SAVE WATERTOWN WILDLIFE

Save Watertown Wildlife is a group of Watertown residents committed to helping wildlife. Our current focus is on reducing the use of rat poisons that harm pets, raptors and other wildlife, and even humans.

What you should know

What are SGARs?

“SGARs” stands for “second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides.” SGARs are rodent poisons that prevent blood from clotting, which causes fatal internal bleeding (hemorrhage). By law, consumer retailers cannot sell SGARs. Only licensed pest controllers and certain agricultural users are legally allowed to use SGARs.

There are also “first-generation” anticoagulant rodenticides, or FGARs. FGARs also prevent blood from clotting. However, they are not as strong as SGARs. FGARs can be sold to and used by the general public.

What’s the problem?

Animals other than rodents, and people, can eat bait containing SGARs, and can become very ill or even die as a result. SGARs also enter the environment, including the drinking water.

SGARs build up over time (bioaccumulate) in animals. Rodents that eat bait containing SGARs do not for up to 10 days. They may continue to eat SGAR-containing bait during that time. When predators eat these poisoned rodents, the predators are then poisoned by the SGARs. This prevents their blood from clotting, and eventually causes fatal internal hemorrhage, or weakens the animal so much that they die from other causes. This is no good on its own – but it also means that there are fewer natural rodent predators! Did you know that a single barn owl can eat up to 1500 rodents each year?

Finally, SGARs have not been shown to be effective at reducing rodent populations on their own.

FGARs may cause similar problems.

What can you do?

  1. Don’t use anticoagulant rodenticides. Click here for more information on how to effectively handle rodent problems.
  2. Let your state senator and representative know that you support An Act Restricting the Use of Rodenticides in the Environment (H965/S644). Click here for more information on how to contact them.
  3. Be a citizen scientist! Keep track of bait boxes you observe and record your observations for the EwA Rat Poison Brigade. Start here.

How to handle a rodent problem

Lots of people in Massachusetts experience rodent issues at some point! If you find yourself with a rodent problem, remember: do not use anticoagulant rodenticides, and tell your pest control company that you do not want them to use SGARs. There are effective options to SGARs – if you even need to get to that point!

The best way to prevent and control rodents is called integrated pest management. With integrated pest management, the first steps taken are the ones with the greatest impact. You can do many of these steps on your own, or you can work with a reputable pest control company:

  1. Exclude rodents.
    • Seal holes and openings where rodents might enter.
    • Rats can get through a space the size of a quarter; mice can get through a space the size of a dime.
    • Common entry points into houses are openings for pipes, cables, and wires. Repair these or fill them with wire mesh, such as steel wool – rodents hate the feeling of metal.
    • If you see rodents, watch where they go to find entry points.
    • Use non-toxic repellants around entry points. Rodents strongly dislike spearmint and cayenne pepper.
  2. Starve rodents.
    • Think about what food sources might be attractive, and remove them. Pet food, bird feed, garden waste, and, of course, garbage are all key food sources for rodents.
    • Place these in secure, rodent-proof cans or dumpsters – be sure to put the lid on tight and bring the trash out on garbage day!1
  3. Target rodents.
    • If you still see signs of rodents, target them with methods that are effective and do not use poison.
    • Place your chosen option inside a bait box to avoid accidentally harming another animal or a human.
    • Options include:
      • Snap traps
      • Rat-X
      • Carbon dioxide
      • Dry ice
      • Evolve Soft Bait

If you’ve done all that and still have a rodent problem, you may need to consider using poisons. Remember – do not use anticoagulant rodenticides, and tell your pest controller that you do not want to use SGARs! Instead, ask for vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol); a popular brand is TERAD3.

Finally, keep monitoring the situation. If you find you don’t need to continue using vitamin D3, have it removed. You can always put it back if the problem worsens.

How to contact your state legislators

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