Residents in one Long Island neighborhood say a "giant rat" infestation is dominating their yards day and night.
The situation has become serious enough that some families are no longer letting their children play in the yard, CBS News New York reported.
Here's what to know
Even after spending thousands of dollars on exterminators, some residents say the rat infestation has continued, and CBS News New York reported that the colony's nest still has to be found and eliminated.
"We don't get to enjoy our backyards because of this. It really makes living here not worth it," said resident Michael Forbell.
Human activity can contribute to rodent outbreaks like this. In neighborhoods, rats can thrive anywhere people unintentionally provide what they need most: food, water, and shelter. Overflowing trash, damaged bins, pet food left outside, overgrown spaces, and structural gaps can all help sustain a colony.
As BBC Future has reported, encounters with wild animals are often shaped by how humans build, feed, and manage shared spaces.
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For homeowners, an infestation can mean added expenses, anxiety, and the loss of outdoor space.
What's being done?
The Nassau County health department has sent an inspection team to the neighborhood, CBS News New York reported. The officials will investigate the source of the infestation and advise residents on how to reduce rats' access to food, water, and shelter.
The health department said follow-up inspections will continue. Rodent problems usually do not stay confined to a single yard; they can move between adjacent properties if only one household takes action.
The challenge, however, is that prevention can feel frustratingly expensive when families have already paid for exterminators and seen little relief.
"They eat through the fence. We have to buy garbage pails all the time, because they eat through the garbage pails," Maria Jeremenko said. "We take care of our property. We don't have bird feeders."
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