Dearborn Rat Patrol

10/11/2025

Update on the coyote… horrible that it was shot.

Our coyote that came in by police recently has a compressed thoracic disk at T10-T11 causing weakness in his hind legs. He also has an old broken leg that has healed from a gun shot wound. We are hoping he improves with treatment. He is enjoying his free meals. Poor boy has not had it easy.

09/05/2025

Oh look another example of Second Generation Anticoagulants harming wildlife. These bioaccumulative poisons need to be removed from use, period! Unfortunately the EPA didn’t go far enough with the PID’s and since the current administration wants dismantle the department altogether this won’t happen anytime soon. Now it’s up to local municipalities and the states to ban these poisons. City of Dearborn and Dearborn Public Health it’s not too late to change course and cancel all contracts that use these destructive rodenticides. There are alternatives to rodent population control that are better for the environment and don’t put wildlife at risk, as well as residents pet. It’s time to ban the use of SGAR’s.

This young coyote showing signs of poisoning was found on the Brandeis campus. From Return2Wild's page. A young coyote found at Brandeis

08/06/2025

Officials say a rat 'over 22 inches long from nose to tail' was discovered inside a home by pest control workers.

The statement adds they do not believe it was a "one-off."

07/23/2025

For decades now we have been introducing chemicals to control our lawns, rodents, and more. While I don’t expect the current administration, either at the DAC or White House to do a damn thing about them, you can. It’s the easiest effort on your part, just DON’T! That’s right, just DON’T use them! There are alternatives, they may not be easy, but nothing worth fighting for is easy. Fight for your health, Fight for all wildlife, Fight for what’s right!

The mass mortality event of monarch butterflies in California yet again shows how pesticides threaten pollinators and biodiversity.

07/22/2025

Hey City of Dearborn Government and Abdullah H. Hammoud Please read this letter… Your use of SGAR’s is hurting the environment. There are safer alternatives… if you don’t want to listen to me, maybe listen to a 20 year pest control specialist.

An open letter from Banner Pest Control to towns and cities considering banning SGARS

To Whom It May Concern,

My name is Rick Kelly, owner and operator of Banner Pest Control. I’m writing to share my
professional experience regarding the transition away from second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs), and to provide reassurance that there are effective, ethical and sustainable alternatives for municipal and community-based rodent control programs.

As of November 2024, Banner Pest Control fully discontinued the use of SGARs due to their well-documented impact on non-target wildlife—including hawks, owls, foxes, and domestic pets. This decision was based not only on environmental concerns but also on a
recognition that pest control companies have a responsibility to consider the broader ecological effects of their practices. Our industry must evolve with a heightened awareness of how our tools and techniques affect animals beyond the target species.

Since making this change, I’ve successfully managed rodent populations for both
commercial and residential clients using a holistic, integrated approach that includes:

• Rodent contraceptives (such as ContraPest / Evolve) to interrupt breeding cycles

• Mechanical trapping for immediate population reduction and ongoing monitoring

• Exclusion techniques to seal entry points and prevent infestations before they begin

• Vitamin D3-based rodenticides, used as a last resort, which are effective and present a significantly lower risk of secondary poisoning.

These strategies have proven just as effective as SGARs in real-world applications. When
implemented properly, they are also cost-comparable, especially when factoring in long-
term control, reduced risk to wildlife, and improved public perception.

I understand that some towns are weighing environmental benefits against perceived cost
or operational changes. With nearly two decades in the field, I can confidently say that transitioning away from SGARs is not only feasible—it’s preferable.

All it takes is thoughtful planning, education, and a slight shift in strategy. The results are safer, more sustainable, and broadly supported by communities.

I’d be happy to speak with any town officials, boards of health, or conservation
commissions exploring similar changes. I can provide case-specific insight, answer
questions about effectiveness, and share how we’ve successfully integrated these methods into our monthly and seasonal service models.

Thank you for your commitment to public health and environmental responsibility.

Sincerely,
Rick Kelly
Owner, Banner Pest Control