Kerrod Trott 
For many Australians, Bunnings Warehouse is often the first stop for home hardware and garden needs.
But did you know that this ubiquitous hardware chain also stocks a larger range of known bird-killing poisons than any other major Australian retailer?
Birdlife Australia are calling on Bunnings to stop selling rodent poison products that are killing native birds and wildlife.
Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) kill not only the rats and mice they are targeting, but also any bird or other animal that might eat a dead or dying rodent. This secondary poisoning is much less likely with first-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (FGARs) as they break down in the rodent’s body very quickly.
There is mounting evidence that native birds like Southern Boobooks and threatened species like Powerful Owls are being severely impacted by SGAR poisoning.
Birdlife Australia has previously called for use of these products to be strictly limited to licensed professionals, but a review by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority last year failed to deliver stronger regulation.
That’s why Birdlife Australia are calling on Bunnings, the retailer of Australia’s biggest range of SGARs, to take them off their shelves.
Canada, the USA, and the EU have restricted these toxic products from consumer shelves, but Australia is lagging behind.
There are alternatives such as first generation products use active ingredients like warfarin that do not have the same impact on non-target species. Even better, for use in our homes there is the more humane option of the old-fashioned snap trap.
Bunnings sells a larger variety of second-generation rodenticide products than any other major outlet.
By taking these products off their shelves they can reduce the number of native birds and wildlife that are poisoned.
Here’s where to sign the petition to send Bunnings a strong message that consumers want to protect birds and get rid of dangerous SGARs.
https://www.actforbirds.org/ratpoison
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