Rats are one of the most common urban mammals. While billions of euros are used globally to control rat populations, the effects of control measures are not well-known. Rat populations usually rebound quickly after eradication attempts, but we do not know how this lethal control affect disease spread in urban environment or how effective it even is in controlling rat populations. This research project will assess how eradication campaigns affect rat movement, rat population structure and rat-borne pathogen dynamics. The research will be carried out in central Helsinki in cooperation with city officials, local residents and pest management companies. Based on our study results we can better understand the effects of pest management on urban rat populations. More broadly, urban rats can potentially function as a powerful model system for anthropogenic influences on the wildlife. Further information: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/projects/urban-rats

2023

2027