The NYC Health Department provides rat control guidance and information for homeowners and pest control professionals. You can get information on how to inspect for, prevent, and exterminate properties for rats, as well as learn what to do when you receive an NYC Health Department violation.

Searchable data and printable maps are also available showing where rats have been found in New York City.

Learn more about rat control.

Pest Management Tips for Building Residents

New York City housing and health codes require that property owners keep tenant homes free of pests, including mice, rats, and roaches. Pesticides should not be the only way you manage pests. Non-chemical methods of pest control are often more effective and safer than using pesticides. Property owners and tenants can take simple steps to reduce infestations and the use of chemical pesticides.

Tips about safe pest control in the home are available in a report called "Pest Management Tips for Building Residents."

Download the Pest Management Tips for Building Residents brochure.

Rat Control Brochure

The "Preventing Rats on Your Property" brochure explains how to recognize signs of rat infestations in buildings and on property. It shows how you can prevent and correct the conditions that attract rats and enable their building access. It gives guidelines for selecting a qualified pest control professional and safely eliminating rats on your property.

Mouse and Roach Control Brochure

The "How to Control Pests Safely" brochure provides mouse and roach control tips for homeowners, tenants, and landlords. It shows step-by-step how you can protect your home from mice and cockroach infestations. It also explains how to choose and use safer pest control products in homes and lists products to avoid. 

You can get a copy of these brochures in English, Spanish, or Chinese.

Online

Download the Preventing Rats on Your Property brochure in:

• English
• Spanish
• Chinese

Download the How to Control Pests Safely brochure in:

• English
• Spanish
• Chinese

By Phone

Order Change

If your order was already shipped, you can return unwanted copies at no cost to you by writing "Return to Sender" on the package and putting it in the mail. To order additional items, you must place another order.

To update address, email, and organizational information customers can email their requests.

Send a message to dohmhliterature@health.nyc.gov.

To update a current order, be sure to include tracking order number.

Out of Stock Literature

If this publication is currently out of stock, you can contact the agency by phone.

Free trainings are available to tenants, homeowners, residential building supers and managers, and community organizations on how to safely control pests. Class schedules are listed online or can be provided upon request. Registration and additional training information is available online or by phone.

Online

View a list of upcoming presentations and trainings for residents and community organizations.

Register for pests and mold training for property owners, managers, and supers.

Watch the pre-record Indoor Allergen Hazards training.

By Phone