Pests and vermin

Pests 

Pests referred to in the Public Health Act include, among others, rats, mice and pest birds, such as corvids, gulls and domestic pigeons. 

The owner or occupier of a property or area is responsible for ensuring that rats, mice, pest birds and other pests do not thrive in the area, and is responsible for controlling pests on their premises where necessary. 

There should be no food or nesting sites available for pests. This means that the property’s waste management must be in order, the premises must be kept tidy and, for example, winter feeding of birds must be organised appropriately. Birds should not be fed during the summer months. 

Attention should also be paid to protecting buildings from rodents and birds. Housing associations may, for example, include regulations regarding the feeding of birds in their house rules. In a housing association, any sightings of pests or inappropriate behaviour by residents must be reported to the property manager. 

Pest insects 

Pests, those small uninvited guests found indoors, are often a nuisance to people and can sometimes even be harmful. You can often get rid of pests yourself, but sometimes it is advisable to seek professional help. In a housing association, any sightings of pests must be reported to the property manager. 

However, some of the insects found in homes are completely harmless, merely individuals that have accidentally found their way indoors from the outdoors. Some insects (such as the sugar beetle and the sugar ant) cause only a cosmetic nuisance, provided they are not present in large numbers. 

Pesticides and pest control products are sold in places such as hardware stores, department stores, pharmacies and garden centres. Access to the strongest and most dangerous pesticides (such as rat poison) is now restricted. 

You can find the contact details of pest control companies online, for example by searching for “pest control”.  

This content has been translated using AI