Humane Pest Control: Rodents and Urban Wildlife

Evidence-based approaches to managing urban rodent populations humanely, minimising suffering while reducing conflicts with human health and property.

Key Facts

Rodent control is one of the most widespread forms of lethal wildlife management globally
Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides cause prolonged internal bleeding before death over several days
Snap traps cause rapid death when properly set but can cause injuries when misplaced or poorly maintained
Exclusion methods — sealing entry points — provide lasting rodent control without killing
Integrated pest management combining exclusion, sanitation, and targeted trapping is more effective long-term than poison alone

Welfare Considerations

Rodent pest control causes enormous animal suffering globally through the widespread use of slow-acting poisons that cause prolonged, painful death. The suffering caused by anticoagulant rodenticides is significant and largely invisible — rodents crawl away to die over days. Alternative approaches that are both more humane and often more effective are available: exclusion, sanitation, and physical trapping using well-maintained snap traps. Humaneness in pest control does not mean tolerance of rodent infestations but does mean choosing methods that minimise suffering while achieving effective control.

What You Can Do

Replace rodenticide use with exclusion and sanitation methods to eliminate rodent access and food sources
If trapping is necessary, use properly set snap traps checked daily rather than slow-acting poisons
Never use second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides that poison raptors and other wildlife through secondary exposure
Seal entry points to buildings to prevent rodents entering rather than controlling populations after the fact
Advocate for urban pest management policies that prohibit the most harmful rodenticide products