What's Chicago doing about its (major) rat problem?

[@stephcastle26]

Rob touching his face with gloves is making me gag instead of him gagging 😂

[@takumi2023]

I saw that. Made me whinge haha

[@poochiew.9302]

To be fair, he only touched the plastic bag before touching his face from what I saw...

[@pheart2381]

He touched his actual mouth!

[@rolfs2165]

@@poochiew.9302 On the other hand, the outside of those bags probably isn't perfectly clean, either. And it's a good habit in general to stay away from your face while wearing gloves.

[@nothanks9503]

@@poochiew.9302bacteria and parasites can move

[@ElgrimTheElder]

SHE SAID THE THING!!!

[@stocktonjoans]

and the moment it registered with Emily was just delightful

[@HotelPapa100]

when I heard "It still has brains on it!" for the first time after years a few months ago that made me eerily nostalgic.

[@thighmaster4000]

It should be a drinking game now.

[@rai1879]

NOT THE GLOVES TO THE FACE ROB 😂😂😂😂

[@twojuiceman]

Haven't even finished the video yet, but if I saw Rob Scallon in the wild I would react exactly like that guy

[@Beanedict_C]

He was so great when I met him in an expected setting (a concert he was playing in), I can’t imagine him just walking into my work place one day!

[@ohiasdxfcghbljokasdjhnfvaw4ehr]

i was just as surprised to see him in this video

[@NIS0RA]

The chewing through concrete fact is both fascinating and horrifying omg

[@alveolate]

the implications are nightmarish... but if you look at concrete, it's really just sand and grit "glued" together with cement... i imagine rats gnaw at areas of exposed concrete that had already begun to disintegrate due to wear and tear or just weak spots succumbing to weathering. it has to be cracked in a way that the rats can even get their jaws around it tho. like they said, "human errors" - we gotta upkeep the concrete! major public infrastructure usually has regular inspections mandated by law, and they have specialised techniques/devices to check for weaknesses in concrete, especially older/exposed parts. im guessing private property may also need such services if they have rat problems.

[@jamescottam9622]

ahh this has the same behind-the-scenes and slightly chaotic vibe of the OG brainscoop episodes with the wolf and dissecting the teddy bear, so glad Emily's back in business!

[@dampfoxes]

The guy at the beginning just absolutely SHOCKED to see Rob is a mood

[@MenkoDany]

This video is the best thing that has happened ever. Emily AND Rob? In the same video?? ABOUT RATS?? AND A WHOLESOME RAT LADY AND A WHOLE RAT STATION OF LOVELY PEOPLE AND THERE IS TAXIDERMY AND UGH

[@dingaia]

I have no idea how Rob got roped into this but more brain scoop is always good.

[@ChaosPootato]

Omfg the cheese neck tie on the rat mascot is PERFECT

[@thebrainscoop]

She really thought of everything didn't she

[@tavern.keeper]

Fun fact: The company that makes the cheeseheads was sold to the Green Bay Packers.

[@SeaBeast4Life]

Brilliant, this is exactly the sort of video I was hoping would be coming from the new Brain Scoop. A bit weirder, a bit grosser but totally fascinating. More independent feeling.

[@hoffmangirl23]

Everything I love about The Brain Scoop - weird, gross, and so so interesting! I love seeing someone show off their specialized subject - what are their favorite pieces that they want to show and talk about. Also so awesome to see Jake Jarvi was behind the camera, he is the coolest!

[@nisc2001]

oh really?! that's awesome! love Jake

[@osmia]

+

[@PieterPatrick]

Robscallon & Emily... Never thought that would be possible.

[@thebrainscoop]

we've been longtime pals! Just two Chicago buds, livin' it up in the city

[@jriceblue]

@@thebrainscoop Who knew there would be this much overlap between Brain Scoopers and Scallonites?! ...but add one to the list!

[@TheDarkMessiah]

@@jriceblue It's all part of the expanded Vlogbrothers/Greeniverse. Rob was part of Hank's band when he toured (along with Andrew Huang), and Emily got her start from a video with Hank.

[@jriceblue]

@@TheDarkMessiah Ahhh, thanks. TBH I never really followed Hank's musical side (despite watching pretty much everything else), though I do follow Huang (which is how I know/like Scallon). I never even knew Huang had a connection! They remembered to be awesome.

