This winter in Finland has been marked by a significant rise in rat sightings, particularly in Kotka, where residents have reported numerous encounters with these pests to environmental inspectors. Jouni Siltala, technical director of pest control company Rentokil, attributes this spike in rat activity to the colder temperatures which are causing the rodents to seek warmth in human dwellings, especially after two relatively mild winters allowed the rat population to flourish without interruption.

As the cold environment becomes more challenging for outdoor survival, rats are forced to venture into man-made structures for refuge. Siltala mentions that the hard frost is penetrating the underground rat tunnels, compelling them to search for better living conditions in places like outdoor buildings of houses. The situation has led to an increased demand for rat traps and poisons, indicating a sharp rise in the actions being taken by residents to manage this unwelcome intrusion.

Katri Haavikko, the department head responsible for rodent poisons at Hankkija, confirms that sales of rodent control products have surged to levels not seen in over a decade. The heightened demand for these pest control solutions reflects both the current rat population challenges in Finland and the urgent need for residents to protect their homes and wellbeing from these cold-weather invaders. This scenario underlines the impact that seasonal changes can have on wildlife behavior, pushing pests into closer contact with human populations and prompting reactive measures from the public.