Shuswap city bans use of anticoagulant rodenticides on city properties

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The BC SPCA is giving a shout out to Salmon Arm for banning rodent poisons.

Salmon Arm is the 14th city in BC ban the use of all anticoagulant rodenticides on city properties and incorporate humane pest control practices on all public properties.

A motion was brought forward by Coun. Sylvia Lindgren following discussions by the city’s environmental advisory committee earlier this month.

The motion passed unanimously, making Salmon Arm the first municipality to ban rodenticides on public property outside the Lower Mainland and Greater Victoria.

Following public concerns and a wave of municipal changes, Salmon Arm staff reached out to the BC SPCA for resources to explore alternative methods available for humane wildlife control.

The BC SPCA has been working over the past year with staff in several municipalities to implement new rodenticide bans, as traditional baiting programs have not solved local rodent issues.

Rodenticides in the environment can cause harm to local wildlife, pets and be improperly disposed of, creating other environmental and public health concerns.

“We applaud the City of Salmon Arm for making progressive and humane pest control a priority for local wildlife and community members,” said Dr. Sara Dubois, BC SPCA chief scientific officer. “Rodent control is unfortunately a necessary practice to keep communities safe and healthy, but there are effective and more humane ways at dealing with the root problems of attractants and waste management.”