Pretty holiday island slammed by tourists after becoming overrun with rats
- Our Hidden Earth
- Jan 7
- 2 min read
A once beautiful Mediterranean island known for clear blue water and sandy shores has now been described as a rat filled and rubbish covered disaster, according to reports.
This small island in Malta has long been one of the most popular spots for tourists.
The island is best known for the Blue Lagoon and is hugely popular on Instagram. During the summer months, more than 10,000 visitors arrive each day.
However, campaigners say its natural beauty is being ruined by rats that are now often seen around the island.
They claim the problems are being caused by rising levels of overtourism.
Andre Callus from activist group Moviment Graffitti told The Telegraph that the situation has become unbearable. He said tour operators collect visitors from places like Sliema and transport them to Comino on large boats.
He explained that huge numbers of tourists are dropped onto the island’s small beach at once. According to him, the crowds become far bigger than most people can imagine.
Mark Sultana, chief executive of BirdLife Malta, also described the situation as a total disaster.
He said the island is now dealing with a serious rodent problem. The rats are going into bird nesting areas and eating eggs, including those of shearwaters, and they also hunt lizards.
He added that when 10,000 people visit the island in one day, the noise increases, plants are crushed and huge amounts of rubbish are left behind. He said the waste created by so many visitors is a major issue.
Reports suggest that the high number of tourists during busy periods has caused more litter and water waste. This increase in rubbish has made the island more attractive to rats.
Arnold Sciberras, a well known pest control expert, said Comino shows what can happen when tourism and waste are not properly managed.
“Rats are usually found where there is lots of rubbish,” he told The Times of Malta, warning that the issue is not just about how the island looks.
He explained that rats can chew through plastic and electrical wires and can also carry diseases. He warned that rat bites and scratches can spread illness and that rats can contaminate food and drink through urine, leading to serious health risks.
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