Advocates Expose Misleading Pest Management Industry Backed Propaganda

Recent media reports assert a dramatic increase in rodent populations and point to BC's recent "rodenticide ban" as the primary cause. These claims are inaccurate and dangerously misleading.

Truth:

• The regulatory update frequently referred to as a "ban" only partially restricts 3 of many rodenticides currently registered for use in BC. Most rodenticides are still legal and even restricted products are permitted for use across 9 broadly defined exemption categories.

• Self-published "studies” by pest control companies proclaim rodent population increases and rank “rattiest cities” based on the number of service requests, not science.

• Many factors contribute to fluctuations in rodent activity, including: easy access to food sources and nesting opportunities; ​attractants such as excess garbage, hoarding, wildlife feeding; and secondary poisoning of predators.

•Using rodenticides, especially bait box subscription programs, is easier and more lucrative for business than addressing root causes of infestations, but is known to actually increase rodent populations over time. 

Why are proactive and preventative pest control measures important? Once an access point is established, rodents will inevitably create scent/pheromone trails that are easy for other transient rodents to pick up and follow. For this reason, structural rodent problems are literally never-ending until access points are sealed, thereby cutting off the ‘flow’ and isolating populations. 

Pest control providers ignore these accesses and sell recurring monthly services, thereby continuously profiting from an endless problem, at the expense of the customer and environment. Competent pest management operators willing to manage unwanted wildlife by removing attractants, discouraging nesting, and preventing access to structures can mitigate rodent populations without resorting to rodenticides.  

Rodents will always be part of our ecosystems. Rather than spreading self-serving propaganda, the pesticide industry must evolve and would be wise to keep focused on effective and ethical ways to best serve customers with a greater awareness of the dangers rodenticides pose to wildlife, pets, and people.

No rodenticide is safe, humane, or eco-friendly. The only sure way to mitigate risk to humans, animals, and the environment from the toxic effects of poisons is to discontinue their use.