Rodenticide baits are an extremely effective way to control rodents. Infestations need to be controlled to reduce the risk from disease and damage to property. It is important that such products are used correctly and care taken to prevent children, pets and wildlife from gaining access to the baits.
The following guidelines will assist users of rodent baits to control rodent infestations in the most safe and effective manner.
This information does not replace the product label directions.
BEFORE USING ANY RODENTICIDE, PLEASE READ THE PRODUCT LABEL AND FOLLOW ALL LABEL DIRECTIONS.
Prevention is better than the cure
Your primary aim should be to avoid the problem. Hygiene and prevention are key factors in satisfactory rodent control. Simple measures such as clearing away rubbish, reducing potential food sources and rodent proofing of buildings can be effective in stopping the problem before it occurs.
Around the home, fill holes and gaps greater than 6 mm in diameter around plumbing fitting/fixtures in the kitchen, laundry and bathroom. Weather-strips should be applied under doors.
Identify the Pest
Control tactics differ slightly for rats and mice - hence once the rodent problem is established it is important to identify the pest. Rodent droppings are often the best identification:
- Mouse - droppings are small, rod shaped, usually 3 to 6 mm long.
- Rat - droppings are usually either spindle or capsule shaped and are much larger at 12 to 20 mm.
Site Survey
Before beginning a baiting programme it is useful to note such points as:
- Level and extent of infestation
- Potential risk factors such as presence of children, livestock, pets and wildlife.
Bait Selection
The two most common bait types are pellets and wax blocks. Pellets are highly attractive to rodents and may be used in a variety of situations. Wax blocks are more durable and can be used in moist areas. Many wax block products can be fixed in position. They are suited for use in areas where it is important that the bait is not scattered by rodent activity.
Baiting Programme
Bait Placement
- Rats - use 1 to 3 blocks at intervals of 5 to 9 metres in infested intervals.
- Mice - use single blocks positioned closer together; at 2 to 3 m intervals.
Bait should be placed in areas of rodent activity. This can be achieved by placing baits:
- in inaccessible areas or
- in a tamper resistant rodent bait station or
- under sheets of corrugated iron or
- inside a length of pipe (secured in position) or beneath timber or furniture.
DO NOT PLACE BAITS IN AREAS WHERE CHILDREN, PETS, OTHER ANIMALS OR BIRDS CAN REACH IT. DO NOT PLACE BAITS IN THE OPEN.
THE PLACEMENT OF BAIT WITHIN A TAMPER RESISTANT BAIT STATION IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Please note that pellets and wax block baits that are not fixed in position may be moved by rodent activity. In areas where such activity could result in children or non-target animals accessing the bait, the use of a tamper evident bait station or wax blocks fixed in position is recommended.
Record both the location of the bait positions and the amount of bait used to assist with the monitoring of the baiting programme.
Monitoring and Bait Replenishment
Inspect bait positions every 1 to 2 weeks and replenish eaten bait as necessary. Continue baiting every 1 to 2 weeks until all feeding activity has stopped.
DO NOT REPLENISH BAIT MORE FREQUENTLY THAN ONCE PER WEEK as rodent death will occur normally 4 to 7 days after bait consumption therefore more frequent bait replenishment is not necessary.
You should endeavour to control the problem using as little bait as possible to ensure bait is not wasted and the risk of non-target exposure is minimised.
Safe and Responsible Rodenticide Use | Primary and Secondary Poisoning
The aim of this section is to explain primary and secondary poisoning when using TALON® (brodifacoum) rodenticides. It explains the differences between primary - and secondary poisoning and also highlights good rodenticide use practices to manage the risk to non-target animals.
Primary Poisoning (Higher risk)
Primary poisoning refers to the effect that brodifacoum has on the target pest animal (rats and/or mice) as well as accidental bait consumption by non-target animals.
