Freakonomics Radio: Episode 623 - Can New York City Win Its War on Rats?
In Episode 623 of Freakonomics Radio, host Stephen Dubner delves into New York City's ongoing battle against its pervasive rat population. Titled "Can New York City Win Its War on Rats?", the episode uncovers the multifaceted strategies, challenges, and insights surrounding this urban pest control effort.
1. Introduction to New York City's Rat Infestation
The episode opens with Stephen Dubner meeting Bobby Corrigan, an urban rodentologist and former rodent researcher now employed by New York City. Corrigan provides a vivid depiction of the rat-infested environment beneath the city streets.
Stephen Dubner [00:03]: "Sometimes we go to war with our neighbors, and sometimes those neighbors are rats."
<timestamp>: [00:09] Bobby Corrigan: "Everyone thinks there's a rat world below our feet, and to some degree, that's true."
Corrigan explains how rats tunnel beneath sidewalks, causing infrastructural damages like collapsed curbs.
2. Understanding the Rat Ecosystem
Traversing Lower Manhattan, Corrigan points out signs of active rodent activity, including sebum stains—dark charcoal marks left by rats as they traverse walls.
Bobby Corrigan [02:09]: "Rats have a very specific subterranean environment they need."
He emphasizes the complexity of rat behavior and their adaptability to urban environments.
3. The Declaration of War: NYC's Rat Summit
New York City, grappling with an escalating rat problem, has officially declared war on these pests. This initiative began with a historic rat summit, aiming to bring together experts and municipal leaders to strategize effective control measures.
Kathy Karate [03:28]: "An ounce of prevention's worth, a pound of cure."
Kathy Karate, the newly appointed citywide director of rodent mitigation, plays a pivotal role in orchestrating these efforts.
4. Traditional vs. Modern Rat Control Methods
The episode critiques traditional rat control methods such as poisons and traps, highlighting their environmental and ethical drawbacks.
Kaylee Byers [08:16]: "Poisons are probably the last resort that should be approached when it comes to rat control."
Kaylee Byers, a rat researcher, advocates for more humane and sustainable approaches, including birth control methods. However, she points out the logistical challenges of implementing birth control in open rodent populations.
5. Learning from Alberta: A Rat-Free Province
As a contrast, the episode explores Alberta's successful rat control program, which has kept the province virtually rat-free since the 1950s through strict regulations and public involvement.
Robert Sullivan [16:31]: "People are desperate and they want to know what our secret is."
Karen Wickerson, Alberta's rat and pest specialist, attributes their success to proactive measures and comprehensive public education.
6. New York City's Comprehensive Rat Summit
The rat summit in New York City featured presentations from various experts, including innovative technologies like remote rat sensors and public health approaches.
Bobby Corrigan [14:41]: "We can leave these sensors in place. They're going to work 24/7, 365."
The summit underscored the necessity of a unified, data-driven approach to effectively manage rat populations.
7. The Trash Transition: Secure Bins over Plastic Bags
A significant component of NYC's rat control strategy involves overhauling the city's waste management system. Commissioner Jessica Tisch outlines the transition from flimsy plastic bags to sturdy, rat-proof containers.
Jessica Tisch [28:03]: "The single biggest swing that you can take at the rat problem in New York City is getting the trash bags off of the streets."
This initiative aims to reduce rats' access to food by ensuring all trash is securely contained, thereby addressing one of the primary attractants for rat infestations.
8. Challenges in Implementation and Public Behavior
Despite the promising plans, the episode highlights several challenges, including public adherence to new waste management protocols and the durability of the new containers.
Bobby Corrigan [34:20]: "Everything's going to have its pluses and minuses."
Issues such as broken bin lids and rats adapting to new measures underscore the complexity of eradicating the rat problem entirely.
9. Insights from Author Robert Sullivan
Robert Sullivan, author of Observations on the History and Habitat of the City's Most Unwanted Inhabitants, shares his perspective on the human-rat dichotomy and the societal implications of pest control.
Robert Sullivan [21:03]: "We try to look at places differently from maybe how they've been looked at."
Sullivan discusses the anthropological aspects of rat infestations, drawing parallels between rat behavior and human societal patterns.
10. Expert Opinions and Future Directions
Economist Ed Glaeser weighs in on the feasibility of creating a rat-free urban environment, emphasizing the importance of measurement and data in assessing the effectiveness of rat control measures.
Ed Glaeser [40:26]: "Impacting the food supply seems sensible, though that requires New Yorkers to be very attentive about their trash."
Glaeser suggests innovative solutions like heat vision technologies for better rat detection and advocates for evidence-based strategies to guide future efforts.
11. Cultural and Ethical Considerations
The episode touches on unconventional solutions, such as the potential for rats to be consumed as a food source, drawing cultural comparisons to practices in other countries.
Bobby Corrigan [44:43]: "Technically, did I eat rat? Yes. But did I eat Norway rat? Yes. But did I eat wild Norway rat off the streets that may have come out of a sewer? I would be very dumb to do that."
While this idea remains largely untested in New York City, it opens the discussion on sustainable and ethical pest control methods.
12. Conclusion and Looking Ahead
As the episode wraps up, Corrigan reflects on the shared behavioral traits between humans and rats, suggesting a deeper connection in the humanization of pest control.
Bobby Corrigan [48:10]: "Animal behaviorist will say, you know, when we study rat colonies, we're studying ourselves."
The episode concludes by teasing the next installment, which will explore rats as pets, further expanding the discourse on human-rat relationships.
Notable Quotes:
- Bobby Corrigan [02:09]: "Rats have a very specific subterranean environment they need."
- Kaylee Byers [08:16]: "Poisons are probably the last resort that should be approached when it comes to rat control."
- Jessica Tisch [28:03]: "The single biggest swing that you can take at the rat problem in New York City is getting the trash bags off of the streets."
- Robert Sullivan [21:03]: "We try to look at places differently from maybe how they've been looked at."
- Ed Glaeser [40:26]: "Impacting the food supply seems sensible, though that requires New Yorkers to be very attentive about their trash."
Final Thoughts:
Episode 623 provides a comprehensive examination of New York City's struggle with its rat population, blending expert interviews, innovative strategies, and ethical considerations. By highlighting both traditional and modern approaches, the episode portrays the complexity of urban pest control and the ongoing quest for sustainable solutions.
For those intrigued by the hidden dynamics of urban life and the intricate battle between humans and rats, this episode offers valuable insights and a thought-provoking narrative.