Rodenticide

Rodenticides are pesticides, (baits that are toxic), used to reduce damage caused by rodent species, including Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) and house mice (Mus musculus). While commonly referred to as “rat poison”, rodenticides are also used to control mouse, squirrel, porcupine and other rodent species’ populations.

When using rodenticide, TIPWG strongly recommends using bait stations. Bait stations increase the effectiveness and safety of rodenticide use. It should be noted, a bait station is not a trap it is purely a device that holds a bait securely inside. Bait stations enhance the efficiency of rodenticide use by providing, one or more of, the following benefits:

• protecting bait from moisture and dust

• providing a protected place for rodents to feed, allow¬ing them to feel more secure and consume more bait

• keeping non-target species, including pets, livestock, wildlife, and children away from bait stations

• permitting bait placement in otherwise difficult locations given weather or potential hazards to non-target animals

• containing the bait, helping to prevent accidental spillages of bait occurring

• offering the applicator easy access to bait and enabling them to more accurately determine the amount consumed by rodents.

NOTE: Rodents do not die in the bait station, so don’t expect to find any there. Instead, a mouse or rat enters the station, eats a lethal dose of bait, leaves the station, and usually goes back to its nest where it dies 1-2 days later.