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nattarbox t1_iwcb3j1 wrote

Having recently visited Brooklyn I can confirm we are still solidly in second place to NYC. Gotta step it up.

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Nomadbytrade t1_iwdne2y wrote

Thats because of indian point, the rats get radiated into mutant monsters then swim down the hudson and end up at the wharfs looking like hairy hippos lmao. I could never be a dock builder. I got my fill as a gas tech for con ed.

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AnthoZero t1_iwd1fnu wrote

DC definitely has a lot more than Boston imo. Only place I’ve been where one has ran over my feet 🤢

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BigHmmEnergy t1_iwe6usb wrote

NYC is the only place I’ve ever seen baby rats, and I see several every time I’m down there

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New-Examination4678 t1_iwfpywr wrote

I’ve seen rats in NYC eating pizza like they master splinter about to go chill with the TMNTs.

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New-Examination4678 t1_iwfq7pz wrote

I’ve seen rats in NYC eating pizza like they master splinter about to go chill with the TMNTs.

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FromLuxorToEphesus t1_iwc68ff wrote

Used to think this wasn’t the case then one time I took a walk through the commons on a weekday night🤢, literally dozens scurrying about.

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kpyna t1_iwect6i wrote

One dark night I found myself walking through a swarm of 10+ rats near Mass Ave. One ran on my shoe. Hell no.

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OriginalMenace t1_iwc7a0q wrote

Always loved seeing the rats while waiting for the redline as a kid.

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CLS4L t1_iwckqb6 wrote

Water rats under the wharf are great swimmers size of a dog very healthy

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puffleg t1_iwcfxbc wrote

Vaccinate your dogs for lepto.

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therealcmj t1_iwcuzyd wrote

I never knew how bad our rat situation was until I got a dog. She loves barking at them and chasing them away from trash cans and sewer grates.

I’ve started to wonder whether hunting them with a slingshot would be frowned upon or encouraged.

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mistersynthesizer t1_iwddb1g wrote

Unfortunately, slingshots are illegal in Massachusetts. You could try an air rifle, but you'll scare the shit out of your neighbors.

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therealcmj t1_iwdeisx wrote

Slingshots are illegal in MA but air rifles are OK?

If I go walking down a Boston street with an air rifle I’m definitely getting tackled and thrown in the back of a cruiser.

Anyway there goes yet another constructive hobby.

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mistersynthesizer t1_iwdeqbs wrote

Only need to be 18 to own one. Our weapons laws are super backwards. Don't you dare own a knife with two edges, but feel free to have a pellet gun that fires lead at sub-sonic velocities.

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justplainmean t1_iwdrpgh wrote

Municipalities have laws concerning air guns. I think Somerville specifically say they can’t be discharged within city limits (I certainly have never tested an airsoft gun within the confines of my own home…) Various places in the metro area have differing weapons laws. It’s okay to carry a loaded pistol (if you have a license), but that better not be a Swiss Army knife with a 3” blade in you pocket next to you legal preban high capacity magazine.

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psychicsword t1_iwewx6n wrote

Massachusetts is stupid when it comes to weapons. I can carry I 9mm but I'm not allowed to carry a normal every day carry pocket knife in Boston.

You can only get a hunting permit with a compound bow or a cross bow but you can only get the cross bow one if you have a disability that prevents you from using a compound bow. That means one you apply you will never be able to get a normal bow for hunting.

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justplainmean t1_iwdqphr wrote

Slingshots are illegal to sell in MA, whether they are legal to personally own isn’t really settled law (nor will it ever be since no DA in his/her right mind is going to bother getting a conviction for a slingshot).

No laws against pellet bows though.

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DonybullymeIllcum t1_iwdq914 wrote

Perfect buffet for the hawks

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ihvnnm t1_iwdqta7 wrote

I am seeing a lot of hawk pics in r/boston, I hope people aren't poisoning these rats...

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oldcreaker t1_iwc3p3c wrote

Interesting nature walk is walking the ally beside the Arlington Street Church.

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foobar_north t1_iwdxnt1 wrote

Hell, the entire North and South shores are also infested. Every time an empty lot(s) gets torn up you can see the little bastards everywhere in the neighborhood. They live in every empty or abandoned piece of property in Boston and it's suburbs. They live in burrows on empty land or abandoned industrial sites.

