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Who We Are
Friends of Worcester Wildlife is a group of Worcester, Massachusetts residents spreading awareness about the danger of rat poisons called anti-coagulant rodenticides to wildlife and pets in our community. Join us!
The Rat Poison Problem
Certain types of commonly-used rat poisons called Second Generation Anti-coagulant Rodenticides (SGARs) are sickening and killing wildlife in Massachusetts and across the country at an alarming rate. Birds of prey like hawks, owls, and bald eagles, predators such as foxes, and scavengers like raccoons are all being affected. Pets are also at risk. Learn more here.
It doesn't have to be this way. Our group is focused on educating people and making change on this issue here in Worcester. Wanna help? See below to learn what you can do!
1. Don't Use Rat Poison for Rodent Problems.
There are many options for controlling rodents effectively without poison. In fact, rodenticides are not a long term solution to any rodent problem! Learn about safe and effective options on Mass Audubon's website or download this print-friendly one-page summary of options developed by local activists. This YouTube playlist also includes several videos about effective rodent control without the use of poison.
If you use a pest control company, tell them that you do NOT want any of these anti-coagulant rodenticide poisons used:
- Brodifacoum
- Bromadiolone
- Difenacoum
- Difethialone
- Chlorophacinone
- Diphacinone
- Warfarin
2. Contact your State Senator and Representative.
In January 2025, new legislation was filed at the Mass State legislature: H.965 and S.644 , "An Act Restricting the use of Rodenticides in the Environment". If passed, this legislation will place restrictions on anti-coagulant rodenticides that will keep people, pets, and wildlife safe from these dangerous poisons. Contact your State Senator and Representative and ask them to support this important legislation! Find out who your legislators are here or use Mass Audubon's Take Action form to easily contact them.
3. Spread the Word!
Talk to your friends, family, and neighbors about this issue. Encourage them not to use poisons to control rodents and ask them to contact their legislators too! Share our StoryMap which provides an overview of the issue and how people can help.
4. Sign Up for our Email List to Keep Informed.
Sign up for email updates from our group on this issue here. Don't worry - we won't bombard you with a ton of emails and we will not give your information out to anyone else.
5. Get Involved in our Group!
There are many ways you can be involved in this group based on your availability and interests! We need help with research, planning, outreach, etc. Contact us using the form below to learn more, or sign up for email updates to learn about volunteer opportunities.