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By Margaret Abe-Koga and Curt Riffle
Spring is one of the best times to immerse yourself in the outdoors and feel the rejuvenating power of nature. The air is warm, a smattering of orange, yellow and pink wildflowers begin to bloom. You may hear birdsong ring out and catch the rolling hills sporting their punchy spring green coat.
Unfortunately, at the same time you may notice sickly bobcats and coyotes, their fur matted and patchy, eyes dull. It is a heartbreaking sight, a stark reminder of the devastating impact of mange, a disease often exacerbated by ingesting rat poison, also known as rodenticides.
Tragically, the use of rodenticides by local residents unintentionally poses a significant threat to our wildlife in our open space preserves. Predators there like coyotes, bobcats and birds of prey such as owls, hawks and other raptors are essential to keeping rodent populations in check and are especially vulnerable to secondary poisoning. When they consume rodents that have ingested poison, they become poisoned themselves.
The irony is devastating: Rat poisons hurt the very wildlife that naturally control rodent populations. A family of barn owls can consume up to 3,000 mice in a single season. But when these predators are poisoned, that balance is thrown off.
A recent study in Southern California focused on bobcats, coyotes and mountain lions found alarming rates of exposure to rodenticides. A staggering 92% of bobcats and 94% of mountain lions tested positive for these poisons, with exposure even found in a three-month-old cub. In coyotes, 83% were exposed, making rodenticides the second leading cause of death during the study period. A necroprosy revealed the famed Los Angeles mountain lion, P-22, had been exposed to five anticoagulant rodenticides compounds in his lifetime.
Accidental ingestion of rat poison poses risk to children, pets and domestic livestock. In 2021, 3,000 such human poisonings were reported, with 2,300 involving children. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates roughly 100 fatal pet poisonings annually.
Let’s work to stop or dramatically reduce the use of rodenticides for the sake of public and wildlife health. It’s important to fully understand the nature of these poisons. It can take up to ten days for a poisoned rodent to die, making it easy prey for pets and native predators. Some poisons can persist in an animal’s liver for up to 100 days. The toxins accumulate in a predator’s body, weakening its immune system and increasing susceptibility to diseases like mange. In large enough quantities, these poisons can be fatal.
Fortunately, we have alternatives.
The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) has taken proactive steps to reduce rodenticide use, implementing an award-winning Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that prioritizes non-chemical pest control techniques. This aligns with Midpen’s mission to protect and restore the natural environment by promoting the use of safer, non-toxic alternatives. And Midpen actively supports legislation aimed at reducing the harmful impacts of rodenticides on wildlife, including California Ecosystems Protection Act of 2020 (AB 1788), the 2023 California Ecosystems Protection Act (AB 1322) and the 2024 Poison-Free Wildlife Act (AB 2552). These bills expand restrictions on rodenticides.
Now we need the help of our neighbors and nearby communities. In preserves such as Rancho San Antonio, which is heavily flanked by homes and is one of our most popular public resources, we can make a difference as a community. In addition to stopping the use of rodenticides, we can employ effective, non-chemical rodent control methods in and around our homes.
Proactive steps like sealing openings in our homes, maintaining our landscapes, removing food sources like pet food and installing owl boxes or raptor perches can make a significant difference. If you use a pest control company, tell them to not use any poisons and only set manual or electronic traps in locations that minimize the potential to trap birds and other wildlife. There is even a non-toxic rat fertility management product that can be used to decrease rodent offspring you can ask they use. Contact your local and state legislators to urge their support for the restrictions on rodenticide.
We are privileged to live amidst this natural splendor and serve the surrounding community that values care of our open space preserves. At Midpen, we believe in caring for the land that cares for us, and that includes all its inhabitants. Let’s care for our wildlife, our four-legged and winged neighbors, by not using rat poison. Let’s join together to protect our shared backyard, ensuring nature’s harmony endures.
Learn more at openspace.org/rodenticides.
Margaret Abe-Koga is the Santa Clara County Supervisor for District Five, which stretches from Palo Alto in the north to Almaden Valley in the south. She can be reached at District5@bos.sccgov.org
Curt Riffle is a Los Altos resident and represents Cupertino, Los Altos, Sunnyvale and Mountain View on the board of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District where he also serves as a volunteer trail patrol. He can be reached here.
