Rat poison is killing our wildlife
A mouse eats rat poison and staggers away. An owl/prey catches it, consuming the poison too. Wildlife suffers horribly and bleeds out before dying from this preventable poisoning in our woods, backyards and neighborhoods.
UNH necropsies found that 34 of 35 red foxes, gray foxes and fishers tested across New Hampshire had been exposed to rodenticides. Wildlife rescues across New England treat hundreds of poisoned raptors, foxes and coyotes. Our pets are also at risk.
The NH Pesticide Control Board has unanimously approved draft rules restricting second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) to licensed dealers and applicators. The draft also curbs some neonicotinoid insecticides, which are driving declines in bees/pollinators and birds.
But a draft is not a law. Public participation can make a difference.
The public hearing is Monday, Nov. 16, at 9:30 a.m., at the Brown Building, 129 Pleasant Street in Concord. Can’t attend? Email comments to david.j.rousseau@agr.nh.gov by Nov. 24, citing Chapter Pes 700.
We can act today: seal gaps, secure trash and pet food and clean up spilled birdseed. Consider alternatives to poison-Contrapest (fertility), which contains non-hormone-based ingredients.
Eagles, owls, foxes and fishers cannot testify. We can. Please show up, speak up and be their cannot testify. We can. Please show up, speak up and be their voice on Nov. 16.