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Rodent Control and Rodenticides
Rodents have been known to damage buildings, contaminate food and transmit diseases to people. They're diverse; the rodent family includes rats, mice, gophers, voles, beavers and more. They're also adaptable, capable of learning by trial and error. As a result, people who need to control them have always struggled to "build a better mouse-trap."
Keep in mind these important tips when controlling a rodent infestations in your home or business:
- Always read and follow label directions for any pesticide product, including rodent baits. It's the law.
- Always store pesticides in a cool, dry place that's not accessible to children and pets. Rodent baits, in particular, can be attractive and dangerous to kids, pets and wildlife.
- Many rodenticide baits have the potential to be toxic to wildlife if the product is 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.
- It's important to know which species of rodent you're dealing with; they have different capabilities and preferences. The first step in any effective control program is proper pest identification. For help identifying your rodent infestation, try using this rodent information, or try contacting your local Cooperative Extension Service.
- Many experts recommend an IPM approach, which stands for Integrated Pest Management. This kind of approach emphasizes prevention, sanitation and exclusion, and utilizes pesticides only as a last resort when other options have been exhausted. Learn more by visiting the following links:
Rodent Control and Identification
- Controlling Rodents - EPA
- Rat and Mouse Control - University of Florida Extension
- House Mouse Control - University of California Statewide IPM Program
- Rat Control - University of California Statewide IPM Program
- Roof Rat Control around Homes and Other Structures - University of Arizona Extension
- Brown Rat Management - University of Illinois Extension
- Rodenticides for Control of Norway Rats, Roof Rats and House Mice - University of California Extension
- Rats and Mice in the Pacific Northwest - Washington State Extension
- Control Commensal Rodents In Poultry Houses - Mississippi State University Extension Service
- Control of Roof Rats in Fruit Trees - University of Florida Extension
- Protecting Trees from Rodent Damage - University of Minnesota Extension
- School Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Rats and Mice - Virginia Tech Extension Service
- Bait Stations for Controlling Rats and Mice - University of Nebraska Extension
- Rodent-Proof Structural Construction Methods - University of Nebraska Extension
- Non-Chemical Rodent Control in Schools - University of Florida Extension
- Wildlife Damage Management: Rodents - eXtension.org
Rodenticide Poisoning in Humans
- Rodenticides - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) Fact Sheet - Rodenticides - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings - Rodenticides - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- 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
- Long-Acting Anti-coagulant Rodenticides - Iowa Poison Control Center
- Salmonella-based Rodenticides and Public Health - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Rodenticide Ingredients - Alanwood.net
Rodenticide Poisoning in Pets and Wildlife
- Keep Pets Safe Around Pesticides (p.4-Rodenticides) - Oregon State University Extension
- Anticoagulant rodenticides: Deadly for pests, dangerous for pets - ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
- Anticoagulant Rodenticides - PetEducation.com
- Bromethalin ToxBrief - ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
- Zinc-containing Rodenticides - PetEducation.com
- Potential Risks of Nine Rodenticides to Birds and Nontarget Mammals: a Comparative Approach - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 1-800-858-7378 (7:30am-3:30pm PST), or email us at npic@ace.orst.edu.
Last updated May 23, 2013
