BEST ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY RODENT CONTROL AND RODENT BAIT

The Problem 

'Quick-Kill' rat & mouse baits are having a devastating effect on our magnificent owls, hawks, birds of prey as well as our pets. For many birds of prey, mice, rats and possums form a major part of their overall diet. In the poison cycle, birds and household pets will eat rodents that have been tainted by these ‘quick kill’ baits, in turn getting poisoned themselves. This causes a devastating impact on our Australian wildlife 
 

So, what is the difference? 

The rodenticides are broken down into first- and second-generation compounds. FGARs, First-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticide, and SGARs, Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticide. 

The key difference between FGARs and SGARs is how long the toxins remain in the body. FGARs break down quicker, so there is less chance of larger animals being poisoned. This in turn requires multiple doses of the poison to cause death in pests. Single-Feed / Instant Kill SGARs can stay in body tissues for months or even years past death, leading to secondary poisoning when eating.  

Globally, SGARs have been responsible for the decline in many carnivorous mammals and birds. Here in Australia, it is not just Boobooks or other owls that are at risk. Other wildlife and scavenging birds are also likely to be affected, from our eagles and falcons to our kookaburras, magpies, ravens, and currawongs. Native mammals like quolls, large reptiles like goannas and pythons and our household pets are also likely to be affected. When a rodent poisoned by SGARs is eaten by a predator, they are in turn poisoned. 

Yet Australian Governments have done little to regulate against SGARs and leaves the choice of poison up to the individual, and the consequences up to communities.  

The Evidence Against SGARs 

The link between SGARs and Australian birds was found when researching declining Southern Boobook populations. Almost 73% of samples tested from Boobooks in southwest WA had detectable exposure to Anticoagulant Rodenticides. Of even greater concern, about 18% of all the Boobooks tested had levels of exposure that were high enough to kill them directly. Almost all the toxins were identified as SGARs. These were found in both urban and rural birds. 

While other factors may also be impacting the decline of these small predators, the potential impact of these SGARs cannot be ignored. 

How do I tell which is which? 

The flashy packaging of rodent baits can make it difficult to tell exactly what they contain, purposely designed to confuse the consumer into choosing the catchy “Instant-Kill” baits.  

However, the label will state the "Active Ingredients,” so look there for the FGAR compounds that are less harmful such as Warfarin or Coumatetralyl. If the bait contains more harmful SGARs like Brodifacoum, Difethialone, or Flocoumafen, leave it on the shelf. 

Why are the names always so confusing? 

For normal people, look for active ingredients that are present in Multi-Feed poisons and stay away from those found in Single-Feed / Instant-Kill poisons.