Rats plague UNESCO World Heritage site in Old Rauma

The city of Rauma has been trapping rats in the sewers of Old Rauma since at least 2023, with no end in sight to the infestation, a municipal official says.

Three traps have been placed in the sewers this year after a spike in rat activity. Early in the year, only about 20 rats were caught in January, but by mid-April, 120 were trapped in just two weeks, according to Jaakko Aerila, Rauma’s regional service director.

The traps will remain in place until the end of the year, moved as needed based on reports of rat sightings. Residents are encouraged to report observations, though traps are not placed on private property—building owners are responsible for their own premises.

Rauma has allocated €10,000 this year for pest control. Aerila noted that rats thrive in the sewers as long as people dispose of food waste or grease there.

Old Rauma, a 29-hectare wooden town area with around 800 residents and over 600 buildings—most privately owned—was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991.