Rats and mice are hated creatures in our western culture. Particularly when they’re found in our homes, restaurants, barns, and city streets. So rat poison has become big business. But many homeowners may not realize how detrimental some of these rodenticides are to other animal species in our environment. So-called second-generation rodenticides are killing everything from bald eagles to barn owls to bobcats.
Ted Williams is a contributing editor to Audubon Magazine. He’s just written an article about the effect of these poisons on wildlife. He spoke with Vermont Edition about safer alternatives to poisons.