When most people think of rats, the first thing that comes to mind is the city of New York. Rats have become synonymous with the Big Apple, and many people believe that they are a particularly problematic pest in NYC.
While it is true that rats can be a big issue in certain parts of the city, there is a lot more to know about these creatures than what meets the eye.
Why Are There So Many Rats in NYC?
If you’ve ever been to New York City, you’ve probably seen a rat or two (or a hundred). But have you ever wondered why there are so many rats in NYC? Read on to find out.
The first reason why there are so many rats in NYC is that the city is huge. With a population of over 8 million people, there are a lot of places for rats to hide and thrive.
The sewers in NYC offer rats a perfect place to live. They’re dark, damp, and full of food (yes, rats will eat just about anything). The network of sewers beneath NYC provides rats with endless miles of safe, dark tunnels to nest and build their homes. This underground maze makes it difficult for humans to control their population.
The second reason is that NYC is an old city. The first European settlers arrived in NYC in 1624, and the city has been growing ever since. This means that there are a lot of old buildings and infrastructure for rats to live in and explore.
NYC also has a lot of construction sites. Rats like to build their nests in warm places, and construction sites provide plenty of opportunities for them to do just that.
Thanks to the lack of green space in NYC, there are very few natural predators for rats to worry about. The only real threat to rats is humans, and even then, we’re not very effective at controlling their population.
The third reason is that NYC has a lot of food.
Not only are there thousands of restaurants, but there are also garbage cans on nearly every block. This provides a never-ending food supply for rats. And lastly, NYC has a mild climate.
Unlike other parts of the country, rats don’t have to worry about extreme cold or hot weather conditions. All of these factors combined make NYC the perfect place for rats to live.
As you can see, there are a few reasons why NYC has such a rat problem. Unfortunately, because they’re so good at hiding and reproducing, it’s unlikely that we’ll be able to get rid of them anytime soon.
Why are NYC Rats so Big?
If you’ve ever been to New York City, chances are you’ve noticed that NYC rats are bigger than the average rat. So what gives? Why are NYC rats so big?
The first thing to understand is that there are two types of rats in NYC: the Norway rat and the Roof rat.
The Norway rat is the more common of the two and can be found in all five boroughs. They typically weigh in at about 10-12 ounces and measure 16-18 inches from nose to tail.
The Roof rat is less common but can still be found in some parts of the city. They’re usually a bit smaller than the Norway rat, weighing in at 8-10 ounces and measuring 12-16 inches from nose to tail.
So yes, both types of rats are bigger than your average rat, but why?
There are a few theories on why NYC rats are so big.
One theory is that the rats are simply taking advantage of all the food that’s available to them. In a city with as many people as NYC, there’s bound to be plenty of food scraps and garbage for the rats to feast on.
Another theory is that the rats are bigger because they have fewer predators to worry about. In a densely populated city like NYC, there aren’t many animals that prey on rats, so they don’t have to worry about being eaten by other animals.
Lastly, it’s possible that the rats are bigger because of genetic reasons. Studies have shown that when animals live in close proximity to each other, they tend to mate with each other more often, which can lead to genetic mutations and changes over time.
How does NYC Deals With Rats?
It’s no secret that NYC has a rat problem. The number of rats in the city has been growing steadily for years, and they’re becoming bolder and bolder, showing up in places where they’ve never been seen before. But how does the city deal with these furry little pests?
There are a few different ways that NYC deals with rats. One is by using rat traps. These traps are baited with food and set in areas where rats are known to frequent. When a rat steps on the trap, it triggers a mechanism that snaps shut, killing the rat instantly.
Rat traps are an effective way to kill individual rats, but they don’t do anything to address the root of the problem—the fact that there are just too many rats in the city for them all to be caught in traps.
Another way NYC deals with rats is by poisoning them. Poisoned bait stations are set up in areas where rats are known to be active, and the rats eat the bait, which is laced with a deadly poison.
This method is controversial because it can also kill other animals, like dogs and cats if they eat the bait. Additionally, some people believe that it’s just not humane to kill animals in this way.
The most effective way to deal with NYC’s rat problem is likely a combination of the two methods above — traps to catch individual rats and poison to reduce the overall population.
Reducing the amount of garbage on streets and in parks is also important, as this is one of the main sources of food for rats.
NYC’s rat problem is not going away anytime soon, but there are steps that can be taken to control its population. Using a combination of traps and poison is the most effective way to deal with rats, although it is also important to reduce the amount of garbage on streets and in parks so that they don’t have access to food.
Are NYC rats dangerous to humans?
There have been a few cases of rats attacking humans in NYC, but these instances are rare. In general, rats are more likely to scurry away from humans than they are to attack.
However, that doesn’t mean that NYC rats can’t pose a danger to humans.
Rats can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans, such as the bubonic plague, typhus, and salmonellosis. While these diseases are rare in the United States, they can be deadly if contracted.
What should you do if you see a rat in NYC?
If you see a rat in your home, it’s important to contact a professional pest control company immediately. Do not attempt to remove the rat yourself, as this can be dangerous.
If you see a rat in a public place, such as on the subway or in a park, it’s best to just leave it alone and notify the authorities if necessary.
Trying to capture or kill a rat in a public place is not only dangerous for you, but it’s also illegal under the New York City Health Code.
Rats are a common sight in New York City, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not dangerous. These creatures can carry some serious diseases that can be deadly to humans if contracted.
