Jämsä faces a growing rat problem as reports pour in from across the municipality. Environmental health inspectors confirm multiple sightings throughout urban areas.
Environmental health inspector Sami Peltonen said in a statement that notifications have come from several different population centers. The health authority recommends treating rat sightings seriously.
Rats reproduce at alarming rates. Females reach breeding age within 2-3 months and have gestation periods of just 21-23 days. Litters typically contain 8-12 offspring, and with up to ten breeding cycles annually, a single female can produce over 100 young each year.
Residents can use traps but should avoid DIY poison methods. Professionals must handle chemical control to ensure safety and effectiveness.
The situation highlights how quickly rodent populations can explode when conditions favor breeding. Local authorities face the challenge of containing the infestation before it spreads further through residential areas.