Poison-Free™ Certification Standards

Standards for Rodent Management Professionals

The Poison-Free™ Certification recognizes rodent management providers who follow safe, ethical, and environmentally responsible practices. To qualify for use of the Poison-Free™ mark, companies must meet and maintain the following standards:

 

To be authorized to use the POISON-FREE™ certification mark, a provider must:

1. No Use of Rodenticides

Certified providers may not use any chemical rodenticide, including:

• anticoagulants
• acute toxicants
• neurotoxins
• any product designed to poison rats, mice, or squirrels

This applies to all services, locations, and subcontracted work.

2. No Promotion or Sale of Rodenticides

Certified providers may not:

• advertise rodenticide-based services
• recommend or supply rodenticide products
• subcontract work that uses rodenticides

Educational content explaining the risks of rodenticides is permitted.

3. Use Non-Poison Methods Only

Certified providers must rely on proven poison-free methods, including:

• prevention and sanitation
• exclusion and structural repairs
• habitat modification
• mechanical kill traps indoors only and only after exclusion is complete
• approved non-poison lethal methods (e.g., CO or CO₂ where legal)

4. Maintain Transparency With Clients

Certified providers must operate with full transparency regarding the methods they use. This includes:

• Disclosing the potential risks and limitations of kill traps, including welfare concerns, non-target risks, and steps taken to minimize harm.
• Disclosing the limitations and considerations of fertility-control products, where legally allowed, including expected outcomes, mode of action, and any ecological or practical concerns.
• Providing accurate, honest information about all non-poison methods, including what they can and cannot achieve and the conditions required for success.

5. Support Verification and Oversight

Certified providers agree to:

• cooperate with certification reviews
• provide information or documentation when requested
• notify the certifier of any deviation from standards

6. Follow All Applicable Laws

Certified providers must comply with all relevant local, state, and federal regulations.