FYI: New York City Has An Uncontrollable Rat Problem
Photo via IbTimes

Here’s the thing New York City is filled with rats.

When you think of public transportation, what exactly comes to mind? The subway, transit delays, subway graffiti, interesting folks, rush hour crowds and of course the notorious rats — the New York City ones. You’d think after so many years of people being chased off the platform or away from certain areas, New Yorkers would simply get used to it.

NOT!

Personally, I am still disgusted seeing them and it seems as though they are increasing in quantity and size.

According to several news stations such as News 12, it’s been reported that Brooklynites are fed up with the rat infestations and have made approximately 2,542 rodent complaints this year to the city’s 311 hotline as of this month. In the entire city there have been 8,335 complaints regarding the rat infestation.



The New York Post reported the top three “rat hot spots” within the five boroughs:

  1. 335 148th street, a multifamily home in Mott Haven, Bronx, 173 calls
  2. 2172 Second Ave, a four-story building in East Harlem, Manhattan, 127 calls
  3. 2300 Kings Highway, and apartment building in Midwood, Brooklyn, 106 calls

Public Advocate Letitia James voiced her concerns and opinion on the matter stating, “Rats are not new to our city, but they are bigger and more troublesome than ever before. As New York grows, we cannot allow the rats to grow with us, we must control these pests once and for all. I am calling for increased inspections and exterminations in response to constituent complaints, expanded sanitation services so garbage is not left on the street, and more abatement of rats by the MTA.”

Although Mayor Bill De’Blasio invested $3 million into an extermination plan, it seems its time to abort mission and find another solution. Chinatown exterminator, Timothy Wong, explained the number of homeless digging in the trash within the city as a contributor to the problem. “There is so much food out there on the street,” said Wong, of M&M Pest Control. “The rats are getting bigger and bolder. We’re seeing them in the parks an hour before sunset. Some folks are seeing them in the afternoon.”

To sum it all up, the battle with the swarm of vermin continues.