FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 5, 2026
MAINE AUDUBON
media AT maineaudubon.org
Maine Audubon Celebrates Rodenticide Restrictions
State Board of Pesticides Control moves to restrict harmful toxins often found in owls, eagles, pets, and other non-target wildlife
AUGUSTA – The Board of Pesticides Control (BPC, Board) moved forward today with a restriction on the sale and use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs). The Board moved forward with this restriction after a 2025 law, LD 356, directed them to prohibit the consumer use of rodenticides in Maine. SGARs are powerful toxins that can be accidentally ingested by a host of non-target wildlife, including owls, eagles, foxes, and household pets, causing injury and death.
“Maine Audubon commends the Board of Pesticides Control’s decision to restrict the most dangerous rodenticides in our state,” says Maine Audubon Policy Advocate Anthony Erwin. “This restriction will help Maine wildlife, and we look forward to working with the BPC on additional rodenticide restrictions in the future.”
For more information:
Nick Lund, Maine Audubon
nlund AT maineaudubon.org
207.650.8739
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What are Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides?
Rodenticides can be categorized into two categories: anticoagulants (ARs) and nonanticoagulants. Anticoagulant rodenticides include ingredients that halt the blood clotting process of a rodent, leading to fatal internal bleeding. SGARs are more potent than other rodenticides and often only require a single feeding to be fatal to rodents. SGARs also have longer half-lives than other rodenticides and therefore persist in animal tissue longer.
How do non-target wildlife ingest rodenticides?
This means that poisoned rats, dead or dying, that are eaten by other animals are toxic for a longer period of time. Additionally, SGARs bioaccumulate in the fatty tissue of animals which further increases the risk of secondary exposure to non-target species throughout the food chain. Because of this, predators and scavengers—including owls, hawks, eagles, foxes, and bobcats—are exposed to SGARs when they eat poisoned prey. This poisoning can lead to death or further exposure in the food chain.
Alarmingly, studies show that these dangerous rodenticides can be extremely prevalent in wildlife populations. A recent study highlighted the extent of mesopredator exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides across the northeastern United States, including Maine. 106 fishers were tested and 52.8% were positive for at least one type of anticoagulant rodenticide. The State of Maine has also conducted limited sampling for rodenticides and found that 4 out of 4 bears and 4 out of 6 hawks tested positive for rodenticides in 2024. And in Massachusetts, the New England Wildlife Center reported that they see between 100 and 200 cases of secondary poisoning each year. High prevalence of anticoagulant rodenticides in wildlife suggests that exposure is likely widespread across populations, further increasing the likelihood of secondary exposure and therefore population-level impacts.
What action has the state taken?
In February 2026, the Board of Pesticides Control held a public hearing for proposed restrictions on SGARs. The turnout was overwhelmingly positive, environmental organizations, public health organizations, and concerned citizens showed up to support rodenticide restrictions.
Today, the BPC has restricted the consumer use of four SGARs: brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, and difethialone. This means that only licensed professionals may purchase or use rodenticides containing those four active ingredients. The BPC has not restricted all rodenticides in Maine, though the text of LD 356 directs that the Board “shall prohibit the use of rodenticides, including rodenticidal baits, in outdoor residential settings.”
What have other states done to restrict the use of rodenticides?
California, Connecticut, South Carolina, and Vermont have all passed SGAR restrictions. And many other states have pending legislation or rulemakings addressing SGARs.
How does this help Maine?
Restricting the consumer use of SGARs in Maine better protects wildlife, supports healthier ecosystems, and reduces risks to pets. SGARs are the most prevalent rodenticides found in wildlife testing, the most toxic, and the most environmentally persistent. By limiting the use of SGARs in Maine, the state will be stepping in the right direction towards reducing the risk of non-target species exposure. Before this restriction, bait containing SGARs have been available for purchase by anyone in Maine through online storefronts. For example, Bell Final Blox Rodent Bait Poison containing brodifacoum is available to order to a Maine address through Amazon. By restricting SGARs to licensed use, the Board of Pesticides Control will be limiting the amount of SGARs that can be sold and shipped to Maine.
