recently. Many people instinctively think of poisoning, sticky traps, or complete eradication, but this collective hatred not only fails to solve the rat problem but also produces serious side effects.
Chang Sheng-man explained that rats have four major reproductive characteristics: first, a short estrus cycle, with female rats going into heat every 4 to 5 days; second, a very fast gestation period, taking only about 20 days to give birth; third, a large litter size, with 5 to 15 pups per litter, and they can conceive again immediately after giving birth; finally, early maturity, with pups becoming fertile about one month after birth. Therefore, relying solely on "poisoning" can never keep up with the reproduction rate.
Chang Sheng-man called for rat control to return to three basic principles. First, strengthen garbage and food waste management. For the catering and night market culture, if food residues are not properly handled, it is equivalent to providing nutrients for rat reproduction every day. Second, communities, markets, and public facilities should establish inspection mechanisms to block drainage holes and pipe gaps, achieving "no rats living" physically. Third, strengthen civic education and business responsibility. Rat control should not rely solely on the government; residents and businesses should implement proper waste disposal and avoid piling up clutter.
The Taiwan Rat Association emphasized that rats are not demons. When a large number of rats appear in a city, what truly needs to be examined is how humans have created an environment suitable for their survival.
The Taiwan Rat Association suggested that the government should refer to international experience and elevate rat control to an "urban governance plan" instead of staying at short-term spraying and disinfection. Especially under the influence of climate change, the activity time of rodents is prolonged. Only by cutting off food sources and blocking habitats from the source can the rat problem truly be reduced. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei) 1150508
Stand with the facts, your every sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
Download CNA's "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, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.