The Station Rat has been lurking around on Twitter, so we got in touch with him to find out what he's got to say on behalf of the unground rodent nation, that will undoubtedly one day serve as our overlords. Station Rat tells us that he is "the voice of subway rats across the city. As full-time residents of the subway system, we know first-hand what is happening to the system. Budget cuts mean dirtier stations and less money for train cleaners. And we're happy about it. But now people are talking about 'fixing transit' or 'cleaning up the subway.' The last straw was the MTA's effort to clean up subway stations and remove trash from the system. We've had enough." With that, he released this trailer today: more ›

Last year we were none-too-thrilled to discover something called Rat Bite Fever exists, but took comfort in our own assumptions that people rarely get bitten by rats. But now Metro comes along and says 100 New Yorkers get bitten by rats each year, and that's just what's being reported to the Department of Health! It gets worse... more ›

The only thing that would make us feel okay about this video is if the rats were replaced with bed bugs... but as it is, this is pretty disturbing. NYC the Blog posted the below video today (though it was filmed a few months ago), showing an energetic little pup chasing after rats in Washington Square Park. Once he gets a hold of one the sound of its squeaks will haunt you forever. more ›

First of all: there is something called Rat Bite Fever that exists. That is terrifying, especially with the rat overlords slowly rolling out their master plan to take over the city from us weak humans... that can die from rat bite fever. Anyway, an ex-Petco employee has filed a $2.65MM lawsuit against a rodent breeder after being bitten by a diseased rat. Second of all: there are RODENT BREEDERS. more ›

Don't want to see rats in the subway system? Stop feeding them! Senator Bill Perkins reminds: "Rats don't grow the food that they eat on the subway, and they don't buy it, either. We as customers, unfortunately, are the ones that are feeding, and thereby breeding the rodent infestation problem we have." Perkins has been rallying for a ban on food in the subway system, and now NY1 visits his fears that MTA budget cuts, and no food ban, could lead to a real ratdemic. more ›

Could coyotes be the solution to our rodent problem? We've seen a few of the wild animals around the city streets this year, but they were run back out to more rural settings—in Chicago, however, they're letting the animals loose. Over at Chicago Breaking News, they have video (below) of a coyote running down State Street amongst traffic, allegedly hunting down vermin. more ›

The city—the same city that just cut pest control aides on payroll from 84 to 57—is seeking a pest control service for Brooklyn Bridge Park. Is the ratdemic creeping into the shiny new waterfront park? Of course not! At least, that's what they want you to think. President of the city development corporation, Regina Myer, told the NY Post there's "absolutely not" a rodent issue, and that the contract is about be "pro-active" so there's never an issue. more ›

Rats are really trying to make their way into the headlines after being pushed aside by bedbugs all summer long, and today they made it all the way to the Gray Lady, who says Northern Manhattan straphangers are claiming rodents are on the rise underground. Or maybe this was their plan all along, to distract with news of bedbugs while they plan their diabolical rat takeover! more ›

Pest control company d-CON has released the results of their recent survey—which polled 200 New Yorkers on pest problems—and if their results are to be believed, well then the ratdemic is upon us, friends. The Daily News breaks down their findings, noting that Harlem takes the top spot for the most rat-filled neighborhood, or rat-friendly, if you want to put a positive spin on it. more ›

This just in (therefore it didn't make it into our newsletter): tonight the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is going to school New Yorkers on how to manage the city's ratdemic! They say, "for centuries, humans and rats have contentiously shared our city, competing for prime real estate in subways, apartment buildings and green spaces. From traps to toxins, New Yorkers are known to use extreme measures to banish these unwanted rodents." more ›

The ratdemic has moved over to Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza, where rats are allegedly holding court and scoffing at the Parks Departments efforts to poison them! According to the Daily News, the rodents have taken to a wooded area at the northern end of the landmark (near Bailey Fountain) and are still running rampant even after the Parks Department baited the area with poison. more ›

New York State Senator Bill Perkins must have caught wind of the ratdemic taking over New York City's streets, as he's now sent out a survey (which you can also take online) asking about these rumored rodent problems in subway stations from 86th Street and up. Some of the highly optimistic answer choices are amusing, such as: "I never see rats" and "There is no rat problem." Yeah Perkins, what rat problem? more ›

The ratdemic has spread to Collect Pond Park, a public park that's open 24 hours in Lower Manhattan (on Leonard between Lafayette and Centre streets). In fact, this may be the new headquarters for the rat movement—just check out this disturbing video courtesy of NYC the Blog (during a visit last night, he notes there had to have been around 40 rats visible). more ›

The Department of Housing Preservation and Development has issued more violations against the landlord of 355 East 10th Street after efforts to kill rats in the building led to...dead rats in the building. Though workers were patching holes and setting out poison, the HPD says the landlord hasn't done enough to stop the rodents. Residents complained about the rats back in February, but the landlord allegedly didn't take action, and now the HPD is referring the situation—which includes rats crawling in the halls, elevators, walls and ceilings nonstop— to the Department of Health. more ›

After crawling through the Upper East and Upper West sides, the city's Ratdemic has apparently hit the East Village. Residents of 355 East 10th Street say the rodents have been creeping through the walls, ceilings, elevators and halls nonstop. One resident told NY1, "It's very bad. It's so bad that certain people can't even sleep because you're terrified. I mean this lady had 24 rats in the front of her kitchen. How can you live like that?" Now let's all let out a collective "EEEEWWWWW." more ›

Once Gale Brewer takes care of those pesky Canadian Lennon fans, she's got an army of rats to deal with. According to My Upper West the peaceful 87th Street block between West End and Riverside has been overtaken with the vermin, just in time for sandal weather! A local tipster told the site, “it is not uncommon to see between 10 and 12 rats running all over the place” at night. more ›

Street art or street rat? Whether it was intentional or not, it looks like our newest Sad Rat has briefly become a part of this piece in Brooklyn. R.I.P. street art rat, you didn't die in vain. (And on the upside, this means one less rat in the impending ratdemic that is taking over the city.) more ›

Is the city in the market for some new trash bags? According to Brick Underground there's a company called Mint-X that produces scented trash bags that are said to ward off rats with a minty smell that inflames their sinuses... and rumor has it the city is in the midst of striking a deal that would bring the EPA-approved bags to a trash can near you. more ›

Last we heard, the Ratdemic had hit Brighton Beach... and now word is that an army of rodents is terrorizing the Upper East Side. In fact, the Wall Street Journal says they've infested every nook of the neighborhood, from stores to car engines. Some locals are blaming the 2nd Avenue subway project (previously blamed for sickness), and say once the sun sets the rats come out in waves. more ›

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." more ›

Last month word got out that budget cuts would lead to more rodents in our fair city, with the Department of Health cutting pest control aides on payroll from 84 to 57. Now the Daily News reports—screeching atop a dining room table, we imagine—"we'll be overrun by rats!" more ›