“The city’s construction boom is digging up burrows, forcing more rats out into the open, scientists and pest control experts say.”
“Milder winters — the result of climate change — make it easier for rats to survive and reproduce. And New York’s growing population and thriving tourism has brought more trash for rats to feed on.”
Other Cities Responses:
Chicago: has more than doubled its work crews dedicated to rats, who set out poison and fill in burrows in parks, alleys and backyards. It also passed ordinances requiring developers and contractors to have a rat-control plan before demolishing buildings or breaking ground on new projects.
Washington: is testing a rat-sterilization program tried elsewhere that uses liquid contraceptives as bait.
Seattle: planning to train neighborhood property owners and managers on how to stem infestations. .. management of rats, not elimination of them, is their practical goal
“A major contributing factor is how the city collects trash: bags are left outside on the curb for hours before pick up the next morning.”
“NYC initiated a $32 million assault on rats in 2017, which included increased litter basket pickups, the deployment of solar-powered, trash compacting bins and rat-resistant steel cans. The city has also used dry ice to smother rats where they live.”
Dry ice is a better rat killer as it doesn’t poison the environment which can and does kill hawks and other raptors.