RAT POISON AND RAPTORS
Rat poisons such as Second Generation Anti-Coagulant Rodenticides (SGARs) may be ingested by hawks, owls, eagles and other birds of prey and animals that feed on rodents. There is more and more evidence that SGARs may be causing serious illness or death in the raptors that eat rodents. Other wildlife and household pets also may be at risk.

The Town of Brookline does not use SGARs on Town property, but nothing prevents pest control professionals from using SGARs and other rodenticides on private property. The best way to fight a rat infestation is to make sure rats do not have easy access to garbage and other food sources. If it is necessary to kill rats, traditional snap traps and other methods do not endanger the predators that feed on rats. If you are working with a pest control professional, please ask them not to use SGARs.

For more information from the Massachusetts Audubon Society:
https://www.massaudubon.org/take-action/advocate/rescue-raptors
The Brookline.News has published this report on raptors and rodenticides in Brookline:
https://brookline.news/is-brooklines-fight-against-rats-putting-other-wildlife-at-risk/

A new group, Friends of Brookline Raptors, has formed to protect raptors from rodenticides. Email
friendsofbrooklineraptors@gmail.com for more information.