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Save Kiawah Bobcats
Kiawah’s historically healthy bobcat population declined dramatically between 2017-2020. The use of second-generation anticoagulant (SGAs) rodenticides was the primary contributing factor and was responsible for at least seven bobcat deaths during 2019-2020. Biologists estimate that Kiawah’s bobcat population declined from a historic population of 30-35 to less than 10 during this time period. Thanks in large part to voluntary efforts under the Bobcat Guardian program, Kiawah’s bobcat population is showing signs of recovery, but continued efforts are needed.
Take the Pledge to Become a Bobcat Guardian
We need community-wide participation to mitigate the issue and save our bobcat population! Eliminating the toxic SGA foursome will ensure fewer poisoned prey entering the food system, and our bobcats have the chance to thrive once again. Take the pledge that you have either told you pest control provider: “I do not authorize the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (Brodifacoum, Bromadiolone, Difenacoum, and Difethialone) on my property and I want you to use alternative methods” OR, “I personally commit not to use the above products on my property.”
Take the Pledge to Become a Bobcat GuardianWe need community-wide participation to mitigate the issue and save our bobcat population! Eliminating the toxic SGA foursome will ensure fewer poisoned prey entering the food system, and our bobcats have the chance to thrive once again. Take the pledge that you have either told you pest control provider: “I do not authorize the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (Brodifacoum, Bromadiolone, Difenacoum, and Difethialone) on my property and I want you to use alternative methods” OR, “I personally commit not to use the above products on my property.”
List of current Bobcat Guardians.
Pledge Forms
Rethink Your Rodent Control Strategy
Use Integrated Pest Management to address rodent problems:
If pesticides are necessary, first-generation anticoagulants (warfarin, chlorophacinone, and diphacinone) are slightly better than second-generation anticoagulants but still have secondary effects on wildlife and should not be used. The best option would be a product that uses bromethalin or cholecalciferol. While these products have significantly lower secondary effects on bobcats and other predators, they are still potentially toxic if consumed directly by pets and can only be used inside of a tamper-resistant bait station. Brand names of products containing these rodenticides are listed below:
Other Ways to Help
While Kiawah still has plenty of excellent bobcat habitat, it has less than it did ten years ago. This means that bobcats have to travel further and expand their home range size to meet their needs. Because bobcats are territorial, larger home range sizes mean fewer bobcats on the island. Also, increased travel by bobcats makes them more susceptible to vehicle collisions and other mortality events.
Residents can easily help replace their habitat by exchanging or adding native landscaping to their property that promotes bobcat habitat (Saw Palmettos, Yaupon Holly, Black Needlerush, Wax Myrtle, Saltmeadow Cordgrass, Little Bluestem, and Broomsedge) and let buffer areas grow back naturally. More information is available through the Town’s Grow Native initiative at www.grownativekiawah.com
Regulation Information
The Town currently cannot regulate or prohibit the use of SGAs. In April, Town Council was prepared to pass an ordinance that would have done this. That action was challenged, and legal opinions since have confirmed that South Carolina law broadly prohibits municipalities from enacting local regulations to control pesticide use. The Town has not ruled out the possibility of challenging that law, but such a challenge will be costly, time-consuming, and in the meantime, the use of these chemicals would continue unabated. The Town and the Kiawah Conservancy have both petitioned the SC Department of Pesticide Regulation for a one-year temporary ban on the use of these chemicals in the Town. The request is pending.
Update August 13, 2020
The Clemson Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has denied the Town’s request for a temporary, one-year prohibition on second-generation anticoagulant (SGA) use on Kiawah Island. The temporary ban would have immediately removed these products from our ecosystem and mitigated any further damage to our bobcat population and other wildlife while our community works on a permanent solution to this issue.
The public announcement is provided here.
Pledge Forms
- Become a Bobcat Guardian Resident (One response per household, please.)
- Become a Bobcat Guardian Pest Control Provider
- Become a Bobcat Guardian Business Partner
Eliminate the Toxic Foursome
Tell your pest control provider not to use second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGAs) on your property. These include:
- Brodifacoum
- Bromadiolone
- Difenacoum
- Difethialone
Rethink Your Rodent Control Strategy
Use Integrated Pest Management to address rodent problems:
- Identify specific rodent problems and locations by doing a thorough survey of the property. Only take action if a problem exists. Seeing a rodent in your yard is not a rodent problem.
- Use non-chemical methods of rodent control (eliminate food/water sources, exclude rodents from structures by sealing exterior holes and cracks, use traps).
- Pesticides should only be used as a last resort for large infestations inside structures. The pesticide should only be applied for a short time (typically 10 days) and then stopped once the problem is resolved.
If pesticides are necessary, first-generation anticoagulants (warfarin, chlorophacinone, and diphacinone) are slightly better than second-generation anticoagulants but still have secondary effects on wildlife and should not be used. The best option would be a product that uses bromethalin or cholecalciferol. While these products have significantly lower secondary effects on bobcats and other predators, they are still potentially toxic if consumed directly by pets and can only be used inside of a tamper-resistant bait station. Brand names of products containing these rodenticides are listed below:
- Cholecalciferol – Terad3 Blox, d-Con Pro Bait Station Blocks
- Bromethalin – Tomcat Bait Station Blocks, Victor Fast Kill Refillable Rat Bait Station
Other Ways to Help
While Kiawah still has plenty of excellent bobcat habitat, it has less than it did ten years ago. This means that bobcats have to travel further and expand their home range size to meet their needs. Because bobcats are territorial, larger home range sizes mean fewer bobcats on the island. Also, increased travel by bobcats makes them more susceptible to vehicle collisions and other mortality events.
Residents can easily help replace their habitat by exchanging or adding native landscaping to their property that promotes bobcat habitat (Saw Palmettos, Yaupon Holly, Black Needlerush, Wax Myrtle, Saltmeadow Cordgrass, Little Bluestem, and Broomsedge) and let buffer areas grow back naturally. More information is available through the Town’s Grow Native initiative at www.grownativekiawah.com
Regulation Information
The Town currently cannot regulate or prohibit the use of SGAs. In April, Town Council was prepared to pass an ordinance that would have done this. That action was challenged, and legal opinions since have confirmed that South Carolina law broadly prohibits municipalities from enacting local regulations to control pesticide use. The Town has not ruled out the possibility of challenging that law, but such a challenge will be costly, time-consuming, and in the meantime, the use of these chemicals would continue unabated. The Town and the Kiawah Conservancy have both petitioned the SC Department of Pesticide Regulation for a one-year temporary ban on the use of these chemicals in the Town. The request is pending.
Update August 13, 2020
The Clemson Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has denied the Town’s request for a temporary, one-year prohibition on second-generation anticoagulant (SGA) use on Kiawah Island. The temporary ban would have immediately removed these products from our ecosystem and mitigated any further damage to our bobcat population and other wildlife while our community works on a permanent solution to this issue.
The public announcement is provided here.