Monthly Archives: August 2010

Commercial Services, Pest Control, Pest Eradication, Pest Management, Rats, Residential Services, Rodent Control

What’s Up With The Rats In New York City? Part II Of II

1 Comment

In continuation from Wednesday…

Dr. Robert M. Corrigan, a rodentologist, who is well versed in all aspects of rats, led the interesting rat study.  He pointed out that rat poison is currently only being used on the train tracks to kill the rodents.  Once a train travels through the tracks, the poison is scattered.  Additionally, the refuse room which houses the garbage before it is transported out of the subway; is not subject to rat traps or poison.  This room, filled with black bags of trash, is a buffet for rats every day of the week!  Dr. Corrigan suggested that the rooms be guarded so that the rats could not reach their feast.

According to the New York Times, Dr. Corrigan told health officials that rats in New York City were a problem not only in subways, but other public places as well, especially parks.  “Virtually all of New York,” he said, “is vulnerable to this uncanny mammal.”

Wild rats are creatures that should be feared and avoided.  Although they are unlikely to bite you unless they are cornered, rats have the potential of spreading dangerous diseases to humans.  In the Middle Ages, rats (actually the fleas that were on the rats) were the cause of the spread of Bubonic Plague (the Black Death).  That plague wiped out a third of the European population during that time period. Some rat lovers of today say that the rats that are scurrying about New York City could not/would not cause another plague in today’s world, but how can anyone be so sure.  America could barely handle the H1N1 health crisis this past year, I can’t imagine how taxing a plague would be to our health system!  Rats are also known carriers of Leptospirosis.  This dangerous disease can be transmitted to domestic animals and humans alike.

If you need help ridding your business of rats in New York City or New Jersey, contact a licensed pest control specialist who is trained in expert rat removal services.

Commercial Services, Pest Control, Pest Eradication, Pest Management, Pest News, Rats, Residential Services, Rodent Control

What’s Up With The Rats In New York City? Part I Of II

The rat infestation problem in New York City is no secret among city residents.  They can be found roaming the streets during the night and foraging through bags and cans of trash in hunt for a tasty treat.  Some estimate New York City rats to outnumber human folks 20 to 1, while others discount those numbers as being false.  Whatever you believe, just take a walk through the streets of New York, and there’s no doubt that rats are alive and well in the city!

Rats continue to be photographed in many areas of the New York City subway system.  They forage and feast on the garbage that others leave behind.  They emerge from the cracks within the walls, popping their ugly heads through broken concrete and tiles.  Rats have been found on the subway tracks and scampering to and fro throughout the platform waiting areas. One brave rat was even photographed hanging from the handrail inside of a populated moving subway!  That’s certainly not the travel companion you would hope for while traveling on the tube under New York City!  Although a little leery of humans, they don’t typically run and hide when they encounter us.  Rats use to be a nighttime forager, but reports are that these obnoxious creatures have now taken to the New York City subways even during peak rush hour periods.

A two year study of the rats in the New York City subway system was completed by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.  It was found that rats do not live in the subway tunnels as previously believed; instead they prefer to set up house within the walls.  It was also found that the rats are enjoying the food and drink debris that is left behind by subway riders.  The litter and crumbs are a constant invitation for rats to come to dinner.

Please check back on Friday for the conclusion.

Bed Bug Information, Bed Bug News, Bed Bug Resources, Bed Bugs, Commercial Services, Pest Control, Pest Eradication, Pest Management, Pest News, Residential Services

What’s In Store For New York City Bed Bugs?

The big news of the week in bed bug land is that New York City has officially declared war on the blood sucking parasites that are noshing away at residents, travelers, shoppers, and anyone else who happens to step foot in the wrong place at the wrong time in the city.

After months of anticipation, and endless hours of strategic planning, the new counterattack was revealed on the steps of City Hall last Wednesday.

Last year, the Bed Bug Advisory Board was formed by Mayor Bloomberg.  The Board’s purpose was to study the health concerns and make recommendations to the mayor and city council on the prevention and treatment of bed bug infestations in the city.  The Bed Bug Advisory Board was to deliver their report within nine months; and with eager anticipation, the 39 page report has finally arrived!

So here’s what New York City bed bugs have to look forward to in the near future….

• There will now be a team to coordinate bed bug control efforts in the city.

• A “Bed Bug Academy for building managers.

• An online portal of bed bug facts checked by the city.

• Guidelines/information for disposing of infested furniture and clothing, and educating the public about purchasing secondhand items.

• New York City Housing Court will give higher priority to cases that involve bed bugs.

The cost of implementing the program is said to be $500,000, which will be re-appropriated from the Department of Health’s budget.  According to the New York Times, Gil Bloom, one of the Board members, said “If fully implemented, the recommendations could reverse the current increase in bed bug activity and actually improve our situation.”  All of these bed bug programs are great, but the big question is…will they work?  Time will tell of course and everyone in the US is waiting to see the outcome of the New York bed bug problem!

If you are suffering from a bed bug infestation in New York City or New Jersey, don’t wait until these new programs are implemented before asking for help.  Call a bed bug expert for help today.