Defending the Tools of the Trade

As members in our industry know all too well, rodents are more than just a nuisance. Their infestations threaten public health by spreading diseases, compromising food safety, and, when left untreated, causing extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure. In recent years, these infestations haven’t been limited to homes and businesses but have found their way into statehouses across the country.  

Fueled by a stalled federal registration process, rising environmental advocate pressure, and growing calls for local control, rodent control policy has become one of the most widespread and politically charged issues facing today’s structural pest management industry. What once was a highly technical matter is now at the center of heated legislative debate, with bills introduced in nearly every region and rhetoric increasingly shaped by emotion over science.  

While bills were seen across the country, the Northeast, especially New England, became a focal point. In 2025 alone, NPMA tracked 26 bills in the region, the majority of which aimed to restrict or ban second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs).  

Massachusetts stood out as a critical battleground. Not only did it see the highest volume of rodent-related legislation, but many of these proposals also threatened NPMA’s priority of maintaining state-level pesticide preemption. Nearly half of all rodenticide-related bills tracked by NPMA originated in Boston, including more than 10 municipal petitions aimed at gaining local control over pesticide regulations.  

Fortunately, despite the volume of proposals, none gained significant traction in the legislatures. This outcome reflects a broader commitment by lawmakers to uphold a consistent, statewide regulatory framework for pesticides and underscores the importance of advocacy. NPMA’s work, alongside the New England Pest Management Association (NEPMA), ensured that the industry’s voice remained part of the policy conversation. 

The Power of Coordinated Efforts 

Our industry’s advocacy did not stop in Massachusetts. Through our partnerships with state associations, our voice was at the table, proactively engaging state lawmakers to shape and influence legislation.  

Here are two examples that illustrate the power of our coordinated efforts:  

Connecticut: In Hartford, a long-running effort to ban SGARs was reintroduced in 2025. The original legislation remained unviable, but when leadership signaled an interest in moving language that would reclassify SGARs as state restricted use pesticides (RUPs) in a larger, must-pass piece of legislation, the Connecticut Pest Control Association (CTPCA) worked quickly to determine if the change would have a drastic impact on members. Once confirmed it would not, CTPCA not only removed opposition to the legislation but gave support to its passage. This strategic decision positioned the association as a reasonable, solutions-oriented partner for future legislative discussions. 

Rhode Island: In Providence, a sweeping proposal aimed to implement a pilot program for integrated rodent pest management, paired with a ban on both first- and second-generation anticoagulants. The bill was debated in both chambers and drew testimony from multiple stakeholders. Thanks to timely and coordinated engagement from NEPMA, the measure was ultimately defeated, highlighting the importance of rapid, organized advocacy when complex legislation emerges.  

Restrictions on Glue and Adhesive Trap Bans  

While anticoagulants, specifically SGARs, continue to be the focus of most rodent-control legislation, 2025 also saw a rise in proposed bans on glue and adhesive traps, tools that are frequently used for monitoring pest populations and often used in sensitive environments. These bans are typically led by animal welfare groups and have gained traction as part of a broader effort to restrict professional pest control tools. NPMA is closely monitoring these developments, recognizing that even seemingly narrow bans can and will set dangerous precedents.  

We see this playing out locally on the West Coast, with several California cities exploring local bans on these traps being used on public property. State-level legislation to restrict or ban specifically rodent glue or adhesive traps was also introduced in New Hampshire and New York but failed to advance. Still, with this being the second year that legislation like this has been introduced, we know this issue isn’t going away.  

SPAR Program Educates Lawmakers  

Beyond restrictions on rodent-control methods, our industry has played an active role in broader legislative discussions involving pesticide preemption, product bans, neonicotinoid regulations, public notification requirements, and school integrated pest management (IPM) policies. NPMA tracked close to 300 bills in 2025, and we anticipate more legislation to be proposed at the state level in 2026. As such, it is more critical than ever that lawmakers understand the professional pest management industry and the science-backed work we do.  

This is where NPMA’s State Policy Affairs Representative (SPAR) program comes into play. SPARs are on the front lines of legislative engagement—often working behind the scenes before a bill is introduced to ensure our industry’s voice is heard. They don’t work alone; they bring the voices of their state association members with them. In 2025, three state grassroots campaigns powered by SPARs generated nearly 500 messages to state legislators, showing the collective strength and unity of our industry. 

Outside of state capitols, NPMA SPARs continue to drive meaningful change by fostering strong relationships with regulatory agencies. They do this by inviting regulators to state association events, volunteering to serve on state stakeholder boards to provide practical insights from the applicator’s point of view, and supporting associations in submitting clear, well-reasoned comments on proposed rules.  

In South Carolina, for example, the South Carolina Pest Control Association created coordinated responses during the state’s comment period on the emergency classification of SGARs as a state RUP. Through constructive dialogue and a well-organized comment effort, the association helped regulators better understand the real-world implications for certified applicators—ultimately leading to a productive conversation between state regulators and the industry before the classification was finalized and implemented.  

Meanwhile, NEPMA is actively engaging in Massachusetts’ third-party scientific review of rodenticide use and regulation, ensuring that the industry’s perspective is represented and the work is grounded in real-world experience as the review process moves forward. By serving on the state’s pesticide advisory council and maintaining open lines of communication with regulators, NEPMA leaders ensure that science and field experience guide policymaking. 

These collective efforts—at both the legislative and regulatory levels—demonstrate the essential role NPMA and our SPARs play in shaping the future of pest management policy across the country, as the pace and scope of legislative activity around rodent control and pesticide regulation shows no signs of slowing down.  

While our industry is being challenged on multiple fronts, we are not just defending our tools—we are shaping the future of pest management policy. As we move into 2026, continued engagement, unity, and proactive communication will be key.

Now more than ever, lawmakers need to hear from professionals who understand both the science behind and the real-world benefits of professional pest management.