Four famous owls have died this spring due to rodenticide poisoning: Flaco in New York City, and the entire beloved great horned owl family in Lincoln Park. Willowbrook Wildlife Center has confirmed other raptor deaths due to rodenticide poisoning. Limiting the use of rodenticides would help our local hawks, eagles and owls to live longer lives.
Great horned owl chick in Lincoln Park, who later died of rat poisoning, 2024. Photo: Paula Chmiel
Great horned owl family in Lincoln Park, who later died of rat poisoning, 2024. Photo: Paula Chmiel
Chicago Bird Alliance’s position on anticoagulant rodenticides
Conclusion 1: Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are not an effective means of controlling urban rat populations and are harmful to non-target animals.
Recommendation 1a: Reduce the use of anticoagulant rodenticides as a method to control Chicago’s rats in favor of alternatives (see conclusion 2).
Recommendation 1b: Increase resources and public education focused on eliminating environmental conditions that favor rats (see conclusion 3).
Conclusion 2: Rats thrive in cities because they can access human-associated resources such as food waste in garbage.
Recommendation 2a: Enable Streets and Sanitation staff to automatically replace damaged garbage receptacles as they are noticed during garbage collection.
Recommendation 2b: Increase the frequency of garbage collection in wards and parks with proportionately more rat complaints.
Recommendation 2c: Invest in the development of rat-proof garbage receptacles that are feasible with garbage collection systems.
Recommendation 2d: Enforce existing fines for apartment buildings and businesses (particularly restaurants) associated with poor sanitation.
Recommendation 2e: Work with the Chicago Park District to enforce these recommendations on their properties.
Recommendation 2f: Raise awareness of 311 services effectively to replace damaged garbage receptacles.
Conclusion 3: Alternative rat control methods such as contraception and carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide have been successful in other locations.
Recommendation 3a: Allocate funds currently spent on ARs toward alternative methods of controlling rats such as contraception and carbon dioxide
Recommendation 3b: Work collaboratively with rodent control agencies in other cities such as Evanston and New York City that have had recent successes in regards to rodent control.
Recommendation 3c: Pilot alternative methods for controlling rats such as contraception and carbon dioxide in 1-3 wards.
Research
Chicago Bird Alliance has researched the topic of birds and rodenticides, and alternative methods of controlling rodents without harming birds. This detailed research can be found here.
Read more
Rodenticide Baits and Secondary Poisoning of Wildlife -
A very practical blog post by Chicago birder Robert D. Hughes, who has experience in the pest control industry.
