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.
Saturday, May 25 2013 5:08 PM EDT2013-05-25 21:08:28 GMT
Nassau County health officials announced that due to heavy rainfall, 19 beaches have been closed to bathing as a precautionary measure beginning Saturday, May 25.
Nassau County health officials announced that due to heavy rainfall, 19 beaches have been closed to bathing as a precautionary measure beginning Saturday, May 25.
Saturday, May 25 2013 4:42 PM EDT2013-05-25 20:42:49 GMT
First the Sequester cuts took the American military out of the Jones Beach Air Show and now the cold and rainy start to Memorial Day has washed out the first day of the air show.
First the Sequester cuts took the American military out of the Jones Beach Air Show and now the cold and rainy start to Memorial Day has washed out the first day of the air show.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:44 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:44:03 GMT
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy.
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by superstorm Sandy. The Fox 5 weather team is calling for sunny skies on Sunday and Monday.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:34 PM EDT2013-05-25 01:34:31 GMT
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested by New York City police after investigating a report of her allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building.
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested by New York City police after investigating a report of her allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:15 PM EDT2013-05-25 01:15:35 GMT
When workers installed one of the much-heralded bike-sharing stations on West 22nd Street near 10th Avenue, they put it right in front of the brownstones.
When workers installed one of the much-heralded bike-sharing stations on West 22nd Street near 10th Avenue, they put it right in front of the brownstones, impacting the entrances for homeowners and tenants.
