Nature Done Wright

You’ve probably seen these so-called bait stations around town — they are the big black plastic boxes placed along the walls of commercial buildings.

With the help of Northern Highlands volunteer Liam Conroy, we easily documented more than 60 of them in town this spring.

The problem with these poison dispensers is that they kill more than rats. Any pet or hawk or fox that eats a rodent that has eaten poisoned bait will likely die as well.

Since the winter holidays, The state DEP has documented at least two instances in which raptors in Allendale — a Great Horned owl and a Cooper's Hawk — have died from eating rat poison used in the commercial rat-poison bait stations found throughout Allendale. California has banned these poison baits, and other states are looking into it as well. 

These bait stations are supposed to be used as a last resort — not the first solution, a cureall, or an ongoing solution… Yet some businesses in Allendale have used these bait stations for years and years.

In New Jersey, schools are prohibited from using these poison bait stations because they are considered a threat to wildlife, pets and children. For that reason, the poisons used in these bait stations were banned for household use years ago. (Residential poisons sold in NJ that kill chipmunks, squirrels and other rodents are dangerous as well)

Many of these bait stations are located near open Dumpsters, overflowing Dumpsters, and Dumpsters with broken lids — providing easy food sources for the rats that the traps are supposed to combat.

Note:  In June 2021, the Borough Board of Health has promised to crack down on open Dumpsters. (Bravo!)

We have discussed the problem with two Borough Council members, Jim Strauch and Steve Sasso, and they plan to introduce a resolution that:

• urges businesses in Allendale to no longer use or sell anticoagulant rodenticides.

• urges all property owners to cease purchasing or using anticoagulant rodenticides on their properties in Allendale.

• commits the Borough of Allendale to not use anticoagulant rodenticides as part of its maintenance program for borough-owned parks and facilities.

We thank Mr. Sasso and Mr. Strauch for their efforts.

The problem with these poison dispensers extends far beyond Allendale. We want Allendale to lead the way for county and statewide environmental legislation.

Please let us know if you find a dead raptor or other wildlife on your property, or if you suspect a pet has died from these poisons.

For safer alternatives:

https://www.audubon.org/magazine/january-february-2013/poisons-used-kill-rodents-have-safer?page=show

To learn more:

https://now.tufts.edu/articles/understanding-risks-rodent-poisons-birds-prey