The NYC Subway's indestructable rats [View all]

(Mary Harris, WNYC) If you’re scared of New York City subway rats, hanging out with Paul Jones is a bad idea. He’s the man who manages the NY Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s trash rooms, and he knows where the rats are hiding. He even knows their favorite foods.

“They want the good stuff: the Red Bull, the lattes. They love lattes!” Jones said.

Jones has watched the NY MTA try various tactics to rid itself of rodents. They’ve hired exterminators. They’re putting trash in mint-flavored bags, which are supposed to repel pests. They’ve even reinforced trash room doors to make it harder for rats to make it to the buffet table.

Now they’re trying a new approach. The National Institutes of Health has just given Loretta Mayer, and her company, Senestech, a $1.1 million grant to tempt rats into consuming birth control. ...............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://transportationnation.org/2013/03/24/after-poisoning-and-hitting-them-with-a-shovel-doesnt-work-nyc-transit-tries-birth-control-on-rats/