Exclusive | Rat sightings up by 119% in this NYC nabe – as vermin-hating locals claim ‘every house has rats’

The Growing Rat Problem in NYC: A Neighborhood in Crisis

New York City is facing a growing rat infestation crisis, with some neighborhoods experiencing alarming spikes in rat sightings despite overall citywide trends showing a slight decline. One area in Queens, specifically Community Board 8, which includes neighborhoods like Jamaica Hills, Briarwood, Hillcrest, and Holliswood, saw a staggering 119% increase in rat-related 311 complaints from 2023 to 2024. Residents like Shuvro Md, a 39-year-old marketing consultant living in Jamaica Hills, describe the situation as dire. “Every house has rats and nobody is doing anything about it,” Md said, adding that he uses glue traps daily but still sees multiple rats in his apartment. The presence of these pests has raised serious health concerns, particularly for families with children, as rats can contaminate food and spread diseases.

The City’s Efforts to Combat the Rat Infestation

In response to the growing issue, the city has implemented several measures to tackle the rat problem. One key initiative is a new waste containerization rule requiring buildings with one to nine residential units to use sealed trash containers. This effort began in January 2025, with fines set to take effect starting April 1. According to Sanitation spokesperson Vincent Gragnani, 70% of the city’s trash is already stored in containers, and plans are underway to address the remaining 30%. For example, stationary on-street containers are being rolled out in West Harlem this spring. While these measures aim to reduce rat attractants, some residents argue that the changes have not yet made a noticeable difference in their neighborhoods.

Mixed Results: Some Residents See Improvement, Others Struggle

The effectiveness of the city’s efforts varies depending on the neighborhood. In Briarwood, 19-year-old Maritza Balbuena, a college student, noted that the introduction of new garbage cans has significantly improved the rat problem in her area. “People were throwing their trash outside the building and in the lobby, which attracted rats,” she explained. “But since the city provided garbage cans, everything is cleaner now.” However, not all residents have seen such progress. Tanya, a 25-year-old Jamaica Hills resident, said rats remain “everywhere” despite her investment in a $50 rat-resistant trash can. “We tried to get those bins that close, but they are expensive. We have one, but we need more,” she said. The cost of effective waste management solutions remains a barrier for many residents.

Borough-by-Borough Trends: Declines and Spikes

While Queens and the Bronx have seen increases in rat sightings, other boroughs have experienced declines. Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Staten Island reported decreases in rat-related complaints, with Manhattan leading the way with an 11.5% drop. Some community boards, such as those representing Midtown, Greenwich Village/NoHo, and Queens’ Bay Terrace, saw significant improvements, with declines ranging from 34.71% to 66.21%. However, even in areas where rat sightings have decreased, the problem persists. For example, Isa Almanzar, a 33-year-old healthcare worker living in Manhattan’s Financial District, blames a nearby construction site and a migrant shelter for a surge in rats. “Now, I take out my trash and there’s a rat inside it, which I never had before this started,” she said.

Construction and Urban Development: A Growing Contributor to the Problem

Construction projects and urban development are emerging as significant contributors to the rat infestation. Almanzar’s experience highlights how large-scale construction can disrupt local ecosystems, driving rats into residential areas. “Construction proliferates all kinds of pests,” she said, describing the situation as a “perfect hive” for rats. Similarly, the influx of new buildings and infrastructure in densely populated areas can exacerbate the problem by displacing rat populations and creating new food sources. This suggests that addressing the root causes of the rat problem will require a comprehensive approach that goes beyond waste management to include urban planning and construction practices.

The Ongoing Challenge: Rats Remain a Fact of Life in NYC

Despite the city’s efforts, rats remain a persistent issue for many New Yorkers. While some neighborhoods have seen improvements, others continue to struggle with infestations that impact quality of life and public health. The disparity in outcomes highlights the complexity of the problem and the need for sustained efforts to address it. As the city moves forward with its waste management initiatives and explores new strategies, residents remain hopeful but wary. For those like Shuvro Md, who continue to battle rats in their homes, the city’s actions cannot come soon enough. The fight against New York City’s rat problem is far from over, and it will require collaboration between policymakers, residents, and community leaders to create meaningful change.