In 2023, a local pest control company estimated that at least three million rats run the New York City streets, alleys, and subways. Most recently, the City council passed a bill to address the growing rat population in an unconventional way: using birth control.
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Rat Birth Control? Here’s What That Means
Needless to say, the city’s “public enemy No. 1” has been out of control for a hot minute! That’s the nickname Mayor Eric Adams has given the rodents in his fight against NYC’s infestation. Last year, he appointed Kathleen Corradi as the city’s “rat czar,” meaning rodent mitigation director, per The New York Times. Adams tasked Corradi with supervising the rat experts already working for NYC, which includes the Office of Pest Control, its rodentologist, and a citywide rodent task force.
Additionally, last summer, the city imposed rules on food-related businesses regarding their trash containment. To prevent rodents from snacking on the garbage, businesses must utilize bins.
Now, the City Council has approved another method to combat the ratty problem! According to The Guardian and the NYT, the council approved the rat birth control bill on Thursday (Sept. 26). Councilman Shaun Abreu first introduced the bill in April. Last week, he said that the decades-long poison use isn’t enough to root out the rats.
“When two rats can reproduce 15,000 descendants in a year, you can’t kill your way out of this. You have to shut off the food supply,” Shaun Abreu added, per NYT.
Abreu has affirmed that rat birth control is another experimental effort, not “a magic wand.” Ultimately, the approved bill includes a pilot program that will begin to use ContraPest, per The Guardian. The substance is reportedly a type of rodent birth control that targets ovarian functions in female rats and sperm production in male rats.
Excerpts reportedly plan to deliver the sweet-tasting birth control using special containers. Furthermore, the contraceptive is reportedly not harmful to other animals. Abreu said, “Over time, this would help make sure that rats can’t reproduce.”
While talks of rat birth control take over social media, New York City residents are likely concerned about another topic. Last week, Mayor Adams was indicted on bribery and fraud charges. The 54-page document details alleged criminal activity dating back to his days as Brooklyn Borough President in 2014. Despite becoming the first sitting NYC mayor to be indicted, Adams has refused to resign and maintains his innocence.
