Rat Control - NEA

Skip to main

Pest Control

1. The National Environment Agency
2. Our Services
3. Pest Control
4. Rat Control

Normal Font SizeBig Font SizeBigger Font Size

• Overview
• Mosquito Control
  • Mosquito Control in Condominium Estates
  • Mosquito Control in Construction Sites
  • Mosquito Control in Schools
  • Mosquito Control in Town Councils
• Rat Control
• Fumigation
• Vector Control Operator, Vector Control Technician and Vector Control Worker
  • Conditions of Licensing
• Environmental Control Officers for Specified Construction Sites
• Registration of Control of Public Health Pesticides and Repellents against Vectors
• Permission for Insectary and/or Use of Vectors
• Management of Bed Bugs
• Integrated Pest Management

You are now reading: Overview Mosquito Control Mosquito Control in Condominium Estates Mosquito Control in Construction Sites Mosquito Control in Schools Mosquito Control in Town Councils Rat Control Fumigation Vector Control Operator, Vector Control Technician and Vector Control Worker Conditions of Licensing Environmental Control Officers for Specified Construction Sites Registration of Control of Public Health Pesticides and Repellents against Vectors Permission for Insectary and/or Use of Vectors Management of Bed Bugs Integrated Pest Management Rat Control

Rats are a concern because their urine and droppings, as well as the fleas on their bodies, may transmit diseases. Besides contaminating food, they also cause damage to infrastructure by gnawing. Rats thrive where food, water, and shelter is readily available. In urban environments like Singapore, poorly-managed bin centres and refuse chutes, uncovered or overflowing bulk bins, uncleared stray animal feeding, improper disposal of food waste and poor housekeeping provide conducive conditions for rats to feed and nest.

Rat burrows, rat droppings, rub marks, gnaw marks and squeaking sounds are possible signs of rat infestation. The key strategy in managing rat infestation is to remove and deny entry to food sources and remove potential areas of harbourage, so as to make nesting and breeding difficult. Measures to achieve this include keeping the environment clean, storing food in rat-proof containers and practising good refuse management.

All stakeholders including land owners, building management, food shop operators and supermarket operators must establish good housekeeping practices, refuse management and conduct routine pest control checks and proper treatment. Consistent and sustained efforts by all parties are needed to ensure rat infested areas are tackled holistically. More information can be obtained from the "Keep Places Clean and Free of Rats" pamphlet. A guideline on rat prevention and control for estate and facilities managers is also available below for reference.Licensed Vector Control Operators (VCOs) should be engaged to prevent and reduce rat infestations. This should be guided by clear contract specifications that ensure execution of a comprehensive and sustained rat surveillance and control programme tailored for the type of premises they are servicing.

The sample rat control contract specifications for service buyers can be found below:

Premises/Service Area	Sample Rat Contract Specifications
Food Establishments/Supermarkets	Full contract specifications (Including Annexes A to E) [PDF, 541.66 KB]
Shopping Malls	Full contract specifications (Including Annexes A to E) [PDF, 544 KB]
Construction Sites	Full contract specifications (Including Annexes A to E) [PDF, 923 KB]

NEA Rat Guidelines
	NEA Rat Guidelines for Premises Owners and Managers [PDF, 7.5 MB]
	NEA Rat Guidelines Quick Reference Cards - an infographic summary of the guidelines [PDF, 344 KB]