Washington D.C. is attempting to control its rat population by giving rats birth control through a liquid solution in areas where they are most common.
Okay, so D.C.’s got a serious rat problem, and it’s really noticeable around Adams Morgan. That area’s packed with restaurants and shops, which means… well, a lot of food scraps. Apparently, the issue is a combo of some apartment buildings not keeping their trash under control and the city using these open trash cans that are basically rat buffets. It’s getting pretty bad, honestly.
City health officials have announced a new plan to control the rodent population. The plan will begin in Adams Morgan, and if it works well, will be expanded to other neighborhoods.
Health departments reveal it could cost $130,000
The plan uses a combination of rat poisons – one that the rats ingest after grooming themselves, and another delivered through bait. Unusually, the rats will also be given a liquid contraceptive.
City leaders were hesitant to use birth control as a way to manage pests because of the high cost. But Peter Wood, who leads the Adams Morgan Advisory Neighborhood Commission, says the pest problem has become so severe it now requires this expensive solution.
For the next three weeks, the health department will concentrate its work in Adams Morgan – about the length of a rat’s pregnancy and birthing cycle. After that, they’ll revisit rat burrows for follow-up treatment and track how things are improving.
Gerard Brown, known as the ‘Rat Czar’ after spending 27 years managing rodent control for D.C. Health, explains that using birth control to control the rat population isn’t new. However, it only works if rats eat the contraceptive every day. A challenge is ensuring they actually get the right amount, as they might find other food sources.
According to D.C. Health Director Ayanna Bennett, a new plan to distribute contraception will also work with local businesses and community leaders to improve trash collection and street cleaning. The idea is to combine increased access to contraception with efforts to keep the city cleaner.
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2026-04-04 13:48