The environmental services of the city of Kankaanpää have received reports of rat sightings. The environmental services urge residents of the area to familiarize themselves with these instructions and act accordingly.
If rats are found on the property, the owner (property manager) of the property must be notified. In the area of a detached house, it is advisable to discuss the problem with the neighbors and take preventive measures at the same time. According to the Health Protection Act (763/1994), the owner or occupier of the property is obliged to take measures to eliminate rats, mice and other harmful animals from the property, if necessary. The property must be managed in such a way that harmful animals cannot nest and cannot obtain food.
Rats cause damage by contaminating food and littering premises with feces. In addition, rats can cause significant damage to structures, cables, equipment and packaging. They are able to gnaw through wood, plastics, soft metals and even concrete with their teeth. Rodents reproduce quickly and a large rodent population causes great harm to their habitat. Individual sightings of rats are generally not considered a health hazard that would require action. If there are so many rats that they may cause a health hazard, the municipal health protection authority can order the necessary measures to eradicate the pests.
Instructions for controlling rats
Prevention is important in controlling rats. The property's waste management must be organized in such a way that animals cannot access waste containers or composters containing kitchen biowaste. Waste containers must be intact, clean and their lids must always be closed. Composting must be carried out in such a way that it does not cause harm to the environment and health. If kitchen biowaste or toilet waste is composted, a composting notification must be submitted to the Kankaanpää City Waste Management Authority.
If there are rats in the area, any bird feeding should be stopped. In general, feeding should not be done directly from the ground. Seeds dropped on the ground at bird feeding sites attract rodents, so feeding sites should be kept clean. It would also be a good idea to prefer feeding devices that rodents cannot reach. More about winter bird feeding times can be found at: https://www.birdlife.fi/lintuharrastus/talviruokinta/aloittaminen-ja-lopettaminen/Food and pet food should also be stored in a way that rodents cannot access them.
In addition to food, rats need nesting sites. Rats prefer damp, low-lying areas where they can dig underground tunnels. Piles of debris and leaves should be cleaned up, as they provide good shelter for baby rats. Rodents should be prevented from entering buildings by sealing gaps and, if necessary, installing a sufficiently dense mesh.
If prevention does not work, mice and rats can be eliminated by trapping. Killing traps must be effective enough to avoid harming the animal being caught. The trap should be placed so that it does not harm others and should be checked daily. The trap should not be handled with bare hands, as the smell from human hands can keep rodents away from the trap.
Using poison is the last resort for rodent control, as it poses a risk to children and pets. A warning about rat poisoning must be posted. Rodent poisons are not approved for consumer use. If trapping is unsuccessful, you can contact a pest control company. Information on the use of poisons to control rodents can be found on the website of the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency.