Mice are rampant in New York like never before.
According to new government data, citywide mouse sightings have increased by 71% since this time in 2020. As of the end of September, there were more than 21,000 reports.
Rat complaints initially increased in 2021, the reported New York Daily News, with many blaming the increased population of outdoor dining facilities that were built during the pandemic. But even as some restaurants staggered into their outdoor dining sheds, the pest problem hasn’t gone away; in fact, many city residents would agree that it has only gotten worse.
Over the summer, New York City Council members presented a five-point “rat action plan” to solve the problem, which includes mouse-proof bins. It is expected to happen in October.
Also the Department of Health submitted an idea in July: Change the times when garbage hits sidewalks at night, so debris doesn’t stay that long and give rodents less time to sniff and chase them.
Currently, trash can end up on the curb at 4:00 pm the day before the scheduled pick-up date. But the DSNY wants New Yorkers to start taking out the trash later in the evening, around 8pm.
His idea comes with one exception: if the garbage ends up in a bin or container, it could be taken out a little earlier, at 6pm. The department believes that by limiting the amount of time garbage is on the street, mice will be seen less and have less access to food.
