Ending the Poison War: Boston’s Fight for Humane Rodent Control
How Grassroots Activism and Birth Control for Rats Are Saving Wildlife and Communities from Toxic Rodenticides
What if there was a better way to control rats—one that didn’t rely on toxic chemicals but instead used innovation to protect both our communities and wildlife? Boston is on the verge of finding out. Following my recent report on the Boston City Council's October 7th hearing to phase out dangerous rodenticides, a flood of questions and curiosity arose. Who’s behind this bold shift in pest management?
Meet James Davis (JD), a tireless advocate who's been leading the charge for safer, more humane solutions. In this exclusive follow-up interview, James shares the inside story of this movement—and how local efforts can drive real, lasting change. Plus, James has graciously offered to connect with readers of Animal Politics (AP) for advice or collaboration. Contact information follows the interview:
AP: James, thank you for taking the time to answer questions from Animal Politics readers. Let’s start with a fundamental question: why do you care about protecting animals?
JD: Animals have been some of my closest companions. They possess a wisdom and emotional intelligence we often overlook in our busy, tech-driven lives. Reconnecting with nature, including animals, is essential for healthier, happier living.
In my work—whether organizing communities or advising policymakers—I've learned that we need to fight for a better world both inside and outside institutions. We should direct our frustration over social and environmental injustices into thoughtful, constructive action.
AP: Why is Boston considering the phasing out of rodenticides, and why does it matter?
JD: Rodenticides are a waste of money, kill non-target animals, and even harm children.
About three years ago, I saw a baby rat dying from poison, and around the same time, an owl named Owen was found bleeding from his eyes near city hall due to these poisons. Rats are intelligent, social animals, and humane solutions—sealing entry points, securing trash, and using non-lethal traps—work better long-term. Poison kills their predators, doesn't solve the problem, and can even decrease rats' natural immunity to disease.
We should direct our anger toward the chemical companies profiting from these ineffective solutions, not at the animals.
AP: What are the health risks of rodenticides?
JD: Rodenticides can cause violent convulsions, kidney failure, or prevent blood from clotting, leading to slow, painful deaths. These poisons harm not just rodents but also pets and wildlife like hawks, eagles, and owls.
Tufts University found 100% of Boston’s red-tailed hawks tested positive for rodenticide. At one local animal hospital, nearly 200 pets were treated for emergency rodent poisoning (and only rarely survived) over the last four years. Children are also at risk, often unknowingly exposed to these toxic chemicals.
AP: What is rodent birth control?
JD: Rodent birth control is a type of pellet (produced by Wisdom GoodWorks) or liquid (such as Contrapest) that reduces reproduction in rats without harming other species. In our local study, it was shown to reduce rodent populations by 60% in Jamaica Plain, Boston.
Unlike poison, which kills predators and increases rodent sightings over time, birth control offers a sustainable solution. With patents expiring, this type of technology is becoming more affordable, and it has already been successfully applied to wildlife management, like reducing deer populations.
AP: What about introducing predators like birds of prey or cats?
JD: This approach is problematic. Predator populations will naturally recover if we stop poisoning them. Introducing more predators, like cats or raptors, could have unintended consequences, such as decimating other species. Ecosystems are delicate, and birth control offers a more controlled, reversible method.
AP: What are residents saying?
About half the people we talk to don’t want to see rats—dead or alive. Another 20% are concerned about chemical exposure, especially in public housing, while a further 20% want more humane solutions.
Pest control workers and city officials sometimes feel defensive, but it’s important to stay focused on the facts and hold them accountable for using inhumane and ineffective methods.
AP: What should readers know if they want to get poisons out of their community?
JD: Don’t underestimate the power of a few dedicated people. Start with small actions like gathering neighbors’ signatures. Build relationships with local officials—be friendly, find common ground, and stay involved in your community. Change takes time, so celebrate small victories but keep pushing for real solutions. And don’t let officials dismiss you with compliments or empty gestures—stay focused on achieving real change.
AP: What’s the long-term strategy for winning victories for animals?
JD: Most Americans believe in some form of animal rights, but institutions like governments and businesses often operate on outdated practices. To create lasting change, we need to work both inside these institutions and outside, building community support and pushing for innovation. If institutions don’t adapt, we’ll build new ones that will. In time, they’ll follow our lead.
AP: Following a previous article on this topic, Animal Politics received many inquiries from folks wanting to implement a similar program in their communities. May they reach out to you for advice?
Yes, I would be happy to help. They can reach me at james.davis@columbia.edu
Ed Boks is a former Executive Director of the New York City, Los Angeles, and Maricopa County Animal Care & Control Departments. His work has been published in the LA Times, New York Times, Newsweek, Real Clear Policy, Sentient Media, and now on Animal Politics with Ed Boks. He is available for consultations at animalpolitics8@gmail.com
My beloved young healthy active smart cat just recently died a horrible slow death from rat poison. I am devastated by seeing this happen to her. Thank you for your work on this issue. I am with you all the way. I live in Northern California. What can I do?
Thank you for raising this issue. I have a long-term aversion to poisons after watching beloved family dogs die of strychnine poisoning during my childhood.
[Back in the '60s it was perfectly normal to allow dogs to run around the neighborhood unsupervised, and one of our neighbors took to leaving rat poison mixed with hamburger by his garbage can. We had no idea that the dog was getting into his garbage. He killed three of our dogs this way over the years. We have no proof that it was him, but circumstantial evidence pointed directly at him. I have no idea how many other dogs in the area met the same fate.
It was a violent and gruesome death that had a deep emotional impact upon me, and that trauma was revisited while I was living in a Guatemalan village in 1978, and the city performed its annual dog poisoning day by scattering strychnine-laced meat in the marketplace.]
Poisoning is a non-selective method of population control, clearly not humane, and needs to be relegated to the ash heap of history along with slavery, whaling, and female genital mutilation! (To name a few)