Isn’t it amazing when you see nature in action? It's almost as if you were watching a wildlife documentary when seeing this playful beech marten, captured on one of our camera traps, jumping around looking for rodents.
This isn't the only way rodent populations are controlled though. The use of rodenticides in farms and fields is still the most common way to control rodent populations in the United States. But, we need to find alternative methods to stop introducing poisons to our fields, food and biodiversity. Maybe we can find inspiration from the natural world and let nature do her job.
But why should we change our ways?
- One problem with using poison to manage rodent populations is that non-target species such as birds and mammals can also be killed. This can be by either directly ingesting the posions or eating already poisoned animals.
- Exposure to these toxic compounds can also affect endangered species like the black-footed ferret or the Northern Spotted Owl.
- Finally, this is not limited to wildlife, but also our own pets as cats and dogs are also in danger of ingesting these poisons or poisoned animals!
- A safer management solution could be to attract natural predators such as American kestrels, Barn owls, American martens or Rat snakes. This way we can reduce the amount of poison killing non target species and which could also end up into our food and water.
If we use nature to our advantage, we can achieve a win-win-win situation, where biodiversity increases, rodent populations are under control and agricultural fields are free of poisons.
What can you do?
- Contact your local representatives.
- Keep an eye out for problems. If you find poison in a field or dead animals with no obvious wound or injury, please get in contact with a local or state organization.
Will you help nature to do her job?
Marta Verdú Pérez-Seoane
Biologist, master in biodiversity and conservation biology. Starting my career in conservation and finding the way to communicate it. I love doing fieldwork and the face of children when they learn something new about nature. Giving my best to combine my two passions and work in community-based conservation. Contact me here.
