KUALA LUMPUR: Snares, rotating crops and a clean backyard are some of the safer ways to deal with pests instead of resorting to poison, says a toxins expert following the rise in accidental poisoning cases involving both humans and animals.
“Change how you manage your environment to reduce pest problems,” said Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Hezmee Mohd Noor of Universiti Putra Malaysia, who says chemical pesticides should be a last resort.
Better practices include rotating crops and plants in gardens, keeping homes clean as well as removing still water where mosquitoes breed.
“Physical methods such as snares can also be used, alongside sealing entry points,” said Mohd Hezmee, an expert in veterinary pharmacology and toxicology.
“Only use chemical pesticides when other methods fail and only in the smallest effective amounts,” he said.
This is because poison used for pests like rats can be accidentally eaten by domesticated pets like cats and dogs, or wildlife like the Malayan tapir, he added.
For those with pets and young children, Mohd Hezmee advised the public to store pesticides in secure containers and hard-to-reach areas.
“Pets, especially dogs and cats are naturally curious and might chew on the containers and spill the contents. This can lead to accidental poisoning,” he said, adding that consumers should look for products that are safe to use around pets.
“There are products that use less harmful chemicals and are formulated in ways that pets are less likely to come into contact with them,” he said.
He stressed the importance of reading and following instructions on pesticide labels.
“Using more than the recommended amount or applying it incorrectly can increase the risk of harming pets.”
On July 7, two brothers aged two and three in Kedah, died after eating crackers that had been laced with rat poison meant for monkeys.
On July 14, a teenage boy in Terengganu was hospitalised after eating poison-laced biscuits that he found on the fence of a farm.
The Star also reported that according to the National Poison Centre, there has been an increase in poisoning cases, with most involving children aged below four.
Environmental activists have also said using poison to deal with human-wildlife conflicts violates the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.
To this, Mohd Hezmee said the use of poison can disrupt the natural balance of animals in an ecosystem, which will then affect humans.
“If birds of prey – like the crested serpent eagle – die out, there might be an increase in rat population as there are fewer predators to keep their numbers in check.
“These changes create a domino effect when one problem leads to another.
“More rats can cause more damage to crops and spread more disease to other animals and even humans,” he said.
It is also crucial to consider the ethics of using poison, said Mohd Hezmee.
“Killing one species to protect another raises ethical questions about our right to decide which lives are more valuable.
“Many poisons also cause a slow and painful death so we need to consider whether it is humane to use such methods,” he said.
Education, community involvement and sustainable practices can reduce the reliance on harmful chemicals, protect pets and wildlife alongside create a healthier ecosystem for everyone, he added.