[@BeckyStern]

I am honored to have met sir Chalupa 🌯

[@chelseashurmantine8153]

I loved this! I worked for their competition in Chicago and omg I could not figure out how to help people with rats. The rats in Chicago are smart as heck and to find out they could chew through people’s foundation? Explains some of the crawl spaces I tried is desperately to clear omg

[@andersledell8643]

Hi Emily! So happy to see you getting back to your grody roots. I am a medical student at the Unviesity of Washingotn and I just wanted to let you know that we don't prefer the name "Hantavirus." This is because Western medicine has a long history of naming infectious diseases after the places they were discovered (when you hear Ebola, do you think of the river?). We use the name "sin nomre" when talking about what used to be called hantavirus. Looks like there are a couple of other diseases named after where they were discovered, but I unfortunately am unfamiliar with them and their proper names. Anyway, love the channel, have a great day!!

[@thebrainscoop]

Oh this is the first I’ve heard of this, thank you for sharing!!

[@razaldazal2259]

ITS STILL GOT BRAINS ON IT 🎉!!! Roll credits

[@paulkinzer7661]

My face hurts from smiling so hard! I've loved rats all my life, both the pets I've had, and the wild ones, too. I'm so glad there are folks like Janelle who both see the need for control while also respecting the critters.

[@TheSuperBigD60]

Sometimes people say the Olympics would be more interesting if some normal guy was included in each event to contextualize how good the athletes are. This video is like that but with pest research, and the normal guy is Rob. I'm here for it. (I'm sorry if he's secretly a closet rat expert.)

[@nathanong]

I feel like the return of Gourmet Makes with Claire Saffitz and the return of TBS is a sign rhat the timeline is healing

[@JaffaCakeGecko]

Janelle seems so cool, what a great expert to feature on the brain scoop

[@eatmarth]

I love that they got the Chicago crew with Rob and Jake!

[@osmia]

+

[@dkarteczka]

My family (including now nearly both adult children) are so excited to have you back with a lot more you in the videos. My son goes out, collects bones and is preparing/painting for art projects. 🥰

[@carriel3054]

22:38 "Rats-5-Eva" is just about as iconic as "It still has brains on it" 🤣🤣

[@secretformulathief910]

SHE SAID IT Ps ahhh I'm still so happy this show is back 🥺🥺🥺

[@thebrainscoop]

me tooooo 🥹

[@KarlKarl666]

Wasn't expecting these two sides of my KZbin feed to meet but DAMN I'M LOVING THIS. Been watching Rob for ages as well.

[@Astra_the_dragon_uwu]

got the notification and JUMPED to see! please mention the Chicago Rat Hole

[@Paperrockmoon]

If anyone wants an interesting contrast to this video look up Alberta's Rat Control Program. Supposedly, Alberta Canada is the only rat free human populated area in the world.

[@thebrainscoop]

im going down the rabbit (rat?) hole with this, I had no idea!

[@Paperrockmoon]

​@@thebrainscoop You know what's crazy. In Calgary Alberta where I live now, there are no rats but there are rabbits everywhere. They are like pigeons in New York. They are by the side of the road, downtown eating fries out of the garbage, and I could have six of then just chillin' on my lawn and it's not weird. Maybe a rabbit hole does have something to do with it? People seem to really like our urbanized jackrabbits but have gone to war against rats. It's very interesting to see the effects of human interaction.

[@osmia]

I thought the whole world knew that. Shows my geographic bias as a Canadian. Possible road trip in your future?

[@Ripplez13]

I came to the comments to see if anyone had mentioned Alberta! I also thought it was a more widely known fact

[@CC-bp2hn]

Awesome job as always Emily. Really cool to see you talking to these people, they do a cool thing in a city I know is important to you. It's wild seeing how they used to use arsenic so broadly too. Came here from NDQ, and I always appreciate your vids.

[@Kagedtiger]

0:39 The look on the face of Rob's fan when he unexpectedly shows up gives me life energy

[@ArrowOfTruth01]

Glad to have long form content, this is amazing!

[@thebrainscoop]

Glad you enjoy it! We've got a few more parts comin' out soooon~

[@pvtpain66k]

Emily: Hey Rob, wanna do a thing? Rob: SURE! Almost vomits

[@mattkuhn6634]

My gosh this video was hilarious, I was laughing the whole time! Rob is an excellent guest, and Janelle is amazing, the three of y'all really have good chemistry.

[@morkmon]

🐀 👑 RAT QUEEN RAT QUEEN RAT QUEEN 👑 🐀

[@morkmon]

Emily does this mean we are close to a taxidermy instrument on Rob's channel?

