Are Rats Bad in New York City?
WouterNew York City has a growing problem with rats. The city reported that the number of reported cases of rats increased by more than two-thirds between 2015 and 2020. April alone saw the highest number of complaints in at least a decade. Despite the rise in complaints, the Health Department has yet to ramp up its efforts to fight the infestation. It conducted 20% fewer inspections in April than in the same month of last year.
While complaints are not a reliable measurement of rat population, they do reflect public perception. A higher number of complaints means more people are complaining about the presence of rats. And if more people are complaining about rats, the city needs to pay attention. However, there are some concerns about the reliability of the data.
Fortunately, residents have many options to combat the infestation. One way is to ban outdoor dining. Rats in New York City are drawn to urban spaces because people are increasingly eating outdoors. While the Department of Sanitation may adjust its trash pickup schedule, local leaders may implement new curb containers. Regardless of the measure, the war against ravenous rodents will be an ongoing struggle.
To fight this problem, residents should follow the tips provided by the Health Department. First, they should make sure that their garbage is not too full. Second, putting out garbage in cans is important to keep rats away from food sources. Lastly, residents should try to keep rats out of their homes. They must also make sure they do not feed the animals.
