When it comes to controlling wildlife, quite often we solve one problem only to create another. Such is the case with second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs), poisons developed to kill rodents. These chemical poisons were created as a low-effort way to kill mice and rats on whatever scale applicable without having much, if any, direct contact with them.But it turns out these rodent poisons don’t just kill mice and rats; they also kill animals who eat mice and rats. Many different chemicals are used to kill rodents, but the type causing the most unforeseen harm to predatory and scavenging birds and mammals are SGARs.These poisons were developed in the 1970s when rodents became resistant to the older, “first-generation” poisons.

Second-generation poisons kill faster and remain in animal tissues longer, posing a greater risk to owls, bald eagles, foxes, and other non-target species who consume poisoned rodents. While SGARs aren’t legal for use by homeowners, they are still allowed for use by licensed pest control professionals. And pest control professionals deploy rodent poison everywhere, concealed in nondescript black boxes and fake rocks that are regularly re-filled to continue poisoning wildlife. It’s a profitable business, with the companies making the poisons also benefiting from never-ending demand. Promising alternatives for eliminating rodents, including electronic traps and birth control, are being used in other jurisdictions. Please support HB 326 to prohibit the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides in NH.

Joan O’Brien

Amherst

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