Rat sightings up by 119% in this NYC nabe – as vermin-hating locals claim ‘every house has rats’
Rat sightings in certain neighborhoods across New York City have been on the rise, despite an overall decrease in rat reports citywide. One area in Queens, specifically Community Board 8 which includes Jamaica Hills, Briarwood, and more, experienced a significant 119% increase in 311 complaints about rats from 2023 to 2024.
Residents in these neighborhoods have expressed frustration and concern about the prevalence of rats in their homes and streets. Shuvro Md, a resident of Jamaica Hills, shared his experience of dealing with rats in his apartment despite using glue traps. He emphasized the health risks associated with having rats around, especially with children in the household.
Other neighborhoods that saw an increase in rat sightings include Bronx CB 10 in City Island / Throggs Neck area, Brooklyn’s CB 7 (Sunset Park), and CB 14 (Flatbush). Despite efforts to decrease rat populations, such as the new waste containerization rule requiring sealed containers for trash, the problem persists in certain areas.
The Department of Sanitation reported a 24% decrease in 311 rat reports in January compared to the previous year, but the overall decrease in rat sightings citywide was only about 1% from 2023 to 2024. The implementation of the waste containerization rule is expected to have a positive impact on reducing rat populations, but its effects may not yet be fully reflected in the data.
Residents in neighborhoods like Jamaica Hills have tried to address the rat problem by investing in rat-resistant trash cans, but the cost can be prohibitive for some. College student Maritza Balbuena shared how the new garbage cans provided by the city made a significant difference in her block’s rat problem.
While some neighborhoods have seen improvements in rat sightings, rats remain a persistent issue in many parts of the city. Construction activities, like the building of a new residential skyscraper in the Financial District, have been linked to an increase in rat populations. Isa Almanzar, a health care worker in Manhattan, described how construction near her home has led to rats infesting the area, emphasizing the challenges of dealing with pests in urban environments.
Despite ongoing efforts to control rat populations in New York City, residents in certain neighborhoods continue to grapple with the presence of these unwanted rodents. It remains a shared responsibility to address the root causes of the rat problem and work towards creating a healthier and safer environment for all residents.
