What Do New York City Rats Actually Eat? A Gourmet Guide (Probably Not)
Let’s talk about New York’s finest, most underrated culinary experts: the rats. Yeah, I know, not the most glamorous topic, but trust me, it's fascinating (in a gross-yet-intriguing kind of way).
What Do New York City Rats Eat |
A Rat's Life: It's Not All Pizza and Pastrami
You might think these little critters are living the high life, feasting on gourmet leftovers from Michelin-starred restaurants. Wrong! While a lucky few might snag a slice of pizza or a stray bagel, their diet is mostly a tale of urban survival.
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Garbage is Gold: Let’s face it, our trash is their treasure. From rotting fruit to discarded chicken bones, your garbage can is a rat’s all-you-can-eat buffet. They’re equal opportunity eaters, not picky about flavors or textures.
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Beyond the Bin: But wait, there’s more! Rats are opportunistic feeders, which means they’ll eat almost anything. This includes insects, birds (yes, you read that right), and even other rats (nature can be brutal). They’ve also been known to chew on electrical wires, soap, and even drywall. It’s like they’re auditioning for a reality show called "Survivor: The Concrete Jungle."
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So, What Can We Do?
Okay, so we’ve established that rats have better taste buds than we give them credit for. But let's be real, sharing our city with these guys isn't ideal. Here are a few tips to keep these critters at bay:
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- Seal the Deal: Make sure your garbage cans are tightly sealed. It’s like protecting your favorite snack from your little brother.
- Cleanliness is Next to Rat-less-ness: Regularly clean up food spills and crumbs. Remember, even the tiniest crumb can be a rat’s five-star meal.
- Don’t Feed the Animals: This applies to pigeons too, but especially to rats. Leaving food out is like putting up a "Welcome, Hungry Rodents!" sign.
How To... Rat-Proof Your Life
- How to prevent rats from entering your home? Seal up any cracks or holes on the exterior of your home, especially around pipes and wires.
- How to deter rats from your garbage? Invest in heavy-duty, airtight garbage cans.
- How to deal with a rat infestation? Contact a professional pest control service.
- How to avoid attracting rats? Keep your outdoor areas clean and free of food scraps.
- How to coexist with rats (just kidding)? There's no peaceful coexistence with rats. They're pests.
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