New York City Explores Rat Contraceptives to Reduce Population: Salty Pellets to Block Ovulation and Disrupt Sperm
New York City is considering using birth control for rats to reduce their population.
The contraceptives would prevent ovulation in females and disrupt sperm maturation in males.
The idea was proposed after an escaped zoo owl died due to rat poison.
City Council Member Shaun Abreu presented a bill to handle the rat issue using birth control instead of lethal chemicals like glue traps and rat poison, which cause slow deaths.
The rat population in the city has not been effectively reduced through the use of traps or poison bait.
Previous attempts at using contraceptives for rats were unsuccessful.
The City Council is planning to try rodent birth control again, using salty pellets that sterilize both male and female rats as part of a pilot program.
The health department will distribute these pellets in two neighborhoods within "rat mitigation" zones, covering at least 10 city blocks.
City officials believe this approach will be more effective and are taking a "shock-and-awe" approach to the rat problem.
A solution to prevent birds of prey from consuming rat poisoned rats is being proposed through the use of rat contraceptives.
According to Fox News, these contraceptives work by blocking ovulation in females and disrupting sperm maturation in males.
The pellets are derived from an extract that has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in humans for decades.
The salty pellets are intended to be irresistible to rats, preventing them from seeking other food sources.