Residents warned about harmful effects of rodenticides on wildlife populations

As Eagle Mountain prepares for another busy spring, residents are being urged to take action to manage local rodent populations without resorting to harmful rodenticides.

City Wildlife Biologist Todd Black says using chemical pest control products poses risks to both wildlife and domestic pets.

The recent mild winter has done little to reduce the growing population of mice, voles, and gophers that plagued Eagle Mountain’s parks, open space and lawns and neighborhoods last year. With the problem likely to worsen, Black emphasizes the importance of educating the community about safer, even more effective rodent control methods.

“We know that residents will face frustrations as these rodents continue to damage landscaping and even enter homes,” Black said. “But the real danger comes when rodenticides are used in an attempt to reduce these populations. These chemicals are not only ineffective in the long term, but they also pose a significant risk to our wildlife.”

Rodenticides, which poison rodents when they consume the treated baits, can have tragic consequences when the rodents are subsequently hunted by predators.

Raptors, such as owls, falcons and hawks, are particularly vulnerable to these poisons. Black recalls a recent loss of a pair of owls near the LDS church building south of the Chevron in City Center, who died by ingesting rodents that had consumed the toxic bait.

“Rodents that have ingested poison often act disoriented and slow, making them easy prey for raptors,” Black explained. “Unfortunately, the toxins accumulate in the birds’ systems, and they are unable to excrete them, leading to their death. This can also affect pets if they eat poisoned rodents.”

To avoid these negative impacts on wildlife, Black encourages residents to utilize more environmentally responsible rodent control methods, such as PVC pipe traps, live traps and bucket traps. These methods are not only effective but also humane.

“Trapping is far safer for wildlife, and there are several non-toxic baits—like apple pieces, oatmeal, and peanut butter—that work well for attracting rodents,” Black said. “It’s also important to modify your surroundings to make them less attractive to rodents, such as keeping trash cans sealed and cleaning up fallen fruit.”

If an infestation becomes too large to manage, Black recommends reaching out to professional pest control operators who can assess the situation and provide tailored solutions.

Eagle Mountain residents are encouraged to act early, as the time between winter’s end and the beginning of spring is ideal for proactive rodent management.

By choosing responsible methods, residents can reduce rodent numbers while keeping the local ecosystem safe for all.