How does poison dough for mice work? - briefly
Rodent bait dough contains anticoagulant compounds that interfere with blood clotting, causing internal hemorrhage after ingestion. The dough’s palatable base ensures consumption, while the delayed lethal effect prevents immediate detection by the animal.
How does poison dough for mice work? - in detail
Poison bait dough is a pliable matrix that incorporates a lethal rodenticide, most commonly an anticoagulant such as bromadiolone, difenacoum, or brodifacoum. The dough base consists of wheat flour, water, and a binding agent that creates a texture attractive to mice and easy to handle during placement.
When a mouse gnaws the bait, the rodent ingests the toxin along with the edible carrier. The anticoagulant is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream, where it interferes with the recycling of vitamin K‑dependent clotting factors (II, VII, IX, X). This inhibition prevents the formation of fibrin clots, leading to uncontrolled internal bleeding.
The physiological cascade proceeds as follows:
- Ingestion – mouse consumes a small portion of the dough (typically 0.1–0.2 g).
- Absorption – active ingredient enters circulation within minutes.
- Inhibition – vitamin K epoxide reductase is blocked, halting synthesis of clotting proteins.
- Bleeding – microvascular damage accumulates; overt hemorrhage appears after 12–72 hours.
- Death – loss of blood volume and organ failure result in mortality within 3–5 days, depending on dose and individual susceptibility.
Formulation considerations include:
- Concentration – usually 0.005–0.025 % active ingredient, calibrated to deliver a lethal dose in a single bite while minimizing non‑target exposure.
- Palatability – flavor enhancers (e.g., peanut butter, cheese) increase acceptance by rodents.
- Stability – low moisture content and preservatives extend shelf life and maintain potency under varied environmental conditions.
Safety measures require placement in tamper‑resistant stations, labeling according to regulatory standards, and avoidance of areas accessible to pets or children. Resistance monitoring is essential; some mouse populations exhibit reduced sensitivity to first‑generation anticoagulants, prompting the use of second‑generation compounds with higher potency.
Overall, the bait dough functions by delivering a precise dose of anticoagulant rodenticide in a format that exploits the mouse’s natural foraging behavior, leading to systemic coagulopathy and eventual death.