Introducing: Lewie, brown rat and comic character

The municipality of Maastricht presents a comic about Lewie the Rat in collaboration with Woonpunt, Servatius and Maasvallei. Lewie informs you about rats and how to keep them away. You will find all issues of Lewie on this page. 

The impact of your behaviour on rat problems can be considerable. Do you ever take out your residual waste on the wrong day or leave rubbish next to the bins at the sorting stations? Do you ever store rubbish in your garden or leave your dog’s poo lying around? All these things can attract rats.

We provide information so that people recognise rat infestations and understand their own role in attracting rats. 11 short comic strips appeared in local newspapers, housing associations' information bulletins and on social media in 2022 and 2023.

Comic strip about a rat who talks about rats, what they like and don't like, and how you can keep them away.
Comic strip about a rat who talks about rats, what they like and don't like, and how you can keep them away.
Comic strip about a rat who talks about rats, what they like and don't like, and how you can keep them away.
Comic strip about a rat who talks about rats, what they like and don't like, and how you can keep them away.
Comic strip about a rat who talks about rats, what they like and don't like, and how you can keep them away.
Comic strip about a rat who talks about rats, what they like and don't like, and how you can keep them away.
Comic strip about a rat who talks about rats, what they like and don't like, and how you can keep them away.
Comic strip about a rat who talks about rats, what they like and don't like, and how you can keep them away.
Comic strip about a rat who talks about rats, what they like and don't like, and how you can keep them away.
Comic strip about a rat who talks about rats, what they like and don't like, and how you can keep them away.
Comic strip about a rat who talks about rats, what they like and don't like, and how you can keep them away.

Finding rats

It is important for us to know where rats have been spotted. Have you seen a rat or clear signs of rats (holes or droppings)? Please report it to the municipality via the MijnGemeente app, via, on Gemeente Maastricht | Report a problem or call 14 043. 

What you can do

As mentioned, the impact of your behaviour on rat problems can be significant. You can keep rats away by at least ensuring a tidy environment where rats cannot find food or hiding places. See Gemeente Maastricht | Reporting pests and vermin for more tips.

What the municipality does

The municipality conducted a trial in Nazareth and De Heeg. The municipality placed snap traps in the sewers of the 2 districts, which reduced the number of rats in the sewers.

Using poison to control rats is only allowed under very strict conditions. The poison can also poison animals that hunt rats. Examples include foxes, stone martens and birds of prey. Killing rats directly with snap traps is more animal-friendly than killing them with poison.