New York City unveils next phase of ‘War on Rats’

Mayor Adams (in the white shirt) and New York City Rat Czar Kathy Corradi observe with city workers as the group launches a new $877,000 initiative to combat rats in New York’s 600,000 street tree beds. PHOTO COURTESY OF NEW YORK CITY HALL

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and members of the Adams administration have revealed the creation of new, specialized teams to address New York City’s rat population in city street tree beds.

“Today, we are embarking on a new era of urban pest management. Our administration is announcing a $877,000 investment to get rats out of 600,000 street tree beds across the five boroughs,” said Mayor Adams. “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. Our administration continues to build on the work we are doing to end the dominance of trash and rats on our streets.”

The Adams administration will establish the teams and hire 12 new full-time staff to provide inspections and associated services. Before the formation of these teams, street tree beds had no dedicated mitigation or enforcement teams. In line with the Adams administration’s work to improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers, these new teams will work alongside property owners in making New York City clean and pest-free.

“Rats have historically exploited street tree beds as they sit at the cross-section of the private and public realm and are adjacent to food sources and travel pathways,” said Director of Rodent Mitigation Kathy Corradi. “Along with the tremendous efforts to clean our curbs and educate property owners, the Street Tree Bed Rat Mitigation program deepens the Adams administration’s commitment to creating a cleaner and pest-free New York City.”

The formation of these teams continues the city’s fight against rats. Last year, the Adams administration hosted its inaugural National Urban Rat Summit, which brought researchers and municipal rodent control experts together to share best practices to combat rat populations. (Read PMP‘s coverage of the event here.)

Through inspection and non-pesticide rat control methods, this new program will directly address more than 2,300 rat-related complaints that the city’s 311 hotline receives annually.

“New Yorkers love their tree-lined streets, and it’s our job to ensure that these vital green spaces remain healthy, clean and safe,” said Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. “For too long, rats in street tree beds have gone unaddressed — undermining the hard work of both city agencies and local communities.”

<p>The post New York City unveils next phase of ‘War on Rats’ first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>

from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/new-york-city-unveils-next-phase-on-war-on-rats/
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