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Rat Control in Runavík Municipality
Runavík Municipality has a permanent rat control programme in place to keep the population of rats to a minimum.
Rats communicate and mark their territory by urinating wherever they go, which constitutes a significant public health risk. They can carry diseases that can spread to humans, usually through contamination of food preparation areas.
Rats are also a factor in the decline in the number of wild birds in the Faroe Islands.
Please contact the municipality if you see a rat: call 417000 or email runavik@runavik.fo
How to prevent rats at home
Households and businesses need to put steps in place to prevent rat infestation.
1. Do your part – report rat sightings
In the Faroe Islands the municipalities are responsible for local rat control programmes. If you see a rat, please call 417000 or e-mail runavik@runavik.fo immediately. The rat exterminator will then check if further action is needed.
2. Feed birds carefully
If you feed garden birds, avoid overfeeding and use a bird table or feeding basket, if possible, to catch any off-cast seed. Taking in bird feed at dusk is also a way to remove an easy food source at the time when rats usually feed.
3. Proper waste disposal
DO NOT throw food waste in the garden, because it will attract rats and birds. Use the waste bin or home compost. Composting is a great way to recycle the organic waste we generate at home, but make sure you follow the instructions for composting.
Runavík Municipality has five recycling sites where you can dispose of waste that does not fit in the grey, white, or red bag. The waste bags are distributed annually by IRF.
4. Chicken and chicken cages
Do chicken attract rats? Simply put, yes, they can attract rats, but rats are not an inevitable consequence of hen keeping.
Make sure to feed the chicken inside their cage, never overfill their feeders and keep the chicken cage clean.
5. Mind the gap!
Eliminate any gaps around pipes and under sheds, as rats only need a gap of 15mm to gain entry to a structure.
Search for any potential entry points and seal these, with wire wool embedded in quick-setting cement. Focus on low level gaps first, as these are the areas where rats are most likely to enter. Afterwards consider any vents or gaps that are higher up.
Check around pipes and windows, and double check the basement.
6. Remove rat nesting sites
Remove potential nesting sites by keeping yards and gardens clean and tidy, cutting back overgrown areas, and clearing any piles of wood or debris.
Compost heaps can also become nesting sites, so our recommendation is to protect it with wire mesh to prevent rodents digging a shelter for themselves.
7. Maintain drains!
Ensure drain inspection covers are in a good condition and repair and seal off any unused pipes to prevent rat access.
Waste management at home
Frequent waste collections reduce the likelihood of rat infestations. IRF collects the grey bags every week from your bin.
These are our tips for managing waste to prevent rat infestations.
1. Always seal lids properly
Think about entry points. Even small gaps create easy access for rats – which can squeeze through a space as small as two fingers.
Tie a knot on all the small waste bags before you place them in the grey bag.
2. Replace broken bins
Make sure to replace any cracked or broken bins. It is your responsibility to make sure that the bin is in good condition.
3. Place bins with care
Bins offer a great platform for rats to reach new areas. Keep them away from windows and doors.
IRF regulations state, that bins must be visible from the road and placed in a weather safe area, no more than 20 meters from the road.
4. Do not leave rubbish out too early
You may be required to move your waste to the streets in grey bags for the weekly collection - do so as late as possible, not the night before.
5. Manage compost carefully
Keep compost areas well sealed and a good distance away from your property. Rats are attracted to exposed compost.
Figure 1 Picture of a bin with open cracks that has been attacked