Wlc to USA morning News…. New York City is grappling with a significant rat problem, with an estimated three million rats living across the boroughs. These resilient rodents are everywhere—from scurrying down the streets to taking the subway. Local officials are responding with a bold new plan: introducing rat birth control as part of a rat mitigation strategy.
This announcement, touted as a “once in a generation change,” reflects the growing concern about the rat population. The city aims to implement this innovative approach in areas where trash accumulation is a major issue. As rats breed quickly—two rats can produce up to 15,000 descendants in a single year—traditional measures like extermination have proven insufficient. The new bill proposes using contraceptives in key zones to control the population.
New York’s rat problem has been a persistent issue for years. The rats that thrive in the city’s underground areas are primarily Norway rats, also known as brown rats or sewer rats. These rats can survive on minimal food and are known to exploit food sources like dog waste. The city’s infrastructure—especially areas with older construction—provides ideal conditions for rats to thrive.
In an effort to address the issue, New York City has already established rat mitigation zones, securing $11.5 million in funding, leading to a 40% decrease in rat sightings in those areas. The new legislation seeks to further build on these efforts with a more comprehensive and sustainable approach, focusing on long-term control rather than extermination.
The introduction of rat birth control is one part of the strategy, alongside educating the public on proper waste disposal and encouraging changes in behavior to reduce conditions that support rat populations. The hope is that these combined efforts will lead to a more rat-free city in the future.