* More Background on this Issue

Owls, hawks and eagles are rodent predators. They are a natural balance for rat populations. But, eating rats can kill these raptors if the rats have eaten second generation rat poisons from bait boxes. 

Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs) were banned from retail sale by the federal government in 2015 due to dangers posed to children, pets and wildlife but they remain legal – and widely used – by commercial pest control companies in Westchester County and elsewhere. 

The rodenticides used by commercial pest control companies cause internal bleeding.  Raptors that eat these poisoned rodents can also experience internal bleeding, causing death.  A national study of 303 dead bald eagles found that 82% had been exposed to rodenticides.  A study at a Massachusetts wildlife clinic found that 100% of red-tailed hawks tested there had SGARs in their bodies.

Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides are placed in bait traps that are black plastic boxes about 10” x 8” x 4” with an opening large enough for a rat, mouse, chipmunk or squirrel – see photograph. 

In a survey of public spaces and exteriors of public buildings (library, high school, parking lots behind commercial buildings, recycling center) in a town in Westchester, these bait traps were easily found.  For example, 5 at the high school, 3 at the library, 7 in public parking lots.

Campaigns to raise public awareness of the hazards of SGARs and to convince towns and cities to stop using them have been successful in many places.  We are working to organize Chappaqua residents to create a compelling message, signed petitions, and presence at Town Board meetings to convince the Town Board to cease using SGARs.  Next steps will be to educate other public institutions (library, houses of worship, schools), commercial enterprises, and homeowners to stop using SGARs.  Of course, after all of that, there will be more to do, in other towns and even across New York State.

Please join us in this endeavor.