What you can do

Got Rats?

Educate Residents and Town Leaders (about the problem and the solution)

  • Share this information with your friends and neighbors
  • Talk to your town meeting member (contact info here)
  • Let the Select board know you support non poison alternatives (contact info here)
  • Get a yard sign to help spread the word (request one here)

If you see a bait box, read the label and if it is an SGAR poison (eg. brodifacoum, bromadialone, difenacoum, and difethialone)

  • Talk to the building owner/administrator
  • If you have one near your residence ask your landlord or pest control professional for a non poison alternative

Support town and state legislation

Support a restriction on SGAR use.  Municipalities do have the right to restrict SGARs/ARs or other pesticides on public properties they own/manage such as school grounds, libraries, and parks.   Indeed, Belmont town departments have used their own initiative to voluntarily cease use of SGARs on town properties (schools, municipal buildings in Belmont Center, and Grove Street Park where we understand snap traps are being used) but this does not extend to private land including businesses.

Wildlife cross municipal borders and their safety is ultimately dependent on more unified/uniform laws

  • Supporting a restriction in Belmont is critical for trying to enhance the safety and well-being of our pets, wildlife, and children.
  • Passage of sensible restrictions on SGAR use on municipal lands in one town or city can help neighboring communities that may be active users of SGARs pass their own SGAR restrictions and promote the use of safer alternatives.
  • Town laws restricting SGAR use helps build momentum and legal precedent that increases the likelihood of eventual restrictions of SGARs on the state level.
  • This is especially important as wildlife cross municipal borders and their safety is ultimately dependent on more unified/uniform laws. 

State Legislation – talk to your representative (see here https://savearlingtonwildlife.org/ways-to-get-involved/)
SGAR FAQ – see https://savearlingtonwildlife.org/frequently-asked-questions/