NYC Launches Rat Contraception Program To Combat Massive Citywide Rodent Problem

In an effort to curb New York City’s rodent problem, city officials have launched a program that laces rat bait with contraceptives.

The rodent “contraceptive stations” will be deployed throughout the city, featuring bait infused with contraceptive pellets designed to inhibit egg production in female rats and sperm mobility in males. The program is expected to cost nearly $600,000 annually as the city scrambles to combat its widespread rodent problem. 

City officials said the contraceptives pose a low risk to humans, pets or other wildlife.

The city Health Department will monitor signs of rats in the area every month. After 12 months, the program will be reviewed by Mayor Eric Adams (D) and other city council members to determine whether its efforts have been effective in mitigating the rat issue.

“We’re incredibly excited and optimistic about all the containerization work we’re seeing in the city because that’s reducing food competition — and really reducing a rat’s ability to reproduce by cutting off its food source,” said Kathleen Corradi, Citywide Director of Rodent Mitigation.

“What the science tells us is removal of a food source, removal of those conditions that allow them to thrive, is how we get to achieve sustained production — and we’re seeing really great results in that regard,” added Corradi.

Corradi was appointed as New York City’s first-ever director of rodent mitigation, also known as “rat czar,” by Adams in 2023.

Corradi said the program’s success will also depend on property owners complying with the city’s waste management regulations.

“[Human] behavior change is hard,” said Corradi. “We are doing integrated pest management on city-owned properties, but then the 98% remaining of the tax lots that are privately owned properties, that’s up to the property owners to choose what mechanisms they’re doing when it comes to [rat population] control.”

Adams has been charged with rodent violations at his private residence and has petitioned to have the tickets cancelled.