Video: Ratdemic in Brighton Beach

As the Department of Health cuts down on pest patrolers, word is that Brighton Beach has been taken over by rats! Ratdemic is upon us. One resident took some video of the neighborhood's visitors (seen below), which some believe came from a huge rat's nest underground. The nest was allegedly disturbed as construction started near the 8th Street Bridge. Another resident told Eyewitness News that the rodents now "walk around like it's their block."

The rats are eating through wires in cars, leaving holes in the ground and in garbage cans, and stealthy avoiding rat traps. The DoH released a statement, noting they have done 47 inspections of the area this month alone. Their plan is to work with the Sanitation Department regarding "the root cause of the problem... illegal feeding of wildlife." A spokesperson said they found pieces of bread in the area.

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By Jen Carlson in News on April 15, 2010 11:46 AM

Comments [rss]

Chris Johnson

The funny thing is, one year on and the rats are still there! www.sussexeps.co.uk

Tower18

"There's so many of them"

...as two scurry across the street.

Manitoba

OMG! Bread!

JenChungsBaby

Back in old country we call that dinner.

CR

Bill Ritter or Bill RATTER?

Spirit of 76

Meanwhile, the Port Authority traps and euthanizes cats near JFK.

CR

Meanwhile, I'm bored at work today and horny as all hell. WHAT IS YOUR FRIGGIN' POINT MAN?

fuboy

I think the point was that cats hunt and kill rats. Instead of euthanizing the cats, the Port Authority could just relocate them to this neighborhood and the problem will resolve iteself naturally.

Spirit of 76

Bingo. Trap, neuter, return would provide some easy, effective, low-cost pest control. People have been trying to tell the PA that for years, but it's like talking to a brick wall.

Eugene

It's because the damn babushkas keep tossing bread to the seagulls.

matty

Do you really think that's what it is? When I heard "construction crews disturbed huge rats nest" i wanted to vomit.

I had a rat invasion in an apartment I had in chicago. They would come from outside and through a crack in the wall to get under the floorboards. You could hear the running around under my feet at night.

One morning I went to take out the trash, and this HUGE pregnant black rat slipped out of the garbage bag and just stood there like "what the fuck are you going to do?"

I hate rats and feel really sorry for these people.