Pest Population Estimates at NYCHA  

Since it’s not feasible to count each and every pest, NYCHA worked with pest and data experts to design a process to estimate the population of rats, mice, cockroaches, and bed bugs (the most common types of pests) based on the number of resident complaints for each pest type. This initiative, which is part of our HUD Agreement efforts, aids our work to reduce pests at NYCHA.  

How NYCHA Estimates Pest Populations  

To calculate the pest population for each pest type at each development, NYCHA looks at the number of complaints residents submit about these four pests in their apartments, making certain adjustments for over- and under-reporting:   

1. Establish the baseline: First, we determine the number of complaints residents have submitted about a certain pest type in their apartments in a given quarter — this number is the baseline. 
   
   
2. Adjust the baseline for overreporting: Sometimes complaints may be for the wrong pest type. To account for that, NYCHA subtracts two types of work orders from the baseline: (1) work orders that indicate an exterminator did not find any pests; and (2) work orders that indicate the exterminator found a different pest than the one the resident reported. 
   
   
3. Adjust the baseline for underreporting: Not all residents submit a complaint when there are pests in their apartments. To estimate the number of apartments with unreported pests, NYCHA inspects some apartments that have not reported pests in the previous 12 months. NYCHA then calculates the percentage of each pest type in the sampled apartments. After these percentages are adjusted using statistical tools, they become the undercount multipliers for each pest type – a numerical value that represents how many apartments NYCHA-wide likely have unreported pest infestations. We then multiply the number of work orders adjusted for overcount by the undercount multiplier.

These estimates are illustrated in the charts. Please note that the numbers on the “y” axis do not represent the total number of individual pests – instead, they represent the number of work orders for each pest, adjusted as described above.  

NYCHA and Residents Can Collaborate to Combat Pests  

Pesticides alone will not reduce pest populations, and reducing pests is a team effort. Residents can help by putting food waste in containers, disposing of garbage down the trash chutes or in designated bins, and cleaning up/doing the dishes after every meal – effective ways to eliminate pests’ food sources.   

If you notice pests in your apartment or on the grounds, please report it to NYCHA by calling the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771 or using MyNYCHA to submit a complaint. We almost always visit the location on the work order within 10 days. Thank you for your partnership! 

Q1: Pest Population By Development

Q1: Pest Population All Developments 

Q2: Pest Population By Development 

Q2: Pest Population All Developments