Robert Corrigan, an urban rodentologist and pest consultant for NYC, sheds light on the city's ongoing battle with rats. He discusses the deep connection between human behavior and the rat population explosion, emphasizing that we are part of the problem. Innovative solutions like humane rat birth control are explored, along with the challenges of waste management and sanitation practices. Personal anecdotes reveal the ethical dilemmas of pest control, and Corrigan reflects on the lessons learned from these resilient creatures in urban environments.
Understanding the complex behavior and habitats of rats is crucial for developing effective urban rodent control methods.
Innovative waste management strategies, including the use of robust trash containers, are critical in reducing food sources for rats.
Cultural perceptions of rats reveal a paradox in how humans approach pest control, highlighting the need for public education.
Deep dives
Urban Rodentology: Understanding Rat Behavior
Urban rodentologists like Bobby Corrigan study the complex relationship between rats and city environments. Rats create unique subterranean habitats, utilizing tunnels and burrows that can weaken city infrastructure, such as sidewalks. Corrigan emphasizes their behaviors, noting that rats often follow walls for safety, evident in sebum stains left behind where they travel. This deep understanding of rat behavior is crucial for developing effective control methods and underscores the resilience of these creatures in urban settings.
The War on Rats: Tactics and Challenges
Cities like New York are actively battling rat populations through a variety of methods, including traps, poisons, and even birth control. Bobby Corrigan argues that preventive measures should come first, such as eliminating food sources, rather than resorting to poisons, which pose risks to non-target wildlife. Innovative tactics also include installing remote sensors to monitor rat activity and trends, which could ultimately help in assessing the effectiveness of control measures. Nonetheless, challenges persist as cities grapple with ineffective historical strategies and the increasing resilience of rat populations.
The Rat Summit: A Collaborative Approach
The National Urban Rat Summit brought together experts from various cities to share insights and strategies for combating rat infestations. Kathy Karate, the city’s rat czar, emphasized the need for cohesive approaches by aligning scientific research with practical solutions to manage rat populations effectively. Presentations at the summit showcased innovative technologies, such as remote monitoring systems, that provide continuous data on rat activity levels. This collaboration signifies a shift towards a more strategic, science-informed strategy in the ongoing battle against urban rats.
Innovative Waste Management Strategies
One key factor in reducing rat populations is improving waste management practices, particularly in New York City, where trash is often left in plastic bags on the streets. The city plans to transition to more robust trash containers, which are harder for rats to access, aiming for 70% compliance by the end of 2024. Sanitation officials like Jessica Tish highlight that effective trash management not only improves public sanitation but also reduces food sources for rats. Successful implementation of this strategy requires continued public education and cooperation from residents.
The Cultural Perspective on Rats
Rats are often viewed negatively due to their association with filth and disease, yet there are cultural nuances in how they are perceived and managed. Some people even consider rats as potential food sources, with certain cultures reportedly raising specific breeds for consumption. Bobby Corrigan points out the paradox of humans respect for lovable pets yet their disdain for animals like rats, demanding a reflection on ethical standards in pest control. This cultural lens is essential in addressing the complexities of urban rodent management and improving public understanding.
Even with a new rat czar, an arsenal of poisons, and a fleet of new garbage trucks, it won’t be easy — because, at root, the enemy is us. (Part two of a three-part series, “Sympathy for the Rat.”)
SOURCES:
Kathy Corradi, director of rodent mitigation for New York City.
Robert Corrigan, urban rodentologist and pest consultant for New York City.
Ed Glaeser, professor of economics at Harvard University.
Robert Sullivan, author of Rats: Observations on the History and Habitat of the City’s Most Unwanted Inhabitant.
"Increasing rat numbers in cities are linked to climate warming, urbanization, and human population," by Jonathan Richardson, Elizabeth McCoy, Nicholas Parlavecchio, Ryan Szykowny, Eli Beech-Brown, Jan Buijs, Jacqueline Buckley, Robert Corrigan, Federico Costa, Ray Delaney, Rachel Denny, Leah Helms, Wade Lee, Maureen Murray, Claudia Riegel, Fabio Souza, John Ulrich, Adena Why, and Yasushi Kiyokawa (Science Advances, 2025).
