Prevention, Not Poison

Instead of poisons that harm our children, threaten our pets, and kill our wildlife, we encourage rodent management solutions that get at the root of the issue.


“Cities can creatively kill rats all they want – but the rats will keep making babies. They really need…proper securing of trash.”

- Gerard Brown, Program Manager, Rodent and Vector Control, DC Health

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Do you have a story of a person, pet, or wild animal that has been impacted by rodenticides? Let us know.

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Rodenticides Can Harm Anyone

  • Thousands of children ingest rat poison every year. In 2023 alone, over 5,000 under the age of 5 were accidentally poisoned by rodenticides.

  • Dogs, cats and wild animals can eat the poison–a veterinarian in DC reported attempts to save a poisoned pet can cost up to $8,000. Owls, eagles and other raptors can eat poisoned rats and die. 

What can you do?

Eliminate access to food and shelter for rats → Reduce rat reproduction → Fewer rats

Keep Food Away

  • No compost? Dispose of food in your garbage disposal

  • Hold off on taking trash out until pick-up day (rats are typically nocturnal)

Seal Your Trash Bin

  • Keep the lid closed shut —

    do not let the can overflow

  • Call 311 to replace a broken bin

    • Damaged lids are free to replace

    • Damaged cans can be replaced for free if damaged due to rats.

  • Reinforce corners and lids with thick foil or metal

  • Spray bin/trash bags with a 10% bleach solution

Protect Your Home

  • Seal gaps in your roofs, walls,

    and foundation

  • Store food in sealed containers

  • Trim back hedges away from

    your house

  • Block rat trails by sprinkling cayenne pepper

Additional Tips

  • Prevent rat populations from growing by using contraceptive bait

  • Never use sticky glue traps - these also cause great harm

Walter was found unresponsive on the sidewalk by a good Samaritan, who immediately brought him to City Wildlife. The veterinarian determined that Walter had ingested a large amount of rodenticides and was unlikely to survive. Even so, the team began treatment, administering pain medication to help slow the internal bleeding. By day 4 of intensive care, Walter started moving around and showing signs of life, giving rehabilitators hope. His energy continued to improve over the following weeks, and by day 21, he had miraculously pulled through. On day 22, City Wildlife approved his release, and Walter was returned home.

Meet Walter the Squirrel

“9 out of 10 rat control issues come from poor waste management.”

- Gerard Brown, Program Manager, Rodent and Vector Control, DC Health