IAM: Rodent control in public areas remains at manageable level

The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) announced that, according to a recent survey conducted by third-party academic institutions in mainland China, rodent control in the city’s public areas remains at a manageable level.

In 2024, the city recorded 711 complaints related to rodent infestations, a 36% decrease from 1,113 cases in 2019.

In response to a written inquiry from lawmaker Ron Lam regarding measures to combat rodent-borne diseases, the IAM outlined its recent efforts.

Over the years, the department said it has intensified extermination efforts in public spaces, significantly increasing the number of fixed rat bait boxes on public streets from about 200 in 2017 to approximately 1,400 today, covering nearly all districts.

Macau has also been divided into 25 districts for systematic rodent control, with extermination efforts increasing from twice a year per district to at least three times annually since last year. Each campaign lasts for five weeks, with 27,000 bait placements recorded in 2024.

Additionally, the number of traditional street trash cans has been drastically reduced from over 1,600 to just 92, helping to minimize odor and pest problems.

Earlier this year, the bureau ordered three branches of the supermarket chain Royal to temporarily suspend operations after discovering a widespread rodent infestation on the premises. This action followed the circulation of viral social media footage depicting rodents feeding in a freezer.

According to the IAM, the affected branches were found to have substandard hygiene conditions, including visible signs of rodent activity in storage areas and inadequate pest control measures in food preparation zones. Staff Reporter