Pests, nuisance organisms and ectoparasites

We accept reports and complaints about hygiene problems and pests in the city of Bremen. We process these or forward them to the appropriate department.

What do we do?

We advise you on how to deal with pests, nuisance organisms and ectoparasites. If necessary, we visit locations, buildings or homes together with the public order office. We make recommendations and write reports.
We advise you on:

• Health pests such as rats and cockroaches, which transmit diseases.
• Material pests such as carpet beetles and moths, which damage clothing and carpets.
• Nuisance pests such as ants and silverfish, which are unpleasant.
• Ectoparasites such as lice and mites that infest humans.

Legal basis:

Our work is based on the laws for the protection of public health in Bremen. We work together with the public order office to enforce hygiene regulations and remedy abuses. The obligation to control rats is laid down in the Infection Protection Act (§§ 16/17).

Reporting rat infestations

Please report rat infestations by telephone or email to the Bremen Health Authority. The Bremen Health Authority will forward the reports to the relevant authorities.

Please note: On private property and in homes, the owner is responsible for controlling rats. The Health Authority is not responsible for this. Owners must hire a certified pest control company. If owners do not take action against the rat problem, please report the rat infestation directly to the Public Order Office.
The obligation to control rats is laid down in the Infection Protection Act (§§ 16/17 IfSG).