Pest Control
What is it?
Controlling pests in public areas is not an official duty of the municipality. Only when there is a threat to public health does the municipality take action. For example, if the nuisance caused by pests is so severe that an entire neighborhood or district is at risk of disease.
What to do.
Pests in public areas
- Report this to the municipality.
Pests on private property
- Contact a licensed pest or pest control company.
Information and measures can be found on the website of the Animal Pest Knowledge and Advisory Center (KAD). On this website, you can also find the companies that control and remove pests.
Please note that the municipality is not affiliated with the KAD. This means that while you have free access to the information on the website, pest control or removal on your property is at your own expense.
Rat Infestation
Rats are causing problems in more and more places. They are attracted to food, trash, and pet food. That is why it is important to provide rats with as little food and shelter as possible.
Do you have rats on your property? If so, you are responsible for controlling them. Please contact a professional pest control specialist. For more information, visit the Animal Pest Knowledge and Advice Center at .
Good to know: Since 2023, it has been illegal throughout the Netherlands to use rat poison on your own. Only trained pest control professionals are still allowed to do so.
Tips to prevent rats
These tips will help you reduce the risk of rats:
- Seal any cracks, crevices, and other openings—such as those leading to your basement or crawl space—properly. Health there is adequate ventilation, and be mindful of protected animals, such as bats.
- Quickly clean up food scraps, trash, and fallen fruit in your yard.
- Store pet and bird food in containers that seal tightly.
- Make sure to securely cover animal enclosures, such as a chicken coop, with fine-mesh wire netting.
Do you see one rat? Then there are often more. If so, quickly call in a professional exterminator.