Rats in Cenon, Gironde, have become increasingly bold, foraging during the day and invading homes. Frustrated residents report persistent infestations, with some struggling to manage the situation despite using traps and poisons. Pest control services are overwhelmed, with a significant rise in demand for their services. Contributing factors include construction disturbances and improper waste disposal by residents. Municipal efforts to control the rat population are in place, but changing community habits is crucial for long-term success.
Traditionally, rats are nocturnal creatures, venturing out only under the cover of darkness to scavenge for food. However, in Cenon (Gironde), these pests have become bold, foraging in daylight right outside residents’ homes. ‘We have rats everywhere, and I can assure you they are as quick as rabbits. I even found one in my kitchen on the first floor,’ shares a frustrated homeowner from a heavily infested building. Another resident expresses their anger, ‘Why can’t we take action? The town hall should provide some solutions.’
Rats are invading our space. It’s astonishing how they run rampant; the situation is unmanageable.
Rats are invading our space. It’s astonishing how they run rampant; the situation is unmanageable.
Sonia Brémaud, resident of a Bordeaux building
In a nearby Bordeaux building, rats have made their home beneath Sonia Brémaud’s terrace, which has been unusable for two years. Holding up a dead rat, she comments, ‘It’s just another catch for the day.’ She describes the constant battle, stating, ‘Every day, we seal the holes. There are tunnels beneath us. When we dig, we can feel the ground sink.’ To combat this issue, she employs traps, saying, ‘Our main line of defense is the snap trap.’ Despite her efforts, including using multiple poison packets, she finds little success. ‘Rats continue to invade. It’s unbelievable; they scurry all over. It’s simply unmanageable,’ she laments.
These poison packets are available in stores, priced between 20 and 60 euros. To maintain effectiveness, it’s crucial to frequently switch products. ‘We sell them every day and offer various types to prevent rats from becoming accustomed to them, ensuring maximum effectiveness,’ explains Vincent Mizzi, the manager of a local hardware store.
Strained Pest Control Services
When rat populations grow uncontrollably, enlisting professional help is often the best option. ‘Rodents can burrow beneath concrete slabs, allowing them to access entire buildings and invade apartments,’ highlights Arnaud Tadjouri, manager of Eradiktou. His company has expanded significantly, adding seven new technicians in just three years to address the rising demand. ‘Previously, we conducted around twenty pest control operations each month. Now, it’s around 25 per day—a clear surge in need,’ he asserts. He believes that during the Covid pandemic, rats became accustomed to less human disturbance, leading them to emerge more frequently from the sewers. Once they settle in, dislodging them can be a long-term effort. ‘We’d need to perform at least one treatment every ten days for a minimum of a year, which costs thousands of euros,’ he admits.
Construction activities also contribute to the rat problem, as seen in Clermont-Ferrand, where municipal projects have led to an uptick in rodent sightings. ‘The vibrations from construction disturb them, prompting them to surface more often,’ explains pest control expert Houssam Ayachine.
In La Seyne-sur-Mer (Var), the problem is exacerbated by residents’ negligence in disposing of waste properly, which has led to a surge in rat populations. The town hall is trying to combat this issue with a pest control budget of 45,000 euros this year. ‘We’ve placed 1,000 poisoned bait stations at sewer drains and distributed 50 kilos of rat granules in their burrows; it’s a significant operation,’ states Mayor Nathalie Bicais.
However, without a change in residents’ habits, these efforts may be futile. The rapid reproduction rate of rats is alarming, as each female can give birth up to five times a year, with litters averaging eight young.