ContraPest

ContraPest is a contraceptive pest control tool designed to reduce fertility in brown and black rats. It was developed by the U.S. biotechnology company SenesTech.[1]

ContraPest
Industry
Founded2004
Headquarters
Phoenix, Arizona
,
United States
Area served
United States
Brandscontrapeststore.com
ServicesRat Fertility Control
ContraPest Tank
ContraPest Replacement Kit and Bait Station

It is a sugary liquid, designed to be attractive to, and to be consumed by rats in order to eliminate future potential offspring. However, it does not sterilize the rats, so a continuous supply is required.[2] The company claims that in field tests, ContraPest use caused a reduction in rat populations of roughly 40% over a period of 12 weeks or longer.[1] The product was approved for commercial use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in August 2016.[3]

History

The formula was originally used by Dr. Loretta Mayer and Dr. Cheryl Dyer as part of a research program to study heart disease in post-menopausal women through menopausal mice.[4] The active ingredient of ContraPest is the chemical 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD), which is a known to work when injected into peritoneal cavities of a target animal.[2][5][6]

ContraPest uses oral ingestion as a major uptake method.[7] ContraPest also contains triptolide, which has been reported to reduce male rat fertility. [1]

Deployment

The city of Washington D.C. was utilizing a 5,000 unit, four-year supply of ContraPest to be used in all eight wards of the city in an attempt to combat the increasing rat population in 2020.[8] Local news reported that the district was unsure of the company's early claims of success in rat control.[9]

References
  1. "Man v rat: could the long war soon be over?". The Guardian. 2016-09-20. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2016-09-21.
  2. "FAQ | Senestech". Retrieved 2019-03-07.
  3. "ContraPest Rodent Control Product Wins EPA Approval". Pest Control Technology, GIA Media, Inc. 12 August 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  4. "Loretta Mayer: Features - Executive Profile". Pest Control Technology. 2018-12-11. Retrieved 2019-03-07.
  5. Kappeler, Connie J.; Hoyer, Patricia B. (2012-02-01). "4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide: a model chemical for ovotoxicity". Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine. 58 (1): 57–62. doi:10.3109/19396368.2011.648820. ISSN 1939-6376. PMC 3307534. PMID 22239082.
  6. Takai, Yasushi; Canning, Jacqueline; Perez, Gloria I.; Pru, James K.; Schlezinger, Jennifer J.; Sherr, David H.; Kolesnick, Richard N.; Yuan, Junying; Flavell, Richard A. (2003-01-01). "Bax, caspase-2, and caspase-3 are required for ovarian follicle loss caused by 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide exposure of female mice in vivo". Endocrinology. 144 (1): 69–74. doi:10.1210/en.2002-220814. ISSN 0013-7227. PMID 12488331.
  7. "Case Studies Senestech website" (PDF).
  8. Inc, SenesTech. "SenesTech Announces Progress and Expansion of Washington DC ContraPest® Deployment". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 2021-01-05. {{cite press release}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  9. "Is Rat Birth Control Working in DC?". NBC4 Washington. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
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