I’ve lived in Brooklyn and now live in the country. Rodents like mice and rats can climb anything. If you have power access you could do a basic electrified wire. That’s what the farmers do here to keep raccoons from climbing into chicken coops, etc.

Does the City provide information on line in regards to trying to keep them at bay.

Thank you for being humane. But the truth is, in your situation, killing them won't stop more from taking their place.

Googling offers this

I agree to clean up as much stuff that you can.

It might be fun to grow lots of peppermint in planters.

I have to laugh about owl feathers.

" Does the City provide information on line in regards to trying to keep them at bay. "

NYC for some God forsaken reason seems to breeding rats themselves. The City cannot figure out how to cross a street let alone tackle an issue like rats.

Traps that zap them dead IMO are the easiest to use. They multiply so quickly they can quickly take over an area that is not policed.

I was able to find info on the NY health and safety website re: rats and also articles on new initiatives/laws, the newly appointed head, some suggestions, as well as town hall meetings for residents, to name a few but it’s not an easy fix as rats are extremely smart.

Unfortunately, also read Brooklyn has one of the biggest problems and perhaps friends or neighbours have had some luck and can give you some pointers.

Thank you for all the great comments!

@Mrs. Beasley, I thought you were on to the winning solution and I spent the day researching electric fences. They aren't even that costly. Trouble is there is no where to ground the wires. What a disappointing moment that was as I was truly excited about this idea :( Does anyone know any ways to ground electricity to complete the fence circuit if there is no earth to drive a grounding rod into up on my balcony?

@apple_pie_order we have an outdoor security camera. I made the mistake of looking at it last night. I stupidly thought there was only one out there, but there were a frightening number of glowing eyes scampering from pot to pot, eating all my recent flower plantings. I asked the landlord next door to clean up their roof but that has yet to happen.

@eld6161 I've tried almost all of those natural remedies, save the ammonia and the owl feather (lol). I can try the ammonia. Like the rats, I probably wont like it either though.

@Maureen I just planted some mint seeds. Thank you. I've already tried some mint spray which didn't work, but the plants are worth a shot. Then I can also make some mojitos. I've also been "peppering" my pots to limited success. I'd speak to my neighbors but they are very likely a contributor to the problem. There is a very unclean bakery a few doors down and I saw a rat run out their front door once. Gross!

@BeverlyFLADeziner I can't bring myself to kill them, but I'd happily relocate them.

@millworkman is right. NYC is breeding rats. And they are brazen, just like real New Yorkers. One ran right at me in the middle of the sidewalk the other night. And yes, he definitely won that game of chicken as I walked three blocks out of my way to get home.

Rachel, I have a licensed electrician working on something for me. I will ask him about grounding a balcony/terrace!

if only there were a natural solution...

Do a fence with every other wire as a ground wire. Make them close together as the critters will have to touch two wires at a time to get zapped. I assume they wont come while you are there. If you put up the mesh and get a cat that likes it on the patio that would be helpful too.

Rachel what brand did you find you liked? I’ll share with my electrician. Also, what floor are you on?

Could this possibly work?

Welcome the NY city that land of rats. Any port city is over run with rats I agree clean up the area enjoy the space in the daytime with a chair and little table easy to move and do not leave anything out there to invite visitors , No matter what type of killing you do it will not stop the invasion, The cat would be the best but even they cananot stop the flood

@Mrs. Beasley, that is very kind of you, thank you!!!! We are on the second floor, above a store, so directly under the terrace is the back of the store. The terrace is also blocked in by adjoining buildings and even if it wasn't, the sidewalks are all concrete, so there isn't any earth in close proximity to run a ground wire to. It is truly a concrete jungle. Maybe the electrician has a creative idea! My DH thought we could ground into the apartment's electricity lines (we have one outside), but apparently that won't allow for a closed circuit with the wiring. As for brand, they all seemed roughly the same, so I wasn't wedded to any brand in particular. The most inexpensive were the A/C powered wire energizers. It it worked, we'd upgrade to a solar powered one.

@eld6161 thank you - I'll read up on the ratmat!

@arcy_gw I'd assume the two wires would have to be very close so the animal would be touching both at the same time to close the circuit. Does that pose any safety hazards by doing that, like any chance of a sparking a fire by having the wires so close?

As for a cat. My cat is 6 lbs. and judging from the horrifying night camera views, isn't that much bigger than the rats. My money would be on the rat! That is one approach I'm not going to test out! :o

.

Cab rats scale glass? If not, can you add a glass portion? Might be pricey though.

Battery Operated Electric Rat Traps

Do those come in industrial size, able to hold a dozen at a time?

When I owned a small farm in Rhode Island, I contacted the state for advice on rat control. They were testing a new method in the city of Providence at the time that would be safe for children and pets. Very simple, but effective for only several months, they’re smart. Open a can of baked beans and dump it into their holes. Or I guess put it into a bowl if they’re just passing through. Supposedly rats cannot expel gas and they will implode after eating beans.

It worked for quite a while. At least they won’t kill any other animals that may eat them!

" Supposedly rats cannot expel gas and they will implode after eating beans. "

Awesome, now NYC can have imploding rats but the 1000's.

Explore the deterrents, but you are going to have to kill them. This works for us.

Vary the bait. Peanut butter, cheese, fruit, etc. If you catch a rat, throw the entire rat and trap away, It will not work a second time. I tried to post a photo, but it won't work on Houzz.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Victor-Rat-Killer/1000844116?cm_mmc=shp--c--prd--lwn--ggl--SS_LWN000_Priority_Items--1000844116--local--0--0amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwjMiiBhA4EiwAZe6jQxyXDsLLUV4gNjXgGd9PLdbgyzgRJ1Ww-hwm5aTqwU3e1UVHjuUiTxoCkyMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

" Explore the deterrents, but you are going to have to kill them. "

The issue is NY that the moment you eradicate one there are 3 more ready to take its place. And they are the size of cats!

Yes, but that IS one less. We do not have quite your problem, but the winters are mild, mostly, and we have an extensive drainage system that they love. The coyotes, and foxes are trying, but they cannot keep up/

Hi @Mrs. Beasley, did your electrician happen to have any suggestions?

We bought a electric fence kit and are going to try out your suggestion @arcy_gw to alternate live and ground wires. My husband does keep worrying that it won't be safe. I hope his concerns are unwarranted.

@Kate a glass panel might also be a good solution that looks nice and doesn't block natural light! We were also thinking something on similar lines, to cover the 4' dividing wall with a sheet of aluminum siding so they can't scale it. They will probably learn to jump.

I’m sorry he has not replied.