Please check out Best Management Practices for Urban Rat Control

Rodenticide exposure of raptors in British Columbia
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Unfortunately, rodenticides are not only killing the intended targets such as rats and house mice. Every year in BC there are several documented cases of raptors such as owls and hawks that have died as a result of eating rodenticide exposed rodents. Secondary rodenticide poisoning of raptors is not a new phenomenon in BC, residue data dating back from the early 90’s when monitoring first began documented exposure in all the resident owl species (barn owl, great-horned owl and barred owl). Since then the residue data collected annually in BC is showing that the number of raptors species exposed, the proportion of the population being affected by anticoagulant rodenticides and the overall concentration in individual raptors is increasing.
Understanding the population impacts of rodenticide exposure on raptors is a challenging issue. Although we are finding that the majority of tested carcasses of owl species have residues of rodenticides in their livers it’s hard to determine whether this caused their death outright or might have indirectly contributed to their death by making the raptor feeling sick or lethargic.
For more information on the issue:

'Super-toxic' Rat Poisons Killing BC's Rare Barn Owls, Other Wildlife

Raptors are the solution

Did you know barn owls can be used as part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs on farms. 
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Best Rodent Control Practices

To the extent possible, avoid the use of anticoagulant rodenticides. Consider preventive measures such as removal of potential food sources, and blocking access to the inside of structures. Anticoagulant rodenticides should only be used as a last resort and application should carefully follow the instructions on the product label.

Preventive Measures
• Removal of open food sources for pests
• Safe storage of food products and or waste management
• Block possible access to the inside of structures
• Keep pet food for pets indoors
• Keep grass short within 1m surrounding your house
• Removal of debris