New rules around the sale of rodent baits

You may have already heard the news about the new rules around the sale and use of commonly available rodenticides. As of March 2026, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has introduced strict new rules to protect our native wildlife from accidental poisoning. This is a significant change for Australian households.

What is changing?

The APVMA has targeted a specific group of powerful poisons called Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs). These are common household brands, like Ratsak, Talon, Tomcat, Ditrac, Contrac, etc that usually kill a rat or mouse after just one feed.

New "restricted" status

The APVMA has certified that these poisons should be "Restricted Chemical Products." This means that in the near future, they will most likely be removed from supermarket and hardware store shelves and will only be available to licensed pest control professionals.

Immediate suspension

To act quickly, the APVMA has suspended the registration of all SGAR products for one year. While they aren't completely banned yet, they now come with very strict "rules of use" that every user must follow by law.

Why the new rules?

The main reason is "Secondary Poisoning." When a rat or mouse eats these commonly available poisons, the toxin stays in its system for a long time. If a native predator like Powerful Owl, Tawny Frogmouth, or Quoll, for example, eats that sluggish, poisoned rat, the predator gets poisoned too. Sadly, many of Australia’s iconic birds of prey have been found dead with high levels of these chemicals in their systems.

New rules for home use

If you currently have these products at home or manage to buy them during this transition, you must follow these new legal requirements:

• Distance limits: Baits can only be used indoors or within 2 metres of a building. You can no longer scatter them in the garden or far out in the yard.

• Time limits: You cannot use these poisons for longer than 35 days at a time. If the problem persists, you must stop and try a different method.

• Mandatory bait stations: All baits must be placed inside a secure, tamper-resistant bait station. This prevents pets and children as well as non-target animals from reaching the poison.

• Active searching: You are now required to search for and dispose of dead rodents every few days. This prevents our wildlife from finding and eating the carcasses.
  
  

What should you do instead?

The APVMA and conservation groups recommend moving toward Integrated Pest Management:

• Seal entrances: Block holes in walls and roofs to stop rodents from getting in.

• Remove food: Keep bins sealed, enclose your compost bin, remove uneaten bird food and don't leave pet food out overnight.

• Remove water: get that dripping tap fixed, empty standing water in plant pots etc, empty your birdbath until the infestation has gone.

• Use First-Generation poisons: Look for baits containing Warfarin or Coumatetralyl. These break down much faster and are significantly safer for owls and other wildlife.

• Snap or 'live catch' traps: Traditional mechanical traps are effective and don't involve any chemicals. If you use live catch, you MUST remember to check the trap twice a day to avoid unnecessary suffering.
  
  

Just give us a call if you need a professional to do the job for you.

Image: Andrew Allen & License

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