Rattenbefall melden - Tipps zur Vermeidung von Rattenbefall

Information on what to do if you have discovered / observed a rat infestation.

According to Section 2 No. 12 of the German Protection against Infection Act, rats are pests of health, as they can transmit pathogens to humans.

Like other animals, rats generally occur where they find sufficient food, shelter and nesting opportunities. Their droppings and urine lead to unpleasant odors and health hazards.

If you have discovered a rat infestation, please note the following:

• In principle, the landowner, authorized user and other owners of land, residential and commercial premises, ships and other means of transport are obliged to identify and control a rat infestation. They must report it immediately to the competent authority in whose area the infestation has occurred.
• In accordance with Section 17 of the Infection Protection Act, the competent authority must take or order the necessary measures to control health pests. The control includes measures against the occurrence, reproduction and spread as well as destruction.

Help to sustainably reduce the number of rats living with us so that rat infestations do not occur in the first place:

• Keep litter garbage cans tightly closed. Have defective waste garbage cans repaired or replaced.
• Only dispose of waste in the designated waste garbage cans - never next to them.
  Store the yellow bags out of reach of rats until the regular collection.
• Dispose of food waste in the organic waste garbage can, not on the compost heap or in the toilet.
• Do not leave any food sources intended for pets or birds unchecked.
• Pay attention to hygiene and cleanliness in your living environment. Close off open areas of any kind (such as ventilation openings) near the ground with close-meshed grids to prevent rats from entering buildings.
• Do not feed animals in parks, green spaces or public places. The scraps that are always left behind are a favorite food for rats.

The costs for the pest controller or exterminator shall be borne by the property owner.

In addition to rodents (e.g. Norway rats, house rats and house mice), vermin (arthropods, e.g. cockroaches, flour moths, bacon beetles) also count as hygiene pests, which contaminate food and/or buildings, destroy supplies and food and ultimately also cause technical defects.

To the municipal, local or city administration (public order office).