New York City is reporting a substantial victory in its campaign against rats, with a 22% drop in calls to 311 regarding rodent complaints in the first seven months of 2026 compared to the previous year. This marks the first time the number of rat calls has fallen below 10,000 for this period since 2020, according to city data.
Former Mayor Eric Adams initiated an aggressive strategy to combat the city's rodent population, a move that was previously considered a losing battle. A key component of this initiative, spearheaded by Adams and then-Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch, involved implementing innovative waste management solutions. These included the introduction of sealed "Empire Bins" designed to replace easily accessible trash piles and overflowing street cans.
Currently, over 70% of New York City's waste is required to be stored in sealed containers, with a city-wide goal of reaching 100% by 2031. The impact of these measures is evident, with Manhattan Community Board 9 reporting a 35% decrease in rat sightings since the new bins were installed last year.
In contrast, Los Angeles is currently grappling with an increase in typhus cases, which has been linked to a surge in its rat population. Typhus cases in Los Angeles have risen by 2,300% since 2009, with recent years setting new records for infestations. In the previous year, Los Angeles topped Orkin's annual list of the most rat-infested major cities in America, ending Chicago's long-standing hold on the top spot.
Officials in Los Angeles attribute their challenges to a lack of resources, despite the city's budget of $15 billion and the county's budget of $50 billion. Some blame has also been directed towards state regulations, with California restricting the use of rat poisons in 2020 and enacting stricter limits in 2024, citing wildlife protection concerns.
An editorial suggests that Los Angeles could benefit from adopting New York City's strategies, potentially even by inviting Eric Adams to consult on the issue. The piece posits that effective leadership is crucial for addressing the rodent problem, a quality that it suggests is currently lacking in Los Angeles's municipal response.