Rat Radar
Rat Map & Restaurant Health Inspections Across Major US Cities
Track rat sightings, pest reports, and restaurant health violations. Official 311 data + health department records, updated daily.
Free basics • Rat Premium $19/year for full details
Coverage
Click any city to see restaurant health inspections and pest reports.
Where the Data Comes From
311 Rodent Reports
When residents spot rats, they call 311 or file a service request online. Every city logs these as open data. Rat Radar pulls these reports in real time and maps them so you can see rat activity patterns by neighborhood, street, or block.
Restaurant Pest Violations
Health inspectors document pest and rodent evidence at restaurants — from droppings to active infestations. These violations are public record. Rat Radar extracts pest-related findings from millions of inspections and pins them on the map.
How It Works
Inspectors Check It
Health inspectors visit restaurants and document violations. Residents report pests via 311.
We Map It
Our system pulls official city data and plots it on an interactive map in real-time.
You Avoid It
Check before you eat! Free users see scores, Premium members get the full story.
In The News
Boston Globe
October 2025
Featured in data analysis of Boston's rodent problem, highlighting how the tool helps residents identify rat hot spots by neighborhood.
Read the full story →WBZ NewsRadio
November 2025
Featured interview about tracking rat sightings across Boston using live 311 data and interactive mapping.
Listen to the interview →See It In Action
Restaurant Health Inspections
Full inspection history and violations for every restaurant
Interactive Pest Map
See pest sightings across 8+ US cities and counties
Introducing Rat Premium
Unlock full inspection details + complete violation history
$19/year • Instant access
Free Plan
- Live Rat Map
Recent sightings from city 311 data
- Basic Restaurant Info
Name and last inspection date
- Limited History
Recent activity only
Rat Premium
- Full Violation Details
See exactly what inspectors found
- Complete History
Unlimited historical inspection data
- All Future Features
Get new premium features automatically
Cancel anytime • No hidden fees
Core Features
Live Rat Tracking
Recent 311 reports show where rodents were spotted across major US cities. Free for everyone, pulled from official city sources.
Restaurant Health Inspections
See inspection outcomes by restaurant for free. Upgrade to Premium for full violation details and complete history.
Popular Use Cases
House Hunting
Check rat activity before signing a lease. See where rodent sightings are concentrated.
Date Night
Pick a restaurant with a clean inspection record. No surprises!
Food Delivery
Check restaurant inspection records before ordering. Premium shows specific violations.
Research
Perfect for researching urban wildlife patterns and public health trends.
Property Management
Property owners can monitor their areas and stay informed about rodent activity.
Community Organizing
Neighborhood groups track problems and advocate for better city services.
Our Data Sources
Critter Sightings
- ✓Official 311 service requests from 8+ cities
- ✓Real-time updates from city data portals
- ✓Includes rats, mice, cockroaches, and other pests
- ✓GPS coordinates for precise mapping
Restaurant Inspections
- ✓City and county health department records
- ✓Regular updates from public databases
- ✓Full violation details (Premium)
- ✓Historical inspection data
All data is publicly available information from official government sources
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the rat map show?
The Rat Radar map displays two data layers: (1) rodent-related 311 service requests filed with city governments — reports of rat burrows, nests, and sightings — and (2) health inspection violations at restaurants where inspectors cited pest or rodent issues. Together, they give you a real-time picture of rodent activity across the city.
How current is the data?
Rat sighting data syncs from city 311 APIs continuously or daily. Restaurant inspection data is updated weekly from each city's health department. The map reflects conditions within the last 1-7 days depending on the city.
Why does restaurant inspection data matter on a rat map?
Rats and rodents are one of the most common health code violations in restaurant inspections. When a health inspector cites "insects, rodents, or animals present" at a restaurant, it's official documentation of rodent activity — often more precise than 311 reports, because inspectors are trained to identify evidence.
Which cities are on the rat map?
Rat Radar covers major US cities and counties including Boston, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Antonio, Dallas, San Diego, Seattle, Denver, Nashville, and many more. We regularly add new cities.
Is this data from the government?
Yes. All data comes directly from government open data portals: city 311 APIs, health department inspection databases, and state-level open data platforms. Rat Radar aggregates and visualizes public records — we don't collect or invent data.
Can I check a specific restaurant?
Yes. You can search for any restaurant by name and see its full inspection history, including whether inspectors ever cited pest or rodent violations. Click any pin on the map or search from the restaurants page.
Where does the critter sighting data come from?
We use official 311 service request data from cities across the US. When residents report rodent activity, it appears after the city publishes it to their open data portal.
How often is the restaurant health data updated?
We pull inspection data regularly from each city's health department. New results typically appear within a day or two of publication.
Is there a mobile app?
Rat Radar is a mobile-friendly web app that works great on any device. No download needed — just visit our site on your phone!