City lawmakers are proposing a new initiative to curb the rat population in New York City by introducing a rat birth control program.
Councilmember Shaun Abreu has suggested using “ContraPest pellets,” which contain an active ingredient called “triptolide,” to sterilize male and female rats and reduce their reproductive capabilities.
Abreu emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle the persistent rat problem, describing it as a “shock-and-awe” strategy involving various measures, including the deployment of contraceptive pellets in designated rat mitigation zones spanning at least 10 city blocks.
This isn’t the first attempt to control rat populations in NYC. Past efforts, such as using estrogen-based contraceptives dissolved in vegetable oil, have not succeeded against rats, which can potentially produce 15,000 offspring annually.
The creator of ContraPest, Loretta Mayer, is optimistic about the effectiveness of her product, likening it to a preferred food for rats, but acknowledges the challenge of scaling up distribution due to cost considerations.
Mayor Eric Adams, who has made rat control a priority since taking office, has appointed a rat czar and is pursuing a comprehensive government strategy, including containerizing all garbage and implementing free curbside composting.
The proposed pilot program aims not only to reduce the rat population but also to protect wildlife, following the recent death of an escaped Central Park Zoo owl due to rat poison ingestion.
If successful, the program will undergo a two-year evaluation period to assess its impact and effectiveness before reporting back to city officials.
Similar rat contraceptive initiatives have been attempted in other cities like Boston, Columbus, and Hartford.
