In 2023, a local pest control esteemed company that at least three million rats roam the streets, alleys and subways of New York. More recently, the City Council approved a bill to address the growing rat population in an unconventional way: using contraceptive methods.
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Birth control in rats? Here’s what that means
Needless to say, the city’s “public enemy #1” has been out of control for a minute! That’s the nickname Mayor Eric Adams gave it to rodents in your fight against the New York infestation. Last year he appointed Kathleen Corradi as the city’s “rat czar,” i.e., director of rodent mitigation, according to The New York Times. Adams tasked Corradi with overseeing the rat experts already working for New York, 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 waste containment. To prevent rodents from eating trash, companies should use trash cans.
Now, the City Council has approved another method to combat the rat problem! According to The Guardian and NYT, the council approved the rat birth control bill on Thursday (September 26). Councilman Shaun Abreu first presented the project in April. Last week, he said using poison for decades is not enough to eradicate rats.
“When two rats can reproduce 15,000 offspring in a year, it is not possible to get out of this situation through death. You have to turn off the food supply,” added Shaun Abreu, per NYT.
Abreu said birth control in rats is another experimental effort, not “a magic wand.” Ultimately, the approved bill includes a pilot program that will begin using ContraPest, by 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 allegedly plans to provide sweet-tasting birth control using special containers. Furthermore, the contraceptive is not harmful to other animals. Abreu said: “Over time, this would help ensure that the mice could not reproduce.”
While talks about rat birth control take over social media, New York City residents are likely preoccupied with another issue. 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 mayor of New York to be indicted, Adams refused to resign and maintains his innocence.
RELATED: New York City Mayor Eric Adams Reportedly Indicted on Multiple Criminal Charges
What do you think, roommates?