Summit brings researchers, municipal rodent control experts together to share best practices
New York: New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced details for the city’s inaugural National Urban Rat Summit, taking place this Wednesday and Thursday. Following introductory remarks from New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan and Dr. Matt Frye from the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program at Cornell University, the first day will focus on academic presentations from researchers and municipal experts from cities in the United States and Canada. The summit’s second day will focus on a framework for urban rat mitigation challenges, encompassing parks, sewers, construction sites, public housing, yards and alleys, and trash containerization.
“I’m excited to welcome my fellow generals in the ‘War on Rats’ to our great city for the inaugural National Urban Rat Summit,” said Mayor Adams. “Thanks to our citywide integrated pest management strategy and our ‘Trash Revolution,’ we are giving rats the boot, driving down rat sightings, and improving quality of life across the five boroughs. We’re looking forward to sharing new strategies and best practices for rat mitigation and reduction over the course of the summit.”
“Rat mitigation is a core public health issue in New York City,” said DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Vasan. “Freedom from the threat of diseases rats carry and from the stress and fear rat sightings can trigger — these are basic human needs. Every day, our team is equipping New Yorkers from all walks of life with data-driven, evidence-based strategies for a cleaner, safer, more livable city.”
“The National Urban Rat Summit is a dedicated step forward in municipal rat management. We are thrilled to create a space for academic researchers and municipalities to come together and have meaningful dialog about a path towards sustainable, urban rat reduction,” said Citywide Director of Rodent Mitigation Kathy Corradi. “This collaborative, science-based approach to New York City’s rat mitigation, along with the tremendous efforts from city agencies, will ensure an improved quality of life for all New Yorkers.”
“Since the start of this administration, we've been dedicated to improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers. Thanks to our citywide sanitation and public health initiatives, including the work of our rodent mitigation team, we've seen real progress in communities all across the city,” said Chief of Staff Camille Joseph Varlack.
“Rats will find no purchase here, there, or anywhere, not if the experts at the first-ever National Urban Rat Summit have anything to say for it,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “As we containerize the city’s trash and upgrade our outdoor dining landscape, we know the war is not yet won — which is why we’re pulling together this summit, so that New York and our sister cities can share best practices for urbanites across the continent.”
“The single best way to finally beat the rats is to get their food off the streets and into containers — and that's what the Adams administration is doing, with a plan to finally shut down the all-you-can-eat rat buffet,” said New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
