Rats becoming a bigger problem

Rats are becoming an increasing plague in the Netherlands and the spread occurs as the country is changing the laws that govern the extermination of pests.

The Knowledge Center Animal Plagues KAD has reported that it has been receiving increasing reports about brown and black rats. The center says that it’s humans that are to blame; “A rat is looking for food, shelter and warmth,” KAD Director Vonk told NOS Radio 1 Journal. "That’s three factors that we as humans do create." He insisted that it is important that people hide food so it does not attract the animals.

The spread of the rodents come as the Netherlands is adopting a change in how it battles pests. As of January 1 2015 it is forbidden to use pesticides out in the open, which could complicate the extermination.

Vonk said however that it will not automatically be a problem. “Our professional branch of exterminators have the necessary expertise. There are alternatives, like clamps,” he said. The use of clamps is more labor intensive and therefore more expensive than the use of poison.

Vonk said there was no alternative as the pests do have to be exterminated. “Rats are known carriers of certain bacteria, like the Weil's disease that is spread through the urine of brown rats,” he said.