A recent study published in Science Advances (January 31, 2025) concludes that “cities experiencing greater temperature increases over time saw larger increases in rats. Cities with more dense human populations and more urbanization also saw larger increases in rats. Warming temperatures and more people living in cities may be expanding the seasonal activity periods and food availability for urban rats. Cities will have to integrate the biological impacts of these variables into future management strategies.” Boston is compared to other cities like Washington, DC and San Francisco, both of which have experienced huge increases in their urban rat populations.
Read the full study.
