Rat Week: How NYCHA workers contain rat population at Morris Houses

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News 12's Valerie Ryan spent the day with the New York Housing Authority workers to see how they are fighting rats at the Morris Houses. NYCHA says the pest management crew visits the grounds of the 17-building complex once a week to check for rat burrows, which are rat holes, and treat them with pesticides. Additionally, once rat burrows are treated, they cover them with bait traps. Keith Grossman, the executive vice president of Operation Support Services for NYCHA, says the pesticides include rat birth control and poisonous material for rats. NYCHA says back in 2018, the Morris Houses had over 500 rat nests. In July, there were 75. Grossman says this is possible because of their hardworking employees. "I can't say enough about the pest management crew that's out here doing this work. They do everything from cleaning grounds to collapsing rat burrows to treating to clearing dead rats, killing live rats. They're always constantly working," Grossman said. NYCHA says its pest management team works across the borough. It encourages residents to call with rodent concerns. Grossman says not all hero wear capes - some wear pest management shirts. Additional information on pest control at NYCHA can be found here . "