Bedford-Stuyvesant has been part of a NYC Health Department Rat Mitigation Zone (RMZ) since 2023, alongside Bushwick and Prospect Heights. That means our neighborhood gets extra city resources, but it’s also an acknowledgment of how bad the problem has been — and how much residents can help.
The Good News
The Health Department’s most recent reports show rat activity declining in the Bushwick/Bed-Stuy/Prospect Heights zone, with nine straight months of citywide reductions in rat sightings reported through early 2026. The city’s approach combines proactive property inspections, complaint-based inspections from 311 reports, and coordination with Parks, NYCHA, and schools to survey conditions monthly.
What Attracts Rats — and What We Can Control
Rats need food, water, and shelter. The single biggest thing a block can do is keep trash contained — sealed bins instead of loose bags, garbage out at the correct time, and tree pits and garden beds kept free of food waste. Overflowing bins and loose bags left out early are the most common conditions cited in RMZ inspections.
How to Report Rat Activity
Call or use 311 to file a rodent complaint against a specific address — in an RMZ, this can trigger a faster inspection than in other neighborhoods. Include the address and a description of what you’re seeing (burrows, droppings, sightings) for the best chance of a follow-up inspection.
