More content about pests:

Rat Mitigation Zones

Rats can contaminate food, spread disease and reduce our quality of life. Rat Mitigation Zones (RMZ) are areas with high levels of rat activity, where …

Why trash is a public health issue

New York City’s modern history of public health starts in the 1600s with the Bureau of Sanitary Inspections, and ever since, sanitation has been an …

Housing

Most people spend most of their time at home - so the household environment can significantly affect health. Disrepair that stems from long-term …

Bed bugs

Bed bugs are small insects that feed mainly on human blood. They are often confused with other insects, and many people are not even aware of their …

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are a common urban pest. Though there are more than a thousand species of roaches, just a few are found in NYC homes. The most common are …

Mice and rats

Rats and mice are common, but preventable. In NYC, rats tend to be seen on streets, alleys and sidewalks, and in yards and basements, while mice are …

Pesticides

Pesticides are chemicals applied to kill or control insects, rats and mice, undesirable plants and weeds, or fungi (e.g., mold). Pesticides are often …

Pests and pesticides

Pests and pesticides can both have health effects. Household pests like mice, rats, and cockroaches can trigger asthma, while bed bugs are a …

Health, housing, and history

For health, place matters What determines whether or not you’re healthy? You may think about what you eat, whether you exercise, whether you smoke and …