California SGAR Rodenticide Restrictions: What Homeowners Need to Know
Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides are now restricted for most homeowners in California. Here is what changed, what you can still use, and why the restriction matters in Placer County’s oak woodland environment.
Talk to a Licensed ProfessionalIf you have looked for brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difethialone, or difenacoum rodenticide products at a hardware or garden store in California and found them unavailable, you are dealing with the effects of AB 1788 — the California Ecosystems Protection Act, signed into law in 2020 and expanded in scope since then. Understanding what the law does and does not restrict helps you make informed decisions about your rodent control approach.
What Are SGARs and Why Were They Restricted?
SGAR stands for second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide. These are rodent poisons that work by blocking vitamin K metabolism, preventing blood from clotting. First-generation anticoagulants (like warfarin and diphacinone) work the same way but require multiple feedings over several days to be lethal. SGARs are single-feeding products — one dose is enough to kill a rat or mouse.
The problem with SGARs is bioaccumulation. Rodents that consume a lethal dose do not die immediately — they typically die within 3 to 10 days. During that window, they remain active prey for raptors, foxes, mountain lions, and bobcats. The poison accumulates in the rodent’s tissues and is then transferred to predators that eat them. In California’s oak woodland ecosystems — including the Placer County foothills — this has caused documented die-offs of barn owls, red-tailed hawks, and mountain lions.
Local relevance: Granite Bay, Rocklin, and El Dorado Hills all have active raptor populations and mountain lion movement corridors. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has documented SGAR poisoning in predators throughout Placer County. The restriction is not abstract for this area.
What AB 1788 Actually Restricts
The law prohibits the use of four active SGAR ingredients for most residential and commercial applications in California:
| SGAR Active Ingredient | Common Brand Names | Status in CA |
|---|---|---|
| Brodifacoum | d-Con (older formulations), various | Prohibited for general use |
| Bromadiolone | Contrac, various | Prohibited for general use |
| Difethialone | Generation, various | Prohibited for general use |
| Difenacoum | Neogen, various | Prohibited for general use |
“General use” means consumer purchase and application. The restriction covers homeowners, landscapers, and most commercial pest control operators. Agriculture and certain other licensed applications have different rules under the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR).
What Is Still Legal to Use
| Product Type | Active Ingredient | Legal for CA Homeowners? |
|---|---|---|
| First-generation anticoagulants | Diphacinone, chlorophacinone, warfarin | Yes (with label compliance) |
| Non-anticoagulant rodenticides | Zinc phosphide, bromethalin, cholecalciferol | Yes (some require licensed applicator) |
| Mechanical traps | Snap traps, electronic traps, live traps | Yes, no restrictions |
| Rodent bait stations (with compliant bait) | First-gen anticoagulants only | Yes if bait is SGAR-free |
Check the label: Many bait station products at hardware stores have been reformulated to remove SGARs, but not all. Always check the active ingredient list before purchasing. If it lists brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difethialone, or difenacoum, it is not legal for general use in California.
What This Means for Placer County Homeowners
The SGAR restriction has two practical effects for homeowners in Granite Bay, Rocklin, Roseville, and El Dorado Hills:
- The most effective over-the-counter rodenticide products are no longer available. First-generation anticoagulants work, but require multiple feedings and take longer. In a high-pressure environment like Placer County’s oak woodland edge, this matters.
- The case for exclusion over chemical control is now stronger. If the most effective rodenticide products are restricted, the only approach that definitively solves the problem without depending on chemical action is structural exclusion — sealing every entry point so rodents cannot get in regardless of what is happening outside.
For more on why exclusion is the right long-term approach in Granite Bay’s specific environment, see our rodent prevention guide and our rat exclusion service page.
Ground Squirrels and the SGAR Question
Ground squirrels are a separate situation from rats and mice, and the regulatory picture for ground squirrel control is different. California’s wildlife management regulations allow licensed professionals to use certain products for ground squirrel control that are not available for residential rat control. If you are dealing with ground squirrels on your property, the SGAR restriction is less directly relevant — but you still need a licensed applicator for the most effective products.
Our ground squirrel control page covers the options available in Placer County and what licensed control looks like for a residential or agricultural property.
Questions about what products are legal in California or what alternatives work best for your property?
Ask a Licensed Professional →Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still buy d-Con in California?
d-Con reformulated several of its products after regulatory pressure. Products with brodifacoum (which many older d-Con formulations contained) are not legal for general use in California. Check the active ingredient list on any product you are considering. If it lists an SGAR active ingredient, do not use it in California.
Are pest control companies allowed to use SGARs?
The restriction applies to most commercial pest control operators as well. There are limited exceptions for specific agricultural and public health applications under CDPR authorization. A licensed residential pest control company cannot legally apply SGAR products in California under current rules.
Do the SGAR restrictions make rodent control harder?
For chemical-only approaches, yes. First-generation anticoagulants require more feedings and more time. This is one of the strongest practical arguments for exclusion — it eliminates dependence on any rodenticide product entirely. A properly excluded structure has no ongoing chemical cost or ongoing compliance concern.
Where can I find more information on CDPR regulations?
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation maintains current information on rodenticide regulations at cdpr.ca.gov/laws-and-regulations. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife also publishes information on the ecological impact of SGARs and the status of the restriction.
Skip the Chemistry. Get Permanent Results.
Exclusion does not depend on rodenticide products. One service closes every entry point — no ongoing chemical application required. Granite Bay and Placer County.
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