Rodent issue prompts action in Teno municipality near Finland’s northern border

A rodent issue has emerged in the municipality of Teno, located near Finland’s northern border, prompting local authorities to urge residents to take action against the problem. Reports of rat sightings began to increase in May, particularly around the municipal center (Tana bru) and near the Gassanjárga landfill.

The municipality suspects that the rat problem may have originated from waste brought to the landfill from nearby coastal communities where rat populations already existed. Heikki André Pettersen, who works for a snowmobile company in Teno, reported that rats have been seen eating reindeer hides stored in the company’s shed. He indicated that the number of rats has significantly increased over the summer.

Pettersen believes that the rats are coming from the landfill, approximately three kilometers away, although traps have been set with little success.

Emeritus Professor Heikki Henttonen, an expert on rodents from the Natural Resources Institute Finland, expressed surprise at the emergence of a rat problem so far north. Henttonen, who has studied rodents in northern Finland since 1970, noted that he has not encountered similar issues in Lapland for decades.

He indicated that individual rats might occasionally arrive via truck but typically do not survive harsh winters. Local environments are usually small, and residents are vigilant.

As no rat sightings have been reported in northern Lapland, Minna Saramo, head of the environmental unit for the municipalities of Inari and Utsjoki, stated she isn’t concerned about the spread of Teno’s rat issue.

Concerns have been raised regarding the milder climate and inadequate waste management infrastructure, contributing to the ongoing rat problem.