The Aretxabaleta Town Council has decided to implement a widespread and robust treatment against rats across the entire municipality, taking advantage of what it deems the "appropriate time". The council employs a company specialized in rodent control monitoring, which has reported that treatments are conducted "continuously". "We conduct an annual evaluation report and, in addition, we monitor the issue monthly. According to the latest report, the rat population has decreased since last year, but if there is any area requiring reinforcement, we launch a campaign," explained Ion Albizu, the councilor for Urbanism.

Furthermore, they have stated that when they receive "citizen complaints or reports about locations where rats have been sighted," they "forward this information to the company and carry out specific reinforcement treatments when necessary." Albizu emphasized that their "primary responsibility and objective is to keep rat colonies under control," as "rats will not disappear, but maintaining their numbers is essential."

The campaign has been particularly intensified "along the riverbanks," although interventions have also taken place "in all neighborhoods." "Older urbanizations tend to have a higher prevalence of rats. Additionally, Aretxabaleta being crossed by a river exacerbates the issue," Albizu noted. "This intensive treatment has utilized various products and chemical components to achieve greater efficacy, and results are expected to become significantly visible within the next two weeks," the council highlighted.

The company involved in this work has cautioned that during such treatments, it may be "common" for "some rats to appear disoriented or wandering" in the first ten days due to the poison. Consequently, they have indicated that it is possible to "see more rats in the streets in the coming days," adding that "this situation is part of the treatment process and is expected to be temporary."

The council has "thanked" the citizens for their "understanding of the situation."