How Long Do Rats Live in NYC?

A 2014 study estimated that there are about two million rats in New York City, including rats living in subways, alleyways, restaurants, and $3,000/month studio apartments. The study applied a few assumptions to arrive at the number. However, this estimate does not account for the number of rat colonies in the city’s underground.

Rats can jump up to 4 feet in the air and can tread water. They travel along the same paths and are highly prolific. They reach puberty at three months of age and can reproduce every two months. The recent closures of NYC restaurants have made life difficult for rats in the city. As the weather warms, rats’ breeding seasons extend, and as a result, more rats will be produced.

The city has recently been trying to recover from a Covid-19 pandemic that has made the rodent problem worse. Rats had been on the decline prior to the outbreak, but they have recently roared back, especially in areas that are known for rat infestations.

The city has a number of programs to control the rat population. Its anti-rat initiative cost $32 million last year and targeted three areas with the highest rat density. These areas include the Lower East Side, the East Village, and Bushwick neighborhoods in Brooklyn. The city has also increased trash pickup.