Rodenticide changes in Pest Notes
UC Master Gardener volunteers field many questions about controlling rats, mice, gophers, voles, and ground squirrels. The UC Statewide IPM Program wants to make sure we have the most accurate information posted that reflects the ever-changing regulatory and commercial information available.
Toxic baits, or rodenticides, used to control rodents around the home and garden can harm nontarget animals, such as pets, birds, coyotes, and other wildlife. To reduce these negative impacts, California has passed several laws to limit what rodenticides can be used, the most recent restriction implemented on January 1, 2025. The law added additional limitations on which rodenticides can be used in California.
Currently, the majority of available rodenticide products can only be used by licensed professionals who must also follow specific guidelines to reduce their impact on wild animals.
Through all this confusion, we want to make sure UC Master Gardeners are clear on what rodenticides are available to the general public and which ones are not. We recently published a blog article that explains the newest law, available rodenticides, and a few things residents should know. The toxic baits/rodenticide information has also been updated in the UC IPM Pest Notes: Ground Squirrels, Moles, Pocket Gophers, Rats, House Mouse, and Voles. The Deer Mouse Pest Notes is currently being edited and changes will be made soon.
Quick Tips Update:
UC IPM is in the process of updating several Quick Tips titles and restocking others. Major changes are being made to the Mosquitoes card and we’re adding a new card on
Reading a Pesticide Label! These Quick Tips cards should be available to order by early August at https://ucanr.edu/site/order-quick-tips.
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