- Date:2026-04-15
- Department:Comprehensive Planning Division
Preventing rodent infestations at home is not just about placing poison—it requires outsmarting rodents! To help the public more effectively control rodent problems, the Ministry of Environment has introduced a “Comprehensive Blind Spot Inspection for Rodent Prevention at Home.” Using the perspective of “what you think is safe is actually what rodents love,” the campaign guides residents to systematically check hidden risk areas in their homes.
According to the Ministry, there are three common blind spots in rodent prevention:
Blind Spot 1: “Are the holes and gaps in your home properly sealed?”
Many people assume that simply closing doors and windows is sufficient, but overlook the fact that rodents can squeeze through extremely small openings. Any gap larger than a 10-dollar coin (approximately 2 cm), such as air-conditioning vents, pipe gaps, or door seams, can allow rodents to enter easily. Therefore, to achieve “Don't let rodents come,” residents should seal all openings. Drainage holes in bathrooms or balconies should be fitted with metal mesh smaller than 1 cm in diameter. Additionally, window screens should be checked for integrity to prevent rodents from gnawing through them with their ever-growing incisors.
Blind Spot 2: “Is your home a buffet for rodents?”
People often think it is harmless to leave food on the table, but rodents have an extremely keen sense of smell and can even carry food away. The Ministry urges the public to implement the principle of “Don't let rodents eat.” Pet food should be stored immediately after feeding and never left overnight. Dry foods should be stored in sealed glass or metal containers rather than plastic bags, which can be easily gnawed through. Trash cans and food waste bins in the kitchen must also be securely covered and sealed.
Blind Spot 3: “Is your home a luxury hotel for rodents?”
People are often reluctant to discard cardboard boxes, but such materials, along with fabrics and clutter in corners, are ideal nesting materials for rodents. To ensure “Don't let rodents stay,” residents should regularly clean storage areas and dark corners, keep spaces organized, and remove unnecessary clutter to eliminate nesting conditions and hiding places for rodents.
In addition to implementing the above three “no” principles, the Ministry also provides tips for trap placement: rodent traps should be placed along walls rather than in the center of a room, as rodents have poor eyesight and tend to move along edges. The Ministry emphasizes that rodenticides should be a last resort. By using the “Home Rodent Prevention Checklist” for self-inspection, the more items checked off, the farther rodents will stay away, and the lower the risk of disease transmission—ensuring a safe, healthy and rodent-free living environment.
For information on approved household pesticides, the public can visit the Ministry of Environment’s “Environmental Agent Permit and Pest Control Industry License Information System” (https://mdc.moenv.gov.tw/PublicInfo/Permit/).
