Beersel (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Beersel stopped using poison after pet safety concerns and now uses alcohol-based rat traps. Alderman Elsie Degreef led the switch. Roeselare faced similar issues earlier. Traps track catches via the app.
As VRT News reported, Beersel, a municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium, has problems with rats, just like many other towns. The town used poison boxes to kill the rats. But last year, some dogs got sick, and people were scared.
The town listened to the people and wanted to find a better way. Alderman Elsie Degreef from N-VA said they looked at what other towns were doing. They want a way to stop rats that is safe for pets and the environment.
What made Beersel switch from poison to drowning traps?
Beersel now do not use poison anymore. Rats are caught in a trap with water and alcohol. The rats die quickly in the mix. There is no poison left outside. The town says it is a better and kinder way to stop rats. It also helps keep people and pets safe. More towns are trying new ways like this to deal with rats.
Alderman Elsie Degreef says,
“These rats are lured by a seed mixture, dropped into a liquid, and are stunned and drowned within a minute. It’s much faster and more controlled than poison, which lasts longer and can potentially be taken outside.”
According to officials, Beersel’s new way to catch rats has another benefit. The town can now see how many rats are caught. Before, with poison, they did not know the number. Now, they use an app that shows when a trap is full. It sends a message to the town workers.
The municipality emphasises:
“A rat won’t come and eat in a litter box if there’s trash everywhere. We will therefore also focus on raising awareness among residents, because cleanliness remains an important factor in rat control.”
The new rat traps in Beersel can now be placed on public land. The town council agreed to use this system in the whole area. Companies could send their offers until July 15, 2026. The town will soon start using the traps.
An incident happened in the town of Roeselare, where a family dog became sick after walking near a public area with rat poison. The incident caused panic among local pet owners, and the municipality faced strong criticism.
People were worried that poison meant for rats was putting their animals at risk. In response, the town stopped using poison in open spaces and looked for safer options. They later switched to closed traps to avoid further harm to pets and wildlife.
