Chicago launches rat birth control program to tackle infestation

In an effort to combat the persistent rat infestation in Chicago, a new pilot program is being implemented that moves away from traditional rat poisons. This initiative, spearheaded by the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce, involves installing bait boxes filled with a rat birth control product in alleyways behind major thoroughfares in the city's neighborhoods. Chicago has been ranked as the rattiest city in America for ten consecutive years, according to an evaluation by Orkin, which highlighted the severity of the rodent issue in urban environments. The rat birth control product contains cotton seed oil, which functions by inhibiting fertility in rats without posing risks to domestic pets, according to Alice Howe, one of the program's overseers. The program is being closely monitored, and results are anticipated in the coming four to six weeks, which encompasses one to two breeding cycles of rats. This approach has already been adopted in other cities such as Baltimore and is planned for implementation in New York and San Francisco, illustrating a growing trend towards humane and non-toxic methods of pest control. Similarly, New York City is also preparing to introduce a rat birth control initiative as part of its strategy to manage rodent populations effectively. The program is set to begin on April 26, 2025, focusing on select zones that have been identified as high traffic areas for rats, notably in Harlem. The initiative, known as Flaco's Law, was advocated by city council member Shaun Abreu in memory of an owl that died from rat poison last year. The new contraceptive pellets are designed to affect both female and male rats by targeting reproductive functions. Both cities aim to reduce the risk that traditional poisons pose to other wildlife and water supplies by using these innovative birth control measures. The relevance of such programs is underscored by past incidents, such as the deaths of great horned owls in Lincoln Park due to rodenticide exposure. As animal welfare organizations, including PETA, support these initiatives, the effectiveness of rat contraception in reducing the rodent population while safeguarding urban wildlife will be closely observed in the months to come.