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Look ma—we made it? You know you’ve leveled up as a metropolis when the rats start moving in. … Alas, Raleigh’s growth isn’t just measured in skyscrapers and restaurants—it’s critter-approved.
No stranger to the rat race—Raleigh’s held its place in the top 50 rattiest U.S. cities for over seven years running, with Orkin ranking it 28th last year. (Yes, really.)
While there’s no registry of rats roaming Raleigh, residents have told us the rodents are ramping up—with more of them out about, and apparently unafraid of being stepped on. Rat boxes can be spotted across DTR and citywide, unsurprising since urban growth typically brings more pests.
Despite the chatter, the City of Raleigh says they haven’t noticed a rodent spike. If—or when—the problem presents itself, Assistant City Manager Evan Raleigh suggests handling a vermin infestation like any other growing pain. “New development means more people creating trash,” maintains Raleigh. “We are making sure our resources are in line with the growing demands.”
Growing Pains
“The rats don’t run this city, we do.” So says former NYC Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch on her vow to oust the rats—with battle efforts going as far as dispersing rat birth control, hiring a “rat czar” and hosting a vermin expert conference. NYC serves as a prime example of the downside of a glamorous, bustling city: If you want to live in an established metropolis, expect encounters with typical metropolis problems—more noise, more pollution and more pests.
Not that Raleigh should welcome said problems with a “we made it” attitude, but we can learn from more established metros and stay on top of so-far minor nuisances—before it comes to an all-out “war.” Even with more frequent rodent run-ins, it’s safe to say we are nowhere near needing to take notes on Tisch’s approach… yet.
So, as the not-so-ideal consequences of urban expansion continue to grow alongside us, fighting the good fight is essential to prevent anyone else—rats included—from running our fair city.
Are We Expecting?
Fun fact: Female rats are ready to mate at five weeks old and can reproduce every three to four weeks—and litters can produce anywhere from five to 12 rat babies. Do the math and enter the cycle of vermin doom.
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