Drawing. A rat in a district of Lille, May 20, 2013. – M.LIBERT/20 MINUTES
- An “information and assessment mission (MIE) for the management of rats in the city and introductory animals in the habitat” had been decided in October to fight against their proliferation in the city.
- Six months later, a report of this mission was presented on Monday during the City Council. After having endeavored to identify the causes which favor this proliferation, its report notably provides for sensitization of the population, more information, but also technical solutions that are both preventive and curative.
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Faced with the proliferation of rats and bedbugs, the new Strasbourg municipal team was expected to take office last July. The subject does not date from yesterday, but it has grown since confinement. Also, an “information and assessment mission (MIE) for the management of rats in town and introductory animals in the habitat” had been decided in October to try to find “adapted, effective and lasting solutions, without neglect the animal cause ”insisted the green municipality.
Six months later, the report of this mission was presented on Monday during the City Council. Some elected officials blamed him for a lack of responsiveness, action, precision, given the urgency in which many families in Strasbourg live. But is this long-awaited report “a mountain that gave birth to a mouse” as the elected PS Anne-Pernelle Richardot reproached? 20 Minutes make the point.
Collective awareness
The president of the MIE, Benjamin Soulet, deputy mayor of Strasbourg, defended himself on Monday from any standstill. After several evaluations with residents’ associations, social landlords, rat control professionals, city technical services, tenants, to analyze the causes of this infestation, the discussions focused on making an inventory. “Starting from the reality on the ground”.
Now, new preventive measures but also treatment will be taken. Certain common sense measures, such as the more regular cleaning of some sectors, have already been reinforced to “accompany” the inhabitants who are living a real nightmare. About twenty technical sheets, specific for each situation, have also been drawn up and are or will be communicated, in particular to social landlords, neighborhood authorities, residents, etc. All will be made aware of and involved in this fight which is becoming common.
Buried trash cans
Concerning rodents in particular, present mainly in “large social housing complexes and degraded condominiums” according to the MIE, the fight will involve public facilities and equipment. But this fight must also involve a public awareness campaign to avoid incivility and illegal dumping of waste.
New underground bins will thus be put in place. “The ambition is to increase, during the mandate, from 4,000 to 18,000 people who will be able to benefit from this underground collection” promises Benjamin Soulet. The degraded collection points in public spaces are already being developed. The evening cleaning crews service along the quays, scheduled until 8 p.m. today will be extended until midnight.
“Ambassadors” bedbugs
On the more difficult issue of the fight against bedbugs, a communication and public awareness plan will be launched. And bedbug “ambassadors” will be appointed. These will be people closest to the affected families, such as social workers, whose mission will be to give advice, make contacts, and provide an information sheet. Finally, the city intends to promote innovation and the emergence of new processing techniques such as freezing.
The municipality is committed to an obligation of result and regular monitoring of the situation, “so that citizens can live in a dignified and decent manner.” »An appointment is given by the city for a first progress report in a few weeks.
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