If there's no such thing as bad press, it's a good week for rats in New York City.

The New York Times spoke to exterminators and residents who say the furry pests have moved inland and into more homes since Sandy flooded parts of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Nana Kojo Ayesu , a Bronx-based exterminator, says rats only migrate if their food source gets compromised.

"When rats are born in an area, they consider it home," he said. "Just like people go from Ellis Island to wherever they go, but now they're Americans. Same thing with rats. This is their home."

The number of rodent violations in the city has dropped since Sandy. But the figures aren't an accurate barometer of conditions since the health department stopped issuing violations for rodents in the evacuation zone.