Boston has a rat problem. Across the country, rodents pose a growing risk to urban centers, and as climate change intensifies, these populations are only expected to grow, bringing greater public health hazards, diminished quality of life, and real threats to our economic and environmental health. These pests do more than chew through wires and damage buildings; they’ve been linked to higher anxiety levels, avoidance behaviors, and negative self-perceptions among residents. 

Unfortunately, the problem is getting worse due to insufficient political will and an unfocused, fragmented City response. According to a recent international study of 16 major urban areas, Boston has experienced a “significant increase” in rat sightings over the past decade. All told 11 different departments under Mayor Wu are tasked with managing some aspect of the rat crisis: Inspectional Services, Boston Housing Authority, Boston Water and Sewer Commission, Boston Public Schools, Operations Cabinet, Boston Public Health Commission, Department of Public Works, 311, Parks and Recreation, Office of Neighborhood Services, and the Department of Innovation and Technology. This piecemeal strategy dilutes oversight, creates confusion and has allowed the problem to fester and grow.

Josh Kraft believes we need a single, accountable team dedicated to managing this problem. He will champion the creation of an independent Office of Rat and Pest Control, to streamline operations, build real capacity, and address not just rats, but the broader conditions enabling them to thrive. The ordinances recently passed by City Council are a step in the right direction, but absent full throated support from the Mayor, this office will not have the capacity to truly solve our ever-growing rat issue. 

The Office of Rat and Pest Control: A Coordinated Response

With a dedicated team, budget, and mission, Josh will collaborate with the City Council and offer the necessary infrastructure to create an Office of Rat and Pest Control to tackle the root causes of Boston’s growing rodent problem. It will:

• Deploy full-time staff to create and implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plans for every Boston neighborhood.
  • City Councilors Ed Flynn and Erin Murphy have spoken frequently about the need for staff fully focused on rat issues due to their rampant numbers. 
• Launch a 24/7 Pest and Rodent Roving Van, ready to respond to rat sightings, assess conditions, and act quickly, especially in under-monitored areas like vacant lots, both public and private.
  • Studies show that speed and efficiency are essential for effective urban pest control.
• Establish a Mitigation and Control Fund to offer financial support for residents and business owners who can not afford pest control solutions.
  • This reimbursement-style fund would offer small grants based on property size, helping more Bostonians invest in rat-proofing and mitigation without taking on financial strain.
• Invest in RatStat data-driven technology to track rodent hotspots, habitats, food sources, and breeding patterns.
  • Singapore’s National Environment Agency reduced rat populations by 50% in one year using thermal cameras and data modeling. Boston can, and should, learn from that model.
• Incorporate public education and neighborhood engagement into City Hall programming.
  • What works in Beacon Hill might not work in Charlestown and each neighborhood faces unique needs. Josh believes this office must stay flexible and proactive, responding to community input and local trends in real time.

The Future of Waste Management: Tackling the Root Cause

Rats thrive when trash piles up. That’s why rodent control must go hand-in-hand with smarter, stronger waste systems. Josh Kraft will modernize Boston’s waste management with a focus on innovation, accountability, and equity:

• Mandate sealed containerization of all waste, residential, commercial, and multi-family.
  • No more loose bags on sidewalks. Wherever necessary, the City will explore modern, rodent-proof containers and expanded neighborhood collection bins.
• Crack down on noncompliant landlords and commercial operators who treat sanitation fines as just another “cost of doing business.”
  • Josh will work with City Council and state lawmakers to implement stricter enforcement mechanisms and real penalties.
• Implement a Litter Index program modeled on Philadelphia’s successful system to identify high-waste zones and better target street cleaning and service delivery.
  • The Index will also guide investments in new public trash cans, camera-monitored hotspots, and tailored cleanup schedules.
• Use AI-powered surveillance to detect and deter illegal dumping.
  • Following the lead of innovative cities and entrepreneurs, Josh will deploy smart technology to flag dumping violations in real time, saving the City money while keeping neighborhoods clean.

A Cleaner Boston, Street by Street

Josh Kraft believes that pest control and waste reform are more than just municipal services; they are expressions of how the government respects and protects residents. Boston deserves a comprehensive plan that brings accountability, modern tools, and sustained attention to this everyday issue that affects us all.

With the right leadership, we can reclaim our streets, protect our health, and build a cleaner, safer Boston, block by block.