Bulawayo rodents headache: Poor waste disposal feeds growing menace

RATS, mice and other rodents have become permanent visitors in many houses in the city of Bulawayo. Be it in the high populated western areas, they somehow find space to share. In the central business district’s high-rising flats, the small giants have a way of climbing to the top. The posh low-density suburbs are not spared either.

All the “ubulalala khonapho khonapho (it kills instantly)” remedies sold on the streets and those sold at the popular China shops touted to have magic powers have somehow failed to eradicate the menace as the rodents always outmanoeuvre.

Despite their small bodies, the destruction they cause is insurmountable.

They damage property, wreck special dresses and suits and devour any food within their vicinity — the rodents have no mercy.

Vehicle owners have their own tale to tell as the rodents don’t shy away from destroying car electricals, sending the owners to the auto electricians where they spend fortunes.

The first part of the biblical verse: Isaiah 54:17 that reads, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper …” seems to perfectly sum up the rodent menace as they always come out tops.

At night, they make sleeping a nightmare while during the day, they lie low, only making calculated forays into the rooms.

One can spot a couple of them near areas with easy cover, just in case a stone or any other “dangerous weapon” is directed their way.

After conquering bedrooms, sitting rooms and kitchens, the small animals with a relentless appetite also take over the outdoors and like snipers, they make sure that they guard their territory.

A few years ago, South African city of Johannesburg set aside R2,5 millon to fight the rodents’ infestation in its townships and informal settlements, a huge budget by any fit.

They even introduced ”trained” owls to feed on rodents among other measures in schools as the army of rodents invaded all areas including educational institutions.

Worryingly, reports from that country said in Alexandra township, the rodents had gone a gear up and started ”feasting” on human beings with babies being the main victims.

“Amagundwane asithwalise nzima (We’re having a tough time dealing with rats.) I have tried everything sold on the market and for a few days it may seem to work but they always come back stronger afterwards. There are many people who claim to sell umuthi wokuwabulala but it seems it’s all lies. I have bought traps, pills and some poisonous rodenticides sold on the market and other areas but after some time, the rodents always come back stronger,” said Mr Leonard Dube of Entumbane suburb.

Mrs Qiniso Nkomo of Nkulumane said the “small’ breeds of rodents are the most troublesome.

“These small ones are a challenge because they are able to enter any available space. Even when doors are locked, they are able to slide in using the smallest gap that is available. If you try and close that gap, they will eat their way in. I fear that we will soon have a snake problem as they will come hunting for them. There is a need for some form of action to be taken by both fellow residents and council in helping get rid of the menace,” she said.

Bulawayo City Council spokesperson Mrs Nesisa Mpofu attributed the increase of rodents in the city to availability of food due to poor waste disposal by residents.

She warned residents that rodents may pose serious health risks.

“There are a number of causes for the increase, notably these could be availability of food due to indiscriminate disposal of food scraps. Availability of junk which provide breeding places for the rodents. It should also be noted that rats are prolific breeders and their gestation period is very short so if they get a conducive place to breed, their numbers will increase exponentially within a short period of time. The most important thing is to ensure that residents keep their premises clean and waste is properly disposed of. Where a rodent infestation is already manifesting, there are rodenticides sold at approved dealers and these can be used with caution,” she said.

Mrs Mpofu said there was no regulation to rodenticides sold on the street and urged residents to tread with caution.

“The rodenticides sold on the street are not regulated nor is the potency and safety precautions known. It is therefore not advisable to purchase these illicit poisons,” she said.

Mrs Mpofu said council has measures in place of fighting rodents adding that residents are free to call council “when an infestation is noted, so as to attend”.

“Monitoring consumption of bait at bait stations is an indicator that there is uptake of the bait, however it is not possible to quantify the number of rodents succumbing to the bait as they will move away once they consume it. During routine inspections, rodents are captured for identification but no new breeds have been noted. The budget is available for pest control activities which include control of other pests and vermin. It is important to ensure that premises are kept free of junk and food scraps,” she said.

Bulawayo Provincial Medical Director Dr Maphios Siamuchembu said rodents can cause a number of diseases although they have not been common in Zimbabwe.

“Rats can transmit diseases such as salmonella, hantavirus, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choreomeningitis and tularemia. I however have no experience diagnosing or treating any of these diseases. I do not think they are common in our country. Perhaps we even have limited capacity to diagnose them. So, as far as I am concerned, it is more an issue of controlling rats for their damage to property and nuisance effects than for diseases,” he said. — @themkhust