Taipei residents launch 'Rat Radar' amid rat sightings

台北居民因鼠患頻繁推出 “老鼠雷達”

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A recent surge in rat sightings across Taipei has prompted residents to dub the situation a “rat invasion,” with at least one case of hantavirus reported.

On April 27, a Threads user said her mother, who lives in Taipei’s Zhongshan District, was bitten on the stomach and hand by a rat while sleeping, per Mirror Media.

In response to reports of more rats being spotted on streets, Taipei’s Department of Environmental Protection told CNA that authorities are examining whether construction projects, such as building demolitions, foundation excavations, and groundwater pumping, have disturbed the ground and driven the rodents out.

To track where rodents are appearing, residents have created crowdsourced tools such as “Rat Radar” and “Taipei Rat Tracker,” enabling concerned residents to avoid affected areas, Liberty Times reported.

Both platforms, which were under maintenance as of Monday morning, combine map visualization with reporting systems, allowing users to upload photos or written descriptions of sightings. Users can also search specific streets to check whether rats have been reported nearby.

Based on user submissions, the most heavily affected areas include the vicinity of Taipei Main Station along Guanqian Road and around Taipei 101 in Xinyi District, each with nine reported sightings, according to Liberty Times. This is followed by the area around Minquan East Road and Fuyuan Street with eight reports, and Nanjing East Road and Dunhua South Road with seven.

Rat Radar also provides information on the distribution of poisoned bait, helping pet owners prevent accidental ingestion. It also features a “rat catcher leaderboard,” highlighting users who report sightings most frequently and encouraging broader public participation.