Are you worried about the current state of our wildlife?

Please help us protect California’s iconic species by contacting your state legislator and asking them to support AB 1788 (Bloom) as it passes through the State Senate. AB 1788 bans the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) in California and bans the use of first-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (FGARs) on state-owned property. SGARs are extremely potent and persistent rodenticides which travel up the food chain and have been found in almost every wildlife species tested in California. Join us in making sure this harmful chemical is eliminated from California to help our wildlife populations bounce back! 

Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) were developed to help us combat increasing rat populations. However, these chemicals had a larger impact on the environment than was expected. The consumption of SGARs causes the animal to slowly bleed out and die in a span of several days. SGARs are typically consumed by rodents which are then, in turn, consumed by predator species. The effects of the rodenticide are passed onto the predator and slowly accumulate. After the rodenticide concentration reaches the lethal threshold, it slowly kills the predator as well. SGARS are currently found in 70-90% of all species in California. Rodenticides currently affect at least 38 California species including Mountain Lions, Bobcats, Cooper’s Hawks, Northern Spotted Owls, San Joaquin Kit Foxes, and Pacific Fishers. Aside from slowly poisoning these animals, studies have found that SGARs can affect genes that regulate the immunity systems of these animals.

SGARs do not just pose a risk to the wildlife but to children and domestic animals as well. The bait that contains the rodenticide often contains sweeteners that attract young children. Estimates show that 15,000 children are exposed to rodenticide annually, especially children of minorities or those living in poverty. Additionally, over 100 pets die from eating the rodenticide each year. These deaths are unnecessary and can be avoided if the use of SGARs is prohibited in California.

TAKE ACTION NOW

In 2014, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation prohibited the selling of SGARs due to the harmful effects they had on the wildlife populations. However, the ban did not cause the desired effect as the levels of SGARs in the wildlife did not decrease. The level has remained the same because this ban still allows licensed pest control applicators to continue using SGARs. In order to reduce the effects of SGARs, their use needs to be prohibited to everyone in California. There are plenty of ways to reduce rat populations without the use of rodenticides including sealing buildings, eliminating waste, or using snap traps, electric traps, and fertility control. Help us protect our wildlife and eliminate the effects rodenticides have on animals, children, and pets by reaching out to a California Senator today!