Rats are a growing problem in Singapore. Here are the hotspots and what’s being done

SINGAPORE: Twice recently, as Shantel Lim was jogging near her home, she got quite a shock when a rat scuttled past in front of her.

Besides the shock, she felt a little anxious about being bitten. “I’d have to go to hospital immediately, as (rats) carry many pathogens, viruses … and bacteria,” said the 24-year-old.

It is not just the solitary rat or two, however, that she has chanced upon in her Tampines Street 33 estate. She sees them in the void deck, “always at rubbish chutes” and in drains too.

Recalling an instance where she saw five rats, she said: “They were really big and making loud squeaking sounds.”

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She has even seen up to eight rats in a pack, creating a situation she described as “unsanitary, dangerous and disgusting”.

“It’s a big problem in Tampines because it’s not only me who’s experienced this. My friend who lives nearby said rats are a common sighting around her block as well,” she said.

TOWN COUNCILS RESPOND

The town councils managing the three abovementioned estates all said they were monitoring rat activities or had surveillance operations in place. And they highlighted that they are working with various parties including the National Environment Agency (NEA) to address the issue.

“We also take a holistic approach, enlisting co-operation from food outlets, supermarket operators, members of the community, and authorities managing construction sites for infrastructure projects to keep our estate and public spaces clean,” said Tampines Town Council.

“To tackle the rat issue effectively, there must be consistent efforts by all parties.”

Arising from these efforts, along with a “comprehensive and sustained rat surveillance and control programme” it has implemented with the NEA, there have been “positive results in the reduction of rats’ activities”, added the town council.