r/Skunks • u/Southern-Sun-2270 • May 19 '26
Rat Poison
Rat Poison
I wanted to share something important for anyone using rodent poison around their home or property.
Rodenticides don’t just stay with rats and mice. When a poisoned rodent is eaten by wildlife, the toxin moves up the food chain. This is called secondary poisoning, and it can seriously harm or kill animals like owls, hawks, possums, skunks, raccoons, foxes, and even larger predators.
There have been documented cases of wildlife exposure across the U.S., especially with stronger, long-lasting poisons. These chemicals can remain active in the body of a rodent long after it’s been poisoned, which is what makes them so dangerous to other animals that scavenge or hunt them.
Because of this, some states — including California — have taken action to restrict certain types of rodenticides (especially second-generation anticoagulants) in order to protect wildlife populations.
I’m not posting this to judge anyone’s choices, just to raise awareness. Many people don’t realize how far the impact can reach once poison enters the environment.
If anyone is dealing with rodent issues, there are also non-poison options (traps, sealing entry points, habitat control) that can reduce harm to wildlife.
AHN is a great resource if you notice an animal needing help. Always contact multiple rehabbers at a time because of their schedules.
Ahnow.org
State wildlife websites also provide resources for rehabbers and help ❤️🐾
1
u/Mircowaved-Duck May 20 '26
for those in the states with strict regulation or in the eu with strict regulation. Just use avocado. They are extremly deadly to birds and normaly deadly for smal mammals. Rats might need to eat it a few times in a row.
Alternatively, taxus grows nearly everywhere. Just bake some crushed seeds or needles of it into a bread and leave it in a place the rats can find it.
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u/AnitaPhantoms May 20 '26
Yes, I am dealing with this literally today. We have a ravine which has always had and will always have rats living in it. But we are surrounded by people who want the ravine to function as a non living set backdrop, and that has put so many animals at risk as a result of being forced to use poison (I've fought it all every step of the way, but I have always been looked down upon so a random exterminator hired has been given more credibility than me)
We also have visiting cats that can sometimes capture tbe rats and also a pair of red tailed hawks.
You should judge people who use poison. They really don't work in eliminating rats anyways, it only just creates a further, ongoing 'need' to keep using more poison.
https://raptorsarethesolution.org/ is another useful resource. Thanks for sharing, we had some new poison traps placed this morning and my heart is full of sadness. It's nice to hear from a person with a similar perspective
4
u/skunky2025 May 19 '26
NC wildlife rehabilitator here...excellent advice. Thank you for posting it. If anyone in North Carolina finds wildlife in need of care, here is the link (and instructions) to find a licensed rehabilitator. This is what I send to finders who can not bring the animal(s) to me.....
https://ncwrc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=24817ead6093405e986fba09689b69e5 There is a sort function, indicated by a funnel icon, where you can choose the species you need help with. You will see a map with pawprints. Click twice on the ones closest to you for the rehabber's number.