This Green Acton campaign works to eliminate the use of anticoagulant rodenticides, including FGARs (First Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides) and SGARs (Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides), on both public and private property in Acton. These poisons, which are potent for many months, can sicken and kill wildlife — such as owls and hawks — that eat the poisoned rodents.

The campaign comprises four parts:

1. Working to eliminate the use of anticoagulant rodenticides on town and school property
2. Educating residents and local pest control vendors
3. Advocating for the passage of H.965/S.2721, An Act Restricting the Use of Rodenticides in the Environment, in the Massachusetts Legislature
4. Passing a Home Rule Petition at a future Acton Town Meeting (likely 2027) for a ban on private use (if the state legislation hasn’t passed)

Anticoagulant Rodenticides

SGARs come in labeled black bait boxes and include: 

• Brodifacoum (brand names Mouser, Ratak, Talon)
• Bromadiolone (Maki Mini Blok, Contrac)
• Difenacoum (Di-Kill)
• Difethialone (First Strike, Hombre)

First-generation (FGAR) anticoagulants include warfarin, diphacinone, and chlorophacinone.

For more information about different types of rodenticides, view this comparison table.

The Problem with Rodenticides 

Anticoagulant rodenticides are convenient but have not been proven to be effective; in fact, they are counterproductive. These compounds do not kill rodents immediately, but weaken them, making them easy prey for predators. After eating poisoned rodents, predators — such as owls, hawks, foxes, and coyotes — become poisoned themselves, as the rodenticides accumulate in their bodies. Although it is not possible to conduct broad surveys to estimate the number of animals suffering from anticoagulant poisoning, local observations are alarming.

• Necropsy data from Tufts Wildlife Clinic (at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine) show that in 2020, 100% of tested red-tailed hawks contained SGAR (second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide) residues.
• At least four bald eagles have been injured or killed in Massachusetts since 2021, according to Harvard Law School’s Animal Law and Policy Clinic.

These are not isolated cases, but indicators of a widespread ecological toxin moving through our food web.

The danger extends beyond wildlife. Pets, and even children, are at risk from bait exposure and secondary poisoning. In 2023, MSPCA Angell Animal Medical Center treated dozens of domestic pets for SGAR poisoning, a problem that continues to grow.

Alternatives (IPM)

A better solution exists: Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This system focuses on prevention of rodent infestation in combination with the selective use of traps or safer toxins to eliminate rodent populations in buildings.

1. Exclude rodents from entering buildings
2. Remove or secure food sources
3. Use non-poison lethal methods, such as traps
4. Use poison only as a last resort and under controlled circumstances

Legislation

The Save Acton Wildlife Campaign is also working toward passage of a Home Rule Petition at a future Acton Town Meeting (likely 2027) for a ban on private use of these poisons.

We support legislation currently under consideration in the Massachusetts State House, H.965/S.2721, whose passage would be far quicker and more efficient than reliance on local prohibitions. The bill, in its current form, would limit SGARs and FGARs to emergency, short-term, indoor uses only.

What You Can Do

1. Join this Save Acton Wildlife Campaign.
2. Stop using SGARs at your home or business (or continue to avoid them if you don’t use them now). Ask your pest management company to use IPM, or find another company that does.
3. Contact your state legislators and urge them to support H.965/S.2721.

Resources

• Rescue Raptors Toolkit (Mass Audubon)
• A Campaign to Rescue Raptors (Mass Audubon video)
• IPM Flyer and illustration (Mass Audubon)
• Raptors Are the Solution (R.A.T.S.)
• National Pesticide Information Center
• Find My Legislator