If the Norway brown rats you see crawling along subway tracks and platforms have learned anything it is how to adapt. In fact, they've become so good at it, the MTA is devising a new way to try and get rid of them by sterilizing female rats.
Timothy Wong, an exterminator with M&M Pest Control, says just getting the female rats to take the bait from subway trash rooms will be tough enough.
"I think it's going to be a long shot," Wong says. "You got to remember when they're in the subway they have so much to eat, like Taco Bell and pizza."
He says the female rats would have to consume roughly 10 percent of their body weight in the bait for 5 to 10 days to become sterile.
"I think this is part of the tool," he says. "But is this the solution? I don't think so."
But the MTA is working on the pilot project with a company from Arizona called SenesTech, which used ContraPest in agricultural areas of Southeast Asia.
This is the first time it would be used in a transit system.
Bait traps and glue strips have helped cut back on the roughly 40 million rats in New York City.
Sunday, May 26 2013 12:01 AM EDT2013-05-26 04:01:47 GMT
Suffolk County police arrested a man who was driving drunk with his daughter in the car after he caused a three-car crash on Long Island Friday afternoon.
Suffolk County police arrested a man who was driving drunk with his daughter in the car after he caused a three-car crash on Long Island Friday afternoon.
Sunday, May 26 2013 12:00 AM EDT2013-05-26 04:00:59 GMT
While some business may be have been dismal at the beaches, a lot of people who needed to venture out and keep busy Saturday found things to do – and stay dry.
While some business may be have been dismal at the beaches, a lot of people who needed to venture out and keep busy Saturday found things to do – and stay dry.
Saturday, May 25 2013 10:52 PM EDT2013-05-26 02:52:40 GMT
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel congratulated the cadets at West Point's commencement ceremony Saturday, but warned them they have a tough road ahead. He praised how far the military has come
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel congratulated the cadets at West Point's commencement ceremony Saturday, but warned them they have a tough road ahead. He praised how far the military has come
Saturday, May 25 2013 10:27 PM EDT2013-05-26 02:27:43 GMT
New Yorkers that have visited City Island in the summer know it gets really busy, especially on Memorial Day weekend. Saturday, it was pretty much a ghost town thanks to the cold, rainy weather.
New Yorkers that have visited City Island in the summer know it gets really busy, especially on Memorial Day weekend. Saturday, it was pretty much a ghost town thanks to the cold, rainy weather.
Saturday, May 25 2013 9:26 PM EDT2013-05-26 01:26:30 GMT
New Yorkers know that finding street parking is not easy. Drivers can circle for a minute or even an hour – and even then you still may not find that parking spot.
New Yorkers know that finding street parking is not easy. Drivers can circle for a minute or even an hour – and even then you still may not find that parking spot.
Saturday, May 25 2013 8:49 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:49:32 GMT
AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in New Jersey on Friday was $3.42, up 3 cents from last week. But that's still lower than the price from a year ago
AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in New Jersey on Friday was $3.42, up 3 cents from last week. But that's still lower than the price from a year ago
Saturday, May 25 2013 8:47 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:47:11 GMT
Internal Affairs officers on Saturday were looking into allegations made by actress Amanda Bynes that NYPD officers sexually assaulted her when she was charged with heaving a marijuana bong out the window
Internal Affairs officers on Saturday were looking into allegations made by actress Amanda Bynes that NYPD officers sexually assaulted her when she was charged with heaving a marijuana bong out the window
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:52 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:52:40 GMT
It once was an accepted tactic as old as policing itself and, according to the NYPD, a key to the city's dramatic drop in crime: patrol officers stopping young men on the street to see if they're up to no good.
It once was an accepted tactic as old as policing itself and, according to the NYPD, a key to the city's dramatic drop in crime: patrol officers stopping young men on the street to see if they're up to no good.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:36 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:36:58 GMT
Members of the American Legion Post 1 honored their own this Memorial Day. The veterans association decorated the graves of veterans at the Cemetery of the Madonna in Leonia Saturday morning.
Members of the American Legion Post 1 honored their own this Memorial Day. The veterans association decorated the graves of veterans at the Cemetery of the Madonna in Leonia Saturday morning.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:25:11 GMT
Authorities are investigating the death of a 4-week old baby in the Bronx Saturday morning. Police say they were contacted by officials from North Central Bronx Hospital around 9:50 a.m.
Authorities are investigating the death of a 4-week old baby in the Bronx Saturday morning. Police say they were contacted by officials from North Central Bronx Hospital around 9:50 a.m.
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