Urban Wildlife

Welfare of Animals During Pest Fumigation

Commercial fumigation for pest control kills non-target wildlife including birds, reptiles, and small mammals sheltering in affected structures.

Key Facts

Fumigant gases used in pest control are lethal to all vertebrates in treated areas
Non-target animals sheltering in attics, walls, and crawlspaces die during fumigation
Pre-fumigation surveys for non-target animals are not legally required in most jurisdictions
Wildlife exclusion before fumigation prevents non-target deaths
Electronic monitoring could detect animal presence before fumigation begins

Welfare Considerations

Fumigation non-target mortality is an underreported welfare harm. Birds, bats, and small mammals sheltering in structures suffer agonizing deaths from fumigant exposure. Simple pre-treatment surveys and exclusion protocols could prevent most of this harm.

What You Can Do

Request pre-fumigation wildlife surveys before any structural fumigation
Ask pest control companies about their non-target animal protection protocols
Advocate for wildlife pre-survey requirements in fumigation regulations
Support integrated pest management approaches that minimize chemical use