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.

Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Photo credit: Kristin Foresto, courtesy of Mass Audubon

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

Anticoagulant rodenticides are poisons that kill rats and mice by causing internal bleeding. Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) are banned for retail sale due to risks to pets and children, but they can still be used in bait boxes by licensed professionals and are in widespread use.

Bait box containing Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs)

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 without anticoagulant rodenticides)

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 (but not anticoagulant rodenticides) only as a last resort and under controlled circumstances
Integrated Pest Management
IPM: Proven Effective Rodent Control Without Anticoagulent Rodenticides
Image from IPM Flyer and illustration (Mass Audubon)


Legislation

The Save Acton Wildlife Campaign is also working toward passage of a Home Rule Petition/Bylaw at the 2027 Acton Town Meeting for a ban on public and private use of these poisons.

The MA Senate passed an amendment to the Mass Ready Act on 4/15 that allows cities and towns to ban the use of anticoagulant rodenticides. However, the House of Representatives passed its own version on 6/17 without these restrictions, despite the support of 82 reps. The Senate and House versions of the bill will be reconciled by a conference committee made up of 3 Senators and 3 Representatives, likely in the fall.

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 without SGARs, or find another company that does. Two examples of pest control companies that advocate for reducing the use of SGARs are Banner Pest Control in Dracut and Modern Pest Services in Woburn.
  3. Stay tuned for how to contact state legislators once the Mass Ready Act compromise bill is drafted.

Resources