Mice infestation continues to challenge staff at Kisahalli sports center in Helsinki

In the past year, staff at Helsinki’s Kisahalli have summoned pest control at least ten times due to mouse sightings. Currently, according to hall manager Kristian Kosonen, there are around a dozen traps placed throughout the facility, with measures taken recently to seal gaps which have doubled the number of traps. “Earlier, we had a problem with graffiti; now it’s mice,” Kosonen states.

The city of Helsinki and pest control services have not provided estimates on mouse numbers. Kosonen reveals that thousands, even up to ten thousand euros, have already been spent on pest control. “Each time there have been sightings, we have significantly increased pest control efforts,” he noted.

Mice have been spotted in various areas, including the lobby, around sports fields, and in the women’s locker room. Kosonen remembers the worst situation was last autumn, with the latest sighting occurring in recent days. “We placed traps in critical locations and did not see any mice for several months, but they always find new routes,” he explained.

Helsinki’s ongoing rodent problem has persisted for several years, but Kosonen emphasizes that these are indeed mice, not rats. The ongoing renovation of Mannerheimintie has disrupted underground tunnels, prompting increased mouse activity.

The Kisahalli, built in 1935, now serves as a sports hub owned by the city, attracting about 600,000 visitors annually. Athletes from several sports, including basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics, frequent the venue. One player noted humorously that mice have been nibbling on the team’s protein bars stored in the gym.

Both Kisahalli and the surrounding area are set for renovations, with hall improvements postponed until summer 2028. Kosonen feels that the current situation is better managed than a year ago but remains cautious about the future amid construction work.