If you’ve ever wandered the aisles of your local Coles, Woolworths, Bunnings, or Mitre 10, you might have unknowingly passed by a product that’s quietly wreaking havoc on Australia’s wildlife—and potentially putting your pets at risk.
It’s not a new chemical, nor is it a secret. It’s been on shelves for years, with the less harmful alternatives.
Now, a groundswell of concern is turning into a national outcry. Over 280 of Australia’s leading vets, doctors, scientists, farmers, and conservationists have signed an open letter demanding urgent action.
Their message to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is clear: Ban the sale of these ‘highly toxic’ rat baits to the general public before it’s too late.
Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) were developed in the 1980s to outsmart rats and mice that had become resistant to older poisons.
They work by causing internal bleeding, but here’s the catch: they don’t break down quickly in the environment.
When a rat or mouse eats the bait and is eaten by a predator—think owls, quolls, or even your neighbour’s cat—the poison keeps working its way up the food chain.
Over time, these toxins accumulate, leading to a slow, painful death for countless non-target animals.
Dr Holly Parsons from BirdLife Australia said most people are ‘genuinely shocked’ to learn that these products, which can kill native wildlife and pets, are sold so freely.
‘There’s a perception that because you can buy it on the shelf, it’s safe to use, and if you use it in accordance with the directions, there’s not going to be a problem. But that’s not the case,’ she warned.
A global problem—Australia lagging behind
While the United States, Canada, and the European Union have all introduced significant restrictions on SGARs, Australia is, as the open letter puts it, ‘lagging behind’.
The APVMA is currently reviewing the use of these chemicals, but experts say the urgency cannot be overstated.
The letter warns that SGARs could soon be listed as a Key Threatening Process under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, putting them in the same league as feral animals and land clearing in terms of their threat to native species.
Recent research has shown that even iconic and already-threatened animals like Tasmanian devils and quolls are at risk. And it’s not just wildlife—pets can also fall victim if they eat a poisoned rodent or come into contact with the bait.
What are the experts calling for?
The 281 signatories, including some of Australia’s most respected environmental scientists and veterinarians, are urging the APVMA to:
- Withdraw SGARs from public sale and restrict their use to licensed professionals.
- Ban their use outside of buildings.
- Promote safer alternatives, such as electronic traps and non-anticoagulant options.
- Develop new management strategies that prioritise non-chemical solutions.
- Mandate monitoring of SGAR impacts on wildlife.
- Establish buffer zones around ecologically sensitive areas.
- Create a threat abatement plan to address rodenticide contamination in the environment.
What are retailers doing?
Retailers like Bunnings, Coles, and Woolworths are currently following the law, but some are taking extra steps.
Bunnings, for example, has updated its packaging to make it clearer when SGARs are present and introduced QR codes in-store for more information. It also offers non-poisonous alternatives and says it’ll comply with any new regulations.
Woolworths highlights its range of alternative products, including ultrasonic repellents and traps, and encourages customers to read labels and use products safely.
Metcash, which supplies Mitre 10, says it’s working with suppliers to educate consumers and expand its range of non-toxic options, though it can’t force independent stores to display warnings.
If you’re dealing with a domestic rodent problem, it’s worth considering the alternatives. Traps, electronic repellents, and first-generation rodenticides (which break down more quickly and are less likely to harm non-target species) are all available.
And remember, what you do in your backyard can have ripple effects throughout your local environment.
Have you ever used rat bait at home? Did you know about the risks to wildlife and pets? Have you found sick or dead animals in your garden and wondered why? We’d love to hear your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.
Also read: How a toxic danger cost this Aussie family $4,600—could it happen to you?
I know first hand how deadly this is. We were living on a small property and had lots of rats and field mice, and so put baits out. One of our cats caught his first mouse ever, and was so proud of himself. It cost me lots of money at the vet for treatment. It was lucky I noticed how his gums were white instead of pink, or he’d have had no chance at all.