Increased rat sightings in Singapore due to poor food waste management, wetter weather: Pest busters

SINGAPORE: Rat sightings have been making headlines recently in a sign of a gnawing problem that could multiply quickly if left uncontrolled. 

Pest controllers said complaints about rat sightings or related enquiries have gone up in recent months.

Exposed food waste, improper trash disposal, as well as hotter and wetter weather are drawing the rodents out, they said.

WEATHER PLAYS A PART

Mr Hadi Hanafi, technical director of Innovative Pest Management, said an increase in rainfall could flood burrows or nests underground or in low-lying areas, flushing rats out into the open to seek drier sites.

His company has received 30 to 40 per cent more rodent-related enquiries in recent months. Most of his clients are those living on the ground floor of residential buildings, and owners of food and beverage (F&B) establishments. 

The pests typically nest in areas with thick vegetation near markets or coffee shops where scraps are easily found.

He added that warmer temperatures speed up the rodents’ metabolism, so they eat and breed more.

RATS MULTIPLY RAPIDLY

Pest controllers said it is difficult to keep the rat population in check as they multiply quickly.

A female rat reaches maturity at eight to 12 weeks, and can birth up to six litters a year, reproducing four to 12 rat pups each time.

“If you miss out the activities of just a pair of rats, you could be looking at potentially 1,200 of them within your vicinity in a year if you do not have the initial rodent control put in place,” said Mr Albert Lee, president of the Singapore Pest Management Association.

When day breaks, the nocturnal rodents hide away in nooks and crannies. Their high adaptability adds to the challenge of eradicating them, said Mr Lee.

“They can thrive very well in our urban environment and adapt to different types of building environments. They can hide in sewers, basement, attics, even space between service ducts,” he said.

“Also, their breeding sites are not so easily found. They could be spots that are hard to inspect and maintain. These rats can hide unnoticed for months or years.”

Older buildings are more prone to intrusions, pest controllers added.

“There is more wear and tear in older buildings, hence there are more entry points for the rodents to enter. So, there's a higher possibility of the tenants living there seeing them,” said Mr Leslie Chong, sales director of System Pest Control Services. His firm has seen a 10 per cent increase in rodent-related calls in recent months.

Residents can keep the rodents out with steel kick plates at their doors, and wire mesh over holes and windows, he said.

KEEPING RODENT NUMBERS DOWN

Pests controllers highlight proper disposal of food waste and other trash to tackle the problem of increased rat sightings.

“For food establishments, ensure that every end of the day, all the waste food is thrown out properly. Ensure that there's always a covered bin around so that when waste food is thrown inside, it's always best to have it covered so it prevents access to the rodents,” said Mr Hadi. 

However, getting rid of rodents requires more than just wire mesh and proper trash disposal.

Mr Hadi said just trapping individual rats is not enough to eliminate an infestation, and pest controllers usually need to get to the root of the problem by tackling nests.

His firm uses thermal imaging cameras to sniff out rodents hiding in walls or other hard-to-reach spaces, to specifically target high-activity areas to wipe out the population.

“Let's say we have thick vegetation and it's difficult to check every single corner; with thermal imaging, we can detect movement and treat the area effectively,” he said. “We also have rodent monitoring stations that collect data and narrow down to where the high activity areas are.”

The Singapore Pest Management Association warned that rats carry diseases that can kill. They also create fire hazards when they chew on electrical wires.

Pest controllers said tackling the issue should be made a priority and is a joint responsibility of all within a vicinity, before the situation goes out of control.

“There is lack of coordination (at the moment). Infestations at food and beverages establishments – be it rodents, cockroaches or houseflies – it is a shared responsibility, not just by the tenant or the food establishment, but also the whole shopping mall or the whole premise. Every party needs to be involved,” Mr Lee said.