NEW YORK CITY INFESTED BY RATS : “WATCH WHAT YOU EAT!” By Susan Ng, Sara Canas, Gordon Harry, Izabella Shamayeva, Matthew Wong

MOUSE (awww) VS. RAT (ewww) THE GREAT MISCONCEPTION Similarities Family Class Differences Species – can not interbreed Size Behavior Susceptibility to and retention of disease(s) Appetite Birth Rate

The Facts that Attract Rats ! New York City: The Love Nest New York City: The Love Nest Large number of restaurants Large number of restaurants Excessive amounts of garbage Excessive amounts of garbage Sewers in the city Sewers in the city Negligence of property owners to properly dispose of food, beverages, and other attractive delicacies Negligence of property owners to properly dispose of food, beverages, and other attractive delicacies

Dangers of Rats Disease Disease 70 known diseases 70 known diseases The Bubonic Plague The Bubonic Plague Rat Bite Fever (RBF) Rat Bite Fever (RBF) Expected to increase Expected to increase

Eliminating: easier said than done! Rapid Reproduction Rapid Reproduction Capable of burrowing 4 feet Capable of burrowing 4 feet Good swimmers Good swimmers They eat what you eat; plus much, much worse… They eat what you eat; plus much, much worse…

JUDGE Why are there so many rats?  The reasons for most rat infestation are …  In more than one case, if you see a RAT (not a mouse) during the day, there is likely to be 10 or more rats in close proximity. >> Example:

Who gets left out?  Even though there is mandatory eviction for people, the same does not apply to RATS!  Rats are forced out through poison, traps, or other fumes.

According to Catholic Social Teaching Catholic Social Teaching clearly states:  The Sacred Nature of Life  The Dignity of the Human Person  The Principle that is grounded on the idea of Man being Made in the Image of God

How should we respond?  Is poisoning a rat and having it internally bleed to death the right way to go?  Is setting traps inhumane because it kills the rat right away?

Stewardship  Stewardship indicates that we must care for both our creations, and those that are not of our own making  Stewardship places us responsible for the well-being of all God’s creatures

Respect for a Life  Every creature should share a piece of God’s “divine beauty and goodness”  The whole universe participates in the goodness and there is wonderful variety of the natural world; for, it is part of the divine plan

Common Solutions vs. Alternative Methods In Existence: In Existence: –‘Victor’- Traps –Lethal Rat Poison (Rodentcide) a) may be harmful to others –Sticky “Glue” Mouse Traps –Electric Mousetraps Alternative Methods: –Live Catching Mousetraps –Mouse Away Concrete –Understanding “Glue” Traps

Individual Roles Our Ideas: Eliminating outside living and hiding placesEliminating outside living and hiding places -Debris and discarded furniture -Cut grass -Store firewood away Eliminating food sourcesEliminating food sources -Store garbage in rodent proof containers -Dry foods containers (metal or glass) -Food off trees -Don’t leave food lying around Eliminating access pointsEliminating access points -Look for entry points -Cracked foundations and holes -Gap under doors -Gap under doors -Cover dryer and vents

Disclosure Actions Grading System that we should Incorporate in New York -Numeric inspections translated into letter grades -74 additional county environmental health inspectors and supervisors -Restaurants required to post their grades, -Public Disclosure -Restaurants Desire for Cleanliness 90–100 = A 80–89 = B 70–79 = C Point Reduction: Wrong Temperature 5 Cockroach 3 Rat 10

Positives of Hygiene Quality Grade Cards - Grade Cards Magnify Economic Incentives for Good- Quality Hygiene - Grade Cards Lead to a Reduction in Food- Related Illnesses - Grade cards appear to be particularly effective at improving restaurant hygiene in low-income areas.

Government’s Role Legislation prohibiting a property owner from allowing his property to be in a state which encourages the breeding of rats Educational programs (e.g. “self help” handouts on how to prevent rat infestation) Preventive programs (e.g. garbage cans, and lids) Enforce the Hygiene Quality Grade Cards

Personal Experience