Munich – The people of Munich meet them on the Isar, in the side street and sometimes even in the cinema: Rats live on many corners in Munich. Always. Reports of rat infestations are currently increasing, reports a reader of the AZ. But, is this really the truth? Where the rats feel particularly comfortable and how the health department (GSR) deals with the animals declared as “health pests”.
The GSR deals with a large number of reports throughout the year about supposed or actual rat implantations. “These affect small properties as well as large areas on rivers, streams, bathing lakes, parks or railway systems,” says the health department.
The GSR has no data on how many rats there are in Munich. However, there are annual fluctuations of ten to twenty percent in the reports. According to AZ information, there are currently up to 150 reports per month – more than ever.
Found food: Illegal bird feeding
The suspicion controls of the health department indicate that there are fluctuations. This did not allow any conclusions to be drawn about the actual population size.
Overall, the GSR sees no indications of a significant increase or decline in the rat population in the Munich city area: “The GSR’s experience suggests that weather conditions, such as the length of winter cold spells, the level of illegal bird feeding and property contamination, and the number of large-scale construction projects may be critical factors in localized rat occurrence.”
Pest controller Jason Puschmann (34) sees things a little differently. “I would say that there has been a significant increase in the population over the past ten years – simply because a lot more people eat to-go. Lunch in particular has moved more and more outside of your own kitchen; and something falls down everywhere.”
Too much rubbish: plague of rats in Munich
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Disturbing images: rats decompose at Orleansplatz
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Where a particularly large number of rats hang around in Munich
There are hotspots where the animals feel particularly comfortable. No wonder, a leftover pizza on the Isar, a piece of pretzel that has fallen off at the train station – they will find a lot of food in heavily frequented places. This is even confirmed by the health department, in the past few decades rats have repeatedly settled in certain locations and areas in the city area. “This often affects, among other things, the train stations – including the forecourts, P + R facilities -, the green spaces with play and leisure areas and the city waters,” says the responsible department.
Pest controller Puschmann rates another area as particularly rat-friendly. “The city does not do enough in the area of the sewage system. Sewer baiting should be used more. A lot of food is still flushed down the toilets out of ignorance. It’s like a running sushi line for the rats. Because it’s an urban area, more should happen.”
A lavish buffet for every pest that is not always to be found in this abundance. But there is still enough rubbish on the Isar. That attracts rats. © imago A lavish buffet for every pest, which is not always found in this abundance. But there is still enough rubbish on the Isar. That attracts rats.
by imago
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The city is taking action against the rats with suspect checks at hotspots
On the other hand, one can only speculate at the GSR about the reason for the increased occurrence of brown rats in localized areas: “Indisputably, the local conditions sometimes favor the nesting of brown rats if there is a rich supply of food, caused by discarded food and illegal feeding of pigeons, as well as, for example, a confusing and inaccessible underground and construction site situation.”
And what is the city doing to prevent the rats from becoming a nuisance? The hotspots are checked again and again by means of so-called suspicion checks. If the GSR receives reports from citizens, the locations are also checked.
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If you notice a rat infestation on private property, you have to take care of it yourself
The health pests are fought exclusively with officially approved baits. So that they do not also become dangerous for humans and pets, the substances are laid out concealed in bait rails or bait boxes. The health department says: “The baiting takes place until there is no more grazing and the health department has determined that it is free of infestation.”
But that only applies to public land. If you notice a rat infestation on private property, you have to take care of it yourself. According to the statutory provisions of infection protection law, owners are obliged to take action against the pests.
What to do if you see a rat at home © Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa What to do if you see a rat at home?
by Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
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The pest controller says: “Anyone who discovers a rat should turn their attention up. Keep an eye on food sources such as compost heaps or bird seed. It’s best to ask the neighbors if they have also seen something, ask if there is a compost heap or chicken coop nearby.” When in doubt, an expert should always be consulted.
And if you spot a mouse on the terrace or in the garden shed, you can run away screaming, but you don’t have to pick up the phone. Because: “The mouse species found in the urban area are generally not to be classified as health hazards. So far, the GSR has not received any cases of illness through contact with mice in public spaces.”
The only exception: the bank vole, which can transmit the hantavirus, for example. But she prefers to live in the woods rather than in the city.
Why rats can become a danger to humans
The health department explains why rats are being fought in the city: “Rats are considered carriers of serious infectious diseases. Due to their property of preferring to nest in the area of human settlements, they fundamentally pose a danger to the population and must be combated in accordance with the provisions of the law on protection against infection. Rats transmit diseases through direct contact, bite or through their faeces and urine. As soon as pathogens enter the human body through contaminated food or other objects, there are health risks for the group of people affected infectious rat is sufficient, the number of rats encountered is only indirectly important as an indicator. All in all, it is therefore crucial to eliminate the population as early as possible through professional control.”
Anyone who would like to report a rat infestation in public places can contact the health department at rk-kva.gsr@muenchen.de with their name and telephone number.
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2023-07-22 10:16:16
#Pest #controller #suspects #rats #appearing #Munich
