Burrowing Owls Are Dying: How Poisoned Rats Are Killing Florida’s Wildlife and What You Can Do
- sealemout
- May 3
- 5 min read
In the fields and neighborhoods of Southwest Florida, tiny burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia floridana) peek out from their underground homes—watching, nesting, surviving. These pint-sized raptors, standing just 9 inches tall, add charm and character to places like Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Sanibel and beyond. But they’re disappearing, and the cause is often hidden in plain sight: poisoned rats.
Rodenticides: The Silent Threat Behind Bait Boxes
Often placed along the exterior of schools, restaurants, and office buildings, small black bait boxes lie in wait, filled with rodenticides—poisons designed to kill rats. But their impact doesn’t stop there. As poisoned rodents stagger and die, they become easy prey for wildlife: burrowing owls, hawks, foxes, bobcats, and even pets. This secondary poisoning delivers a slow, painful death to animals we never meant to harm.
In Cape Coral, a beloved owl named Grace became a tragic symbol of this crisis. Known for her quiet presence near a sidewalk burrow, Grace collapsed in 2022 after consuming a poisoned rat. Despite a rush to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital, she died three days later—one of at least 15 owls lost to rodenticide poisoning that season alone, according to the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife. Her loss left neighbors heartbroken, a stark reminder of the stakes.
Wildlife hospitals across Florida report a surge in such cases. In Tampa Bay, four great horned owls died in Philippe Park in 2022 from brodifacoum and bromadiolone, second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs), with necropsies confirming internal bleeding. Even Florida panthers and bald eagles face risks, with rodenticides linked to disorientation in panthers, increasing deadly vehicle strikes, as noted by Safe Rodent Control.
“Rodenticides are turning our cities into ecological traps,” says Joanna Fitzgerald, director of the von Arx Wildlife Hospital. “We’re poisoning the very predators we need for natural pest control.”
The numbers tell a grim story. In Cape Coral, home to Florida’s largest burrowing owl population, the adult owl count dropped from roughly 2,000 in 2005 to 1,700 by 2022, with 2,095 juveniles recorded, according to the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife. Without action, this decline could worsen.
Why Rodents in Attics and Buildings Lead to Wildlife Deaths
In Fort Myers and surrounding areas, roof rats thrive in attics, especially in homes with tile or metal roofs. Commercial zones, with their dumpsters and loading bays, are rodent magnets. Poisoning these pests may seem like a quick fix, but it’s a flawed one. Poisoned rats often die outside, where predators like burrowing owls find them. Meanwhile, the source of the infestation—unsealed entry points—remains, inviting new rodents.
Consider this: a single family of burrowing owls can devour up to 1,000 rodents in one nesting season, as reported by Project Perch. That’s a powerful natural pest control service—unless those rodents are laced with poison. The result is a dangerous ripple effect, harming ecosystems while leaving properties vulnerable to reinfestation.
A Better Way: The Power of Exclusion
Exclusion offers a safer, permanent solution by stopping rodents before they enter. Instead of killing, it focuses on eviction and prevention. Here’s how it works:
One-way exit devices allow rodents to leave but block their return.
Sealing entry points with galvanized steel mesh, concrete, or weatherproof flashing fortifies homes and businesses.
Repairs to attics, garages, crawlspaces, overhead doors, and dumpster enclosures prevent future access.
This humane, poison-free method is long-lasting and eco-friendly. At Seal Em Out LLC, we’ve used exclusion for over 20 years, from mouse-proofing homes in Connecticut to safeguarding wildlife in Florida. Our clients, like Lakewood Ranch homeowner Sarah Thompson, rave about the results: “After years of roof rats, Seal Em Out fixed the problem. No poisons, no traps—just solved my issue.”
Research backs exclusion’s effectiveness.
Exclusion prevents infestations before they start, reducing the need for extermination. Florida Agricultural Department reports high success rates, with results lasting years. Unlike rodenticides, which require ongoing use, exclusion addresses the root cause, protecting both property and wildlife.
Legislative Action: The Push to Ban SGARs
SGARs, like brodifacoum and bromadiolone, are among the deadliest rodenticides. They accumulate in animal tissue, causing internal bleeding that can take days to kill—often after a predator consumes a poisoned rodent. A growing coalition of advocates, wildlife centers, and pest professionals is calling for a Florida ban on SGARs, inspired by California’s ban effective January 1, 2025. The EPA’s 2022 proposed interim decisions for rodenticides also aim to mitigate ecological risks, signaling a shift toward safer practices.
A ban would restore ecological balance and protect species like burrowing owls, which naturally control pests. “We need policies that prioritize wildlife,” says Pascha Donaldson, former president of Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife. “Every poisoned owl is a loss for our community.”
The Bigger Picture: Balancing Pest Control and Conservation
Some argue rodenticides are a quick, cost-effective solution. But their risks outweigh the benefits. They endanger non-target species, children, and pets, as per the National Pesticide Information Center, and require repeated use, making them unsustainable. Exclusion, while initially costlier, reduces long-term expenses and liability, offering pest professionals stable contracts, as seen with Seal Em Out’s rodent exclusion program.
For conservationists, exclusion preserves ecosystems, aligning with efforts to protect threatened species like the burrowing owl, listed as State Threatened by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). By choosing exclusion, both groups can work toward a shared goal: healthy communities where wildlife thrives.
How You Can Help Save Florida’s Burrowing Owls
You have the power to make a difference. Here’s how:
Say no to poisons. Ask your HOA, school, or property manager to adopt exclusion-based rodent control.
Report sightings and poisonings. Contact the FWC to report owl sightings or suspected rodenticide cases.
Speak up. If you see bait boxes near owl burrows, notify local officials or wildlife groups.
Support conservation. Donate to or volunteer with organizations like Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife (@CCFWFlorida on X)
Choose exclusion professionals. Hire experts like Seal Em Out for humane, effective rodent-proofing.
Want to learn more? Visit sealemout.com for rodent-proofing services that protect homes, businesses, and wildlife. Share your story on X using #SaveTheOwls to join the conversation.
A Call to Action
Florida’s burrowing owls are more than charming neighbors—they’re vital to our ecosystems. By choosing exclusion over poison, supporting legislative bans on SGARs, and spreading the word, we can protect these fierce little raptors. Visit sealemout.com to learn how exclusion can safeguard your property and wildlife. Together, let’s ensure owls like Grace are remembered not for their loss, but for the change they inspire.
References
Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife. (2022). Beloved Cape Coral burrowing owl dies from suspected rat poison. https://ccfriendsofwildlife.org/2022/05/beloved-cape-coral-burrowing-owl-dies-from-suspected-rat-poison/
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (n.d.). Burrowing Owl. https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/owls/burrowing-owl/
Conservancy of Southwest Florida. (2023). Rodent control methods negatively impact non-target species. https://conservancy.org/rodent-control-methods-negatively-impact-non-target-species/
Safe Rodent Control. (n.d.). Rodenticides Threaten Florida Wildlife. http://saferodentcontrol.org/site/rodenticides-threaten-florida-wildlife/
Tampa Bay Times. (2022). Poisons killed beloved owls in Tampa Bay. https://www.tampabay.com/news/2022/11/22/poison-birds-florida-owls-wildlife-rodenticide-deaths/
National Pesticide Information Center. (n.d.). Rodenticides. https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/rodenticides.html
Pest Management Professional. (2024). California passes another rodenticide ban. https://www.mypmp.net/california-passes-another-rodenticide-ban/
EPA. (2022). Rodent Control Pesticide Safety Review. https://www.epa.gov/rodenticides/rodent-control-pesticide-safety-review/
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