[@thebrainscoop]

I'm not sure why he hasn't taken me up on the idea

[@balaenopteramusculus]

WHAAA! Hahaha! Genious idea!

[@Corvus408]

Everyone is so excited before anything has even happened. I just got here and I'm loving the energy

[@nancyreid8729]

Of course Emily and Rob know each other!

[@tunesquicklee]

I keep reading Rob's surname as "Scallion". it wasn't until I heard someone pronounce it in the video that I realized. thanks for the great video ms. scoop

[@bradfordreed6175]

Looking forward to that diorama. Pizza rat meets chalupa rat?

[@thebrainscoop]

they could be friends at a combination pizza hut & taco bell

[@stocktonjoans]

"I’ve worked among the spinners, I’ve breathed in the oily smoke, I’ve shovelled up the gypsum and it nigh on makes you choke. I’ve stood knee deep in cyanide, been sick with a caustic burn, Been working rough and seen enough to make your stomach turn." The Chemical Workers Song

[@rainydaylady6596]

Now I'm on my way to try to find out what spinners are. 😀🖖

[@GuilhermeCarvalhoComposer]

Rob has just the perfect energy for this kind of shenanigans. "What do you know, Rob?" - "I know I wanna find out!" Love the guy.

[@kateoakes9051]

This was amazing and very classic Brain Scoop, thank you

[@fitz7663]

Herbarium specimens also used to be treated with arsenic (and lead) to keep pests away! Anyone handling any herbarium specimens that are from the 60s-70s or earlier (or have been stored with specimens of that age) should take precautions to avoid exposure.

[@TheMuppyOtter]

It’s weird how timely this is, I was watching videos about rat control yesterday

[@moi5219]

Science! I’m so glad to have you back! I have learned so much from you over the years and shared videos with my little cousins who aren’t so little anymore. Good memories. Thank you for all you’ve done and am So excited to see what you have in store!

[@erichewes3288]

im so greatful brainscoop is back, looking forward to busting out the gross-o-meter in the next installment, props to rob for coming along and boosting this :)

[@PrestonSmithsMusic]

Rob Scallon! I wasn't expecting him either! LOL. I love your show, Emily! Keep it goin'!

[@vitaemins4527]

did i just get a BRAND NEW brain scoop video on my recommended on this the year of our lord 2024??!?!? ooh man, it's too early in the day to have already reached just a high 🤣

[@ab-hx8qe]

This was my first video and you guys are so much fun to watch! Never thought what I was missing was wholesome rat content 😂

[@thebrainscoop]

@@ab-hx8qe welcome to the weird show!!!!!

[@moterinsun]

It still has brains on it!!! I love that they make an effort to educate people about pollinators! Thanks Emily!

[@kismet1656]

So happy you're back making videos again!

[@octochan]

I had to know more about that massive typewriter like device, and I found out it's a Graphotype machine for stamping dog tags? Don't know why theyhave this bit of WWII military equipment in the yard of a ratcatcher shop, but guess that just shows how long they've been around!

[@thebrainscoop]

That’s fascinating, I had no idea!

[@Kennedy-id8fg]

jsalkfj so wonderful to see brain scoop vids again, Emilies enthusiasm never fails to make me smile :)

[@mastterby]

No way! Huge fan of Rob this is unreal!

[@ChaosPootato]

I'm surprised but not really at the same time that Rob is a friend of yours

[@TioMaui]

Going on a diet... when I get hungry I'm rewatching this video

[@Alobster1]

This is the collab I never expected.

[@poochiew.9302]

I saw a video a while back where this group of people went out at night with their ratting dogs in New York. I wonder if Chicago does the same? I also remember seeing one of those rat baiting signs for the 1st time in my old neighborhood about 30 years ago. Never did see a single rat though.

[@paleodan]

Jake Jarvi and Rob Scallon collab on Brainscoop is great!

[@balaenopteramusculus]

Absolutely LOVED this episode! That's why we got subscribed y'all. Can't wait for part two!!

[@kyokoyumi]

Rob Scallon and Emily Graslie is not the crossover my musician and taxidermy enthusiast self ever expected.

[@redbloodedbutterfly]

I would've liked a discussion of how the rodenticide they use today doesn't sicken predators or pets... Even if it kills quickly, wouldn't there be a risk to scavengers?

[@thebrainscoop]

Secondary poisoning is a major concern for sure, and it’s one of the obvious downsides of using rodenticides. Same goes for feral cats - they may impact the rats … and lots of other wildlife, too

[@hokkaidorider4296]

Was expecting a Dale Gribble type. Was pleasantly surprised.

