What Borough Has the Most Rats?
WouterThe question is, “What borough has the most rats?” The answer varies by neighborhood. The city’s map shows where rats are most likely to live. In Manhattan, rat-infested neighborhoods are located in the Upper East Side, West Harlem, and the South Bronx. In Brooklyn, the most infested neighborhood is Bed-Stuy.
Rat sightings in Brooklyn have decreased in recent years, according to a RentHop study. While Manhattan still has the highest density of complaints, Brooklyn rat complaints per square mile were lower than other boroughs. Despite this, New York City still has a huge problem with rats, especially in higher-density neighborhoods like Prospect Heights.
The city is trying to reduce rat populations by keeping records of complaints from residents. This helps to combat the issue. Last year, 311 received more than 3,000 rat sighting reports. In that same time period, the number of reports to 311 had nearly doubled. Rats can spread a disease called leptospirosis, which can cause severe liver damage.
As a result, the city has attempted to control the problem by increasing garbage pickups. But residents have complained that the situation has worsened. In 2018, Mayor Bill de Blasio introduced a plan worth 32 million dollars to help curb the problem. This plan included more garbage pickups, new garbage cans, and even dry ice to suffocate rats. The plan was designed to target the most notorious rat-infested areas in the city. But despite the increased efforts, some neighborhoods remain infested.
