What the mayoral election could mean for Boston’s rat population

As Boston residents prepare to choose their next mayor, some of the city’s other inhabitants face an uncertain future.

Mayor Michelle Wu and philanthropist Josh Kraft, her leading challenger, shared their plans to tackle Boston’s rat problem this week ahead of the Tuesday, Sept. 9, preliminary election.

Boston’s rodent problem is often considered one of the most significant quality-of-life issues for residents. The city has even been called one of the “rattiest” in the country in recent years. Infestations worsened during the pandemic, when many people were stuck at home. This shifted the bulk of garbage from commercial areas into neighborhoods.

But like in many major cities, it hasn’t been an easy problem to fix. Recent efforts have included programs such as rat birth control, which was piloted in Jamaica Plain in 2023 but was not continued.

In 2024, city officials released the official “Boston Rodent Action Plan,” which outlines a multi-departmental approach to the problem, incorporating analysis and recommendations from expert rodentologist Bobby Corrigan.

In his report, Corrigan found that Boston’s overall age and poor infrastructure contributed significantly to the unchecked rat population, but the issue was heightened by poor trash disposal and enforcement.

Here’s what the two mayoral candidates have planned for Boston’s most unwelcome residents if elected.

• Read more: Why there are so many rats in Boston, and what officials are trying to do about it

Wu emphasizes multidisciplinary approach

As mayor, Wu has encouraged different departments within City Hall to work together to address the rodent problem. The Rodent Action Plan, released by her administration, outlines cooperative efforts between the Inspectional Services Department, Parks and Recreation Department, Boston Housing Authority and Boston Water and Sewer Commission.

According to the expert recommendations, the city has installed traps in sewers, parks and residential alleys, using different types of traps that are most effective in each situation, Wu said during a candidate forum on NBC Boston this week. They have installed “rat-proof” garbage cans and set up monitoring sensors to collect data on which areas have the most rodent activity.

Other efforts include using carbon monoxide to eradicate infestations, without harming birds and other animals with poisonous rodenticides.

“Our counterparts here on four legs are very innovative, very able to find every weakness that’s there,” Wu said during the forum. “The city really does have to have a comprehensive approach.”

City staff are also working to educate residents on how to prevent infestations effectively, such as the proper storage of trash.

“Previously, our departments would have traps available and when someone called in, we’d go out and set the traps,” Wu said. “But by the time the rats are already there, it’s already too late. We have to start much earlier.”

Kraft would create Office of Pest Control

During the candidate forum, Kraft said he would consolidate efforts under an Office of Rat and Pest Control.

“Centralizing the unit focused in one department, so everybody knows where to go, is the number one step,” he said.

It’s not a new idea, although it has yet to come to fruition. City Councilor Ed Flynn has filed proposals in the past, using New York City’s appointment of a “rat czar” in 2023 as inspiration.

During a City Council hearing to discuss the idea last year, officials said a centralized pest control department would not be productive because staff would still need to coordinate with other relevant departments.

Kraft’s vision for the department would include a fund to help residents and small businesses that are unable to afford pest control services, as well as a fleet of vans available 24/7 that can be dispatched whenever there is a report of pests.

“We’ll probably start with more than one (van) and then our hope is as we get the number of rats down, the number of vans decreases,” he said.