A new study shows that rat infestations are increasing in many cities around the world, with Washington, D.C. leading the trend. The study points to warming temperatures, urban growth, and human activities as the main reasons for this rise in rat populations.
The research looked at rat sighting reports from 16 cities across the globe. It found that complaints about rats have increased in 11 of these cities. Among the cities studied, Washington, D.C. saw the largest increase in rat sightings, followed by cities like San Francisco, Toronto, New York, and Amsterdam. Washington’s rat problem has grown three times faster than in Boston and 50% more than in New York. The city’s officials did not respond to requests for comment about the findings.
However, not all cities are facing this issue. Three cities—New Orleans, Louisville, and Tokyo—saw a significant decrease in rat reports, with New Orleans showing the most noticeable drop. Experts suggest that New Orleans might offer lessons on how to reduce rat problems in other cities.
The study used a statistical analysis of rat sightings to determine that over 40% of the increase in rat populations can be linked to warmer temperatures caused by the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. According to the study’s lead author, Jonathan Richardson, a biologist from the University of Richmond, warmer temperatures are influencing rat behavior by increasing their chances to reproduce and providing them with more food. These two factors are key reasons for the rise in rat numbers.
In summary, the increase in rat sightings can be traced back to several human activities, particularly the effects of climate change and urbanization. While some cities are managing to reduce their rat populations, others, like Washington, D.C., are facing a growing rat problem. Experts believe that tackling climate change and better urban planning could help cities manage this issue in the future.
