Written by: Rashawn K. Merchant

After a night out or even a quick ride home on the subway, a loud squeal is often followed by a furry creature running along. Living in New York, we’ve all experienced it. The New York City rat has long been a staple of the city. What was seen as a downside to living in a crowded city has become a terrorizing epidemic that every New Yorker can no longer escape. If you’re like me and tired of looking both ways to make it home, let’s figure out why this problem has gotten so bad and how we can fix it.

Rats have been in New York for as long as people have. Arriving on Norwegian ships in the 1700s, they’re known to outnumber people almost 5 to 1. Most species are territorial and have claimed various neighborhoods just as people have. 

The rodents have become increasingly present as of late. It’s more common than ever to see them run in front of you as they make their way. The problem is they now have an abundance to eat. Since the pandemic, New York has experienced large swaths of trash pileups. In many neighborhoods, garbage trucks have been slower to come around, and the piles have worsened with more people moving into the city. It has come to the point where Mayor Eric Adams has designated a top position for a rat exterminator to be paid upwards of $170,000 to contribute to reducing the problem. However, the solution is fundamental and shouldn’t have to be so costly.

As citizens, we can do better at reducing our waste. Nearly 40% of all food in America gets wasted, allowing rats to live in luxury. In addition, City officials should improve trash management. Rats are most active during twilight hours, and garbage piles are left sitting through the night with little to no coverage or barrier protection given. Garbage piles often get placed near tree plots where rats have access to burrowing and nesting. The New York City Department of Sanitation should assist residents with efficient containers for storage and decrease the time limit garbage is allowed to sit along curbs. Rodent control will take effort from all members of New York, and if we act now, we can surely make our sidewalks safe again.

Thanks for reading!

Earthshiners@earthshinersmagazine.com

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