World · Europe · 7 hrs ago
Bern tests rat traps in sewers as an alternative to poison
Bern has tested a new rat-control method in its sewers for about a year.
Instead of poison, it uses bait and a mechanism that delivers a fatal blow when a rat enters the trap.
The traps have been triggered only twice, as rats tend to avoid unfamiliar objects.
The city hopes the method will reduce secondary poisoning, which can happen when other animals eat poisoned rats.
Rats can carry up to 70 disease-causing agents, according to Switzerland’s Federal Office for the Environment.
Some critics want nonviolent options tried first and say people should avoid leaving food waste where rats can reach it, including by flushing scraps down toilets.
Bern has been testing special traps in its sewers for about a year as an alternative to rat poison.
The traps use bait and a trigger mechanism to deliver a fatal blow to a rat.
The city says the approach is intended to prevent other animals from being poisoned by eating poisoned rats.
So far, the trigger mechanism has activated only twice.
Bern city councillor Tobias Sennhauser says non-lethal options should be tried first and calls for more public awareness about food waste.
- Who
- The city of Bern is testing the traps. City councillor Tobias Sennhauser has criticised killing rats.
- What
- Bern is testing traps in sewers as an alternative to rat poison.
- When
- The test has been running for about a year.
- Where
- In the sewer system in Bern, Switzerland.
- Why
- The traps are intended to avoid using poison and prevent secondary poisoning of animals that eat poisoned rats.
City of Bern
Tobias Sennhauser
Approach to rat control
City of Bern
The city is testing traps that kill rats as an alternative to poison.
Tobias Sennhauser
Non-lethal options should be exhausted first.
Addressing the problem
City of Bern
The traps are intended to reduce rat numbers and prevent secondary poisoning.
Tobias Sennhauser
People should change their behaviour and avoid leaving food waste where it can support rats.
Bern began testing special rat traps in its sewers.
The traps’ trigger mechanism had activated twice.
- Test location
- Bern’s sewers
- Test duration
- About one year
- Trap activations
- Twice
- Trap mechanism
- Bait, a trigger mechanism and a bolt that delivers a fatal blow
- Health risk
- Rats can transmit up to 70 pathogens, according to Switzerland’s Federal Office for the Environment
What people are saying
Waste and especially food scraps in the environment offer rats a better habitat.
Many people do not know, for example, that they encourage rats when they flush food scraps down the toilet.