ABSTRACT
Humans kill an untold number of animals each year because they view those animals as “pests.” This chapter takes a deep dive into the ethics of killing rodents as pests by assessing the common reasons given for their extermination. This involves estimating rodent populations, calculating the relative value of human and nonhuman lives, and mapping out some different ways of thinking about rights. In addition, the chapter looks at nonlethal ways of trying to manage rodent populations, none of which seem particularly promising. We wrap up with some thoughts about the prospects for resolving the difficult issues that the chapter raises.
