Rodenticides

mouse eating food (photo credit: Maine Department of Ag)

Rodenticides are pesticides that kill rodents, including mice and rats. They are often formulated as baits with attractive substances like peanut butter or molasses. Rodenticide baits can provide short-term control of rodent infestations. People, pets, and wildlife are very similar to rodents, so they can also be poisoned by rodenticides. Recent changes to rodenticide regulations limit the availability of more toxic baits for home use.

Keep these tips in mind when using rodenticides:

If you choose to use rodent bait, always follow the label, it's the law.
Identify your rodent first. Some bait types are more effective for certain species than others.
Try a combination of control methods. Consider prevention, sanitation, and exclusion before using a rodenticide. Then try a lower toxicity product first.
Rodent baits can be attractive and dangerous to kids, pets and wildlife. Always store pesticides in a cool, dry place that's not accessible to children and pets.
Use bait stations, rather than broadcast rodenticides, to minimize access for children and pets.
Use gloves when disposing of dead rodents. Secure trash cans to minimize pet or wildlife access to poisoned rodents.
Many rodenticide baits can be toxic to wildlife if they are eaten, or if an animal eats a rodent that was recently poisoned. If you suspect an animal may have been poisoned, please contact NPIC at 1-800-858-7378 to talk with a Pesticide Specialist.

If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 1-800-858-7378 (8:00am - 12:00pm PST), or email us at npic@ace.orst.edu.

Additional Resources:

Rodenticides - US Environmental Protection Agency
Bait Stations for Controlling Rats and Mice - University of Nebraska Extension
Restrictions on Rodenticide Products - US Environmental Protection Agency
Rodenticides for Control of Norway Rats, Roof Rats and House Mice - University of California Extension
Control Rodents on the Poultry Farm - Mississippi State University Extension Service

Rodenticide Poisoning in Humans:

Rodenticide RED Facts - US Environmental Protection Agency
Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings: Rodenticides - US Environmental Protection Agency
Pesticide Toxicity Profile: Coumarin and Indandione Rodenticides - University of Florida Extension
Pesticide Toxicity Profile: Miscellaneous Rodenticides - University of Florida Extension
Zinc Phosphide Rodenticides - Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Salmonella-based Rodenticides and Public Health - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Anticoagulant Rodenticides - Minnesota Poison Control System
Rodenticide Ingredients - Alanwood.net

Rodenticide Poisoning in Pets and Wildlife:

Lethal Dose: Rat Poison and Local Wildlife - National Park Service
Keep Pets Safe Around Pesticides (pg. 4: Rodenticides) - Oregon State University Extension
Anticoagulant rodenticides: Deadly for pests, dangerous for pets - ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
Rat Poison Ingestion in Dogs and Cats: Anticoagulant Rodenticides - PetEducation.com
Toxicology Brief: Bromethalin: The Other Rodenticide - ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
Zinc-containing Rodenticides - PetEducation.com
Potential Risks of Nine Rodenticides to Birds and Nontarget Mammals: a Comparative Approach - US Environmental Protection Agency
More Veterinary Resources about Rodenticides - National Pesticide Information Center

Last updated May 09, 2016

Related Topics:

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What are pesticides?