Bird friendly rodent control

Residents are encouraged to make better choices and help protect our native wildlife by using bird friendly rodent controls around the home.

Residents can help by:

• avoiding the use of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs)
• promoting bird friendly environments outdoors
• using other forms of rodent control to avoid rodent infestations.

The most commonly used rodent poisons around the home are SGARs, which don't kill rodents instantly and often results in secondary poisoning of many native birds and animals that feed on rats and mice. Studies in Australia have found harmful, and often fatal levels of SGARs in dead birds of prey, including Southern Boobooks, Wedge-tailed Eagles, and Powerful Owls. They have also been indicated in the deaths of native reptiles, marsupials, and domestic pets.

The City encourages residents to replace SGARs with first generation anticoagulant rodenticides (FGARs), which breakdown more quickly so there is less chance of larger animals experiencing secondary poisoning.

Which rodenticide should I use?

When buying rodenticides, it is important to check the labels and ensure that you are using FGAR products. Additionally, when you are choosing your products, avoid pastes that are easily eaten by other animals and use tamper-proof bait stations. Safer alternative FGAR products can be recognised by the following active ingredients:

• Sodium chloride
• Warfarin
• Coumatetralyl
• Diphacinone.

SGAR products have the following active ingredients and should be avoided:

• Brodifacoum
• Bromadiolone
• Difethialone
• Difenacoum
• Flocoumafen.

See a full list of what to avoid and what to buy.

Make your garden bird-friendly

Having a healthy population of birds of prey naturally keeps rodent numbers down. There are a number of easy ways you can promote a bird-friendly environment in your backyard, such as:

• planting native plants with good canopy cover or protecting existing trees especially those containing hollows
• installing nesting boxes
• using snap traps instead of rodent baits.

In addition to safer FGARs, you can also discourage rats from infesting your property by taking a few extra measures around your home and garden including:

• securely storing food in pantries and pet food away from rodents
• rodent proofing chicken pens and aviaries
• sealing potential access points into your home – for example roof and wall cavities
• removing fallen fruit from trees
• keeping your backyard, sheds and garden waste clean and tidy
• if you have a compost bin, install vermin mesh over the base and ensure you turn it over regularly, so it breaks down quicker.

For more information visit the Birdlife website or find other ways to be involved.