Save Newbury Wildlife is a group of Newbury residents dedicated to reducing the use of rat poisons, specifically second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs), in our community.
The intended use of these poisons is to control the rodent population; unfortunately, they also cause the unintentional deaths of other small mammals who enter the bait boxes, along with owls, hawks, eagles, foxes, coyotes, dogs and cats who eat the poisoned rodents. Our goal is to reduce the use of these poisons in our community and to help the residents and businesses of Newbury manage rodents effectively without poison.
The intended use of these poisons is to control the rodent population; unfortunately, they also cause the unintentional deaths of other small mammals who enter the bait boxes, along with owls, hawks, eagles, foxes, coyotes, dogs and cats who eat the poisoned rodents. Our goal is to reduce the use of these poisons in our community and to help the residents and businesses of Newbury manage rodents effectively without poison.
What are SGARs? Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs) work by stopping the blood from clotting. The animal eventually bleeds out and dies. The EPA reports that rodents will die from 4 days to 2 weeks after eating the bait. This means that the rat can continue to eat the bait for at least several days before it dies resulting in higher levels of poison in its body. These high levels combined with the potent nature of SGARs result in the death of a larger animal such as a fox, eagle, cat or dog. These SECOND generation rodenticides were developed because rodents became resistant to the FIRST generation poisons and NOW they are becoming resistant to the SECOND generation anticoagulant rodenticides. |
Rodenticides are Everywhere! The poster above from Raptors Are The Solution (RATS) illustrates how rat poison makes its way through the food chain. A review article published in 2019 documented the worldwide presence of these poisons in non-target animals (animals other than the intended targets of mice and rats). |
The Consequences are Serious. A 2011 study found that 86% of 161 birds of prey, tested at Tufts Wildlife Clinic, had some form of SGARs in their liver tissue. A second study, conducted from 2012-2016 testing four different species of birds of prey in Massachusetts, found a rate of 96%. A 2020 study reported that a stunning 100% of 43 red-tailed hawks in New England who were tested had anticoagulant rodenticide in their bodies, indicating that the presence of rodenticides in our wildlife has only increased over the past decade. And while the rodenticide may not always kill these non-target animals, it can still sicken them, weaken their immune system, and impact their ability to reproduce. |
Integrated Pest Management
Controlling the rodent population with a combination of tactics
Controlling the rodent population with a combination of tactics
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photo credit to Mass Audubon |
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Let the Raptors do the Work!
Natural predators such as snakes, hawks, and owls can help to control rodent populations by feeding on rats and mice. Barn owls are efficient hunters: a family of barn owls can eat as many as 3000 mice per year. To encourage owls to nest and stay in your area, consider installing a nesting box. Raptors can be more effective at controlling rodents than rodenticides!
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Rodent Proof
your Home 
Make your home less attractive-This is critical to reducing the rodent population in and around your home.
Remove food and water:
Extensive IPM with references |
Alternatives to
Rat Poison 
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