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Ban on poisons from 2026: communities in uproar over new rat control!
From 2026, new rat poison rules will apply in Austria: documentation requirement, use only by professionals. Communities face challenges.
Ban on poisons from 2026: communities in uproar over new rat control!
From January 1, 2026, new regulations for the use of rat poison will come into force in Austria. The changes are comprehensive and affect not only commercial pest controllers, but also private households. From this point onwards, the use of rat poison for private individuals will be severely restricted, which can lead to major challenges for communities and affected citizens, as vol.at reports.
The ban is particularly aimed at the improper use of rodenticides, as these can have dangerous effects on the environment and wildlife, such as the red kite. In addition, it has already been reported in various cases that rats appeared in Christmas nativity scenes or that mouse bites led to broken cable cars, for example on New Year's Eve. In order to counteract these problems, the new requirements and the comprehensive switch to digital solutions are essential.
New editions and digital solutions
A central component of the new regulations is the documentation requirement for commercial users. In the future, rat poison may only be used by knowledgeable people who must provide proof in accordance with the new guidelines. This means that private individuals are completely relieved of responsibility when it comes to the use of toxic substances. Proof of expertise can be acquired through courses at AGES, the Chamber of Agriculture (LK) or, in the future, also at WIFI. The constant use of poison will no longer be permitted from 2026 unless other non-chemical measures have failed.
Ronald Knoll, an exterminator from Hard, has already responded and developed a digital, animal-friendly trap. This trap takes a photo as soon as it is triggered and sends it to a companion app. This enables modern monitoring without the use of chemicals. The new technology is intended for companies and is not operated via WLAN, but uses its own LoRaWAN system.
Impact on municipalities
Communities must prepare for a changing landscape of rat control, with only commercial pest controllers authorized to carry out sewer baiting. From 2026, it will be mandatory to equip canals with special traps to protect bait from water. This measure is part of the amendment to the Hazardous Substances Ordinance, which has already changed the expertise requirements for biocidal products for rat control since 2021, as aus-sbk.de explains.
Additional challenges for the public sector arise from environmental concerns, which can increase the effort and costs of rat control. Municipalities must decide whether to carry out rat control internally or externally. Employees who use rodent control products are also required to complete a specialist training course by the transition period.
Overall, Austria is facing a comprehensive change in rodent control, which includes increased digitalization and significantly fewer toxins. These reforms are aimed not only at protecting people and the environment, but also at finding a more effective and sustainable solution to the rat problem. The new rules are not only necessary, but also an opportunity to rethink existing practice.