Village gives free rat poison to residents to tackle infestation in southern France
Rodent populations along banks of Lot river have exploded
Poison must be used carefully
Chanawat Jaiya/Shutterstock
Free rat poison is to be handed out to residents in a commune in southern France as part of a ‘de-ratification’ programme to deal with a growing rodent problem.
Espalion (Aveyron) has seen an explosion of rodents, particularly in the basements of buildings bordering the Lot river that flows through the village.
A two-day operation will see pest control target rat populations in municipal buildings of the village on December 1, before opening up services to the public on December 2.
Free baits with rat poison will be handed out throughout the day from four locations – you can see the list on media outlet if you live in the commune.
Residents need to bring proof of address and will be given instructions on how to use the poison.
It must be placed outside of the reach of pets and children, and only used in areas where rats are present, such as basements.
Local authorities hope the measure will decimate the rat population in the area.
Rat issues common in France
Rodent infestations are a problem in both urban and rural areas of France and particularly near rivers.
Both rats and mice can thrive in the French climate, and easy access to food sources (either through bins and sewers in Paris and other cities, or basements in rural homes) help populations grow quickly.
Some estimates suggest that there are up to three rats for every resident in Paris.
In cases where a city, town, or commune is overrun, it is part of the mairie’s responsibility to ‘de-ratify’ an area, usually using professional pest control services.
This can be through singular or continual operations, and as in the case of Espalion, include providing free anti-rat products to residents.
The exact type of poison and bait handed out is limited to those that can be purchased however, and products that are only for professional use are excluded.
Keeping your house clean and removing potential access to food sources is key to stopping an infestation (rats can chew through packaging so you need sturdy, air-tight containers).
If you do find rats in your home, there are many shops in France that specialise in tackling ‘nuisibles’ (pests of all kinds, including rodents).
These can provide traps and poison for you to place, if you feel comfortable doing so.
If poison meant for rodents is consumed, medical advice may be necessary, and you should call France’s poison control. Broken down into eight location-based centres, you can find the full list of numbers . The K1 vitamin is also an antidote to most rat poisons.
In cases where your home is facing a more serious issue, calling professional pest control is the best course of action. Prices can vary depending on the severity of the case, but usually fall between €150 and €500.
