Urban Wildlife

Welfare of Animals in Pest Control

Pest control practices kill billions of animals annually; choosing humane methods reduces suffering while often being equally or more effective than lethal approaches.

Key Facts

Rodenticides kill rats and mice over several days of internal bleeding
First-generation anticoagulants are less harmful than second-generation types
Secondary poisoning kills owls, foxes, and raptors that consume poisoned rodents
Integrated pest management reduces reliance on lethal methods
Exclusion and habitat modification prevent infestations more durably

Welfare Considerations

Billions of rodents and other pest species are killed annually using methods that cause prolonged suffering. Humane alternatives including exclusion, snap traps for rodents, and deterrents are available and effective, yet rarely adopted at scale.

What You Can Do

Use exclusion methods to prevent pest access rather than lethal control
Switch from rodenticides to snap traps or electronic traps if lethal control needed
Never use second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides that cause secondary poisoning
Advocate for integrated pest management in public buildings and schools