Which NYC Neighborhoods Have the Most Rats?

It’s no secret that New York City has a massive rat problem. Thousands of people face problems from these rodents every single day, and the rat population hasn’t decreased at all–in fact, a 2018 count approximated that there were 250,000 rats living in the city. The most recent estimation places this number closer to two million.

But which neighborhoods are being impacted the strongest? And are there any places in New York City where citizens can be safe from rats?

To get a better understanding of this issue, let’s look at what’s attracting rats, neighborhoods with the highest and lowest rat populations, and how you can prevent rats from hanging out in your area.

What Is Attracting These Rats?

Rats are incredibly resourceful creatures and can thrive in a number of situations. But while rats can make their home virtually anywhere, they are most commonly found near easy food sources.

Rats are very intelligent. They understand the concept of working smarter than harder, and because of that, they’re found in large concentrations in areas where food is readily available.

If you have dumpsters, recycling bins, or garbage bins full of loose foodstuff near your home or business, you have a significantly higher chance of attracting rodents compared to others. Additionally, any clutter you have can attract rats who want to make their homes a mess.

Areas with the Highest Rat Concentrations

In 2021, more than 25,000 calls were placed to the 311 hotline with individuals reporting rat sightings. Of these calls, the vast majority originated from Brooklyn, Upper Manhattan, Harlem, and the Bronx. This is a massive increase from the sightings reported for these same areas in 2018.

311 reported fewer than two thousand sightings for the Upper West Side and Manhattan and approximately seven thousand for Brooklyn. The majority of complaints came from the Bed-Stuy area with notable sightings in Bushwick, Williamsburg, and Crown Heights.

Areas with Lower Rat Concentrations

According to the most recent reports, the majority of neighborhoods in Queens seem to be relatively rat-free with a few exceptions in the Steinway and Astoria neighborhoods.

The Rat Information Portal, a constantly updated map of the city’s rat inspection reports, indicates that these areas and their surrounding neighborhoods in Queens have either passed their recent inspections or haven’t required inspecting in the last six months, indicating a lower rat population compared to Brooklyn and Manhattan.

How to Prevent Rats in Your Area

One of the best ways you can prevent or reduce the presence of rats in your area is by avoiding behaviors that attract them, like throwing away loose food or letting clutter pile up in your home or business. Additionally, you can proactively prevent rats by setting traps, sticking to a regular cleaning schedule, and hiring professionals to help out where necessary.

Key Takeaways

If you live or work in New York City, it’s virtually impossible to avoid rats. Dozens of neighborhoods are infested with rodents. But while Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Upper West Side are facing record sightings, there are some neighborhoods in the city that don’t have it quite as bad.

No matter which neighborhood you live or work in, always remember that there are things you can do to reduce the rat population in your area.

If you’re ready to hire a professional rat removal service, reach out to our skilled team members to learn about our top-tier solution for you.