Singapore VS Rats: What Does It Take To Win? | Talking Point | War On Rats - Part 2/2

Key Concepts

• Thermal imaging drones for rodent detection
• Night culling (rat trapping)
• Rodent burrow treatment with rodenticide
• Inter-agency coordination (Town Council, NEA, HDB, SFA, MSO)
• Refuse management and food source control
• Enforcement against littering and improper waste disposal
• Rodent behavior and adaptation
• "Super rats" (rodents resistant to poison)
• Thermal imaging cameras for rodent hotspot identification

Drone Surveillance for Rodent Detection

• Main Topic: Using thermal imaging drones to detect rodent activity in vacant lands.
• Key Points:
  • Drones are equipped with heat-detecting cameras.
  • Red color indicates rodent activity or movement.
  • Rings indicate rodent burrows.
  • Drones allow for faster detection compared to traditional methods (1 hour vs. 6-7 hours for a 5-football-field area).
  • Drones are not used in housing estates due to narrow spaces and privacy concerns.
• Pilot Program: Currently being piloted in the Temperis and Pongul areas.

Night Culling and Rat Trapping

• Main Topic: Traditional rat trapping methods and their effectiveness.
• Key Points:
  • Night culling complements daytime rodenticide treatment.
  • Peanut butter and bread are used as bait due to the rats' strong sense of smell.
  • Rat cages are a "tried and true" method.
  • Cages are placed in hotspot areas, near burrows, and along "superhighways" (drains).
  • Cages are inspected after an hour, and if no rats are caught, they are left for another hour.
• Example: In Paser West, MP Andrani Raja introduced night culling as a key measure to tackle rat infestation.
• Process:
  1. Set up rat cages with peanut butter and bread as bait.
  2. Place cages in hotspot areas (near burrows, drains, trash).
  3. Reinspect cages after an hour.
  4. If rats are caught, humanely euthanize them with CO2.

Inter-Agency Coordination

• Main Topic: The importance of coordination between different agencies to combat rat infestations.
• Key Points:
  • Coordination meetings involve Town Council, NEA, HDB, SFA, MSO, grassroots representatives, and the MP.
  • Coordination ensures everyone is on the same page and understands each other's challenges.
  • NEA shares burrow data with the Town Council.
  • Town Council calls in pest controllers.
  • SFA enforces hygiene standards in food stalls.
  • HDB ensures stall owners follow the rules on HDB premises.
• Example: MP Andrani Raja initiated a coordination meeting in Paser West to address the rat issue effectively.

Buffalo Road Case Study: Refuse Management and Enforcement

• Main Topic: Examining the rat infestation problem in Buffalo Road and potential solutions.
• Key Points:
  • Significant rat activity observed due to overflowing bins and readily available food sources.
  • Surveillance cameras are in place to capture litterbugs, but they are not effectively addressing the root cause of the problem.
  • The Little India Tekka task force has been dealing with the rat problem for over 5 years, but their efforts have not been very effective.
  • The biggest challenge is food disposal by grocery stores and restaurants.
  • More stringent enforcement and fines are needed, potentially leading to court appearances and jail terms for repeat offenders.
  • CCTV cameras are not strategically positioned to monitor waste disposal practices.
  • The area is cleaned every 2 hours, but only litter is picked up, not trade waste (food waste).
  • NEA enforces against improper refuse management, with fines starting at $300.
  • Rodent control is not just about killing rats; it's about addressing food sources.
  • Trapping is not considered a very effective solution.
• Quote: Mr. SA, chairman of Little India Shop Owners and Heritage Association: "The biggest challenge is food disposal... It's like fun time for them."
• Data: The number of detected burrows almost doubled compared to last year and has escalated to an all-time high in 6 years.
• Proposed Solutions:
  • Stronger enforcement against shopkeepers who improperly dispose of food waste.
  • Strategic placement of CCTV cameras to monitor waste disposal.
  • Comprehensive refuse management, including trade waste.

Thermal Imaging Camera Trial and Data Sharing

• Main Topic: The use of thermal imaging cameras to identify rodent hotspots and the challenges of data sharing.
• Key Points:
  • Thermal imaging cameras are deployed at hotspots for a week to collect data.
  • NEA shares data with premises managers who have direct control over the situation.
  • NEA is hesitant to publish hotspot data to the public, considering what information would be useful and actionable.
• Data: Last year, NEA trialed thermal imaging cameras.
• Quote: NEA representative: "Currently our approach is to share the data with um the relevant premises managers... But we are at the moment we are not publishing hotspots because we are also thinking of what kind of information would be useful and um actionable for the members of the public."

Rodent Adaptation and "Super Rats"

• Main Topic: The adaptability of rats and the emergence of poison-resistant "super rats."
• Key Points:
  • Rats in Singapore have adapted well, requiring continuous learning about their behavior.
  • A study in the UK discovered "super rats" resistant to common poisons.
  • A similar study in Singapore found no evidence of "super rats."
• Quote: NEA representative: "The rats in Singapore have very adapted very well. So we need to continue to learn how to um understand their behavior better."

Conclusion

Singapore's war on rats is a multifaceted challenge requiring a combination of traditional methods (rat trapping, rodenticide), innovative technologies (thermal imaging drones and cameras), and, most importantly, coordinated efforts from various agencies and the public. The key to success lies in effective refuse management, stringent enforcement against littering, and a deeper understanding of rodent behavior. While Singapore has not yet encountered "super rats," the adaptability of these creatures necessitates a continuous evolution of strategies to keep their population under control.