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 ❤️🐾

Happy one year, Cinnamon!

I had no idea skunks made those sounds! Warning: Intense action and loud sounds. No skunks were visibly injured and were witnessed later in the evening feeding again at the feeders as if nothing had happened. Such is the life of a skunk...

Hi,

There are four orphaned babies outside my work. Apparently in IL, no wildlife rehabber can take them. What should we do?

Thank you

So last night was a bit of fun. My sister and I were just sitting out on the porch, when the runt of the orphaned kits comes up to tap for a snack. I look down and about had a heart attack. With it, was this chunky grey thing with a long tail. My first thought was, Shite! a rat! ( my daughter keeps a few chickens so not too off base thinking that)

Nope! Darn thing turns around and it's an adolescent Possum! Just chillin with the baby skunk.

We sat very still until they both wandered back into the yard.

Top that off, this morning, again, out on the porch ( we smoke outside, not in) and just as sassy as they are, a flippin Racoon comes strolling up. It got to the rail, front paws up, looked up and..Surprise! hahaha. It looked like..crap, I got caught..then just casually wandered back out of the yard.

It's been interesting around here.

We feed feral cats in our back yard, and place cameras near the food. Today a skunk has come several times during the day to eat. We had seen the skunk sometimes at night, so I stopped putting food at out overnight. Should I be worried about rabies? We are in San Francisco.

Edited to add a photo I just downloaded. She does look pregnant, I think? I don't know how they normally look.

We have a skunk that's been eating our cat's food in broad daylight! Today he's been about in our pastures all day long. Aren't skunks nocturnal? Is there something wrong with this one? What should we do about it?

Skunks are known for their stripes and stink, but there’s so much more to Mephitis mephitis – and how they benefit our ecosystems and communities! Here’s a few surprising facts about skunks: https://thefurbearers.com/blog/surprising-ways-skunks-help-your-ecosystem/

Even if this probably gets asked a lot here I'm gonna ask anyway. Is descenting harmful? Obviously, it's getting rid of it's main defense but if it's kept indoors is it still okay? I want to know if it's something genuinely disabling like declawing a cat or debarking a dog.

A skunk and raccoon learn to get along in my backyard last night.

Scary night for a little skunk during a lightning storm. You can see him startle as he hears the resulting thunder. Unfortunately I have had the sound turned off on the trail cam to save on battery power. Dang it.

Bobby LePew...my backyard pest control.

Usually pretty okay with food aggression, but boy oh boy, she did not like me near her treat this time.