Woman, 76, uses ikan bilis, duck bones & oyster sauce bait to trap 20 rats in 3 weeks at Chinatown block of flats

Resident Takes Matters into Her Own Hands

A 76-year-old woman has been dealing with a rat infestation at her block of flats in Chinatown. She has taken matters into her own hands by using her own recipe to make baits to trap the rodents, successfully catching 20 rats in three weeks.

The woman, surnamed Xie, told Shin Min Daily News that she has lived in the block for decades and rarely encountered rats despite a food centre being located downstairs. However, rats began appearing along the corridors and gnawing on objects last year, she said. According to her, she often sees rats running around when she leaves her home at about 4am or 5am. Her home security camera also previously captured rats running along the gates, she added.

Homemade Traps

To deal with the problem, Xie told Shin Min she bought glue traps and used fried anchovies (ikan bilis) and duck bones as bait, adding oyster sauce to attract the rats. She said she usually sets up two or three traps at a time. "After catching a rat, I wait for it to die before throwing it away," she said. "I don't set out the traps every day, but I still catch quite a few. A few days ago, I set them out at 2am and caught two when I got up at 5am," she said.

Recreational Area on the Fourth Floor

Shin Min found that part of the fourth floor had been converted into a recreational area, with exercise equipment installed there. The area directly below the public hosing block is an open space, with notices placed on pillars reminding people not to urinate there or make excessive noise. Rats also spotted at shops

Pest Control Work Conducted Weekly

In response to queries from Shin Min, a spokesperson for the Jalan Besar Town Council said pest control work is carried out in the area every week. The town council has also put up notices discouraging people from gathering in the open area on the fourth floor, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that the matter has also been referred to the Singapore Police Force to address any possible illegal assembly or gatherings. Police will increase patrols in the area.