Mutating mice becoming growing problem in Philadelphia, Rutgers researchers say
Researchers at Rutgers University found that house mice in Northeast urban areas are developing genetic mutations to survive common rodenticides. The study indicates a growing problem in cities including Philadelphia and New York City. While mice are mutating, rats are evolving by learning to avoid traps and extermination methods.
What changed
New data from a Rutgers University study quantifies the rate of genetic mutations in urban mice.
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Rutgers Study Finds Urban Mice Evolving Resistance to Poisons
confidence 90%Researchers at Rutgers University found that house mice in Northeast urban areas are developing genetic mutations to survive common rodenticides. The study indicates a growing problem in cities including Philadelphia and New York City. While mice are mutating, rats are evolving by learning to avoid traps and extermination methods.
What's confirmed:
- Rutgers University researchers found that 84% of house mice sampled from urban areas in the Northeast carried at least one genetic mutation linked to rodenticide resistance.
- Mutating mice are a growing problem in Philadelphia and New York City.
- The research regarding rodenticide resistance was published in the journal Pest Management Science.
- Rats are evolving to avoid traps and other extermination methods rather than mutating in the same way as mice.
Still unconfirmed:
- 70% of mice are mutating to survive poison.
- Mutant mice have been found in Philadelphia suburbs.
- Mutant mice have been encountered along the Eastern Seaboard.