Drawing the Line of Restrictive Rodenticide Regulations

J.D. Darr, Senior Director, Legislative & Regulatory Affairs, NPMA

Rodent control is in the spotlight—we hear about it in the media, in government chambers, in academic communities, and across the broader pest management industry. But aside from new city-funded “rat czar” positions and rodents comically carrying pizza slices on the subway, much of the attention that has been drawn to rodent control is focused on assumptions. Despite centuries of rodent problems, only recently did concerned parties start investing resources into understanding our current challenges and identifying rodent solutions that keep all stakeholder groups happy, except for the commensal rodent community.

Modern rodent control is very challenging; pest management professionals utilize complex and thoughtful use patterns to protect humans, pets, and nontarget animals from exposure risks. These same use patterns must also effectively eliminate rodent problems, as these unwelcome pests transmit disease, damage property, and jeopardize safety.

Stakeholders are exploring new ways of utilizing technology and techniques to perform rodent control. New technology will help mitigate the risk associated with rodent control practices, and the industry has eagerly adopted—or is eagerly waiting to adopt—this exciting technology into our programs. These developments are critical, and we look forward to seeing technology continue to evolve in the next quarter-century; however, we are keenly aware that federal lawmakers are attempting to force a different, unachievable timeline.

In 2022 and 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed severe restrictions on rodenticides. Over the past few years, NPMA has been promoting less severe and more practical solutions to our problems. Unfortunately, as mentioned before, despite our centuries-old battle with rodents, we still have a lot to learn about rodent behavior, biology, and control.

Fortunately, academia has reinvigorated and refreshed its efforts to address those knowledge gaps. While the manufacturing community continues to develop new technology, many academic institutions are focusing on studying who is using rodenticides and how they are using them. This leaves room for the manufacturing community to study what we are using.

While these developments are incredibly exciting and promising, the fact remains that industry is not positioned to accommodate the new way of performing rodent control that the EPA is prematurely prescribing. NPMA’s dialogue with the EPA is ongoing, and the agency has been responsive to our concerns and has committed to revisiting many of its proposed restrictions. While NPMA expects the restrictions to look very different once finalized, check out the box above that lists the key concerns we have with the EPA’s current proposal.

As we wait for additional research and final mitigations, let’s address what we do know and build upon our way of performing rodent control.

Technicians: We know that professionals can look for ways to address the root cause of a rodent infestation, not just the symptoms. So, as we work with the EPA to make sure that all professional applicators have access to rodenticides, be sure to consider and implement exclusion methods, in addition to using traps and baits.

Technical directors: We know that comprehensive integrated pest management (IPM) strategies are most effective at tackling pest problems. So, as we work with the EPA to make sure that you have a dependable and effective IPM toolbox, be sure to revisit your IPM strategy and confirm that it incorporates sanitation, food source and harborage removal, and more.

Business owners: We know that education is key to reducing risk. So, as we work with the EPA to better understand its proposed restrictions and identify where improved education can support the agency’s goals, be sure to support your team members with existing educational opportunities and make sure that your teams have time built into their schedules to actively and comfortably participate.

All pest management professionals: We know that our community can get the word out! So, share this article with a colleague, peer, friend, and others. And then ask that individual to share it with their network. To preserve the vital chemistries used in professional rodent control, we need to come together as an industry and make every effort to address what we understand and can solve.