New Tactic For Controlling NYC Rats

The rodent population in New York City is gaining media attention in recent weeks due to an increase in rats in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that transit officials are trying a new tactic to control the rats – birth control. This unique approach by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is the “first urban trial of a pest-control bait that induces permanent infertility in rats.”

Rodents can quickly multiply and become a serious problem in a short period of time, according to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). Rats spread dangerous diseases such as Salmonella and rat-bite fever, and can cause major property damage by chewing through woods, drywall and electrical wires.