A rat-infested tree bed on 89th between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue, circa 2020
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New York City is ramping up its war on rats—and this time, it’s taking aim at the tree-lined streets that define neighborhoods like the Upper West Side.
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Mayor Eric Adams announced Monday the creation of specialized teams tasked with rat mitigation in the city’s 600,000 street tree beds. Backed by nearly $900,000 in annual funding, the initiative will employ 12 full-time staffers under the supervision of exterminators and a forester. The effort marks the first time street tree beds, which have long gone without targeted enforcement, will receive dedicated attention in the city’s broader pest control strategy.
“Today, we are embarking on a new era of urban pest management,” said Adams. “By cleaning up trash and hiring a team of experts to clear out burrows while caring for our trees, we are reclaiming public space, fighting rats, and improving quality of life for all New Yorkers.”
Upper West Siders may find the new program especially relevant. The neighborhood is one of the city’s most active when it comes to rat-related 311 complaints, and its many tree-lined blocks have often become breeding grounds for rodent activity—particularly where food waste and poorly maintained tree beds collide.
Street tree beds, which sit at the edge of public and private property and often border food sources and busy pedestrian corridors, have been an overlooked front in the city’s pest control efforts. Last year alone, more than 2,300 rat-related 311 complaints specifically cited tree beds.
“With this new investment, we’re closing that gap,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. “By combining science-based, non-toxic approaches with dedicated staff, we’re protecting our trees, our neighborhoods, and our quality of life.”
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The program is part of the Adams administration’s broader anti-rat campaign, which includes public education events, improved curbside cleanliness, and the rollout of over 1,000 rat-resistant “Empire Bins.” The city says 311 complaints for rodent sightings have already dropped in recent months.
The newly formed teams will work directly with property owners to address complaints and remove burrows while ensuring the health of the trees themselves is not compromised. Previously, the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene handled all rat complaints involving tree beds.
“Rats have historically exploited street tree beds as they sit at the cross section of the private and public realm,” said Director of Rodent Mitigation Kathy Corradi. “Along with the tremendous efforts to clean our curbs and educate property owners, the Street Tree Bed Rat Mitigation program deepens the Adams administration’s commitment to creating a cleaner and pest–free New York City.”
The effort may be welcome news to Upper West Side residents who have long complained of rats darting between tree beds, trash piles, and sidewalks—especially during warmer months. Whether the city’s new approach will bring visible results remains to be seen, but officials say the investment signals a long-term commitment.
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