Boston will host the second National Urban Rat Summit this September, bringing together researchers, public health officials and municipal workers who specialize in controlling urban rat populations.
The two-day conference will take place Wednesday, Sept. 23 and Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. The event listing says sessions will run from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 26 Court Street in downtown Boston.
“Boston is a home for everyone—except rats,” Mayor Michelle Wu said when announcing the conference.
What Is The National Urban Rat Summit?
The National Urban Rat Summit is a conference devoted to the study and control of rats in large cities.
Researchers, pest-control specialists and government officials will compare methods that cities have used to reduce rat populations. The event will also examine how trash, sewers, construction projects and other parts of city life can create food and shelter for rats.
New York City hosted the first summit in September 2024. Boston officials took part in that event. Boston will now host the second gathering two years later.
What Will Experts Discuss At The Boston Rat Conference?
The 2026 summit will focus on methods that cities can put into practice. Scheduled subject areas include:
- Rat poison and rat birth-control research
- Sewers and other underground systems
- Difficult properties and recurring problem areas
- Trash storage and collection
- Data collection and new monitoring technology
- Communication between city departments
The summit will also cover larger questions about waste-system reform and the use of sealed trash containers.
Urban rodent expert Richard Pollack said rats have become a growing problem for cities.
“Rats have increasingly become a plague on cities nearly everywhere,” Pollack said.
Why Is Boston Hosting The Rat Summit?
Boston launched the Boston Rodent Action Plan in 2024 following a study of the city’s rat problem.
The plan involves more than 20 city departments, agencies and outside partners. It calls for better data collection, more coordination between departments, improved trash storage and less reliance on traditional rat poison.
Boston has also tested new technology.
In 2025, the Boston Water and Sewer Commission launched a pilot program in the North End using non-toxic sewer traps. The devices use heat and motion sensors to detect rats before activating a piston-powered trap. The system records activity so officials can study whether the devices reduce local rat populations.
The city has also installed rodent-resistant trash containers, tested surface traps and used mapping tools to help identify areas that need attention.
Which Boston Neighborhoods Have Had The Most Rat Problems?
The 2024 Boston Rodent Action Plan used 311 reports, inspections and neighborhood surveys to identify several priority areas.
The report placed Ward 3 first. Ward 3 includes Downtown, Chinatown, the North End, the South End and Haymarket. It recorded 1,217 rat complaints in 2023, or approximately one complaint for every 41 residents.
The plan also identified Allston-Brighton, Back Bay-Beacon Hill, Dorchester and Roxbury as priority areas.
However, the report warned that 311 calls do not provide a perfect count of the rat population. Some residents report every sighting while other residents may live near serious infestations without contacting the city.
The report recommended combining complaint data with inspections, remote sensors and other forms of monitoring.
Can The Public Attend The National Urban Rat Summit?
The city’s registration link is labeled for invited participants. However, Boston plans to stream the summit online through its official event page.
The conference is scheduled for Sept. 23 and Sept. 24 at 26 Court Street. Questions may be sent to rats@boston.gov.
Boston residents do not need to wait for the conference to report a problem. Rat sightings, burrows and other evidence of rodent activity may be reported through Boston 311.
