Since 2019, the number of rats in Amsterdam has more than doubled

A figure released this week by local news AT5 / NH Amsterdam showed that between 2019 and 2021, the GGD recorded a number of reports of rats in Amsterdam more than doubled.

GGD received more than 7,000 reports of rats in Amsterdam in 2021

This is a nasty reality when living in any major city around the world, and Amsterdam is no different. According to the municipal health service of the Dutch capital, the number of incidents involving rats has more than doubled in recent years: from 3,409 in 2019 to 7,329 in 2021.

GGD explains that this sudden and significant increase is not particularly surprising. The outbreak of COVID-19 in the spring of 2020, as well as various restrictions imposed by the Dutch government, meant that people in the Netherlands spent more time at home. This not only led to more household waste, but also meant that people were more likely to notice rats and other pests in their area.

This isn’t the first time Amsterdam’s rodents have hit the headlines; A few months ago a couple in Amsterdam was shocked to find a live rat in their toilet!

Pest control in the Dutch capital

The municipality is aware of the problem facing Amsterdam. In a letter to the city council, Mayor Jacob Vedemeyer expressed his concern: “So far there has been no alarming pest pressure, but it is clearly increasing.”

A feeding ban was imposed on much of the city last year. All residents who actively feed birds or other wild animals face a fine of 70 euros. But other measures have so far been restricted, and rat poison is banned in all public places – although mechanical traps are allowed.

Rats are not only a source of mild irritation, as doctors warn that they can tolerate and tolerate disease. They can also cause significant property damage by gnawing on wires and cables, which can result in a short circuit or fire.