The Effects of Rodenticides

Every year, the Mission Viejo Animal Services (MVAS) Center rescues and seeks treatment for hundreds of injured wild animals. Unfortunately, some are so critically injured or sick that treatment is not an option. To avoid an agonizing death, these animals are humanely euthanized. To keep our wildlife healthy and free, we're focusing on the most effective tool - education. Every month, MVAS releases an educational newsletter to raise awareness about encounters with sick or injured animals with the goal of creating a world in which wildlife and humans can thrive. 

The Effects of Rodenticides  

Many homeowners struggle with rats in or around their home, and often turn to rat poison as the solution. Poison in rats has been a prevalent cause of death in wildlife and places a strain on the ecosystem. Poisoned rats or poorly placed poison bait may be consumed by hawks, owls, skunks, raccoons, opossum, coyotes or even domestic dogs and cats, which causes fatal damage to their organs. Impacted animals hemorrhage and die within hours or days. By the time Animal Services is called to respond to an injured animal that consumed poison, it is often too late. Rodenticides aren't just harmful to other animals, but they can also be counterproductive. Rats will die in areas that are not easy to reach and homeowners will spend weeks with the smell of a decomposing carcass. Rodenticides are not a permanent solution and will not always kill all rats around the home. Not all rats will take the bait and the smell of dead rats will attract new ones.
There are several ways for creating a pest-free home. Clearing the home of anything - trash, crumbs or pet food - that may attract rats. Once the home is clear, sealing the entry points is recommended to create a permanent solution. With no entry into your home, rats will be eliminated by their natural predators. For more information, visit the following websites. 

https://www.raptorsarethesolution.org
https://wildlife.ca.gov/Living-with-Wildlife/Rodenticides
http://saferodentcontrol.org/site