[@poisonedfrog]

This is brilliant content, I’m so glad Emily is back!!

[@greenbeevideo765]

There's a great episode of the podcast Ologies that is all about rats. One thing they mentioned was that the rat population in major cities had a massive boom when the cities switched from metal trash cans to plastic bins (because the rats chew right through plastic trash bins for a feast). It's not all on individual human bad habits, but also systemic systems. Also, I cannot emphasize enough that generally poisons are the worst! They kill so many predators (like owls) and endanger pets. My family has never used poison to try and kill rats, but one day my sister's dog found a near-death rat that had clearly eaten poison and managed to drag itself into my parents' backyard and down the basement steps by the back door. If my sister hadn't gone out with her dog, or if it had been my mom's dog (who has killed rabbits in the yard), we could have had a life threatening emergency on our hands through no fault of our own! Unless the poison is proven to kill the rat before it can leave the bait box, I would not trust its use anywhere. We don't want to kill our important scavengers like crows and vultures either. I am not criticizing these people's important work, but I do question chemical control methods.

[@osmia]

I think Rob is going to want to see the grossimeter before he joins you for part two

[@elihinze3161]

Mother has fed us

[@MilesFlavel]

Emily, Rob & Becky is the crossover episode I didn't know I wanted Can't wait 😍

[@simonpointner]

Awesome ❤

[@Corvus408]

All the staff here is so welcoming and kind ♥♥♥

[@mysteriousdruid4947]

How I have missed that intro music 🎶

[@BubblewrapHighway]

I'm so excited! 👏

[@AntLab]

Sign me up for supporting PROJECT RAT DIORAMA!!!

[@HaploidCell]

So, about 20 years ago, I was in Italy. Weird sentence, but accurate. Every street was covered in garbage bags, because the garbage men union of Naples was on strike. (They were on strike because the mafia ran that union, and they used an election cycle to create problems for the local mayor. Because that dude's election slogan was "No more mafia", or something.) Garbage means rats. Dudes and duddettes, and everyone in between, I saw rats as long as my damn leg. As soon as there is a food source they either move in, or - if alread on hand - multiply. You had to constantly watch not to step on rats because - fat as they were - they wouldn't attack you as long as you didn't outright, directly tried to kill or touch them.

[@osmia]

Bats FTW Great to see Jake behind the camera - *waves*

[@goldtooth]

Yessss!!! LOVE THIS and seeing Brain Scoop’s approach!!

[@MordecaiV]

"I gotta find the body" ... was not expecting that line to be about a costume...

[@gab.lab.martins]

Did not expect Rob Scallon on The Brain Scoop.

[@twosquids]

Ahhhh I got two cats from treehouse when I lived in Chicago!!!!!

[@huntzxc]

love the episode, my fault doing it while eating ice cream 😂

[@sojiro288]

OMG Emily and Rob in a video what an interesting combo!

[@Leftyloveshuskies]

I never thought I could laugh so much, while being grossed out at the same time.

[@TomBuskey]

Clearly, Chicago needs some 5 star greek cats from Rare Earth

[@GilgameshEthics]

Yesss just watched that video

[@alphaqueer]

Where was the gross-o-meter for that "barbeque" sauce Emily & Carolyn??

[@MisterTingles]

Holy Macaroni!

[@funkingfuss9724]

OMG I work at a Pizza Joint and we use that mixer to make our pizza dough!!

[@noblechipmnk7126]

If emily and rob walked into my work place, i would totally nerd out haha

[@thatcantbeso]

WERE SO BACK

[@Naabeille]

I love this! So interesting! Looking forward to the next episodes

[@AliHSyed]

Between the endless scientific discoveries and disease epidemics they’ve enabled, it’s amazing how much rats have influenced humanity.

[@MiscMitz]

So cool!

[@repeatdefender6032]

No idea why Rob Scallion is here, but I'm in. 😂

same company that makes the packers hats? just when i belive it could not be more awsome!!!

[@cicad2007]

Emily, welcome back dear! 🙂

[@timingisperfect]

Okay thank you, the peanut butter DOESN'T really work and I was getting so frustrated. Great trip!

hmkay... Rat Queens are distinctively different from Rat Kings... who'd knew!

[@zadtheinhaler]

Rob is awesome, what a great video!

[@dendroleon]

Janelle is the best (sorry everyone else)! super fun video

[@MichaelEMJAYARE]

LMFAO the cheese tie!

[@Varulvan]

I loved everything in this video! 💛