08/10/2026
Rat poison doesn’t just kill rats.
This week, we received a call about a poisoned hadeda. Given the location, we suspect rat poison was the most likely cause. Sadly, there was nothing we could do to save the bird, and we had to end its suffering.
Hadedas are ground-feeding birds. Any poison accessible to the hadeda could also be accessible to cats, dogs and even small children.
And even when rat poison is placed out of reach, it doesn’t kill rats instantly. The effects are slow and painful. Poisoned rats can also become easy prey for predators such as owls and cats, which can then suffer secondary poisoning.
There is no such thing as eco-friendly rat poison.
If you have a rat problem, consider safer alternatives:
• Seal entry points into your home.
• Remove food sources and keep rubbish securely contained.
• Use traps designed to kill quickly, rather than poison, or catch-and-release traps.
• Encourage natural predators by installing an owl box where appropriate.
A solution to one problem shouldn’t create another — especially when the unintended victims can be wildlife, pets and children.
