DAILY DIRT: New York City tries new way to control rat population

Leave the Oreo Cookie Coca Cola in Mexico, please … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,079 of The Daily Dirt

1. Well, nothing else has worked, so why not give this a shot, eh?

New York City’s never-ending battle against its rodent population has taken a new turn. NYC’s city council has approved a plan to the battle rats via — are you ready for this? — contraceptives. 

First of all, there are 8.3 million people in New York. There are also 3 million rats. That’s MILLION, and I’m guessing that head count might be a little light.

During the next few months, a pilot program will begin that will see contraceptives placed in special containers aimed at encouraging the rats to digest the product. 

There was no exact information offered as to how this plan would be monitored or determined to be a success or failure.

New York’s rat problem is known worldwide – even sparking a mini tourism industry around it with people offering rat tours and posting videos of city rats swarming the streets and subways.

Last year, New York appointed its very own rat czar, Kathleen Corradi, who was charged with getting a handle on what was dubbed “public enemy No. 1”.

2. Did you know (Part 143)

• That Coca Cola is reportedly discontinuing these flavors in the near future (if they aren’t already gone): Coca Cola Cherry Vanilla, Diet Coke with Splenda, Coca Cola Orange Vanilla and Coca Cola Spiced. 
• That among the new Coca Cola products expected soon is Coca-Cola Orange Cream.
• That following Saturday’s wild day of major college football upsets, Oct. 19 could be do-or-die for some perennial powers when it comes to this year’s playoff hopes. On that day, Alabama plays at Tennessee and Georgia plays at Texas. Only Texas can probably afford a loss that day (among those four) and remain on relatively firm playoff footing.
• That Louisiana has the highest number of reported STDs. (Alaska has the fewest.)

3. The news on new wild and crazy snack offerings continues to emerge.

Here are a few more: Deep Dish Pizza Lay’s Potato Chips, Sprite Lymonade, Doritos Loaded Taco/Nacho Cheese, Kraft Pickle Mayonnaise Dressing (a Walmart exclusive), IHOP Butter Pecan Syrup, M&Ms Milk Chocolate Pumpkin Pie and Mystery Flavor Twinkies (also a Walmart exclusive).

The fall and holiday seasons are usually full of new snacks and flavors, but companies seem to be working overtime this year. Stay tuned for more in the coming days and weeks. Your friends at The Daily Dirt love the snacking industry, and we’ll try our best to keep you informed.

Steve Thought O’ The Day – Do you know how to make an egg roll? You push it.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Yes, Steve, you push it. You push it real good.