In Jämsä, Finland, reports have emerged regarding an infestation of rats in the city center, specifically related to them nesting in an abandoned building. This problem has been exacerbated by the presence of jackdaws which, according to local residents, are attracting rats due to the garbage around nearby houses. The environmental health inspector has noted a spike in rat sightings over the past autumn and winter, highlighting that vacant properties are hotspots for such infestations.

The owner of the building, a construction company that has owned the property since 2012, was reportedly unaware of the rat presence. This indicates a communication gap between property owners and local health authorities regarding pest control and the importance of maintaining vacant properties to prevent infestations. Alongside Jämsä, rat sightings have reportedly surged in other cities, notably Tampere, where the city has already alerted residents about the issue.

Health inspector Matti Naukkarinen of Tampere has attributed the increase in rat populations to the severe cold winter, suggesting that harsh weather conditions are driving them into urban areas in search of food and shelter. Local authorities are likely to face increasing pressure to address the rat problem not just in Jämsä but across multiple cities in Finland, as conditions remain favorable for pest proliferation in abandoned and poorly maintained settings.