New York’s ‘rat warriors’ declare total war on prolific rodent population

New York is waging a war on multiple fronts to combat the near-ubiquitous rats that plague city streets and the subways, leaving some residents afraid to let their children walk on pavements.

Faced with an overwhelming and ever-growing problem, officials have moved beyond gassing burrows to suffocate rodents and are now using hi-tech mapping tools to try and sterilise the population.

Alongside targeted interventions, officials are mounting an effort to educate the public about the need to avoid leaving behind food waste that feeds and sustains the rat population.

Caroline Bragdon, director of neighbourhood interventions for Pest Control Services within New York City’s Department of Health, said the lack of food “stresses” rats and other vermin.

“Perhaps this forces them to go further in search of food, but perhaps they simply have fewer offspring,” she said.

“That’s usually what we’re seeing. Fewer rats over time. Less breeding leads to less rat activity,” Bragdon added.

The city is testing out an arsenal of different tools in the Harlem neighbourhood, aiming to find new products and methods to tackle the rats.