Government

Ask CityLab: How Do I Wage War on Rats?

An urban rodentologist explains how to defeat the sneaky vermin.
A pair of brown rats sniffs for mischief. Heiko Kiera/Shutterstock.com

Ask CityLab is where we answer thorny questions about urban life. Email your Q's to AskCityLab@CityLab.com.

In addition to possessing those spooky tails and beady little devil eyes, the vermin actually do pose a significant threat to your health and home. For starters, they can transmit 55 to 60 different pathogens, including Salmonella, E. coli, and the Ebola-like hantavirus.