How does Ratobor work against rats and mice? - briefly
Ratobor is an anticoagulant rodenticide that blocks vitamin K recycling, causing uncontrolled internal bleeding and death in rats and mice. Delivered as bait, it is ingested by the pests and produces lethal effects within 24–48 hours.
How does Ratobor work against rats and mice? - in detail
Ratobor is a second‑generation anticoagulant rodenticide formulated as a highly palatable bait. The active compound, bromadiolone, interferes with the vitamin K cycle by blocking the enzyme vitamin K epoxide reductase. This inhibition prevents the regeneration of reduced vitamin K, a co‑factor required for the hepatic synthesis of clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X. As these proteins decline, the animal’s blood loses its ability to coagulate, leading to uncontrolled internal hemorrhage. Clinical signs typically appear 3–7 days after ingestion, allowing the rodent to return to its nest and feed other conspecifics before succumbing.
Key elements of the product’s efficacy:
- Bait matrix – a grain‑based carrier enriched with attractants that encourages consumption by both rats and mice, even in the presence of alternative food sources.
- Dose per gram – calibrated to deliver approximately 0.005 mg of bromadiolone per gram of bait, sufficient to reach a lethal dose after a single meal for most adult rodents.
- Delayed action – the latency between ingestion and death reduces bait aversion, as the animal does not associate the product with immediate adverse effects.
Resistance management relies on rotating Ratobor with non‑anticoagulant control methods (e.g., snap traps or mechanical exclusion) to prevent selection of tolerant populations. Because secondary poisoning can affect predators and scavengers, placement guidelines recommend securing bait stations to limit access by non‑target species and employing biodegradable containers that degrade after use.
Environmental considerations include:
- Persistence – bromadiolone exhibits a half‑life of several weeks in soil, necessitating careful site selection to avoid water bodies and protected habitats.
- Regulatory compliance – use must follow label‑specified maximum application rates, typically not exceeding 0.1 kg active ingredient per hectare, and adherence to local pesticide registration requirements.
In summary, the product’s mode of action centers on disrupting clotting factor synthesis, leading to fatal internal bleeding after a delayed period. Its formulation maximizes acceptance by target rodents while minimizing immediate detection, and proper deployment, rotation, and containment strategies are essential to maintain effectiveness and mitigate ecological risks.