Molecules that get consumed at one level of the food chain have a habit of lingering in higher levels of the food chain, for better or worse. When it comes to rodenticides (rat poison), it’s worse.
New Hampshire Bulletin has a story about a proposal to ban rat poison in certain circumstances because the poisoned vermin are being eaten by fishers, bobcats, hawks and other raptors, which get poisoned in return. A complication: Rat populations seem to be increasing in rural and urban areas in the state.
As Foss noted, rodenticide is sold to consumers in 10-pound buckets; it will take a long while to see its use wind down, even if a ban is passed. For now, scientists said they will continue to monitor wildlife for exposure and effects — and Colby will continue sending dead raptors’ tissue samples off to the lab.
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I have one of those buckets. It is about half gone and if this year is like there will be another increase in the quantity of the white foot field mouse.
I will try any other solution. ANYBODY?
Please don’t use it. It kills more than the rodent. This is a major problem, as we are seeing rat poison in fishers, foxes, raptors, and other animals that eat rodents. Check out Rodenticide-Free NH (RFNH) for alternatives to poison. They have a website. https://rodenticidefreenh.org/
Peter — there are humane alternatives on our website here: https://rodenticidefreenh.org/
Short answer: Fill gaps in your house, limit food waste, and allow predators to do what nature intended.
At a high level, we’re considering contraceptives as another humane alternative that isn’t poisoning the entire food chain.
Please help us be the change!
Rodenticides can kill household pets as well, when cats and dogs go after nearby rodents.
White footed mice are common prey for many predator species. If you are poisoning them with anticoagulant rodenticides, you’re also poisoning hawks, owls, foxes, bobcats and a whole range of other wildlife. Is this for inside your house? Why not use snap traps? They don’t cause secondary poisoning like rodenticides.