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 MISCONCEPTIONSimilarit

ies• Family Class

Differences

• Species – can not interbreed

•Size

• Behavior

• Susceptibility to and retention of disease(s)

• Appetite

• Birth Rate

TheThe FactsFacts thatthat AttractAttract RatsRats!!

New York City: New York City: The Love NestThe Love Nest

Large number of restaurantsLarge number of restaurants Excessive amounts of garbageExcessive amounts of garbage Sewers in the citySewers in the city Negligence of property owners to properly Negligence of property owners to properly

dispose of food, beverages, and other dispose of food, beverages, and other attractive delicacies attractive delicacies

Dangers of RatsDangers of Rats

DiseaseDisease 70 known diseases70 known diseases The Bubonic PlagueThe Bubonic Plague Rat Bite Fever (RBF)Rat Bite Fever (RBF) Expected to increaseExpected to increase

Eliminating: Eliminating: easier said easier said than done!than done!

Rapid Rapid ReproductionReproduction

Capable of Capable of burrowing 4 feetburrowing 4 feet

Good swimmersGood swimmers They eat what you They eat what you

eat; plus much, eat; plus much, muchmuch worse…worse…

JUDGEJUDGE

Why are there so many rats?Why are there so many rats?

The reasons for most rat infestation are …The reasons for most rat infestation are … In more than one case, if you see a RAT (not a In more than one case, if you see a RAT (not a

mouse) during the day, there is likely to be 10 or mouse) during the day, there is likely to be 10 or more rats in close proximity.more rats in close proximity.

>> Example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su0U37w2twshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su0U37w2tws

Who gets left out?Who gets left out?

Even though there is mandatory eviction Even though there is mandatory eviction for people, the same does not apply to for people, the same does not apply to RATS!RATS!

Rats are forced out through poison, traps, Rats are forced out through poison, traps, or other fumes.or other fumes.

According to Catholic Social According to Catholic Social TeachingTeaching

Catholic Social Teaching Catholic Social Teaching

clearly states:clearly states: The Sacred Nature of LifeThe Sacred Nature of Life The Dignity of the Human PersonThe Dignity of the Human Person The Principle that is grounded on the idea The Principle that is grounded on the idea

of Man being Made in the Image of Godof Man being Made in the Image of God

How should we respond?How should we respond?

Is poisoning a rat and having it Is poisoning a rat and having it internally bleed to death the right way internally bleed to death the right way

to go?to go? Is setting traps inhumane because it Is setting traps inhumane because it

kills the rat right away?kills the rat right away?

StewardshipStewardship

Stewardship indicates that we must care Stewardship indicates that we must care for both our creations, and those that are for both our creations, and those that are not of our own makingnot of our own making

Stewardship places us responsible for the Stewardship places us responsible for the well-being of all God’s creatureswell-being of all God’s creatures

Respect for a LifeRespect for a Life

Every creature should share a piece of Every creature should share a piece of God’s “divine beauty and goodness” God’s “divine beauty and goodness”

The whole universe participates in the The whole universe participates in the goodness and there is wonderful variety of goodness and there is wonderful variety of the natural world; for, it is part of the divine the natural world; for, it is part of the divine planplan

Common Solutions vs. Common Solutions vs. Alternative MethodsAlternative Methods

In Existence:In Existence:

– ‘‘Victor’- Traps Victor’- Traps – Lethal Rat Poison (Rodentcide) Lethal Rat Poison (Rodentcide)

a) may be harmful to othersa) may be harmful to others– Sticky “Glue” Mouse TrapsSticky “Glue” Mouse Traps– Electric MousetrapsElectric Mousetraps

Alternative Methods:Alternative Methods:

– Live Catching MousetrapsLive Catching Mousetraps– Mouse Away ConcreteMouse Away Concrete– Understanding “Glue” TrapsUnderstanding “Glue” Traps

Individual RolesIndividual RolesOur Ideas:Our Ideas:

• Eliminating outside living and hiding placesEliminating outside living and hiding places-Debris and discarded furniture-Debris and discarded furniture-Cut grass-Cut grass-Store firewood away-Store firewood away

• Eliminating food sourcesEliminating food sources-Store garbage in rodent proof containers-Store garbage in rodent proof containers-Dry foods containers (metal or glass)-Dry foods containers (metal or glass)-Food off trees-Food off trees-Don’t leave food lying around-Don’t leave food lying around

• Eliminating access pointsEliminating access points-Look for entry points-Look for entry points-Cracked foundations and holes-Cracked foundations and holes

-Gap under doors-Gap under doors-Cover dryer and vents-Cover dryer and vents

Disclosure ActionsDisclosure ActionsGrading System that we should Incorporate in New YorkGrading System that we should Incorporate in New York- Numeric inspections translated into letter gradesNumeric inspections translated into letter grades- 74 additional county environmental health inspectors and 74 additional county environmental health inspectors and

supervisors supervisors - Restaurants required to post their grades, Restaurants required to post their grades, - Public DisclosurePublic Disclosure- Restaurants Desire for CleanlinessRestaurants Desire for Cleanliness

90–100 = A

80–89 = B

70–79 = C

Point Reduction:

Wrong Temperature 5

Cockroach 3

Rat 10

Positives of Hygiene Positives of Hygiene Quality Grade Cards 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 RoleGovernment’s Role

Legislation prohibiting a property Legislation prohibiting a property owner from allowing his property to be owner from allowing his property to be in a state which encourages the in a state which encourages the breeding of ratsbreeding of rats

Educational programs (e.g. “self help” Educational programs (e.g. “self help” handouts on how to prevent rat handouts on how to prevent rat infestation)infestation)

Preventive programs (e.g. garbage Preventive programs (e.g. garbage cans, and lids)cans, and lids)

Enforce the Hygiene Quality Grade Enforce the Hygiene Quality Grade Cards Cards

Personal ExperiencePersonal Experience