ruth901
The discussion about a rat plague on the Ash Mountain is becoming increasingly emotional. For many residents, it is no longer just about the animals themselves – but above all about the question of whether the responsible authorities should have intervened much earlier.
Fulda – Several residents accuse the city of Fulda of not taking warning signals and information seriously enough over a long period of time. The result was that the problem was able to spread further and further, with up to 100 rats on just one property on Aschenberg. The residents don't want to read their names in the newspaper. On their behalf, someone affected has taken on the situation and, according to their own statements, has been trying to make the concerns of many residents visible to the city and authorities for months.
According to statements from residents to the Fulda newspaper There are said to have been indications of rats in the affected area for months. Already in last year had the Fulda newspaper about rat problems in Fulda reported. At that time, an affected resident described her experience vividly: “When I opened the kitchen cupboard, there was suddenly a rat sitting there.”
Rat infestation causes anger and fear on Aschenberg in Fulda
The city of Fulda said in a statement a few weeks ago that it was only informed about the “latest rat infestation” on January 17, 2026. Contact was made with the property owner on the same day. According to the city, they have been carrying out pest control independently since the beginning of January. Since mid-February, a professional pest control company has also been supporting the measures on the property. The background was that the extent of the plague did not initially decrease, but continued to increase.
For many residents, this is exactly what raises questions. “As far as I understand Mayor Dag Wehner correctly, it is now assumed that the cause probably lies directly on the property – for example through food sources,” says one affected person. “But this is exactly what has been talked about for months. That's why many people ask themselves: Why wasn't this recognized earlier?”
The anger of many residents is not only directed at the situation itself, but also at the way the authorities are dealing with it. A resident reports that citizens' tips were sometimes referred between different authorities – authorities who passed the problem on to each other. This went from the health department to the environmental department until the management of the public order office finally took over responsibility.
“At some point you had the feeling that no one was really taking responsibility,” says the resident. Others particularly criticize the fact that the situation appears to be getting worse, even though complaints have been received. “If rats spread to neighboring properties and public areas at some point, then it is no longer a private matter,” says one affected person. “Then it affects an entire living environment.”
Owners have these obligations in the event of a rat infestation
Property owners are obliged to take appropriate control measures in the event of a pest infestation and to repeat these measures until all pests have been destroyed. Before starting pest control, waste materials, especially kitchen and feed waste, garbage and junk must be removed from all places easily accessible to pests. The regulatory authority therefore asks that compost heaps, garbage containers and shelter options be handled sensitively, especially if pests have already been observed in the neighborhood.
Owners of affected properties must comply with the orders of the regulatory authority. If they do not do this or only do so inadequately, the authority can take action itself. As part of a replacement measure, she can then also carry out pest control measures on private properties. The costs for this will then be invoiced to the owners.
The city also expressly emphasizes the health risk posed by rats. These are so-called health pests and can transmit pathogens.
The city of Fulda rejects the allegations Fulda newspaper as well as indirectly to the residents and refers to numerous measures that have been initiated: In addition to the pest control commissioned, the wastewater association and the environmental rangers were also involved. The sewage association checked the sewer system and used bait protection boxes.
The fear of possible disease transmission through rodents is now causing uncertainty among many residents. The keyword “Hantavirus” comes up again and again in a conversation. These are viruses that can often be transmitted from rats to humans. According to the Robert Koch Institute, transmission occurs, among other things, through the saliva, feces or urine of infected animals. According to experts, the viruses can even survive in the environment for several weeks. The concern of many residents is that the situation may have been underestimated. “When you read about the diseases that can be transmitted, it obviously scares people,” says one resident. “Especially families with children.”
Another resident sees the causes of the development as not just being caused by a single property. From his point of view, the rat infestation is more an expression of a general cleanliness and garbage problem in the district. “My impression is that a lot has changed on Aschenberg,” he says. “It’s not just about rats, but also about littering and a lack of cleanliness.” Packaging, leftover food or overcrowded garbage areas would be noticed again and again. “As a dog owner, I regularly pick up trash,” he reports.
Environmental rangers check the situation at Ash Mountain
The city of Fulda is now also paying closer attention to the garbage situation. According to the administration, environmental rangers are checking the area. In addition, other property owners have been contacted and included in the ongoing measures.
At the same time, the resident emphasizes that he does not want to make blanket accusations. Many different people with different lifestyles lived on Aschenberg. Nevertheless, from his point of view, there is sometimes a lack of sensitivity for waste disposal and responsibility in the immediate living environment.
A recent decision by the Kassel Administrative Court also shows that authorities can intervene extensively in the event of massive rat problems. A property owner in Bad Hersfeld was obliged to combat a massive rat infestation on her property and to clear out the area. During an on-site inspection, authorities discovered numerous rats roaming freely. For some residents on Aschenberg, the question arises as to whether comparable steps should not have been taken earlier.
Even though some residents report that the situation currently seems less extreme than it did a few days ago, uncertainty remains high.
