Mayor Eric Adams launched a new phase in New York City's ongoing effort to control its rat population on June 22, announcing a specialized initiative aimed at street tree beds across the five boroughs.
With a permanent investment of $877,000, the city is deploying new rat mitigation teams focused on the city’s 600,000 street tree beds, or highly visible areas that often serve as prime habitats for rodents. The funding will support the hiring of 12 full-time workers to inspect and maintain these public spaces, working under the guidance of professional exterminators and a forester.
"By cleaning up trash and hiring a team of experts to clear out burrows while caring for our trees, we are reclaiming public space, fighting rats, and improving quality of life for all New Yorkers," the mayor said in a statement.
Until recently, street tree beds lacked dedicated enforcement or pest control efforts despite generating more than 2,300 rodent-related 311 complaints annually. These new teams will use non-toxic pest control methods, adding to the city's expanding strategy to reduce rats while improving cleanliness and quality of life.
The effort is part of the broader “War on Rats” campaign, a multi-agency plan to reclaim public spaces and reduce trash. The city has already seen a decline in rodent complaints over the past six months, with more than 1,000 residents participating in the city’s Rat Pack engagement program and over 1,100 “Empire Bins” installed to curb street litter and rodent activity.
