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 and domestic animals 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 800-858-7378 to talk with a Pesticide Specialist.

Additional Resources:

• Controlling Rodents and Regulating Rodenticides - US Environmental Protection Agency
• Rodenticides - University of Florida Extension
• Rodenticides How do they fit into your IPM program? - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
• Bait Stations for Controlling Rats and Mice - University of Nebraska Extension
• Restrictions on Rodenticide Products - US Environmental Protection Agency
• Effectiveness of rodenticides for managing invasive roof rats and native deer mice in orchards - USDA, APHIS Wildlife Services
• Control Rodents on the Poultry Farm - Mississippi State University Extension Service
• Rodenticides: Use, Issues, and Nontarget Exposure - University of California, Ag & Natural Resources

Rodenticide Poisoning in Humans:

• Rodenticide RED Facts - US Environmental Protection Agency
• Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings: Rodenticides - US Environmental Protection Agency
• Zinc Phosphide - Michigan Department of Natural Resources
• Salmonella-based Rodenticides and Public Health - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Rodenticide Ingredients - Alanwood.net

Rodenticide Poisoning in Pets and Wildlife:

• Avoiding Unintentional Poisoning - 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
• Rodenticide Toxicity - Cornell University
• Anticoagulant Rodenticides (Warfarin and Congeners) - Merck Veterinary Manual
• Toxicology Brief: Bromethalin: The Other Rodenticide - ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
• Rodent Control Pesticide Safety Review - US Environmental Protection Agency
• Veterinary Resources about Rodenticides - National Pesticide Information Center

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