The Nice municipality is embarking on a rat-hunting mission. These animals, carriers of diseases, can quickly become a real scourge. They represent a significant challenge for local authorities, who are seeking effective and environmentally friendly solutions.
The Nice municipality recently installed 25 “Ekomille” devices in the city center to reinforce the fight against rats. These innovative capture devices do not require any biocidal products, unlike traditional methods. The wooden-clad, secure devices are intended to capture rodents without using toxic substances. Rented for nine months, these pieces of equipment will be evaluated at the end of the testing period to determine their effectiveness and future usage.
Christian Estrosi, the mayor of Nice, highlighted the importance of this initiative: “The fight against the proliferation of pests such as rats is a major public health issue. Our Public Hygiene Service and Vector Control Service are particularly mobilized,” he stated. Since the beginning of the year, the service’s agents have already conducted 393 interventions. In 2024, 675 interventions were carried out.
Results after six weeks of operation
The initial results were encouraging. After six weeks of use, the Ekomille devices allowed for the capture of nearly 1,500 rats. These traps work using bait that lures rodents into a reservoir, where they are trapped. The system is based on a lever mechanism that drops the rats into an alcohol-based liquid, rendering them harmless.
This new device was developed by Rat Trap Inc., a company specializing in pest control. Its president, Anthony Giaquinto, explained how the trap works: “It knocks them out, and they eventually drown.” This system, already used in Italy, was introduced in Nice to meet the growing demand for more ecological and effective pest control solutions.
The fight against the proliferation of rats is a matter for everyone, as Christian Estrosi has reminded us. While municipal services are particularly proactive, every citizen can contribute to the effort. Simple actions, such as not leaving open garbage bags or littering, can limit the presence of rats in the city. “I am counting on each person’s commitment to this vital fight for everyone’s health,” added the mayor.
This initiative is part of a series of actions implemented by the city of Nice to improve public health and address residents’ concerns. With these new devices, the city hopes not only to reduce the rat population but also to minimize the environmental impact of traditional solutions. At the end of the experiment, an assessment will be conducted to evaluate the device’s effectiveness and consider its deployment on a larger scale.
