In the nine months between July 2024 and March 2025, the City’s Environmental Health Practitioners serviced 44 121 block baiting stations and attended to 4 743 rodent complaints – a 31% increase compared to the previous year.
During the same period the previous year, Environmental Health received 3 616 complaints about rodent activity and serviced 63 997 baiting stations.
The biggest increase in complaints are from the Khayelitsha area, and is directly linked to a special health education programme encouraging residents to log service requests instead of using illegal pesticides.
By law, it is the responsibility of property owners and businesses to keep their premises rodent free and in a clean and hygienic state.
An effective rodent control programme is a necessary public health measure, aimed at protecting residents from contracting diseases associated with rodents.
During April and May, City Health staff increased baiting points, as rodents become more active ahead of winter and start moving indoors for shelter.
‘Rodents are vectors of a wide variety of diseases and by controlling these vermin, we are protecting public health, maintaining quality of life and preserving property. They can also contaminate food and water supplies, which is why rodent control is in the interest of everyone. Practitioners provide rodent control services in all areas, but it goes hand in hand with education and awareness around the factors which contribute to an increase in rodents, such as waste management and illegal dumping,’ said the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.
The top five areas with the most rodent complaints are Khayelitsha, Langa, Crossroads, Parklands and Westridge.
City Health practitioners conduct routine inspections at all food premises to enforce various regulations and assess vector compliance.
They also encourage the public to follow these tips to deter rodents:
- Store food in secure containers
- Clean food preparation areas immediately after use
- Make sure rubbish bins are securely closed
- Do not dump waste illegally
- Do not leave uneaten pet food out
- Seal cracks or holes in walls, floors and under doors
Residents are encouraged to avoid using toxic poisons to get rid of pests and instead to report problems to the City’s Call Centre, the nearest clinic or Environmental Health Office.
