New York City is experiencing a notable decrease in reported rat sightings, with data suggesting the numbers are on track to reach their lowest point since the pandemic began. This trend follows the implementation of major anti-rodent initiatives under Mayor Eric Adams's administration.

For the first seven months of 2026, there were approximately 9,900 calls to 311 reporting rat sightings. This marks the first time the figure has fallen below 10,000 for that period since 2020. The data indicates a 22% reduction compared to the same timeframe in the previous year.

Former Mayor Eric Adams, who declared a "war on rats" in the fall of 2022, attributed the decline to a sustained focus on measures such as containerizing trash. "When rat sightings go down, they don’t go down in just one or two days. The plan was simply to stop feeding them. We did a series of things like containerization. We were very focused. We are now seeing the results of several years," Adams stated.

Decline in Sightings

Reports of rat sightings have been declining annually since 2024. The peak year for reported sightings was 2022, with 16,230 calls logged between January and August, prompting the official declaration of the "war on rats." The recent data, first reported by Bloomberg, shows a continuous downward trend.

Impact of Containerization

Initiatives like the "Empire Bins," large on-street trash containers, have shown promising results in neighborhoods where they have been deployed. "Mounds of leaky, smelly black trash bags on our streets have served as an all-you-can-eat buffet for rats, but the era of those bags is drawing to a close," said Vincent Gragnani, a spokesperson for the Sanitation Department. "More than 70 percent of all trash is now required to be in sealed containers, and in 2031, New Yorkers will see ALL trash in sealed containers. The data is clear that containerizing trash delivers cleaner streets and fewer rats."

In Manhattan Community Board 8, areas that have installed the Empire Bins have experienced a 35% reduction in rat sightings since last summer. Residents have noted a significant change, with some recalling times when "rat traffic" was common on sidewalks.

"I’ve heard people scream, you know, tourists scream at night," said James Fuentes, a server at Toast Bar, referring to the period before the intensified rat control efforts. "The rats are going to every restaurant that has trash overflowing outside, where that dumpster is, it’s probably where they’re all at, or the places that aren’t fortunate enough to have these [bins]."

While acknowledging the progress, some residents suggest focusing on other urban issues. "Now we have homelessness. That’s a big problem. Some people are mentally crazy," commented Johnny Peñufiel, an employee at Trufa Pizzeria.