Boston City Council is exploring new strategies to manage the growing rodent population. Councilmember Enrique Pepen proposed a hearing to evaluate the potential use of birth control rat traps, following a successful pilot program in Jamaica Plain.Boston City Council is exploring new strategies to manage the growing rodent population. Councilmember Enrique Pepen proposed a hearing to evaluate the potential use of birth control rat traps, following a successful pilot program in Jamaica Plain. Instead of using harmful rat poison, the traps utilize waterfalls filled with non-toxic contraceptives that inhibit reproduction. The pilot program reportedly reduced the rodent population by 80%. Councilmember Pepen emphasized the importance of finding solutions that balance wildlife preservation with public health. He cited concerns about the risks posed by rat poison to children and animals, highlighting the tragic death of a toddler from rat poisoning. The proposal has garnered support from all 13 City Council members, and it is now being reviewed by the commission. The goal is to explore humane and effective methods of rodent control that prioritize safety and environmental balance.
Boston City Council is considering a new tactic to combat the growing rodent population.
District 5 Councilman Enrique Pepen is calling for a hearing to discuss the potential of rat traps for birth control after a pilot program in Jamaica Plain showed signs of success.
Instead of using rat poison that can make animals and children sick, they install waterfalls filled with a non-toxic contraceptive that eliminates the rats’ ability to reproduce. According to Pepen, the pilot program has seen an 80 percent decrease in the rodent population.
“This is an idea for us to explore how we can live in balance with nature and wildlife, but also address the rodent problem,” said councillor Pepen, “I have a 3-year-old daughter who picks up everything off the floor and there could be rat poison on it. We’ve already seen a toddler die from rat poison, we want to prevent that.”
Rat poison is often criticized for the dangers it poses to other animals that come into contact with it, or to predators that eat the poisoned rats and become sick themselves.
The plan now goes to the commission for further review. All 13 Boston City Council members voiced support for the plan during their weekly meeting.
