Tag Archives: New York rats

Animal Control, Disease Carrying Pests, News, Rats, Rodent Control

NYC Tried It and Now New Hampshire has Approved “Rat Ice”

NYC Tried It and Now New Hampshire has Approved "Rat Ice"
NYC Tried It and Now New Hampshire has Approved “Rat Ice”

NYC rat control has taken a positive turn with the use of dry ice. New York along with other major cities that include Boston and Chicago are using dry ice as a method of extermination.

About Rat Ice

In 2016, dry ice pellets were placed in known rat burrows serving as a means of displacing the oxygen level resulting in suffocation. The process had a positive effect on reducing the rat population but because the dry ice was not registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as required by law, that method had to be discontinued.

The Bell Laboratory

To utilize the dry ice approach to extermination, “Rat Ice” was developed by the Bell Laboratory. Following the required registration with the EPA, the product was approved for use. Any state that wants to allow the use of the product must also register with the EPA.

In 2018, New Hampshire decided to take rat extermination to another level and registered for approval to use the new product.

The use of “Rat Ice” should only be applied to a home or business by a professional pest control service as it is dangerous when it is not administered properly.

At the Stern Environmental Group, NYC rat control is just one of the services we provide. Contact us for an inspection and let our experienced technicians take care of a rat infestation safely for your family and pets.

Disease Carrying Pests, News, Pest Animal Removal, Pest News, Rats, Residential Services

What We Can Learn from History and Rat Eradication Tactics

What We Can Learn from History and Rat Eradication Tactics
What We Can Learn from History and Rat Eradication Tactics

NYC rat control is in the news along with four other major metropolitan cities across the globe experiencing an excessive rat population. In an effort to get the rats under control, these cities have gone to extreme lengths to find a solution.

Brooklyn

According to officials, in 2007 Brooklyn had the worst rat infestation. The cities solution was to populate the borough with opossums. Sounds good except the rats outran the opossums creating their own excessive population.

Chicago

In 2000, the Windy City addressed the problem with another four-legged predator; coyotes. In a test program, the city felt a group of Wiley coyotes could clean up the city; and they have.

Paris, France

The City of Lights has an estimated eight million furry creatures roaming the streets. That’s more than the cities human population times four. Each spring, the city has a campaign called “Le Smash” where teams scour the public parks and citizens check their homes to take care of business.

Shanghai, China

Shanghai, like Paris, is overrun and their solution is a Spring Rats Elimination Campaign where hundreds of people lay traps.

Edinburgh, Scotland

The Scots have taken rat control to another level using rat birth control methods with success.

NYC rat control is one of the specialties of Stern Environmental. With expert technicians, equipment, and treatments rats can become a thing of the past in your home. Call today; be rat-free tomorrow.

Animal Control, Disease Carrying Pests, News, Pest Animal Removal, Pest Control, Rats, Rodent Control

NYC Rats – Everything is Bigger in the Big Apple!

NYC Rats - Everything is Bigger in the Big Apple!
NYC Rats – Everything is Bigger in the Big Apple!

NYC rat control is a big job – almost as big as the rodents in the crosshairs. Just how big are the rats making up the Big Apple’s rodent population?

Large & In Charge
According to recent research from a doctoral student at Fordham University, some of New York City’s largest rodents are nearly 1 ½ pounds, with some topping the scales at a whopping 2 pounds.

What About Those Giant, Mutant Rats You’ve Heard So Much About?
The study’s leader doesn’t believe there are any 3 pounders, as he’s yet to find evidence of a rodent that rotund. And though much-larger Gambian pouched rats have been found in NYC, they’re believed to be released pets, and not part of an active, breeding population.

The Good News, If Any?
Bigger rats are not more dangerous. And that’s a good thing, because the resident rodent population of NYC’s common species, Rattus norvegicus, tops the charts at a whopping 2 billion according to a 2014 study. Bigger rats are also less commonly out-and-about, leaving their younger progeny to tackle riskier food sources, sticking to their own known and reliable supply.

How Can You Avoid These Supersized Sneaks?
By steering clear of dumpsters and other rat-favored buffet locales – and with a proactive prevention and treatment program.

Have your NYC rat control issues gotten a little larger? Let the pros at Stern Environmental Group cut them down to size.

Animal Control, Disease Carrying Pests, Pest Control, Pest Management, Rats, Rodent Control

NYC Region Rat Problems – a Warning for Other Metro Regions

You Know the Subway You Take to Work Everyday? You're Not Alone. Rats Find it a Useful Commodity as Well.
You Know the Subway You Take to Work Everyday? You’re Not Alone. Rats Find it a Useful Commodity as Well.

Be proactive, not reactive—that’s the advice of Dr. Manny Alvarez in regards to local officials around the country facing rat infestations. In the Bronx, one person has died this year and two more fallen ill due to leptospirosis spread by rats.

NYC rat control services face a constant barrage of reports. Keeping the population in check will always be important. When rats nest in restaurants, apartment buildings, or homes, they inevitably spread bacteria and viruses everywhere they crawl and leave waste.

Dr. Alvarez likens the potential of a leptiospira bacteria outbreak to the 14th century plague. Rats spread bacteria by carrying infected fleas, passing infected bodily fluids into human areas, and also by biting people.

Leptospirosis poses health risks including:

• Joint and muscle pain

• Gastrointestinal distress

• Flu-like symptoms, chill, fever, fatigue, sore throat

• Kidney and liver damage, meningitis

• Potential death

• Illness in dogs, too

How People and City Officials Should React

Illness spread by rats does not happen randomly. Outbreaks occur geographically, with many people in a neighborhood or even on the same city block getting sick. That’s why NYC rat control must respond aggressively when dangerous pathogens like leptospira have been found; possibly treating ground zero of an epidemic.

Other metro areas should watch out for growing rat problems and take action. In the city, businesses and property managers need to bring in professional NYC rat control to fight infestations at the local level.

Disease Carrying Pests, Green Pest Control, News, Pest Control, Pest News, Rats, Rodent Control

Managed Cat Colonies May Be Used to Lower Rat Population in NYC

Cats to manage rodent populations in New York City?
Cats to manage rodent populations in New York City?

Better known for patrolling NYC area subways and communities in their efforts to thwart crime, the legendary Guardian Angels are now tackling the NYC’s 4-legged foes – rats. Rodent control has become big news as of late, given a small but deadly bacterial outbreak back in December that was linked to leptospirosis, which is found in rat urine.

The Plan to Run-Off the Rodents?
Cats. To combat this age-old city problem, feral cats are being established in vacant land areas citywide, aimed at reducing problem areas overrun by rodents. The territorial creatures have been surmised to be an ideal solution for reducing rodent population, and likewise being kept in check and cared for with spay/neuter services, vaccinations, and necessary food and shelter.

The Cat’s Meow
The Guardian Angels are now overseeing 10 colonies of cats in the city, ranging from Astoria to Howard Beach, stating these colonies are a win-win for the city. The kitty commandos – about 150 total, may soon be embarked on a new mission at 750 Grand Concourse, the Bronx building identified as ground zero for the leptospirosis outbreak. Other area residents looking for help have been encouraged to contact the group.

Four-legged felines in your home not toeing the line when it comes to managing your NYC rodent control needs? There’s a safer, easier way to eliminate those annoying and potentially dangerous rodents. Contact Stern Environmental to learn more today.