Terschelling starts shooting rats to combat infestation
The Dutch island of Terschelling is dealing with a rat infestation and has begun shooting the rodents to address the issue. The measures aim to protect ground-nesting bird species and prevent damage to dikes caused by rat burrowing.
Two professional rat control specialists are leading the effort and will train local residents to take over, enabling them to manage the rodent population themselves in the future.
According to the municipality, the rats are being eliminated using light air rifles equipped with night-vision technology. “This is the most effective and humane method for killing rats. The use of rat poison is irresponsible and has been banned since January 1, 2023,” the municipality stated.
In August, Terschelling reported its first rat sightings, describing the discovery of two rodents as unusual. Traps and cages were deployed at the time. However, the population appears to have increased significantly, prompting the municipality to escalate its response.
