Florida is a beautiful state with various ecosystems involving insects, reptiles, rodents, mammals and much more. Because of the warmer climate, water resources and natural environment, Florida has a vast multitude of different types of animal and insect species.
It is important for us as humans to find a way to live and work with nature rather than against. One of our most common reasons for wildlife admissions at our wildlife hospital is due to irresponsible pest control methods.
We admit non-target species into our wildlife hospital such as birds, raptors, raccoons, snakes, and many others stuck to glue traps, sticky tape insect traps, rat poison, rat snap traps and other various pest control methods on a monthly basis.
Sticky tape insect traps, sticky glue traps and rat snap traps are all pest control methods that are harmful to non-target species. These types of traps are inhumane and are indiscriminate killers meaning they can harm and kill non-target species, therefore, we never recommend these pest control methods.
Rodenticide is also a pest control method that harms wildlife. Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning typically occurs when predatory birds such as owls, hawks, and eagles, and opportunistic foragers such as opossums, raccoons, and foxes eat dead or dying rodents that have consumed poison rodent bait. The indiscriminate use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides is resulting in the deaths of non-target species of wildlife.
The first thing we as humans can do when faced with a pest issue at our house or workplace is to identify the problem. Prevention is the best solution. Consult a reputable pest control company that can develop a pest-management plan that isn’t harmful or deadly to wildlife and uses options other than second-generation anticoagulants.
Residents in gated communities that have HOAs have the ability to encourage changes to pest control practices within their communities. If members don’t speak out against utilizing dangerous pest control methods, nothing will change and damaging pest control methods will continue to be utilized.
Please, be proactive and encourage community involvement. Prevent problems and employ methods of rodent control that ensure exclusion – rodent-proof your home by sealing cracks and small openings and routinely check your home for any areas that may allow rodents access inside your house or garage.
Minimize plantings and debris close to your home, so pests don’t have suitable habitat to live in right next to your house. Don’t feed birds in close proximity to your house, birdseed will attract all kinds of creatures – not just rats. Ensure birdseed and/or pet food is securely contained and stored in bins and encourage natural predation by installing owl boxes in your yard and community.
Access to food can cause a nuisance situation. Wild animals are driven by instinct and trying to survive in a world altered by humans. To ensure you aren’t creating a nuisance wildlife situation:
- Keep dumpsters and trash bins securely shut
- Do not feed pets outdoors
- Keep grills locked up
- Pick up any ripe fruit that has fallen from trees
- Removing access to food and water sources
- Blocking off entry points to your indoor property
- Trimming foliage away from roofs and houses
- Picking up pet waste immediately
- Obtaining rat-resistant trash containers
If the problem still exists after all prevention measures have been taken, there are better alternatives you can utilize.
Pest Control Alternatives
Brittany Piersma, a field biologist at Audubon Western Everglades, works on Marco Island managing shorebird stewardship, burrowing owls and gopher tortoise programs along with teaching the public on the do’s and don’ts to wildlife during outreach programs. She suggests some pest control and rat poison alternatives:
Snap Traps Contained, Goodnature C02 Traps, Detour Rat Gel Contained, Rat Zapper Contained, Cayenne Pepper Deterrent
Ask your nearest reputable pest control company about Fertility Control (Example: Contrapest – Waiting for Good Bites once it is available on the market by Wisdom Good Works).
Some good resources on this topic to check out are Raptors are the Solution here.
Please call our von Arx Wildlife Hospital when faced with a nuisance animal or pest control issue. Our staff will be able to responsibly access the situation and come up with the best solution for you and the animal in question. Our wildlife hospital hours are 8am to 6pm 365 days a year. Call 239-262-2273 for wildlife assistance. It is important that we find a way to live in harmony with all of Florida’s creatures and help keep Florida wild and the animals safe.
Burrowing Owl Rat Poison Testing
The data shown below is the basic numbers of burrowing owls who have been tested through the years and how many of those concluded with positive results for AR poison. This is for Collier County, mostly Marco Island. The data is a combined effort between AWE, FWC, SCWDS, and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
