New York City puts problem rats on the contraceptive pill to reduce three million population

New York City is launching its latest salvo in the city's ongoing war on problem rats - by putting them on the contraceptive pill in a groundbreaking pilot programme

News

Christopher Bucktin United States Editor

08:47, 02 Oct 2024Updated 08:47, 02 Oct 2024

[New York rat]

View 3 Images

New York to tackle rat problem with contraceptive pill(Image: Getty Images)

New York is launching its latest salvo in the city's war on rats - by putting them on the pill.

In a bold new effort to tackle Manhattan's infamous pest problem, city officials have approved a pilot programme that aims to control the rodent population with birth control. Starting next year, contraceptive pellets will be placed in rat-friendly traps in a section of Manhattan. Once ingested, it will make them infertile.

The product, Contrapest, is made by Senestech. It promises to reduce rat numbers without the environmental hazards of traditional poisons. According to the company, each dose prevents rats from reproducing for 45 days, and regular consumption can reduce the population by 95 per cent. The idea is simple: stop them from breeding faster than they can be exterminated.

The plan will reduce the existing poison-resistant rat population. Contrapest induces a kind of menopause in female rats and cuts sperm production in males, all without posing a risk to other animals or the ecosystem. The city plans to monitor the bait traps monthly to see how the rats respond.

[New York rat]

View 3 Images

New York plans to tackle rat problem with contraception(Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The year-long pilot scheme has been dubbed "Flaco's Law" because it was inspired by the city's famous Flaco, the owl. The bird captured the hearts of New Yorkers last year by escaping from the city's zoo and staying free for a year before being found dead in February with rat poison in his system.

According to pest control firm MMPC, an estimated three million rats make New York their home. The firm based the figure on a widely quoted 2014 study by Jonathan Auerbach and its methodology. New York has long been famous for its infestation problem, even more so in the age of social media, as users post videos of rats scurrying around the city.

Article continues below

[New York rat]

View 3 Images

New York plans to tackle rat problem with contraception(Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Anyone curious to learn more about rats can take rat tours. Last year, the city appointed its first rat tsar, Kathleen Corradi, tasked with tackling "public enemy No. 1."

Join the Irish Mirrors breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you dont like our community, you can check out any time you like. If youre curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

[Irish Mirror Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Irish Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.

[Google Preferred Source Badge]

At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.