NEW YORK – As more New Yorkers try to return to their routines before the pandemic that began more than a year ago, more complaints have also been seen about the increase in rats in New York City.
According to the New York City 3-1-1, there were more than 2,900 complaints about rodents in March. That’s an 80% increase compared to last year when the city entered COVID-19-related restrictions., Bloomberg reported for the first time.
This year’s complaints are also higher than in March 2019, when there were 2,395 reports of rats.
When the pandemic closed restaurants, the rodents’ food sources were also cut off. Now that restaurants and businesses have begun to reopen, the creatures have also returned.
That was evident last summer when restaurants opened outdoor seating. New Yorkers may just have to keep dealing with them.
In response to the increase in complaints, a spokesperson for the New York City Department of Health told Bloomberg: “Rodents are a quality of life problem and the New York City Department of Health works with communities to help mitigate rodent problems. “
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