Hong Kong rat catchers have reported a 40 per cent year-on-year surge in the number of live rodents trapped, with about 89,600 captured in 2024, helped by AI-powered surveillance technology.
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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department introduced thermal imaging cameras equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) to track rodent activity last year, replacing traditional trapping methods such as searching for gnaw marks on sweet potato bait.
In Tsuen Wan’s Hau Tei Square, for example, captures tripled from 89 in 2023 to about 270 last year, highlighting the effectiveness of the new hi-tech control measures.
Chief health inspector So Yeung-fung said on Sunday that by using thermal imaging, pest control teams could clearly see the movements of rats and the times they were active.
“Considering the habits of rats, the department’s staff will place thermal imaging cameras in areas being surveyed for three consecutive days,” So said.
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