Hoboken Rat Map Released: Where Are The Most Rats?

HOBOKEN, NJ — Where are the most rats in Hoboken?

A councilwoman has released a "rat map" of hotspots based on a survey she conducted of nearly 500 residents earlier this summer (see the map and explanation below).

Hoboken residents have been complaining since early last year about seeing rats around the mile-square city, a rare sight before that.

Health officials in other cities with rat infestations have cited outdoor dining, rainfall, lockdown factors, and other reasons for the increase.

Earlier this summer, 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher posted an internet survey asking residents where they've seen the most rats.

Since then, the city has unveiled a new program around trash storage, requiring "tight fitting lids" and other measures. Buildings with 10 or fewer units have different rules than larger buildings (read more about the rules here).

The city will start enforcing new laws on Sept. 23, Fisher said.

"At the next City Council meeting, we will be voting on proposed legislation that clarifies that owners of outdoor dining areas are responsible for cleaning and pest control," Fisher said in her newsletter on Wednesday.

Here is the map of rat sightings that was compiled using results from nearly 500 survey responses. The map shows the number of residents identifying a certain corner or block.

Places identified by 1-4 people got only a dot; 5 or more got a number, Fisher noted.

"485 people identified approximately 600 locations of rat infestations," she said this week.

She noted, "It is more than a starting point, but it is not 100 percent accurate — for example it underrepresents the problems at the HHA." (The Hoboken Housing Authority public housing is located in the southwest part of town.)

Find out more from the survey results here.

See the city's page about the rat problem here.

RELATED: Hoboken Man Catches 15 Rats In His Yard