Pest control in New York City: costs, city services and local pests

New York has some of the most detailed pest rules of any US city, and a lot of free public information. This page covers what the city does, what landlords must do, what private treatment typically costs, and how to check a company before you hire it.

We are a comparison and referral service, not a pest control company. We do not treat properties ourselves and we cannot promise a quote, a price or a response time.

Local pest issues in New York City

Rats and Rat Mitigation Zones

The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene says it carries out over 150,000 rat inspections a year, about 40,000 of them after 311 complaints. The rest are proactive inspections in neighbourhoods with known rat activity. In the most affected areas, the Department says nearly every property is inspected at least once a year. A property fails if inspectors find active rat signs or conditions such as open rubbish, and failure rates differ widely between neighbourhoods.

Under Local Law 110 of 2022, the Health Department’s rules on Rat Mitigation Zones came into effect on 7 July 2023. The city’s Environment and Health Data Portal lists four zones:

• Grand Concourse (Bronx)
• Harlem (Manhattan)
• East Village/Chinatown (Manhattan)
• Bed-Stuy/Bushwick (Brooklyn)

In these zones, the Health Department inspects more often for rats and the conditions that attract them, and works with Parks, Sanitation, Education and the Housing Authority.

You can look up the rat inspection history of any address on the city’s Rat Information Portal, by address, borough-block-lot number or neighbourhood. The Health Department also runs a free Rodent Academy training course that community groups can host.

Bed bugs

Bed bugs are a regulated issue in New York rentals. Owners of multiple dwellings must file a Bed Bug Annual Report with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) between 1 and 31 December. The report covers the number of units, how many had infestations, how many were treated and how many had repeat infestations. Owners must then either give each tenant the filing receipt at the start of a new lease and at each renewal, or post it prominently in the building. They must also distribute or post the Health Department’s “Stop Bed Bugs Safely” guide.

Mice, cockroaches and indoor allergens

Local Law 55 of 2018 treats mice, cockroaches and rats as indoor allergen hazards. HPD says owners of buildings with three or more apartments must inspect units at least once a year and must use integrated pest management, which means prevention, monitoring and fixing the underlying defects, not just spraying.

City services: what they cover and what they cost

Service	Who runs it	What it covers	Charge
Rodent complaint (311)	NYC Health Department	Inspection of a property for rats and rat-friendly conditions; follow-up compliance inspection if it fails	No fee to report
Rat Information Portal	NYC Health Department	Inspection results by address	Free
Rodent Academy	NYC Health Department	Community training on rat control	Free
Housing complaint (311)	HPD	Pests in a rented apartment that the landlord hasn’t dealt with	No fee to report
Bed Bug Annual Report	HPD	Landlord filing, published through HPD	Free to file

The city does not treat the inside of private homes. Inside your home, you or your landlord arrange a licensed pest professional. Building owners can get guidance from the Health Department’s Healthy Neighborhoods Program through 311.

What private pest control costs

We found no independent, published price survey specific to New York City, so we point to national ranges instead of inventing a local figure. Nationally reported one-time ranges are below.

Pest	Reported typical range (USD)
Rats	$150 to $600
Mice	$150 to $550
Cockroaches	$100 to $600
Bed bugs	$300 to $500 per room
Termites (exterior barrier)	$225 to $2,500

Source: How Much Does Pest Control Cost? (2026), HomeGuide (homeguide.com), one-time visit ranges, checked September 2026. Full table in our US pest control cost guide.

Expect bed bug work in apartments to involve preparation, several visits and possibly treatment of neighbouring units. Ask each company how it handles that. Our guide to bed bugs in the US: what the EPA says explains why treatments fail.

Renting: who is responsible?

In buildings with three or more apartments, the owner is responsible for keeping units free of pests under Local Law 55, and HPD says owners must address bed bug infestations promptly using pest professionals licensed by the New York State DEC. Tenants should report the problem to the landlord first. If nothing happens, file a complaint through 311 online or by phone, and HPD can inspect. Tenants still need to give access, prepare for treatment and store food and rubbish properly. Our guide to pests in a rented home covers what to record.

How to choose a pest controller in New York

• Check the DEC licence. New York State DEC certifies commercial pesticide applicators and registers pest control businesses. Each business location must be registered. You can check both in DEC’s online NYSPAD database.
• Ask about integrated pest management. Both the Health Department and Local Law 55 push IPM over routine spraying. A good quote should mention sealing gaps, sanitation and monitoring.
• Avoid illegal products. The Health Department warns against foggers, Chinese roach chalk and unlabelled pesticides. Read our guide to reading a US pesticide label.
• Get it in writing. Ask for the pest, the method, the number of visits and any follow-up terms. See our guide to choosing a pest controller.

Pest control businesses in New York City

These businesses are listed from public business information. We have not checked their licences, and a listing is not an endorsement.

Common questions

How do I report rats in New York City?

Report them to 311 online, in the app or by phone. The Health Department may inspect the property and, if it fails, return for a compliance inspection. You can check inspection results for any address on the Rat Information Portal.

Where are the Rat Mitigation Zones?

The Health Department’s data portal lists Grand Concourse in the Bronx, Harlem and East Village/Chinatown in Manhattan, and Bed-Stuy/Bushwick in Brooklyn. These areas get more frequent rat inspections and joined-up work across city agencies.

Does my landlord have to tell me about bed bugs?

Owners of multiple dwellings must file a Bed Bug Annual Report with HPD each December. They must give tenants the filing receipt with a new lease or renewal, or post it in the building, along with the Health Department’s bed bug guide.

Can I spray my own apartment?

Local Law 55 requires owners to use integrated pest management. If pesticides are needed, they should be applied by a DEC-licensed professional. The Health Department warns specifically against foggers and illegal roach chalk.

How do I check a company’s licence?

Search DEC’s NYSPAD database for the applicator’s certification and the company’s business registration.

Sources

• Rat Mitigation Zones, NYC Environment and Health Data Portal (a816-dohbesp.nyc.gov)
• Rat inspections in NYC, NYC Environment and Health Data Portal (a816-dohbesp.nyc.gov)
• Rat Mitigation Zones rule, NYC Rules (rules.cityofnewyork.us)
• Rat Prevention: Working in Your Community, NYC Health (nyc.gov)
• Bed Bugs, NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (nyc.gov)
• Indoor Allergen Hazards (Mold and Pests), NYC HPD (nyc.gov)
• Pest Control for Building Owners, NYC Health (nyc.gov)
• NYSPAD pesticide database, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (dec.ny.gov)
• Pesticide Applicator (Commercial) Certification, New York State (ny.gov)
• How Much Does Pest Control Cost? (2026), HomeGuide (homeguide.com)

Last checked: September 2026.