New York City Officials Use Carbon Monoxide to Combat Rat Infestation
New York City officials have discovered a highly effective method to combat rat infestation. By pumping carbon monoxide directly into rat burrows, an entire population of rats on an Upper East Side street has been virtually wiped out. Councilmember Julie Menin revealed that over 100 rat burrows on a section of East 86th Street have been successfully eliminated since the initiative began last year.
The strategy involves using a machine called BurrowRX, costing approximately $3,000, to suffocate the rats with carbon monoxide. Menin’s office reported an eradication rate of almost 100% in the tree pits where this method was applied, according to Gothamist. Due to the high number of complaints about rats in the area, the strategy was initially implemented on the East 86th Street corridor, which is known for its retail shops and inadequate waste disposal practices.
One merchant, Ibrahim Asmal, described the severity of the rat infestation, stating that rats would often bite into and contaminate his merchandise, forcing him to discard affected items. The city’s initial response of using black poison bait boxes proved ineffective, with some rats even relocating into the boxes. As a result, Menin allocated $10,000 to hire exterminator Matt Deodato, also known as “Matt the Rat Killer” and the president of Urban Pest Management.
In addition to the success of the carbon monoxide method, Menin has set aside $30,000 to expand its use to other areas with high complaint rates, such as the region of East 75th Street between Second and Third Avenue. However, Menin emphasized that this method is not a complete solution to New York City’s rat problems, but rather an effective tool specifically for the tree pit issue.
Mayor Eric Adams appointed a rat czar earlier this year to address the city’s rat problem. The city has also experimented with other rat control measures, including spring traps, poisons, and rat birth control. However, some rat researchers argue that the city should prioritize addressing human behavior, particularly waste disposal methods, to tackle the root causes of the infestation.
Despite Insider’s request for comment, Menin’s office did not respond immediately. The carbon monoxide technique has proven to be a significant step forward in the city’s ongoing battle against rats.
