New York launches birth control program to reduce rat infestation

New York City, known for its ongoing battle against rats, has just reached a new milestone. She adopted a rodenticide program. This project, with the support of municipal authorities, is led by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). The goal is clear: reduce the rat population permanently, by focusing on non-lethal methods. This program could mark a turning point in pest management. And this, in one of the most densely populated cities in the world.

Rat infestation in New York: a persistent and costly problem

For decades, New York has struggled with massive rat infestations. A condition that has a major impact on public health and the quality of life of residents. Every year, the city spends a lot of energy and money trying to control their population, without definitive results.

Rats, which thrive in urban environments where litter is abundant, reproduce quickly, rendering traditional control methods ineffective in the long term.

According to the DOHMH, the rat population in New York it could reach several million. They are particularly numerous in certain neighborhoods, where urban infrastructure and easy access to food waste offer ideal conditions for them.

Given this situation, the city council decided to test a more innovative approach to reduce the reproduction of rats, rather than simply trying to get rid of them.

Contraception for rats: an alternative to traditional methods

The pilot program, approved in September 2024 according to The Keepertargeting the use of ContraPest. This contraceptive is designed to limit the pregnancy of rats. It works without harming their health or the health of other animals. Administered through dispensers in specific areas, it gradually reduces the reproductive capacity of rats.

This program is implemented in pilot areas, mainly in residential areas that are adversely affected plagues of rats. Monthly audits monitor results. A comparison will be made between areas using contraception and those without treatment.

DOHMH also tries to make the program more efficient by improving waste management. Limiting rodents’ access to food sources may enhance the effect of the contraceptive. According to the city council, this could significantly improve the results of the program.

Expected results and strict monitoring

The program is expected to last at least 12 months, during which teams will collect detailed data on the rat population, a level ofplague and effectiveness of ContraPest dispensers.

Municipal authorities hope that this solution, together with better waste management, will significantly reduce the number of rats in the most affected areas.

To ensure the transparency of the process, regular reports will be submitted to the mayor and to the town council. These reports will include specific data, such as the number of rats observed before and after the introduction of the contraceptive, as well as information on the costs and overall effectiveness of the program.

If this pilot program yields convincing results, the city could expand it to other areas and even encourage other major cities with similar rat infestation problems.