In addition to volunteering and supporting the pilot program, there are other ways you can help prevent more birds of prey from being poisoned. Rat populations depend on the amount of food that the females have access to. Less food results in a smaller brood. Here’s what you can do to help curb the rat population:

• Make sure your garbage cans are inaccessible to rats. Keep the lids on your cans and make sure there are no holes in the cans. To replace missing lids or damaged garbage cans for free, call 311.

• Fix any holes inside and outside of your house to prevent rodent entry.

• Clean up any birdseed left on the ground by your feeders.

• Pick up after your dogs outside.

• Have no open water source.

Banner photo by @threelapsphotography.