The first Urban Rat Summit kicked off in New York City with Mayor Eric Adams declaring “War on Rats” during his opening remarks. The two-day event is being held at Pier 57 in Manhattan and has officials and scientists from cities across the U.S. and Canada in attendance. There are an estimated three million rats in New York City, according to pest control company MMPC, and rats can carry various pathogens to human populations. Mayor Adams has made mitigating rats a priority, appointing Citywide Director of Rodent Mitigation Kathleen Corradi and establishing a fourth “Rat Mitigation Zone” in Harlem.
Another major initiative in the “war on rats” comes from New York City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who plans to containerize the 14 billion pounds of trash produced by the city annually, effectively ending the “all-you-can-eat rat buffet.” Mayor Adams views the rodent problem in the city as a significant quality of life issue and has been in discussions with city leaders worldwide to address similar concerns. Residents have shared horror stories of rats in their homes, impacting health and mental stability, prompting the need for effective rat mitigation strategies.
During the summit, discussions will focus on a framework for urban rat mitigation challenges, including parks, sewers, construction sites, public housing, yards, alleys, and trash containerization. Mayor Adams expressed excitement about welcoming fellow “generals” in the “War on Rats” to share new strategies and best practices for rat reduction. The Mayor highlighted the importance of unified efforts against rats, which he considers to be public enemy number one, referred to humorously as “Mickey and his crew.”
Mayor Adams shared anecdotes of residents’ encounters with rats, such as rats getting into cribs and eating food off babies’ faces. He emphasized the need for various methodologies to address the quality of life issue posed by rats, citing discussions with the mayor of Paris who utilizes the sewage system for garbage disposal. Adams noted the psychological impact of living with rats, such as the fear of encountering rodents in everyday activities like lifting the toilet seat or taking out the garbage. The Mayor highlighted the urgency of finding solutions to protect residents from the negative effects of rats.
The summit will continue with an agenda focused on rat mitigation challenges in various urban settings, with a particular emphasis on the containerization of trash to reduce the rat population. Mayor Adams called on participants to share ideas and unify against the pervasive rodent issue in urban environments. With a strong determination to combat rats and improve the quality of life for residents, the summit aims to explore innovative strategies and foster collaboration among city officials and experts in the field. The event provides a platform for sharing insights and promoting collective action against rats in urban spaces.
