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2 weeks Ago By Holden Draper
As New York City grapples with an enduring rodent problem, city officials are adding a novel weapon to their pest management arsenal: rat birth control. This month, Harlem will serve as the testing ground for a pilot program that doles out contraceptive pellets to rodent populations, an effort to stem their prolific breeding. According to a statement obtained by CBS News New York, Shaun Abreu, who pushed for the initiative known as Flaco's Law, says these zones could see an impact within six months.
"Two rats in a given year can reproduce 15,000 descendants," Abreu noted, explaining the necessity of addressing the root of the problem. The pellets, designed to appeal to rats due to their sweetness, contain a compound called triptolide, which impacts ovarian function in female rats and sperm production in male rats. Meanwhile, animal welfare organizations like PETA have endorsed the plan that aims to keep poison from affecting pets and wildlife inadvertently.
In January 2025, New York City Department of Health and Hygiene statistics showed a year-over-year decline of 24% in 311 complaints of rat sightings compared to the same month in 2024, suggesting progress in rodent management efforts, as detailed by CBS News New York.Apart from this initiative, NYC's battle against rats also includes a public education component. Dubbed "Rat Walks," this program, spearheaded by the city's Rat Czar Kathleen Corradi, is aimed at empowering New Yorkers with knowledge about rats and how human actions can either discourage or attract these unwelcome neighbors.
In an interview with ABC News, Corradi said, "We're doing a lot in this administration to make sure we're containerizing, make sure we're changing behaviors around waste management."Not only has NYC ratified initiatives like Flaco's Law, but the city has also allocated a $3.5 million budget for Corradi’s efforts, suggesting a significant investment in the fight against rats.
"The only way we are successful is getting an educated public change in behaviors and addressing those conditions that support rats. Extermination will always be a part of the conversation, but we know the long-term success relies on front-end equation, and that's where we're really focusing and empowering New Yorkers," Corradi told ABC News. The rat birth control rollout, set for April 26 as reported by ABC News, is expected to coincide with the implementation of measures to contain waste, thereby cutting off easy food supplies for the rodents.
The city's collaborative efforts with WISDOM Good Works, the company managing the distribution of rat birth control, signals a move towards more humane treatment of animals, while still addressing public concerns and health risks associated with pest infestations. Alaina Gonzalez-White, from WISDOM Good Works, emphasized the safety of this measure to ABC News, "It's formulated to target the reproductive system of an animal the size of a rat. Anything that eats that rat will no longer be eating a poisoned meal.
" Council Member Shaun Abreu conveyed a similar sentiment, "My goal personally is not for rats to go extinct. Our goal is (to) coexist in a way where rats aren't showing up. I think our message is very much in line with the PETA message.
We believe in New York City, we should throw everything we can at the problem from shutting off the food supply, but also targeting rat reproduction at the source.".
