Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
News From The Rat War Trenches: Sandy Rats Drive LI Family From Home
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Feb 22, 2013
Modified Feb 22, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
on the wall
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Feb 22, 2013
Modified Feb 22, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
If the city's self-declared war on rats hasn't convinced you it's just a matter of time before New York humans are overthrown in a Great Rat Coup D'Etat, a Long Island family has been forced from their home thanks to a post-Sandy rodent infestation.
The Panza family thought their Bellmore home had been largely spared in October's storm, having suffered only minor flooding. But then, the RATS descended; last month, patriarch Chris Panza started noticing a creature was gnawing on their living room sofa, and an exterminator says at least 14 rats have moved into the house, pushed out of sewer pipes from Sandy flooding. "Your kids are playing on the floor, playing video games, and to think there are rats within two feet of them. I want them out of there," Panza told NBC News. Glass half full? Free pets!
Of course, the rats aren't going to leave their new home without a fight. Though exterminators have set up traps all over the house, the rodents have been smart enough to elude capture, stealing bait, making a nest in the attic and burrowing in the walls. Workers say the best way to get rid of the rodents is to tear down the walls, and the cost could total $50,000. For now, the rat takeover is almost complete; the Panzas say they've moved out temporarily, and it's only a matter of time until the LIPA bill's transferred to this guy's account.
Tagged
bellmore
hurricane sandy
long island
rats
war on rats
Rebecca Fishbein
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Parents grumble as NYC schools chancellor dodges calls for NYC schools integration plan
Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones said she felt disappointed by the lack of details.
By
Jessica Gould
Published Oct 20, 2026 at 10:01 p.m. ET
Driver found with apparent gunshot wound on George Washington Bridge, officials say
The westbound upper level was closed Tuesday night as Port Authority police investigated the incident.
By
Charles Lane
News
Driver found with apparent gunshot wound on George Washington Bridge, officials say
The westbound upper level was closed Tuesday night as Port Authority police investigated the incident.
By
Charles Lane
16 arrested in New York auto insurance fraud crackdown involving nearly $500K
By
Giulia Heyward
Coney Island's small, 1890s lighthouse may be landmarked by the city
By
Catalina Gonella
New renderings are out for Queens' Metropolitan Park casino
By
Willow Higgins
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .