11/13/2025
We’ve been meaning to share an update since our ordinance passed with the Marlborough City Council back in May and thanks to research and conversations with the Marlborough BOH from wildlife advocates, we now have solid information to share with everyone.
Great news for Marlborough! 🐭🚫
Even though the city restricted the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) on city property, the rat population is down significantly. This proves what we’ve been saying all along: SGARs are not the answer. A proactive, educated community working together through Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is what truly makes a difference.
🌿 Education Is Powerful
Marlborough’s progress shows how impactful education can be. When residents, landlords, and businesses understand why rats appear and how to prevent them, simple changes lead to dramatic results. Proper trash storage, removing food sources, sealing entry points, and early reporting all work together to significantly reduce rat populations.
Education protects neighborhoods, reduces infestations, and prevents wildlife harm from SGARs.
🧼 What Is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
IPM is a modern, science-based approach focused on long-term prevention rather than relying on toxic rodenticides. It combines several strategies:
✔️ Sanitation (the most critical factor):
If food sources and shelter are removed, rat populations drop. Securing trash, reducing waste, and eliminating clutter are more effective than any poison.
✔️ Exclusion:
Sealing gaps, repairing structures, and preventing rodent entry.
✔️ Monitoring & Technology:
Using reporting systems and responding quickly before populations grow.
✔️ Community Cooperation:
Everyone — residents, property owners, city departments — contributes to neighborhood-wide success.
Thanks to the Marlborough Board of Health and Public Health Director Paul Dinwoodie, this coordinated IPM strategy has resulted in an 80% reduction in rat sightings.
🔧 Technology & Rapid Response
Marlborough’s online reporting tool allows residents to easily report sightings, giving the sanitation team immediate insight into where activity is increasing. They respond quickly, inspect the area, flyer surrounding homes and businesses, and ensure proper sanitation. Properties can be cited under MGL “general nuisance” if needed.
🗣️ Communication & Community Action
The Board of Health, Zoning Department, and Mayor’s Office work together to keep residents informed. Their educational outreach, FAQs, and resources help the community understand that rodent control is everyone’s responsibility and this unified effort is working.
Marlborough’s success proves that:
We don’t need SGARs to control rodents. We need education, sanitation, monitoring, and community-driven IPM.
Other communities are already reaching out to Marlborough for guidance, and this is the direction Massachusetts needs to move in to protect both public health and wildlife. 🦉💚
(This information was gathered through a phone conversation between and Marlborough’s Board of Health Director, along with feedback we’ve received from the public and our community members. By no means are we a pest control company, we are simply a wildlife center sharing this information to promote safer, science-based rodent control methods that protect both communities and wildlife.)
Thank you to Joanne Dawson (who I can not tag in this post for some reason) for your continued advocacy work to restrict the use of SGARs in Massachusetts. We are all grateful for your daily work and you have saved countless animal's lives.
