Rat Crisis Continues As NYC Ranked Among Nation's Most Infested

NEW YORK, NY – Rats! New York City just can't seem to beat its rodent infestation despite ground-breaking efforts that killed many of the critters and left animal rights activists aghast.

The city ranks as the third rattiest in the nation – exactly the same position it held a year ago, according to pest control company Orkin. Only Chicago and Los Angeles have more problems with the filthy critters.

The ranking is based on the number of rodent treatments the company performed from Sept. 15, 2018 to Sept. 15, 2019. It includes both residential and commercial treatments.

The number won't come as a shock to many. In October, Brooklyn Borough President declared a rat crisis and unveiled a new trap that lures the animals then drowns them in an alcoholic soup. He showed its effectiveness by ladling the rodents' carcasses out of the concoction during a live demonstration.

Not surprisingly, it caused outrage from animal rights activists who deplored what they called inhumane treatment.

With winter approaching, New Yorkers can expect rats to become even more evident.

As the weather turns colder, rodents seek shelter in warm areas with readily-available food and water.

“Unfortunately, residential properties offer the ideal habitat for rodents because of access to food and water sources, potential entry points and hiding places,” said Chelle Hartzer, an Orkin entomologist. “A rat can squeeze through an opening as small as a quarter, while a mouse can wedge its way into a hole smaller than a dime.”

Here are the 10 “Rattiest Cities” in the United States for 2019, according to Orkin:

1. Chicago
2. Los Angeles
3. New York
4. Washington D.C.
5. San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose
6. Detroit
7. Cleveland-Akron
8. Minneapolis-St. Paul
9. Philadelphia
10. Atlanta

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends the following tips to help prevent rats and mice from getting into the home:

• Seal holes inside and outside the house to keep rodents from finding a way in.
• Remove potential rodent nesting sites from your property, such as leaf piles and deep mulch.
• Clean up food and water sources in and near your house.

• Keep kitchen garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids.
• Turn compost piles to cover newly added food scraps.
• Stop feeding outdoor birds while you are controlling an infestation.

Patch reporter Gus Saltonstall contributed to this report.