Move over, Brat Summer, New Yorkers are in for a rat summer. As the war on rats rages on, a campaign spearheaded by NYC mayor Eric Adams, the spotlight on New York City’s rat population brightens. Suzane Reisman, leader of the Garbage and Rats in NYC walking tour, and member of the New York City Rat Pack, an elite squad of dedicated anti-rat activists, is leading the charge on educating the masses and advocating for change.
Reisman has begun offering her tours through some of New York City’s most rat-infested sites. The tour costs $40 per person, and guests are able to hear disgusting facts about the species, the history of New York City in terms of trash, and the intersection between the animal and humans. The tour is offered through Viator Tours, and explains, “We’ll learn about rat biology and habits, garbage disposal systems, metaphorical rats (i.e.- corrupt people), and gross stories featuring all of the above. This is the intersection of science and history at its finest.”
The tour has generated considerable interest, as spots on the tour are filling up quickly. Guests are able to learn how the Norway rat, commonly known as NYC’s primary breed of rat, is actually a misnomer, as the rats originally hail from Asia.
Suzane Reisman explained to the New York Post, “the rats get off the ship. They take a look around and think, ‘Jackpot — we’ve made it.” She continued, “They are just beyond super happy, and they are as much of a New Yorker, a successful immigrant New Yorker, as any other group.”
The Garbage and Rat tour showcases a starkly realistic side of a city that is often glamorized and romanticized. There is no doubt that the nearly 225,000 rat population in Manhattan is plaguing its citizens and environment. Suzane Reisman preaches effective waste management as a solution to the problem. She stated to the Post, “We really have to address the fact that our city has a lot of litter. We throw trash bags on the street that are easy for rats to rip into. But if we really cut down on the access, that would help significantly.” As the war on rats continues, Suzane Reisman’s tours offer an interesting perspective on the problem and implore guests to become part of the solution.
