Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Rats Are Ruthless
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 9, 2011
Modified Jan 9, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 9, 2011
Modified Jan 9, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
This Wednesday and next, the Health Department is offering free classes on rat prevention in East Harlem and the Bronx (details). Or, as the Post puts it, it's a "three-hour cram course on keeping the long-tailed terrors from feasting on the fetid buffets inside trash bags." (Think about that as garbage lingers on the streets). Health Department Assistant Commissioner for Pest Control Mario Merlino says, "Rats could chew through everything except plate steel." Oh, and "A quarter-inch hole is all it takes for a full-grown adult rat to penetrate your home or garbage room, Merlino said."
Tagged
pest
rat
rat prevention
rodent
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Feds blame NYC's sanctuary policies for violent ICE arrest in Marble Hill
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said ICE agents were unaware a child was in the vehicle they fired on during the arrest.
By
Arya Sundaram
Published Oct 9, 2026 at 12:37 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 9, 2026 at 1:09 p.m. ET
NYPD rushed man shot by ICE to hospital in police SUV, bodycam footage shows
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said ICE officers fired at Oscar Belgal multiple times when he was in a car with his 5-year-old son.
By
Ben Feuerherd
News
NYPD rushed man shot by ICE to hospital in police SUV, bodycam footage shows
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said ICE officers fired at Oscar Belgal multiple times when he was in a car with his 5-year-old son.
By
Ben Feuerherd
Pencils down: NYC lawmakers want to switch back to paper tests as state mandates screens
By
Jessica Gould
Penn Station’s future could be determined by midterm elections
By
Stephen Nessen
ICE mistakenly arrested 2 men in the Bronx, then mounted cover-up, US judge rules
By
Arya Sundaram
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .