June 23, 2025 NEW YORK – New York City is taking its fight against its persistent rat problem to the streets – specifically, to the city's hundreds of thousands of street tree beds. Mayor Eric Adams, joined by Director of Rodent Mitigation Kathy Corradi and NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, today unveiled a significant new initiative to tackle rat infestations in these often-overlooked urban spaces.

With a permanent funding allocation of $877,000, the Adams administration is establishing dedicated teams and hiring 12 new full-time staff members. These specialized units, guided by experienced exterminators and a forester, will focus exclusively on inspecting and mitigating rat activity in the city's estimated 600,000 street tree beds.

A Targeted Approach to a Widespread Problem

"Today, we are embarking on a new era of urban pest management," declared Mayor Adams. He emphasized the strategic nature of this investment, aiming to reclaim public spaces and improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers. For too long, street tree beds – highly visible and frequently traversed areas – have lacked dedicated rat mitigation efforts, contributing to the city's pervasive rodent issue.

According to Director Corradi, street tree beds have historically been prime real estate for rats, offering easy access to food sources and travel pathways. This new program will complement existing efforts to clean curbs and educate property owners, deepening the city's commitment to creating a cleaner, more pest-free environment.

Commissioner Rodriguez-Rosa highlighted the importance of these green spaces to New Yorkers and the frustration caused by unaddressed rat problems. "For too long, rats in street tree beds have gone unaddressed — undermining the hard work of both city agencies and local communities," she noted. The new investment aims to close this gap by deploying science-based, non-toxic approaches to protect both the trees and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Building on Momentum: A Citywide Effort to Combat Rodents

The new teams will work in conjunction with property owners, directly addressing the more than 2,300 annual 311 complaints related to rats in street tree beds. Previously, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene handled these complaints. This specialized approach aims to provide a more direct and efficient response.

This initiative is the latest in a series of interagency efforts by the Adams administration to enhance urban quality of life. Over the past six months, New York City has already seen a decrease in 311 complaints of rodent sightings. Programs like the New York City Rat Pack education and engagement events, which have involved over 1,000 New Yorkers, and the installation of approximately 1,100 "Empire Bins" for trash have also contributed to cleaner sidewalks and fewer rats.

The message is clear: New York City is doubling down on its "War on Rats," taking a targeted, sustained approach to rid its streets of these unwelcome inhabitants and improve the urban landscape for everyone.