I grew up in Buffalo and they are endemic there too. My theory - totally uninformed, just a guess, is that any place that had water traffic has rats. I don't remember Denver having this many - although I haven't lived there in 20 years.

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Repulsive-Bend8283 t1_iwdc0qx wrote

Yeah, filled in salt marsh is rat habitat. This just in, marmots gonna marm.

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Mynereth t1_iwe5epr wrote

It's the disgraceful fact that they don't have places for people to put their trash. I lived on the back of Beacon Hill and trash night was disgusting.

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shapesize t1_iwcwg85 wrote

What did you call me?

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creamchip t1_iwdjbzy wrote

Remember that post from someone who took pics of rats (or mice?) running around Maruichi? Very eye-opening lol.

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Carthago_146_BC t1_iwgho99 wrote

Maybe it’s because we throw our garbage on the streets like it’s medieval Europe a few times a week. At least in the North End we don’t even use garbage bins.

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Majestic_Electric t1_iwc8ug5 wrote

That would explain the giant rat I saw scurrying across the street last night.

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Grand-Chance t1_iwcacl4 wrote

Went down a back alley the other day around 10 pm. I saw 6-7 rats within 20 seconds

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chevalier716 t1_iwcqqvi wrote

When my bud lived in near Harry's in Allston, we used to count the rats darting to and from the landlord's shed when we were outside grilling and having beers.

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heather1999xyz t1_iwcyx2j wrote

If you’re looking to adopt any rats, the ARL might have some at the shelter.

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misterflappypants t1_iwed3up wrote

I walk to work through Allston and a 3/4 mile of Brighton.

I probably see 2-15 rats on my walk to or from work. I’m so used to them now that I usually go “aww” if one scurries by my shoe.

Leave ‘em alone, they’re just trying to find decent shawarma too.

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david_chi t1_iwf9z0h wrote

This is kinda stupid. Orkin does this annual ranking. They are an exterminator and they are ranking based on the amount of calls they get in each city.

The problem is…in NYC rats are a way of life. Trash in the streets all the time New Yorkers know its rat central. So people dont bother calling Orkin about rat sightings they just accept that nyc is a rat infested city.

But other cities like boston and even Chicago which was falsely ranked #1 , residents here dont just accept rats as neighbors. We’ll call to get rid of them.

NYC is hands down the rattiest, they just dont call as much.

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Ironman2179 t1_iwcovao wrote

No shit. Every time I go to Boston to see my parents, my mother is constantly bitching about the rats. There are numerous rat burrow holes in the back yard and there is rat shit everywhere. She has been throwing poison everywhere, but according to a buddy who is in fact a professional exterminator, she is just wasting money.

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Sad-Alpaca t1_iwd9ue3 wrote

We are in 13th place, I don't know whether I should be disappointed, or happy.

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member_member5thNov t1_iwdhhf3 wrote

I thought everyone who grew up in the shadow of winter hill learned the same shit; rats get dead.

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Proof-Variation7005 t1_iwdqia0 wrote

In hindsight, maybe giving the rats 3 at-large seats on the city council was a mistake.

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UppercaseBEEF t1_iwe19co wrote

Wait until the Edison comes down.

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Sqweegy-Nobbers t1_iwedfks wrote

Well, It’s sort of true. I see lots of rats in Boston and the surrounding areas. Personally, they’ve never been a big problem but they are definitely part of the neighborhood.

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I_Only_Post_NEAT t1_iwefgu6 wrote

Serious question but does anybody have any recommendations for an exterminator? Been an uphill battle for us and I think it’s time we find a professional

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Megsmik8 t1_iweqajf wrote

North End and Beacon Hill.

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SnooPineapples8744 t1_iwes018 wrote

Wasn't it ranked as one the most expensive last week?

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Mattressexual t1_iwfqwzc wrote

On my morning coffee run and I see a rat just casually stroll from the street into Brookline Booksmith. Everyone was so stunned by its confidence, we all just froze and just let it do it.

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Shemsuni t1_iwggvs7 wrote

Boston got no nightlight. But the rats do!

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