On the heels of last week’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report about the dangers associated with the improper use of insecticides to control bed bug infestations, more information has surfaced about dangerous pesticides being used in New York City to control vermin.

New York City pest control companies continue to see an increase in rat populations throughout the New York City area.  Many people attribute the rising numbers to the fact that the city health department laid off 75% of its pest control staff in 2010.  New York City’s 311 line received 10,500 citywide complaints of rats in 2010, which was more than 5% higher than the complaints logged in 2009.  Rodent complaints for 2011 are up 10% since 2010.  It’s no wonder that people are becoming desperate to be free of these disease carrying pests!

According to the New York Times article dated September 23, 2011, some immigrants are using dangerous pesticides from their homelands as a weapon against troublesome vermin in New York City.  “Tres Pasitos” or “Three Little Steps” is being bought on the black market.  The pesticide is manufactured in the Dominican Republic and being smuggled in from China.  Illegal in the United States, the product is so powerful that once a rat consumes it, the rat is only able to walk three steps before it meets its demise.  This dangerous compound contains a “toxic chemical in a concentration almost 61 times higher than federal regulations allowed.”  Using this and similar illegal pesticides puts humans and pets in harm’s way.

You may read the article here.

Rats and mice are more than just a nuisance pest as they can carry a variety of diseases such as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Eosinophillic Meningitis, Leptospirosis, Murine Typhus, and Rat Fever.  Additionally, their feces, urine, and constant gnawing can cause considerable damage to your home or business.  Any signs of rats or mice should be immediately addressed by calling a licensed pest control expert with experience in rodent eradication service.