New York City, plagued by rat infestations, is considering using sterilization to control the scourge, the New York Times reports.
City Councilman Shawn Abreu introduced a bill this week that would propose sterilizing rats using pellets that are particularly palatable to rodents.
“We believe we need a shock wave to eradicate the rat problem, and we have to try everything,” the elected official declared at a municipal council meeting.
A pair of rats can produce up to 15,000 pups per year. However, if the bill is passed, the tiny saline contraceptive pills will be distributed in about ten blocks located in two neighborhoods of the American metropolis.
The tablets in question, called ContraPest, are manufactured by SenesTech. The company's CEO said that Contrabest is like “buttermilk” to rats.
“It's a liquid formula with a high fat content that tastes sweet and is very attractive to mice,” he told Fox5.
Loretta Mayer, one of the scientists behind the pellet, says that “contrapest is more attractive than the litter the rats are used to.” It's better than pizza!”
