Machines use carbon monoxide to curb NYC rat population

To wage a never-ending battle in New York City, it takes a village. In this case, a dedicated team inside the city's Parks and Recreation Department, taking on New York's mortal enemy. I am terrified of rats. They're just gross, like a mouse, but it's bigger. The latest push to eradicate the rodent population involves a new high-tech tactic directly underground. The machine is called the Borax machine, and what it does basically is that it pumps carbon monoxide into the borax system. The carbon monoxide rapidly knocks out the rodents without endangering other animals or humans. After treating the nests, crews seal, level, and beautify the targeted tree beds, protecting neighborhood root systems while also cutting off underground tunnels for good. They're targeting areas in Inwood now, but respond to problem areas across all five boroughs. This initiative just hit its one year mark. Leaders saying this is one of the more promising efforts to control the rat population in the city, although adding this is a two-way street and they need your help. Whether it's, you know, garbage, food, if you start feeding the pigeons, all those things is what bring rodents. I would just urge people to Litter less and be more cognizant of all the debris and food they're feeding the rats. Together with other initiatives in the works, the city hopes this aggressive field strategy makes a difference. It has, I mean, it's in tandem with other kind of like things that are happening with the city as well. In Harlem, there was actually a contraceptive program where they're kind of like pretty much feeding contraceptive food to rodents. And we've seen that that's also been working too. A welcome breath of fresh air for neighbors. It feels great. I mean, I think, you know, we have to eradicate the rat population. Because out here, reclaiming the block is a team sport. Getting rid of the rats is a delightful thing. In Upper Manhattan, I'm Nikki Hauser, Fox 5 News.