Is Your Neighborhood a Rat Hotspot too?

Ifyou have ever spent a significant amount of time in New York City, you have very likely come across rats. Regardless if you are waiting for the subway or strolling through Washington Square Park, your chances of running into a rat are pretty good. Now, if you are from New York City, none of this is new to you. For everybody else to get a better grasp of how big of an issue this is, here is only a small collection of quick facts:

There is a Wikipedia article detailing the issue. Is there a Wikipedia article dealing with rats for your city?

  • According to this article using statistical approaches to capture the number of rats, there are approximately 2 million rats in New York City.

  • New York City encourages its inhabitants to call 311 when seeing a rat. The emphasis placed on rats for the city’s non-emergency hotline demonstrates the importance of the issue.

 

Manhattan has the highest number of complaints per person, but Brooklyn has the most in general and the largest year-to-year increase. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

RODENT SIGHTINGS JUMP 29% IN NYC IN 2021: STUDY

If you keep hearing little squeaks, you're not alone: rat complaints have soared in every borough except one.

Complaints

You can report rats and mice, as well as conditions that might attract rodents. How the complaint is handled depends on where the problem is.

Main portal: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/rats.page

Complaints Page: https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-01107

Pest Control

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) offers various brochures and reports about rat and pest control.

Training for property owners, neighborhood organizations, and pest control professionals in controlling rats, mice, and bugs is available.

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/rats.page

Download brochure:
https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/pest/rodent_control.pdf

 

Property Owners

Rats: Information for Tenants and Property Owners

Property owners are required (PDF) to keep their properties rat-free and address conditions that can lead to rats. They may have to hire a pest management professional when appropriate. Tenants can do their part by following our prevention tips below and promptly reporting rats to property owners, building managers, or co-op associations.

If property owners are not fulfilling their legal requirement to prevent and manage rats and repair conditions that can attract rats, tenants can report the issue online or by calling 311. The Health Department will send inspectors to investigate the situation.

Learn more below about what you can do to prevent rat infestation, or how you can drive them out if they have already settled in your home or property.

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/rats-tenants-property-owners.page

PEST CONTROL COMPANIES

Phone: (929) 373-2118
350 W 110th St, New York, NY 10025, Open: 24 hours

Phone: (800) 294-3130
166 East 96th Street Suite GRC, New York, NY 10128, Open: 7AM - 11PM

Phone: (212) 663-2100
782 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025, Open: 8AM - 6PM

Phone: (212) 920-7431
W 127th St, New York, NY 10027, Open: 7AM - 9PM

Phone: (212) 580-9301
342 E 87th St, New York, NY 10128, Open: 7AM - 7PM