Where Are the Rats in NYC?
WouterThere are several reasons why the city has a rat problem. During the summer months, the city’s residents are particularly vulnerable to rodents and the problem is increasing in many areas. The Lower East Side and East Village are especially affected. Residents should lock their garbage bins and use dry ice to put a stop to the rodents. The city is also making efforts to prevent piles of garbage bags to attract rats.
The city is spending over $32 million a year to eradicate the problem. This money is spent on the most infested areas, including the Grand Concourse in the Bronx, Bushwick and Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, and the East Village and Lower East Side.
In addition to causing a nuisance, rats pose a threat to public health. They carry diseases and can cause fires. For these reasons, New Yorkers should avoid areas with high rat density. If the problem persists, the city may step up extermination efforts to eradicate the rodents.
Rats were once scarce in the city but that is no longer the case. They have multiplied and moved to other parts of New York. This is likely the result of the increase in outdoor dining structures. These outdoor dining structures were designed to keep business going during a rat pandemic, but they’ve been a significant source of rats in New York City.
