NYC Upper West Side Residents Report Swarms of Rats

Rat Infestation on the Upper West Side

• 🐀 Residents on the Upper West Side are reporting swarms of rats overwhelming two specific locations.
• 💬 The situation is described as an "end-of-summer invasion," with many finding the videos of the rodents to be creepy.

Contributing Factors

• 🐦 City Council member Gail Brewer suggests that people feeding pigeons are inadvertently creating a "buffet" for rats.
• 🗑️ The abundance of garbage is identified as a primary source attracting the rodents.
• ⚠️ Officials are urging the public to exercise common sense regarding feeding wildlife, as it may also be feeding swarms of rats.

City's Response and Resident Concerns

• 📊 While Mayor Adams stated that rat complaint calls to 311 are down, Council member Brewer reports receiving as many complaints as ever.
• 🏞️ The issue is affecting areas like a tots playground near Central Park, where residents have encountered rats everywhere, including near strollers and children.
• 🤝 The city is working on rat removal and implementing more effective elimination methods, emphasizing a collective effort to make it harder for rodents to feast on garbage and bird feed.