|
Average weight |
LD502 (mg/kg body weight) |
Weight of TALON® pellets to be consumed to attain LD50 |
Number of TALON® wax blocks to be consumed to attain LD50 |
|
|
Small dog (mixed breed)1 |
10 kg |
0.25 |
50 g |
2.8 |
|
Medium dog (mixed breed) |
10-20 kg |
0.25 |
50 - 712 g |
2.8 - 39.5 |
|
Large dog (mixed breed) |
20-40 kg |
0.25 |
712 g - 1.42 kg |
39.5 - 79 |
|
Kittens and small cats |
2 kg |
1 |
40 g |
2.2 |
|
Adult cats |
4 kg |
1 |
80 g |
4.4 |
|
Chicken |
1 kg |
4.5 |
90 g |
5 |
|
Domestic Pig |
50 kg |
0.5 |
0.5 – 2 kg |
28 - 111 |
|
Sheep |
50 kg |
11 |
11 kg |
611 |
|
Rabbit |
5 kg |
0.3 |
30 g |
1.6 |
|
Guinea-pig |
5 kg |
0.28 |
28 g |
1.5 |
|
Horse |
Unknown (no studies performed) |
|||
|
Rat |
250 g |
0.22 |
1.1 g |
0.06 |
|
Mouse |
25 g |
0.4 |
0.2 g |
0.01 |
1 Pure breed dogs, puppies and old dogs may have a lower tolerance.
2 LD50 is the lethal dose at which 50% of the individuals within a population will die. The values represent the official Syngenta position and are based on the lowest published LD50 value.
TALON® products contain a bittering agent as a deterrent for human consumption.
Tips to avoid primary poisoning
- Ensure baits are inaccessible to children, pets, domestic animals and wildlife.
- DO NOT place bait in the open.
- Place baits in bait stations where possible.
- Use tamper-resistant bait stations at locations where access of non-target animals cannot otherwise be prevented and fix the stations securely to the substrate.
- Alternatively, nails or wire may be used to fix wax blocks to prevent them being scattered by rodents.
- Always record the number and locations of baiting points for the purpose of bait replacement and later removal.
- Remove remaining baits when rodent activity ceases.
Secondary Poisoning (Lower risk)
Secondary poisoning refers to the effect that brodifacoum might have on a non-target animal following consumption of a poisoned rodent while still alive or after death. The following table gives an indication on the number of rodents that need to be consumed by non-target animals to attain LD50.
(Assumptions: 1. The rodents consume maximum eating capacity [2.2 g bait for rats and 0.4 g bait for mice]. 2. All the ingested brodifacoum is transferred to the non-target animal. 3. Based on 1 & 2 a rat will contain 0.11 mg brodifacoum and a mouse will contain 0.02 mg brodifacoum.)
|
Average weight |
LD50 (mg/kg body weight) |
Number of poisoned rats to be consumed to attain LD50 |
Number of poisoned mice to be consumed to attain LD50 |
|
|
Small dog (mixed breed)1 |
10 kg |
0.25 |
221 |
125 |
|
Medium dog (mixed breed) |
10 -20 kg |
0.25 |
22 - 44 |
125 - 250 |
|
Large dog (mixed breed) |
20 - 40 kg |
0.25 |
44 - 88 |
250 - 500 |
|
Kittens and small cats |
2 kg |
1 |
|
100 |
|
Adult cats |
4 kg |
1 |
|
200 |
|
Chicken (pecking) |
1 kg |
4.5 |
|
225 |
|
Domestic Pig |
50 kg |
0.5 |
|
1,250 |
1 A 10 kg dog needs to consume 22 rats (2.2 rats / kg of body weight). Similarly, a 2 kg dog has to consume 4.4 rats.
The total weight of 22 rats is ~ 5.5 kg (~250 g each) which is more than half the body weight of a 10 kg dog.
Tips to avoid secondary poisoning
- Limit access to baited areas by non-target animals.
- Rodents can take 3-7 days to die.
- Actively search for, remove and destroy dead and dying rodents whilst bait is being used.
- Dispose of dead rodent by burning or burying – DO NOT dispose in rubbish bins or tips.
Accidental poisoning treatment
- In cases where accidental poisoning of a non-target animal is suspected it is important to ascertain, as accurately as possible, the amount of bait (primary poisoning) or rodents (secondary poisoning) consumed.
- Observe animal for any associated symptoms after suspected ingestion.
- Symptoms will not manifest within the first 24h after ingestion and may become more pronounced in time.
- Symptoms may include blood in urine or faeces, laboured breathing, pale mouth and cold gums and general weakness.
- Contact a Veterinarian as soon as possible for treatment with vitamin K1 (phytomenadione) only.
SYNGENTA’S EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICE (24 HOURS)
1800 033 111 – AUSTRALIA
0800 734 607 - NEW ZEALAND