The “Pizza Rat” rose to Internet fame after a video of a rat trying to carry a slice of pizza down subway steps in New York City surfaced. During the short video, the rat attempts to drag the entire slice to the bottom of the steps. While Pizza Rat has inspired tons of online comments and even Halloween costumes, the video shows the failed efforts of the city to handle its rat problem.
The NYC budget includes $2.9 million for reducing the city’s rat infestations, but these stubborn pests haven’t been easy to eradicate. Despite the removal of garbage cans in areas with high rat populations to cut down on food sources for these pests, their numbers have continued to grow.
Rats have been breeding and increasing their population, which is making it harder to effectively get rid of them. The city offers them several ideal places to live, including subway tunnels, empty properties and sewers.
Since these critters can be a public health hazard by spreading disease, it’s important for the city to step up its efforts to control their populations or come with more effective ways of reducing their numbers. Otherwise, there could be several more Pizza Rat videos popping up.
If you’re in need of Monmouth County rodent control services, we can help. Contact Allison Pest Control if you’re having problems with rats, mice, spiders, termites or other critters in your home.