Boston, New Bedford Face Widespread Rat Infestations

Boston and New Bedford, Massachusetts, are both facing severe rat infestations, with recent events intensifying the problem in each city. In New Bedford, a fire at the EL Harvey Waste & Recycling Services transfer station led to a major rat outbreak in the Shawmut Avenue neighborhood, prompting closures of nearby streets and playgrounds, and emergency pest control measures. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is investigating the incident, while Harvey Waste has been ordered to remediate and cover all response costs. In Boston, residents in neighborhoods such as Allston are reporting persistent rodent problems, with city officials providing prevention tips to the public. Both cities are working with local businesses to reduce food sources and encourage residents to report sightings. These parallel crises underscore the ongoing challenge of urban rodent control and the need for coordinated municipal action.