In the past fourteen years, New York has seen a dramatic rise in rat sightings. Data collected through the 311 service shows Brooklyn and Manhattan as the hardest-hit boroughs, with a peak in 2023 and provisional data for 2024 suggesting a slight decrease.
In 2023, Brooklyn registered over 8,000 sightings, followed by Manhattan with more than 6,000. In recent years, the local administration has taken significant steps to contain the problem. Mayor Eric Adams introduced an integrated plan to manage waste and control rodents and launched the National Urban Rat Summit, bringing together researchers and municipal experts to discuss on the topic. This includes “containerizing” trash to keep rats from feasting on black garbage bags. These measures were implemented in phases, starting in April 2023 with the creation of the Harlem Rat Mitigation Zone. Additional rules were introduced in the summer of 2023 to reduce the time trash bags remain on the sidewalks. Initiatives like the Rat Action Plan and the designation of mitigation zones aim to curb the long-term issue.
The latest data from 2024 shows significant variation between different neighborhoods. Brooklyn remains the most affected area, with neighborhoods like Bedford-Stuyvesant and Bushwick continuing to report high numbers of sightings. These areas, characterized by high population density and older buildings, are particularly vulnerable. Manhattan also faces challenges, with the Upper East Side being one of the most problematic areas. On the other hand, Staten Island has seen much fewer sightings, suggesting better waste management or less favorable conditions for rats. Despite this, Mayor Adams has ramped up efforts to control the situation. New measures, like the “Queens curbside organics program,” launched in September 2023, aim to reduce the availability of food for rats.
To fully understand the scale of the issue, the Rat Diffusion Index provides a clearer picture. It’s calculated based on inspections carried out by the Department of Health, and the results are concerning. Brooklyn emerges as the borough with the most serious problems, showing not only high rat activity but also the lowest number of inspected blocks. According to the NYC Rat Information Portal, this reflects a significant shortfall in monitoring and interventions by health authorities. The lack of consistent inspections has allowed rat populations to thrive, particularly in areas that are already hard to manage due to dense urban infrastructure.
